Elliðaárdalur valley is a unique natural gem in the heart of Reykjavík and one of the city’s most popular outdoor areas, where you can enjoy salmon fishing, horseback riding, cycling, skiing, mini golf, hiking and running. The valley is characterised by diverse nature, landscape, geology and vegetation, where bird and animal life is diverse. The Elliðaá rivers are the only …
Gljúfrasteinn – Laxness Museum
Halldór Laxness (1902-1998), winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955, stands head and shoulders above the other Icelandic writers of the 20th century. He was prolific during his long career, writing 13 major novels, five plays and a dramatisation of one of his novels, not to mention his collections of short stories, essays and memoirs. His books have …
Akranes Folk Museum
Akranes Folk Museum opened the doors to a new and renovated exhibition in the spring of 2021 and was the exhibition nominated for the Icelandic Museum Awards 2022. The exhibition discovers everyday life in Akranes and Hvalfjarðarsveit and the development from a farmers and fishing village in the 17th century to a modern day society in the 21st century. The exhibition …
The French Museum
The avant-garde exhibition in The French Museum in Fáskrúðsfjörður is the newest of Fjarðabyggð’s museums and collections. This museum is located in two stately buildings, the Doctor’s House and the French Hospital as they are called, built by the French fishermen around 1900. However, the main attraction of the exhibition is situated in a tunnel that connects the two buildings. …
Akranes Lighthouse
The Akranes lighthouse (50 km north from Reykjavik) is a delightful place to visit, any time of the year. Away from bright lights, tourists and residents flock to the site in winter to catch a glimpse of the northern lights dancing and flickering in the sky. In the summer, you can see locals having a picnic outside the lighthouse, and …
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. …
Bessastaðir
Besides being the residence of the President of Iceland, Bessastaðir is also an important historical site that has played a prominent role in the history of the country. The property of Bessastaðir on Álftanes, near Reykjavík, has a history that runs from the Age of Settlement. In its present form, Bessastaðir consists of a group of buildings including Bessastaðastofa, a …
The Fishermen’s Garden
Hellissandur is one of the oldest fishing villages in Iceland. In the olden times, there was a big fishing centre there, with some 60 seasonal fishermen’s huts back in the year 1700. The Fishermen’s Garden was established by local fishermen in 1977-78 and depicts the way fishermen lived and worked. There is both a Maritime Museum and a Fishermen’s Garden …
The Herring Era Museum
The Herring Era Museum is the largest maritime museum in Iceland, with five exhibition buildings, 2500 square meters in total. Róaldsbrakki, a former Norwegian salting station was built in 1907. The ‘brakki’ in itself is a grand monument to the Norwegian influence in the Icelandic herring industry. On the ground floor there is an exhibition focused on fishing and salting …
Herjólfstown Westman Islands
Herjólfstown is a small exhibition inside a replica of one of the first stone houses in Iceland and tells the story about the first viking family that settled in Westman Islands around the year 900. The exhibition is based on the sources, stories and hypotheses that have existed, some scenarios and stories are certainly fictitious, but still possible based on …
Keldur Medieval Turf Farm
Keldur is a historic settlement where Jón Loftsson (1124-1197), the chief of the Oddaverjar clan, lived during the last years of his life. There is a medieval-type turf farm at the site, the only large turf farm that has been preserved in South Iceland. There is an underground tunnel leading from the hall, thought to date from the 12th or 13th …
Caves of Hella
Twelve man-made caves have been discovered on the land of Ægissíða by Hella on the South coast of Iceland. Four of them have been open to the public (guided tours only). The historical site is Iceland’s oldest still standing archaeological remains. Some believe the caves to date even further back than the settlement of the Nordic Vikings. The wonders …
Icelandic Emigration Center
The Icelandic Emigration Center in the village Hofsós was founded in 1996 to honour Icelanders who immigrated to North America between 1850 and 1914. The goal of the center is to tell the story of the people who left and strengthen the ties between their descendants and their relatives in Iceland. The Emigration Center offers four exhibitions in three buildings …
Hólar in Hjaltadalur
Hólar in Hjaltadalur is a historic place, surrounded by majestic mountains. The site is one of the main centers of culture and education in Iceland for nearly a thousand years. There was a bishop’s seat from 1106 to 1798. There you can find both the University of Hólar and the Hólar Cathedral, which is the oldest stone church in Iceland …
The Institute of Archaeology
The Institute of Archaeology (Instarch) was established 1995. From the start the institute has aimed to provide high quality research and project outputs in Icelandic archaeology. It´s innovative survey technique has proved successful in Iceland by integrating place names, ethnography, historical documents, and archaeological information into a single database, Ísleif. The institute also aim to bridge the research and commercial …
EDDA – Manuscript exhibition
