Step into the Viking Age on Laugavegur

Mink Viking Portrait Experience is a private, indoor cultural studio in the heart of downtown Reykjavík where guests transform into Vikings — dressed in handmade period attire, armed with authentic weapons, and photographed by professionals who have worked on Game of Thrones and other major Icelandic productions. Rated the #1 activity in Reykjavík by visitors on TripAdvisor for more than a decade, with 4.9 stars and 570+ reviews, the experience blends Norse history, mythology and craftsmanship into an hour that guests describe as more than just a photo shoot — it is a living introduction to Iceland’s Viking heritage.

Authentic Costumes, Weapons and Period Craftsmanship

Every garment, axe, shield, helmet and piece of jewellery at Mink Viking Portrait is sourced or handmade in the studio’s own Viking Craft workshop, using period-accurate materials and techniques. Linen and wool tunics, fur-lined cloaks, bronze brooches, leather belts, chainmail and forged steel weapons are fitted to each guest individually. The result is not a costume party but a careful re-creation of how a 10th-century Norse settler might have looked — the same level of craftsmanship that has drawn film and television productions to work with the team behind the studio.

Norse History and Mythology, Told by Icelandic Storytellers

A visit to Mink Viking Portrait is guided by Icelandic photographers and stylists who weave history and mythology into every step of the session. As guests are dressed, they hear about settlement-era Iceland, the gods of the Norse pantheon, daily life on a Viking farmstead, and the sagas that still shape Icelandic identity today. One visitor wrote that the studio offers „more than just a quick photo shoot“ and is „well worth the experience“ — a sentiment echoed across hundreds of reviews from guests who came for portraits and left having learned something about the country they were visiting.

A Private, Weatherproof Experience in Downtown Reykjavík

Located on the second floor at Laugavegur 11 — Reykjavík’s main shopping street — Mink Viking Portrait is fully indoors and fully private. Each booking, whether for a solo traveller or a group of eight, has the studio entirely to itself. That makes it one of the few Reykjavík activities completely unaffected by weather: a reliable choice on a rainy summer afternoon, a dark winter morning, or any day when an outdoor plan has fallen through. Cruise passengers, layover travellers and visitors with tight itineraries especially appreciate that the experience runs on schedule regardless of conditions outside.

Designed for Couples, Families and Cruise Visitors

The studio welcomes all ages, with costuming and posing tailored to each group. Couples are guided through both stoic and action portraits; families with children are given particular care, with smaller-sized costumes and a relaxed pace; solo travellers receive the same private attention as larger parties. The flat rate of 16,000 ISK per person (any group size from one to eight) makes it straightforward to plan, and the team can accommodate larger or off-site bookings on request. A reviewer summed it up simply: „a must do when coming to beautiful Iceland.“

Same-Day Digital Gallery and Lifetime Keepsakes

Sessions last about an hour, during which dozens of individual, paired and group images are captured in a purpose-built studio set. The full high-resolution gallery is delivered digitally the same day or within 24 hours, ready to share, print and keep. Guests can also order professional prints, mugs and other keepsakes shipped worldwide from the studio. Gift cards are available year-round and remain valid for 18 months — a popular option for visitors wanting to bring back something more meaningful than a souvenir from a shop.

Visiting Mink Viking Portrait

The studio is centrally located on Laugavegur, a short walk from Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa and the Old Harbour. Sessions are by appointment only and fill quickly, especially in summer and around cruise calls; booking ahead via mink.is is strongly recommended. Cancellations and reschedules are handled online up to 24 hours before the session. The entrance is on the second floor on the right side of the building (please ask ahead if assistance with stairs is needed), and a parking garage is located nearby.