Overview: Glamping at Birka, the Viking Metropolis, Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

What I’m about to explain isn’t simply one other luxurious resort evaluate. However please learn on and also you’ll see how it is a luxurious expertise of a really completely different variety, however each bit as particular. Birka is basically the unique Stockholm – a bustling Viking buying and selling hub located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, simply west of modern-day Stockholm. It was established within the eighth century and served as one of many earliest city centres in Scandinavia, enjoying a significant position within the commerce routes that linked Viking territories with the remainder of Europe, Byzantium and even the Center East.

As soon as a centre for retailers bringing items like furs, textiles, jewellery and unique gadgets, as we speak it’s a UNESCO World Heritage web site that welcomes guests to discover the positioning, be taught extra about Sweden’s deep Viking heritage and marvel at this image of early world commerce. And what’s actually particular is which you could keep in a single day at Birka, lengthy after nearly all of vacationers have left, to really respect the island’s historic values, nature and spirit, and have the place just about all to your self.

However firstly, how do you get there? Most guests arrive on board M/S Victoria – run by Strömma Kanalbolaget – which leaves Stockholm, and stops at varied jetties on the way in which. Prime tip: in case you have a automobile, do as we did and drive to Jungfrusund in Ekerö, and board on the jetty there. Parking in Stockholm is dear, however at Jungfrusund you’ll be able to park free of charge for as much as two days. Different choices are to drive to Lindby brygga, Adelsö and journey by motorboat, or constitution a yacht and moor at Birka’s visitor harbour.

The welcome

Anybody disembarking M/S Victoria at Birka is greeted by a picket signal, resting towards an previous picket wheelbarrow, with the phrase ‘welcome’ in Viking runes, set towards a picturesque backdrop of pink buildings and plush greenery.

You possibly can go to Birka for the day, as most individuals do, or keep in a single day and luxuriate in a glamping expertise. We have been there to do the latter, however didn’t talk our arrival after we first arrived as we first wished to take the tour. Excursions run every day after the boat arrives – one in English and one in Swedish.

The tour of Birka

Should you go to Birka, I strongly advocate you’re taking the tour. You’ll nonetheless have loads of time to discover the island at your individual leisure, however the tour – which is all included along with your go to – will provide you with some actually precious insights.

It takes about an hour and entails some strolling on diverse terrain, however nothing too strenuous. On the tour, which is delivered by somebody in conventional Viking apparel, you’ll find out about how the island is now a lot greater than it was once as a consequence of post-glacial uplift of the terrain, but additionally in regards to the excavations and burial chambers on the island.

You’ll find out about how retailers got here to the Birka from throughout Europe, in addition to different elements of the world, as revealed by archaeological excavations which have unearthed Arabic silver, beads and ceramics from Jap Europe and unique materials from Asia. In return, the merchants would have obtained Swedish items akin to iron, horns, skins and furs.

Birka managed the commerce routes in northern Scandinavia for round 200 years, however got here to an finish when the residents both died or deserted the island, we’re undecided which. Some 5,000 graves – largely cremation graves – exist on the island as we speak and are a shifting reminder of what was as soon as a thriving neighborhood.

The tour concludes near the Monument of Ansgar, a cross that occupies the very best level on the island. It was constructed to honour the Benedictine monk Ansgar, a missionary who was despatched to Sweden within the 800s by Louis the Pious, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to carry Christianity to the nation. Whereas his mission might not have been completely profitable, a monument bearing his title was raised a thousand years later, in 1834, and it nonetheless stands as we speak.

It’s price visiting even when only for the view of Lake Mälaren.

The glamping expertise

5 glamping tents, every with historic Viking names and sleeping 2 to 4 individuals, are a comparatively new addition to the island.

They’re fenced off from nearly all of guests to make sure a level of privateness, and located simply above the water’s edge.

The view from contained in the glamping tent is so peaceable and stress-free, and provides a beautiful vista throughout Lake Mälaren.

Every tent is furnished with a correct mattress and hotel-standard bedding, a lockable chest in your valuables, stools and a desk.

Shampoo, conditioner and bathe gel are all provided, as are towels and a lightweight, and showers and bathrooms can be found in a service constructing near the glamping space. Or, should you’re feeling courageous, take a dip within the refreshing water the Vikings bathed in through the small seaside that’s en route.

