By Chris Ayliffe, Arctic Meta
If the Vikings had smartphones, the world would’ve been a very noisy place (with the most bizarre reels and festivals).
Imagine Ragnar posting his latest raid haul with a smug grin and a mead-filled horn emoji, or Freyja running a series of sponsored posts for local rune jewellery.
It’s hard not to wonder what their stories, selfies, and reels might have looked like as they voyaged across seas and legends (sorry, #Legend).
In this guide, we travel through the Viking world as if it existed today, scrolling through a feed filled with storms, sagas, and subtle flexes (for those Vikings with clout, or plenty of LinkedIn endorsements).
So charge your imagination and prepare to see the Norse world through a modern lens, one that’s equal parts myth, mischief, and marvel.
The Viking Feed: Sagas, Selfies, and Status Updates
Imagine the Vikings waking up, rubbing sleep from their eyes, and checking their notifications.
A quick (raid) scroll through the morning feed: Leif Erikson posting sunrise shots from the Greenland coast, Freyja launching another skincare giveaway, and Thor tagging Odin in yet another thunderstorm reel.
Their captions? Short, proud, and usually about conquering something before lunch (after all, what is lunch if nothing is conquered?)
#MorningInTheLonghouse
Breakfast wasn’t exactly avocado toast and frothy latte.
A Viking breakfast was usually bread, cheese, dried fish, and ale. Yes, ale before sunrise (#Legends).
If they’d had Instagram, they’d probably post an overhead shot of a wooden platter with the caption: “Fuelled for a raid. #NoFilter.”
Life in the longhouse was smoky, crowded, and full of chatter.
You’d hear gossip about last night’s feast, whose beard caught fire, and whether the chieftain’s wife was really brewing ale for the gods or just for herself (we all know a boozy barmaid).
Stories were currency, and everyone wanted their tale to go viral.
#OOTD: What Viking Fashion Would Look Like on the ‘Gram
Move over, Paris Fashion Week. Vikings knew how to make an impression.
Men wore tunics, trousers, and cloaks fastened with ornate brooches.
Women wore layered wool dresses with colourful beads that would make any influencer jealous.
They loved accessories such as arm rings, necklaces, and anything shiny enough to show off (yes, I am starting to think they would thrive in our fast fashion world).
If someone had posted “OOTD” in 900 AD, it would’ve featured a fur cloak and captioned something like: “Sailing in style. #VikingVibes.”
#WarriorMode: When Raids Go Viral
The Viking version of “going viral” usually involved setting sail at dawn.
Axes sharpened, shields gleaming, and a ship full of adrenaline.
They’d document everything if they could: the crashing waves, the first sight of a new shore, the slow pan to terrified monks clutching relics (sounds about right now I’m writing this at Halloween).
Their reels would have been epic, and very likely cancelled.
Cinematic battles, triumphant poses, and perhaps a slow-motion clip of Thor swinging his hammer into the lightning. #JustAnotherTuesday.
From Fjords to Filters: Iceland’s Viking Aesthetic
It’s not hard to imagine where the Vikings found their inspiration.
Iceland’s landscapes look like they were designed by a god with an eye for drama (or at the very least, a Travel TikiToker).
Towering waterfalls, molten rock, and the kind of light that shifts by the minute (even God’s need followers).
Capturing the Northern Lights Without a Smartphone
If the Vikings had Instagram, their followers would be begging for Northern Lights content.
No need for filters when the sky is painting itself in green and violet waves.
Back then, though, they didn’t need likes to be impressed (probably, just shares).
They believed the lights were the reflections of Valkyrie shields guiding fallen warriors to Valhalla.
It’s a comforting thought.
Even today, when you watch the aurora from the Panorama Glass Lodge in the Icelandic wilderness, you can feel that same ancient and unshakable awe.
Storytelling Before Stories: How Vikings Went Viral Without Wi-Fi
Before hashtags, there were sagas.
These weren’t quick stories told over dinner. Instead, they were epic accounts of love, blood, honour, and loss (that go on a bit, if I’m honest).
Told by firelight, memorised for generations, and passed along like precious heirlooms.
A good storyteller could make a name that travelled farther than any ship (still true to this day).
In a way, they were the first influencers, shaping public opinion with words instead of pixels.
Or as I see it, the words that foretold a thousand pixels (I tried, Gen Z, I really did).
Runestones, Tattoos, and the Original Content Creators
Instead of posts, they carved their legacy in stone.