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies (Árnastofnun) is an independently funded academic research institute at the University of Iceland, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs. Its role is to conduct research in the field of Icelandic studies and related scholarly disciplines, in particular, Icelandic language and literature; to disseminate knowledge in these fields; …
The Cultural Heritage Agency
The main role of The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland is to assure, so far as practicable, the preservation of cultural heritage in its natural environment, to facilitate and promote public access and knowledge of such heritage. Cultural heritage includes evidence of the nation’s history such as archaeological heritage, cultural landscape, church relics, memorials, buildings and other structures, ships and …
Viking World
The uniquely attractive Viking World houses the Viking ship, Íslendingur, built by the craftsman-captain, Gunnar Marel Eggertsson, who sailed it to New York in the year 2000. There are also three exciting exhibits and during summers, among other things is a ‘Settlement Zoo’ on the surrounding grounds. The Viking ship Íslendingur is an exact replica of the Gaukstad ship, and …
Heritage Museum on Garðskagi
The Heritage Museum on Garðskagi (Byggðasafnið á Garðskaga) is located in a beautiful museum area by Garðskagaviti Lighthouse in Suðurnesjabær, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the unique Reykjanes Geopark. There is a panoramic view in all directions, hiking trails by the shore, diverse bird life and the sea in its ever-changing form and whales often seen close to the shore. …
Bustarfell Museum
In the beautiful valley, Hofsárdalur, stands the old family seat of Bustarfell. This sod farm, with its red poles and grassy roof, is one of the oldest and best preserved turf house of its kind in Iceland. In 1532, Árni Brandsson and his wife Úlfheiður bought Bustarfell. Since then, the same family has lived there all along. Emphasis is placed …
Múlastofa in Vopnafjörður
In the old house Kaupvangur in Vopnafjörður (from 1882), the cultural center of the village, is the interesting Múlastofa exhibition. It´s dedicated to two brothers from the region that were well known in Iceland in the latter half of the 20st century, Jónas and Jón Múli sons of Árni. Jón Múli (1921-2002) was known as a reporter on the Icelandic …
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 …
Hafnarfjörður Museum
The Hafnarfjörður Museum hosts seven exhibitions in. In Pakkhúsið (The Storage House), The Sívertsen House, the Bookless Bungalow, Siggubær (House of Sigga), Beggubúð (Store of Begga), Guttó and on Strandstíg (Coastal path). At the exhibition „That’s how it was…“ in Pakkhúsið, the history of Hafnarfjörður and its surroundings is traced from the settlement to the present day with the help …
Árbær Open Air Museum
Árbær Open Air Museum in Reykjavík is a museum with about 20 houses from different periods, including the old turf farm Árbær. Together, they form a village and countryside. Visitors learn how Reykjavík developed from a few scattered farms into the capital of Iceland. They can walk around the village and enter the old houses for an insight into the …
Duus Museum
Duus Museum, the Art and Cultural Center of Reykjanesbær, is located near the marina in overlooking the Keflavík bay. It houses the exhibition halls for the local museums, concert halls and halls for mixed cultural activities. The exhibitions cover fine art, history and nature, so there is a lot to see. This is also where the visitor center for Reykjanes …
Laufás Turf Farm
The old turf farm Laufás, on the east coast of Eyjafjörður, is part of the National Museum’s collection of buildings but managed by the Akureyri Museum. There, visitors can learn about traditional Icelandic architecture and country life. The oldest part of the farm dates back to the 16th century, but the current interior has been maintained since the early 1800s. …
Akureyri Museum
The Akureyri Museum is located in a historic building in the oldest part of Akureyri. Outside is an old country church in a beautiful ornamental garden. Various exhibitions are held at the museum to shed light on the town’s history, including its musical heritage. The former homes of the children’s book author and priest Jón Sveinsson (Nonni) and the national …
Sauðanes House
The old stone house at Sauðanes (Sauðaneshús) is an old church estate 7 km north of the village Þórshöfn. The vicarage, which was built in 1879 from grey basalt which originated far from the area, is the region’s oldest stone house. Today it houses an exhibition showcasing how life was in Langanes during the time when Sauðaneshús was inhabited and …
Grenjaðarstaður Turf Farm
It’s a unique experience for people of all ages to walk around one of the largest turf farms in the country, Grenjaðarstaður in Aðaldalur. Here, visitors can observe old objects and imagine what life on a traditional Icelandic farm life was like. Grenjaðarstaður is an ancient manor, church site and pastorage. It even served as a post office. The oldest …
Skriðuklaustur Cultural Center
The drive along Fljótsdalur (“river valley”) is a bit like travelling back in time. Skriðuklaustur in Fljótsdalur valley is a historical site with the ruins of a 16th century monastery which was revealed in an archaeological excavation in the years 2002-2012. It was an Augustinian cloister, established around 1493 and in function until the reformation in 1550. The cloister was …
Skansinn, Westman Islands
