Tales of sea monsters have played a colourful role in Icelandic folk culture for centuries and thousands of written accounts can be found all around the country. Today, these elusive creatures that still appear in Arnafjörður have been given a worthy home at the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum, in Arnarfjörður fjord, proclaimed to be one of the most prolific centers …
Ósvör Maritime Museum
On the seaside of Bolungarvík is the Ósvör Maritime Museum, a fascinating exhibit built on the ruins of old fishing huts from the 19th century. Lovingly restored, its highlight is a replica of a six-man rowing boat, Ölver, among the oldest of its kind in the country. The museum also features a salt house, fish sheds, a fish drying area …
Litlibær in Skötufjörður
The story of the two families who together created Litlibær farm in Skötufjordur fjord in 1895 is typical of poor people who made a start empty-handed but succeeded by efficiency and hard work to rise to self-sufficiency and provide for large families. They lived off the land but also harvested much more from the sea and its rich fishing grounds. …
Hnjótur Museum
Hnjótur Museum in Örlygshöfn in Patreksfjörður, displays a unique collection of old items from the Southern Westfjords. The museum shows the history of fishing, farming and everyday life in the area. At the museum is an exhibition about the heroic rescue of the British trawler Dhoon that stranded at Látrabjarg cliffs in 1947. At the site is also cafeteria, souvenir …
The Sheep Farming Museum
The Sheep Farming Museum (established in 2002), just 12 km south of Hólmavík, is an interesting and entertaining exhibition about the Icelandic sheep and sheep farming. The exhibition focuses on providing diverse entertainment for all ages. The children can enjoy themselves in their own room, in which are toys and colour books, while the grown-ups can view the exhibition. The …
Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft
The 17th century was a dark time in Iceland’s history when the horror of the European witchcraft craze swept over the country with accompanying persecution. Over 200 witchcraft cases arose and over 21 people were burned for witchcraft. The Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft combines the history of magic with knowledge about magic in Iceland and how it appears in …
The Arctic Fox Centre
The Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík is a non-profit research and exhibition centre, focusing on the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), the only native terrestrial mammal in Iceland. It opened in 2010 in the rebuilt Eyrardalur House ( from 1896). It´s aim is to collect in one place all the knowledge, materials and objects related to the Arctic Fox in the …
The Old Smithy in Þingeyri
The history of The Old Smithy in Þingeyri, as it is now called, can be traced back to the year 1906, when Guðmundur J. Sigurðsson returned from mechanical engineering studies in Denmark. From there he brought new tools that were necessary for workshop operations. In 1913, together with the owner of the Gram-store at site, he founded Guðmundur J. Sigurðsson’s …
Skálinn – Viking Center
In Skálinn – Viking Center, in the village of Þingeyri, you can play settlers and immerse yourself in their daily lives. Dress up in hand-stitched clothing from the Viking Age and bake bread over an open fire. In the reception hall, which has been decorated in Viking style, people have a unique opportunity to get to know the conditions and …
Jón Sigurðsson Museum
Located in the stunning Arnarfjörður in the West Fjords, Hrafnseyri celebrates the life and work of Jón Sigurðsson (1811-1879), the leader of the 19th century Icelandic Independence movement, who was born and raised at the farm. In 2011, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Jon’s birth, a new exhibition, “For the Good of the Nation – Jón Sigurðsson …
Westfjords Heritage Museum
The Westfjords Heritage Museum is situated at the tip of the small spit on which the town of Ísafjörður is located. The museum building is one of four 18th century houses that have been renovated and are now amongst the town’s biggest tourist attritions. The town of Ísafjörður was established and based on the fishing industry; therefore it is only …
Ísafjörður Guide
Ísafjörður walk – a journey through time Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords, has a well-preserved town center with houses from the 19th century that reflect, among other things, the fishing and trading history of the place and the people who lived there. The guide who is dressed like a 19th century fish worker will meet you at the tourist …