The Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Center in Skagafjörður is a unique exhibition dedicated to the national dog of Iceland. The center’s mission is to preserve and share the history of the Icelandic Sheepdog and make it visible and accessible to everyone. The center opened in May 2025 after three years of preparatory work by cultural scientist Evelyn Ýr, who lives at …
Upper Árnessýsla Region
The Upper Árnessýsla Region boasts numerous fascinating destinations, from natural wonders and historical sites to little-known hidden gems. Iconic locations such as Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir hot spring area are must-visit attractions for many travelers. Other popular destinations include the Kerið volcanic crater, Lake Úlfljótsvatn, Brúarhlöð canyon, Haukadalur woods, Lake Laugarvatn, and the historic site of …
Vatnsdalur and Þingeyrakirkja
Vatnsdalur (‘Lake Valley’) is located just south of the Ring Road. As well as being well vegitated, the valley is known for its countless hillocks, one of Iceland’s best salmon river and Vatnsdæla Saga, one of the sagas of the Icelanders. Vatnsdæla chronicles the lives of the valley’s original settlers from Norway and their descendants. Get to know the saga …
The Geothermal Exhibition
The Geothermal Exhibition invites visitors to experience first-hand how renewable energy is produced at Iceland’s largest geothermal power plant, ON Power’s Hellisheiði plant. The plant produces electricity for Iceland’s national grid and hot water for the capital region. Visitors are invited to learn about the history of geothermal resources and sustainable energy in Iceland through a variety of displays. The …
The Lava Tunnel
Explore the magnificent lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland. It is located just 30 minutes from Reykjavík and is easily accessed year round. The total length of the tunnel is an impressive 1360 m (4500 ft), the main tunnel being 900 m (3000 ft) long. The tunnel is up to 30 m wide …
Elliðaárstöð Power Station
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 …
Lava Show in Vík
Come and experience THE ICELANDIC LAVA SHOW in the heart of Vík, the charming town nestled in the midst of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, surrounded by volcanoes, glaciers, and black sand beaches. The building was originally built for the local grocery store but was renovated completely for the purpose of the lava show and restaurant inside with the aim of creating a modern …
Lava Show in Reykjavík
LAVA SHOW recreates a volcanic eruption by superheating real lava up to 1100°C (2000°F) and then pouring it into a showroom full of people. Once the lava enters the showroom, the temperature instantly rises and from the safety of their seats, our guests can clearly see, smell, hear and feel the intense heat from the lava. The lava originates from the 1918 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 Wilderness Center
Visiting The Wilderness Center, in Fljótsdalur valley, is an adventure. As soon as guests park their cars and cross the old wooden bridge at the center, they step into the past. Every detail at the premises has been remade in the original style to make the visitor feel as if taking part in an adventure of the past. The buildings, …
The Wapp – hiking app
The Wapp is a free app with a collection of GPS tracks for hiking, trekking or walking in Iceland with various information on nature, history, folk tales and the environment in general. The tracks are combined with a detailed map and are downloaded beforehand and used offline. The trails are of great variety and the experience meaningful and full of …
The Heritage Museum at Garðskagi
The Heritage Museum at 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 …
Duus Museum
The Duus Museum Hub consists of a series of buildings that reflect the rich history and culture of the area. The oldest building, Bryggjuhúsið (The Pier House), was constructed by Duus Trading Company in 1877, while the newest building dates back to 1954. These former trading and fish processing houses have been renovated and now host exhibition spaces for the …
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 …
East Iceland Heritage Museum
Since reindeer were imported to Iceland in the late 18th century, they have lived wild in East Iceland and significantly impacted the region’s nature and culture. The exhibition in East Iceland Heritage Museum, “Reindeer in East Iceland”, covers their habitat, biology, behaviour, life-cycle and the hazards they face, as well as research, hunting and reindeer products. Visitors can also watch …
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, …
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 …
Kirkjubaejarklaustur
In 1186 a nunnery was founded by the Benedictine Order in Kirkjubær, now called Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and it was active until 1554. German legend tells of disobedient nuns who were supposed to have been burned at the top of Systrastapi. Lake Systravatn and the Systrafoss waterfall above the building are also named after these sisters. In 1995-2006, archaeological excavations were carried …
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 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 …
Thingvellir National Park
A Historic Heart of the Icelandic Nation Thingvellir National Park is one of Iceland’s most important historical sites. Here, the story of the nation and the land comes together in a unique way. The Alþingi, Iceland’s national assembly, was founded at Thingvellir in the year 930 and met here for nearly nine centuries. Many key events in Icelandic history took …
Kakalaskáli in Skagafjörður
Experience the Age of the Sturlungs through the history and art exhibition in Kakalaskáli in Skagafjörður. The so-called Age of the Sturlungs was a period of repeated armed struggles between the main ruling clans in Iceland who fought for power. Travel back to the civil war in 13th century Iceland and picture the ruling clans clashing at Haugsnes in North Iceland …
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. …