Skansinn is a fort built in 1586 to protect the Danish royal store on Heimaey island. However, it didn’t prevent the so-called Turkish raid in 1627, when pirates attacked the islands, capturing 242 people and selling them as slaves in Algeria. Decades later, some of them miraculously returned. At Skansinn there is also a stave church, a modern replica of …
Sagnheimar, Westman Islands
Sagnheimar is a complex of museums scattered around town, including a folk museum and natural history museum. Inside the folk museum there is a pier where visitors can listen to stories of sea accidents, search and rescue, sailor songs, and observe a bait shed and a bird hunters’ hut. The museum gives a good insight into the unique history of …
Teigarhorn – Zeolite Exhibition
Teigarhorn farm near Djúpivogur is one of the world’s most renowned zeolite spots. Natural conditions provide exceptional opportunities to examine and study the mineral and its three-dimensional crystal structure. Various museums in Iceland and abroad, including the Natural History Museum in London, have some unique zeolites from Teigarhorn. The old house at Teigarhorn was built in 1880-1882 by Niels Weywadt, …
Langabúð in Djúpivogur
Built in 1790 (the northern part in 1850), Langabúð is the oldest house in Djúpivogur and one of the country’s oldest standing commercial buildings. The present building was erected on older foundations which were located where the Djúpivogur trading post had always been since it was opened by German merchants in 1589. Langabúð now facilitates an interesting heritage museum, and …
Hornafjörður Museums
Within the Hornafjörður Cultural Center, there are the museums of the Municipality of Hornafjörður: the regional, maritime, and natural history museum, Svavarssafn- Art Museum, library and the district archives. Svavarssafn – Art museum. Svavar Guðnason, an abstract painter, was born in Höfn in Hornafjörður in 1909. He is considered one of the most important painters in Iceland in the 20th …
Thorbergur Museum in Hali
The Thorbergur Museum (Þórbergssetur) is dedicated to one of Iceland’s most prominent authors in the 20st century, Þórbergur Þórðarson (1888-1974). The centre is dedicated to his life and work, is easily recognizable due to the gigantic books that adorn one of its outside walls. It’s an adventurous place to visit for travellers of all ages. In addition to providing an …
Skógar Museum
Skógar Museum actually includes three museum: Folk Museum, Open Air Museum and Technical Museum. The Open Air Museum has a large site, which includes examples of many periods of Icelandic architectural history. It´s forming a village, including an ancient turf farm, a school from the early 20th century and other historic houses. The diverse exhibitions inside the Folk Museum help visitors …
The Commonwealth Farm
The stately farm Stöng used to stand in the fertile Þjórsárdalur valley, until a disastrous eruption from volcano Hekla in 1104 destroyed it. However, the longhouse was preserved under layers of ash. When it was excavated and studied by archaeologists, it provided valuable historical information about life during the Icelandic Commonwealth in 11th–century Iceland. The Commonwealth Farm which is located …
Árnessýsla Heritage Museum
History comes to life at Árnessýsla Heritage Museum’s diverse exhibitions in Eyrarbakki, Southwest Iceland. The Museum is made up of different historical houses which tell the story of Eyrarbakki’s inhabitants. Eyrarbakki is on the edge of the Golden Circle. Húsið, or “The House,” earned this simple title because when it was constructed in 1765, it towered above the surrounding huts …
Skálholt
Experience Skálholt’s 1000-year history. Skálholt is Iceland’s first episcopal established in 1056. Skálholt served as the country’s capital for 750 years. It was a centre of administrative power, higher education and culture. Around the year 1200, over 100 people lived in Skálholt, making it the country’s first population centre. In the cathedral basement is an exhibition on Skálholt’s history by …
The Cave People
Laugarvatnshellar are manmade caves between Þingvellir National Park and Laugarvatn Lake on the Golden Circle. Their origin is somewhat of a mystery. They were possibly made by the Irish monks (called Papar) who lived in Iceland before the Norse settlers arrived in late 9th century. About 100 years ago, a young couple lived in the caves with their two children …
Þingvellir National Park
Visit Þingvellir National Park for stunning nature, geological wonders, history and culture. Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, was established there in 930 AD. Þingvellir became a national park in 1930 and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 for its cultural significance. The Þingvellir area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, situated on the Eurasian and …
Eiríksstaðir
Warm yourself up by the long fire in the reconstructed longhouse in Eiríksstaðir and listen to a storyteller in Viking clothing tell about the inhabitants. The place can be called the „cradle of new worlds“ because it was here that Eirik The Red built a farm and started a family with his wife Þjóðhildur. Eirik was later the first Norseman to settle …
Glaumbær Museum
According to sources, a farm has existed on the land of Glaumbær since the Age of Settlement around 900 AD. One of its most famous residents was Snorri Þorfinnsson, the first European to be born in North America, around 1000. The present buildings vary in age; the most recent addition was built 1876-79 and the oldest in the mid-18th century. …