Runestones were the Viking version of status updates: “Here lies Sígurður, who owned more sheep than sense.”
Their tattoos were permanent tributes to gods, victories, and family (better than todays endless horoscopes).
Each rune told a story.
Every mark was deliberate, symbolic, and personal.
You can still feel the echoes of that expression today in Icelandic art, language, and storytelling all across the country.
Viking Influencers: Who Would Rule the Algorithm?
If Norse gods and heroes had access to Instagram, their feeds would dominate the digital world.
Each deity would cultivate a massive following through displays of power, charm, and perfectly staged feats of strength or wisdom.
Thor’s lightning reels would break records, Odin would post thought-provoking stories that challenge followers to seek knowledge (maybe too many Raven snaps), and Loki’s mischievous pranks would trend globally by lunchtime (very much the Logal Paul of his day).
They’d debate in comments, form alliances through collaborations (no, not with the Hulk), and spark endless fan theories about who’s the real ruler of Asgard.
In short, the Norse pantheon would rule the algorithm as effortlessly as they once ruled the nine realms (Myspace, Bebo, Facebook, Twitter/X, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp…not quite) .
Leif Erikson: The Original Travel Blogger
Forget Lonely Planet.
Leif was already discovering new continents before most people learned to swim.
His feed would be full of moody selfies in front of misty fjords with captions like: “Just touched down in Vinland. Not bad.”
And I’m sure the livestream from North America may have been extra telling as to what really went down.
Freyja: Goddess of Beauty, Love, and Perfect Lighting
Freyja would have cornered the influencer market.
Makeup tutorials, warrior glam, and a few emotional posts about empowerment and passion (she’d have her own hashtag on International Womens Day).
She’d collaborate with local jewellery brands and probably have a side hustle selling enchanted cat chariots (just a thought).
Thor: Sponsored by Thunder (and Probably Protein Powder)
Thor would dominate fitness reels.
Every post would involve lightning, power poses, and captions like: “Smash your goals. Literally.”
He’d run brand deals with axe companies and occasionally tag Odin for family support.
Or perhaps with his wielding of Mjolnir (the big hammer), he may have ended up with YouTube channel showing DIY tips (in this land of YouTube DIY Phds, I’d follow).
The Viking Lifestyle We’re Still Obsessed With Today
Minimalism. Sustainability. Adventure. Freedom. Community. Courage.
These were not trends or lifestyle choices for the Vikings, they were survival cornerstones to a hardy culture.
Every decision they made was shaped by the raw power of the elements and their bond with the land and sea.
Their lives followed the rhythm of the seasons, guided by respect for nature and an understanding that strength comes from simplicity.
They built what they needed, shared what they could (not from those they raided), and wasted nothing.
All the things modern travellers crave (purpose, authenticity, and connection) were second nature to the Vikings. Perhaps that’s something we all need a little more of.
Wild Landscapes, Firelight Feasts, and Simplicity by Design
They didn’t clutter their lives with things.
They valued what mattered: food, shelter, and stories shared under the cold arctic skies, making sense of everything from the storm clouds to the Northern Lights.
It’s no wonder their aesthetic continues to inspire today.
Imagine sitting by a crackling fire (genuinely how I write most of my articles), wind whistling across a lava field, and steam rising from a geothermal spring nearby.
That’s Iceland in its rawest, most powerful form, offering an unsubtle shout of #BacktoBasics.
Why Modern Minimalists Would’ve Followed the Norse Way
The Vikings believed in balance.
They used what they needed, respected the land, and left little waste behind (sort of like accidental eco-warriors).
Their homes were small but strong, their lives simple but full.
It’s a philosophy that fits perfectly with today’s sustainability movement.
Living with purpose, in harmony with the elements, and finding peace in the quiet moments (an iPhone would have likely corrupted that beautiful simplicity).
Iceland: The Backdrop of Every Viking Epic
Every saga worth telling began in a landscape that looked too wild to be real.
Volcanoes, glaciers, and black sand beaches that stretch beyond sight.
The Icelandic landscape was a full on character for every tale.
Fierce, beautiful, and unpredictable.
The same spirit lives on in every modern traveller who sets out to explore it (be one of them).
Modern-Day Viking Dreams: Where to Live Like One
You don’t need a longship to feel like a Viking anymore.
You just need the right place to stay, a place that captures the same spirit of exploration, resilience, and connection to nature that defined the Norse world.
