They first showed up on the shores of England in 787 C.E. to raid villages

They mainly raided Western and Eastern Europe and were pagans who often targeted Monasteries.

Besides the raiding, vikings traded, explored, and well talented craftsman. Their shipbuilders and weaponry is what made them so successful in raiding Europe.

The history of the Vikings is closely linked to their role as masters of the sea. They were feared as fierce and ruthless pirates. Their superior ships explored unknown seas and they settled new lands.

Besides being known as ruthless pirates, they lived in well-ordered society, based on democracy and law.

Viking society was divided into three social classes. the nobles or jarls, the middle class or karls and the slaves or thralls.

Women had high power and were responsible for the farm when men were abroad. Women were not forced into marriage and could divorce, unlike other cultures at the time.

In viking society, a good blacksmith and a good poet, were equally acknowledged
Viking art was recognized as fine art all over the known world.
From Scandinavia, the Vikings traveled south and settled in  England, Ireland, France, and Spain
The Vikings explored and traded in the Arabian world in Northern Africa and parts of Russia 
When traveling to the Middle East, they traded silk, spices and jewelry with travelers from the Orient. They traveled to these areas through the big rivers of Europe. They could pull their ships over land and during the winter, had sleighs pulled by horses
Sports were a bid deal in The Vikings lives. These sports included spear and stone throwing, wrestling and fist-fighting, and stone lifting. They also practiced mountain climbing and swimming for sports.
It is likely that all men were required to carry weapons and were permitted to carry them at all times. A wealthy viking had a complete ensemble of a helmet, shield, mail shirt, and sword.
A common misconception about vikings is the horned helmets they were in battle. No preserved helmets show any traces of horns
In 1066, the Vikings, led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway were defeated by the English and King Harold Godwinson. The loss of this battle is sometimes used to symbolize the end of the Viking Age. At this point the Vikings stopped expanding their territory and raiding became less frequent. The coming of Christianity is also a major reason of the end of the Viking age. When Scandinavia converted to Christianity it became part of Christian Europe, and the vikings became a part of mainland Europe.