As for my evening’s sleep? As you understand, I’ve been lucky to remain at many pretty resorts all around the world, however I’m not exaggerating once I say this was probably among the best evening’s sleep that I’ve had in years! I’m undecided what it was… possibly as a result of we went to mattress comparatively early when evening fell, or maybe it was the soothing nature of the water lapping towards the shore outdoors, however I slept actually, rather well and felt fully refreshed the subsequent morning.

The services

There may be a lot to see on the island. Beside the archaeological web site and Ansgar Monument already talked about, there’s a museum and store which has exhibitions and a few glorious reconstructions exhibiting life in Birka within the Viking Age. It additionally contains many desirable objects which have been uncovered on the web site.

Throughout from the museum are some full-scale reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, historical Norse crops, and livestock, to offer guests a greater perception into what life was like on this earliest of Swedish settlements. This genuine reconstruction relies partly on information obtained throughout archaeological excavations made on the island.

Should you obtain Birka’s audio information to your cell phone, you’ll be able to hear about Ulvar, a 10-year-old who lived within the village through the Viking Age, or in regards to the reconstruction of the homes.

There’s even a church on the island, managed by Ekerö parish, which is open for guests in addition to Summer season weddings and christenings. Bearing the Christian missionary’s title, the Ansgar Chapel, was designed by architect Lars Israel Wahlman and in-built round 1930, 100 years after the Monument of Ansgar was raised.

Lastly, be sure to go to Restaurant Särimner, near the place the boat docks, the place you’ll be able to sit inside or out.

We had lunch there each days, having fun with domestically produced meals akin to traditional Swedish meatballs served with pickled cucumber, lingonberries, potatoes and a cream sauce, beetroot beefs served with a gray pea hummus, root greens and sauerkraut, or smoked salmon served with a herb sauce and roasted root greens, spinach and pickled pink onion. And the beer comes from native breweries too.

A Viking dinner at Restaurant Särimner is included within the glamping expertise, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from Swedish dishes akin to Basic Toast Skagen. This traditional dish of shrimps in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise flavoured with contemporary dill and a squeeze of lemon is commonly loved as a part of midsummer celebrations or on different festive events.

The hearty mains included dishes akin to pink wine braised beef cheek with root vegetable gratin and asparagus, Särimner’s fish and seafood casserole, and glazed ribs with fries, all exceptionally cooked.

An espresso crème brûlée with contemporary berries was a beautiful approach to spherical off the night because the solar set over Björkfjärden.

The placement

Birka is positioned on Björkö Island in Lake Mälaren, roughly 30 kilometres west of Stockholm.

Different good touches

One actually pretty a part of our keep was having a breakfast basket delivered within the morning. The chef had requested us the evening earlier than what we favored in the way in which of tea, espresso, juice, rolls, yoghurts, and so on. and this was duly dropped off by quad bike the subsequent morning. Once more, the climate was variety to us so we have been capable of get pleasure from this outdoors.

The fee

Boat excursions to Birka, which embody a spherical journey, entry to the museum and a guided tour of the traditional fields, begin from simply 395 SEK (roughly $40 USD) per particular person.

The glamping expertise, which incorporates an in a single day keep, a Viking dinner and a breakfast package deal, begins from 3790 SEK (round $400 USD) for a 2-person tent, or 5700 SEK (round $600 USD) for a 4-person tent. Glamping company obtain a reduced boat journey with Strömma Kanalbolaget to and from Birka. The boat journey is booked individually with the low cost code obtained within the glamping affirmation.

The location is simply simply accessible to guests within the hotter months of the yr, with an everyday ferry service working from Stockholm from Might to September.

The most effective bit

One of many actually particular issues about glamping at Birka is having the place to your self in any case the opposite vacationers have left. And, while it’s laborious to select a stand-out characteristic of our glamping expertise as we liked each minute of it, the Viking dinner was actually pretty. There was solely the 4 of us and the chef there, and he produced an distinctive meal for us, notably when you think about nearly all of the substances should be introduced on to the island. It was simply so peaceable and the climate was variety to us, which meant we have been capable of eat outdoors, overlooking the water because the solar set. All very magical!

The ultimate verdict

If you’re in Stockholm, I wholeheartedly advocate a go to to Birka. It’s a very particular place, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and of big historic significance. However, to make your go to further particular and extra memorable, I’d undoubtedly advocate that you simply go for the glamping expertise to completely immerse your self into the island’s historic values, nature and spirit. It will provide you with extra time to get to know the positioning and help you higher respect all the pieces that it has to supply.

Disclosure: Our go to to Birka was sponsored by Strömma Kanalbolaget and our journey was kindly supported by Go to Stockholm.