In the Viking Age, a home was was a base for adventure, a refuge from brutal winters, and a place where stories were born.
Today, modern travellers crave that same sense of belonging and wildness.
They seek warmth in the midst of frost, stillness amid storms, and views that remind them how small and magnificent life can be (see where I’m going with this?)
Iceland offers all that and more, blending ancient legend with modern comfort.
And nowhere embodies that blend more perfectly than the glass-walled sanctuaries of the Panorama Glass Lodge, where Viking spirit meets modern serenity (after all, the very concept even came to Sabrina in a dream).
Trading Longhouses for Luxury Lodges
The longhouse had its charm, but there’s something to be said for glass walls and private hot tubs.
The Panorama Glass Lodge offers all the adventure of the Viking world, minus the draughts and the smoky fires.
Each lodge is a sanctuary where you can reconnect with nature without giving up comfort.
It’s the perfect blend of wild Icelandic beauty, Scandinavian design, and a proper romantic escape with your significant other (or just pick your favourite child to join, too).
Sleep Under the Northern Lights Like a True Explorer
Vikings believed the Northern Lights were celestial fire, the dance of spirits across the night sky.
Now, you can watch them from your warm bed, cocooned in glass and silence.
Outside, the wind hums softly through the lava fields.
Inside, the world stands still. It’s an experience that feels ancient and futuristic all at once, with the ability to take stock of the Viking settlers who once walked the lands you’re resting on.
Why the Panorama Glass Lodge Is the Ultimate Viking Hideaway
There’s something undeniably primal about sleeping surrounded by nature.
The Panorama Glass Lodge brings that feeling to life, but with comfort fit for modern-day Norse royalty.
Private hot tubs steam under starlit skies.
Saunas wait to melt the chill from your bones after a day exploring waterfalls or lava caves.
And when night falls, the entire sky becomes your ceiling. And if you’re a Neil DeGrasse Tyson podcast listener like I am, no two skies are the same, which makes you stay extra special.
Think of it as a return to the elements, a quiet rebellion against modern noise (I’m sure Viking Jón is happy he wasn’t searching for filters now).
Tagging the Past: What Vikings Would Post From Iceland Today
If they had smartphones, the Vikings would’ve been unbearable.
Unbearable. In the best way.
#AuroraSelfie: Capturing the Glow of the Gods
Imagine Thor live-streaming the Northern Lights (probably drunk).
Or Freyja sharing a romantic selfie under the stars.
The captions would be divine, the comments full of runes and admiration (maybe a few Catfish heckles from Lóki).
#HotTubSaga: Unwinding After a Day of Conquering
After a long day raiding or trading, nothing beats a soak.
Vikings loved their baths, often turning natural springs into communal spas.
They would’ve approved of the private hot tubs at the Panorama Glass Lodge (and so do I).
Steam rising.
Ale in hand.
#blessed.
#PanoramaViews: Modern Comfort Meets Ancient Spirit
Every corner of the Icelandic wilderness feels charged with history.
From your Panorama Glass Lodge windows, you can see the same mountains (and Hekla volcano from our South Iceland location) and rivers that shaped Viking legends.
The Panorama Glass Lodge captures that connection between past and present.
It’s the perfect setting for your own modern saga to begin.
Final Thoughts: From Longships to Lodges, the Saga Continues
The Vikings might not have had Wi-Fi, but they understood connection (don’t steal that line, Nova).
Connection to each other, to their stories, and to the land that gave them life.
Today, travellers come to Iceland searching for that same connection.
To slow down.
To feel the elements again.
To find stillness under the Northern Lights and rediscover what it means to simply be (without all the gadgets that now seem to dominate every waking moment).
You don’t need to wield an axe to live boldly.
Just stepping into Iceland’s untouched wilderness is enough.
It’s about courage, curiosity, and the joy of discovery.
At the Panorama Glass Lodge, you can live that spirit.
Breathe the cold air.
Feel the pulse of a land where myths were born (because you’re sitting in amongst the myths).
Here, history and luxury meet beneath the open sky.
You can trace the footsteps of explorers by day and sleep like old kings and queens by night.
The Panorama Glass Lodge is an experience worthy of a saga, just waiting to be written and read by the next traveller.
A place where the Viking spirit still stirs the wind, and every sunrise feels like a new adventure waiting to be written.
What are you waiting for? A reel about the article?!