In spring 2017, a new permanent global attraction with a Viking theme will open in Stockholm's Djurgården– a long-awaited tourist venture on the island that is already packed with wonderful attractions. The people behind the project include the founder of Junibacken, which is a museum devoted to Swedish children’s literature, and the well-known Professor of History, Dick Harrison.

Abba Museum, the Wasa Museum, Gröna Lund, Junibacken – few places in Sweden can boast so many tourist-grabbing attractions within a stone’s throw of each other as Djurgården. And now the list will grow with Vikingaliv (Viking Life) – a tourist attraction that takes its visitors on a dramatic journey through the world of Vikings. The project has secured substantial funding.

“It feels really exciting to finally breathe life into the Vikings’ history and build an eagerly awaited Viking attraction. Until now there hasn’t been an obvious experience of this kind for adults out on Djurgården and I hope that many people will be pleased that Vikingaliv is finally taking off”, says Olof Stenhammar, one of the driving-forces behind the project.

The main attraction is a journey by Viking ship, where visitors experience major dramatic scenes from the Viking Age. In addition to the adventure-based ride, the site will also house an exhibition, a shop, and a café. The Swedish history professor, Dick Harrison, is working together with Vikingaliv to guarantee the Viking attraction’s historical accuracy.

“Almost everyone knows of the Swedish Vikings, but few of our ideas about them actually correspond to reality. It is about time the Vikings were shown in their correct historical context and I can’t think of a better solution than Vikingaliv”, says Harrison, Professor of History at Lund University.

"The Vikings are the most falsified figures in our country. Virtually, nothing of what the tourism industry claims about them is true. We intend to change that while providing a colourful and exciting historic tale of our ancient Nordic citizens," explains Harrison.

Vikingaliv will be built between Gröna Lund and the Vasa Museum in Wasa Docks on Djurgården, more specifically in Boathouse 1 at Gälar Dock. With its seven million paying visitors per year, Djurgården is an excellent place for an adventure attraction.