What I’m about to explain isn’t simply one other luxurious resort evaluation. However please learn on and also you’ll see how this can be a luxurious expertise of a really completely different sort, however each bit as particular. Birka is actually 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, taking part in an important 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 objects, as we speak it’s a UNESCO World Heritage website that welcomes guests to discover the location, study extra about Sweden’s deep Viking heritage and marvel at this image of early world commerce. And what’s actually particular is you can keep in a single day at Birka, lengthy after nearly all of vacationers have left, to really admire 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 numerous jetties on the way in which. High tip: when you have a automotive, 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 possibly can park at no cost for as much as two days. Various 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Anybody disembarking M/S Victoria at Birka is greeted by a wood signal, resting in opposition to an outdated wood wheelbarrow, with the phrase ‘welcome’ in Viking runes, set in opposition to a picturesque backdrop of crimson buildings and plush greenery.
You’ll be able to go to Birka for the day, as most individuals do, or keep in a single day and luxuriate in a glamping expertise. We had 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
For those who go to Birka, I strongly suggest you’re taking the tour. You’ll nonetheless have loads of time to discover the island at your personal leisure, however the tour – which is all included together with your go to – offers you some actually helpful insights.
It takes about an hour and includes some strolling on different terrain, however nothing too strenuous. On the tour, which is delivered by somebody in conventional Viking apparel, you’ll study how the island is now a lot larger than it was as a result of post-glacial uplift of the terrain, but in addition concerning the excavations and burial chambers on the island.
You’ll study 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 Japanese Europe and unique materials from Asia. In return, the merchants would have acquired Swedish items reminiscent of 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 unsure which. Some 5,000 graves – principally cremation graves – exist on the island as we speak and are a shifting reminder of what was as soon as a thriving group.
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 convey Christianity to the nation. Whereas his mission could not have been completely profitable, a monument bearing his identify was raised a thousand years later, in 1834, and it nonetheless stands as we speak.
It’s value 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 affords a beautiful vista throughout Lake Mälaren.
Every tent is furnished with a correct mattress and hotel-standard bedding, a lockable chest to your valuables, stools and a desk.
Shampoo, conditioner and bathe gel are all equipped, as are towels and a light-weight, and showers and bogs can be found in a service constructing near the glamping space. Or, in the event you’re feeling courageous, take a dip within the refreshing water the Vikings bathed in through the small seashore that’s en route.
As for my evening’s sleep? As you understand, I’ve been lucky to remain at many beautiful accommodations all around the world, however I’m not exaggerating after I say this was probably top-of-the-line evening’s sleep that I’ve had in years! I’m unsure what it was… perhaps as a result of we went to mattress comparatively early when evening fell, or maybe it was the soothing nature of the water lapping in opposition to the shore outdoors, however I slept actually, very well and felt fully refreshed the subsequent morning.
The whole lot you could plan your journey in 2024
The amenities
There may be a lot to see on the island. Beside the archaeological website and Ansgar Monument already talked about, there’s a museum and store which has exhibitions and a few glorious reconstructions displaying life in Birka within the Viking Age. It additionally contains many desirable objects which were uncovered on the website.
Throughout from the museum are some full-scale reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, historic Norse crops, and livestock, to offer guests a greater perception into what life was like on this earliest of Swedish settlements. This genuine reconstruction is predicated partly on information obtained throughout archaeological excavations made on the island.
For those who obtain Birka’s audio information to your cell phone, you possibly can hear about Ulvar, a 10-year-old who lived within the village throughout the Viking Age, or concerning 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 time weddings and christenings. Bearing the Christian missionary’s identify, 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 possibly can sit inside or out.
We had lunch there each days, having fun with domestically produced meals reminiscent of 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 crimson onion. And the beer comes from native breweries too.
A Viking dinner at Restaurant Särimner is included within the glamping expertise, the place you possibly can take pleasure in Swedish dishes reminiscent of Basic Toast Skagen. This traditional dish of shrimps in a creamy dressing of mayonnaise flavoured with recent dill and a squeeze of lemon is usually loved as a part of midsummer celebrations or on different festive events.
The hearty mains included dishes reminiscent of crimson 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 recent berries was a stunning method to spherical off the night because the solar set over Björkfjärden.
The situation
Birka is positioned on Björkö Island in Lake Mälaren, roughly 30 kilometres west of Stockholm.
Different good touches
One actually beautiful 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 appreciated 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 sort to us so we had been capable of take pleasure in this outdoors.
The associated 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 individual.
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 visitors obtain a reduced boat journey with Strömma Kanalbolaget to and from Birka. The boat journey is booked individually with the low cost code acquired 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.
One of the best bit
One of many actually particular issues about glamping at Birka is having the place to your self in spite of everything the opposite vacationers have left. And, while it’s exhausting to select a stand-out function of our glamping expertise as we cherished each minute of it, the Viking dinner was actually beautiful. There was solely the 4 of us and the chef there, and he produced an distinctive meal for us, significantly when you think about nearly all of the elements need to be introduced on to the island. It was simply so peaceable and the climate was sort to us, which meant we had been capable of eat outdoors, overlooking the water because the solar set. All very magical!
The ultimate verdict
In case you are in Stockholm, I wholeheartedly suggest a go to to Birka. It’s a very particular place, a UNESCO World Heritage Website and of giant historic significance. However, to make your go to additional particular and extra memorable, I might undoubtedly suggest that you just go for the glamping expertise to completely immerse your self into the island’s historic values, nature and spirit. It offers you extra time to get to know the location and permit you to higher admire 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.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey trade for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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