For four days, Birka comes alive with historical tattoo art and a Viking market. Explore traditional crafts, live music and hands-on activities in a unique setting at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Birka. International tattoo artists specialising in historical, Norse, Celtic, Baltic and ornamental styles gather here to work and exhibit in an authentic Viking Age environment.
Everyone travelling to Birka between 4–7 June has full access to both the Viking Market and Birka Historical Tattoo Fest. There is no separate festival ticket.
Simply book a regular boat ticket to Birka to attend.
Throughout the weekend, Birka is filled with life. More than 40 tattoo artists specialising in historical and ornamental styles work from the museum, and a wide range of workshops are open to visitors. At the Viking market, you can buy historical replicas and handmade crafts, meet Vikings and historical reenactors, experience a traditional blót ceremony, have your fortune read in runes, and try archery.
You can also enjoy historical folk music performed by @dajogniaband, @songleikr and @folketbortafor.
Photo: Ruben Terlouw @Woedans
Birka is located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren and can only be reached by boat.
You can travel in two ways – boat from central Stockholm or taxi boat from Hovgården on Adelsö
Stromma’s ticket is booked as a same-day return ticket. The boat departs from Klara Mälarstrand in central Stockholm. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.
Your boat ticket includes:
There are two departure times available (book via stromma.com):
You only need to book the boat ticket – admission to the event is included.
Boat: M/S Mälar Victoria
09:30 Departure Stockholm
11:45 Arrival Birka
15:00 Departure Birka
17:15 Arrival Stockholm
Boat: M/S Evert Taube
12:30 Departure Stockholm
14:30 Arrival Birka
18:00 Departure Birka
20:00 Arrival Stockholm
Boat: M/S Mälar Victoria
10:00 Departure Stockholm
12:15 Arrival Birka
15:30 Departure Birka
17:45 Arrival Stockholm
Boat: M/S Evert Taube
12:30 Departure Stockholm
14:30 Arrival Birka
18:00 Departure Birka
20:00 Arrival Stockholm
M/S Mälar Victoria
10:00 Departure Stockholm
12:15 Arrival Birka
15:30 Departure Birka
17:45 Arrival Stockholm
During the festival, taxi boats operate at scheduled times from Hovgården. Tickets are purchased on board and can be paid by card or Swish.
Information about 2026 departure times and prices will be published closer to the event.
Photo: Krystyna Janusz @zeppelinstudio
Would you like to experience the festival at a slower pace and stay one or more nights on the island? During the event, overnight stays are possible at Birka.
Please book well in advance to secure your place.
A designated camping area will be open during the festival.
Please pre-book by emailing birka.museet@stromma.se include tent size, number of people and dates of stay.
Are you coming as reenactors or a Viking group and want to set up historical tents?
Please contact us at birka.museet@stromma.se for more information!
Photo: Ruben Terlouw @Woedans
Below is the full line-up of confirmed tattoo artists for 2026, including their country of origin. To book a session, please contact the artist directly.
Belgium:
@raudrrafn, @halfdan_skrifa, @isamyling
Czech Republic:
@theravenfromthenorth
Denmark:
@colindaletattoo / @skinandbone.dk
Lars Martinen / @larmatattoo
@uffeberenth / @ginnungagap.art
@life_of_belle_1 / @ginnungagap.art
@ella_rasmussen_art /@ginnungagap.art
@marcushammertattoo
@vio.le.tatu / @kunsten_paa_kropen
@wovnwyrm.tattoo
@xknotsanddotsx
@chesh.pokes
France:
@romainbonniez, @liminalmarks
Finland:
@antti_kuurne, @alexjazz
Germany:
@fabian_tillmanns_tatt, @blekksmie_ami.henne, @waweih_ink
Iceland:
@habbanerotattoo / @orlogiceland
@strigaartist / @orlogiceland
@sigurbodi
@fatamorganaiceland
@ellefolk_tattoo / @ritual_tattoo_iceland
Italy:
@markantonio_om
Lithuania:
@edbe.handpoke
New Zealand:
@brentmccown_
Norway:
@kaija_bodyart
@jannickewiesehansen / @nidhoggtattoo
Poland:
@krzysztofsirkis, @slavictales.tatts, @historicaltattoo
Spain:
@luli_tattoo
Sweden:
@vik__ink, @ancientskin.tattoo, @tehotatu
Switzerland: @nornir.tattoo
Wales:
@sacred_knot_tattoo / Sean Parry
@pictavia.leather
@villkat.arts
No, a regular boat ticket to Birka is sufficient. The event is included in your boat ticket.
Birka is located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, outside Stockholm, and can only be reached by boat.
You can travel with Stromma from central Stockholm (approx. 2 hours) or by taxi boat from Hovgården on Adelsö.
The morning departure from Stockholm also stops at: Nya Kungshatt, Jungfrusund and Vårby.
Book your ticket via stromma.com.
You can choose between two departures from Stockholm:
09:30 (morning departure) or 12:30 (midday departure).
No, Stromma’s standard ticket is a same-day return ticket.
If you plan to stay several days, you can travel back by taxi boat, or book separate return tickets for different dates.
You contact the tattoo artist directly. See the full list of artists on this page.
Absolutely. Everyone visiting Birka during these dates is welcome to enjoy the festival – no tattoo required.
Book camping by emailing birka.museet@stromma.se.
When planning your trip, remember that Stromma tickets are same-day return tickets. For multi-day stays, plan your return journey accordingly. We are happy to assist with practical travel questions.
