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 …
Your Friend in Reykjavik
Your Friend in Reykjavik specializes in immersive tours, private experiences, driving tours, team-building events, and expert guide services both in and beyond Reykjavik. Whether you’re looking for a customized adventure or a unique cultural experience, the company tailor each journey to your interests. Your Friend in Reykjavik offer private and bespoke tours in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, …
CityWalk Reykjavík
CityWalk Reykjavík specialises in walking tours in Reykjavík. The company was established in 2014 by Marteinn Briem and his daily „free“ tours for travellers. Quickly the tour became revered and mentioned world around in media and commonly the topic of conversation in hotels which fueled the expansion of the company. Today we still operate the free walking tour as before …
The Textile Museum
The Textile Museum in Blönduós exhibits a unique collection of homemade wool and textile, beautiful Icelandic national costumes and artistic embroideries along with many of the tools and equipments used to produce them. It was founded by the Women’s Union in the area. Today, it is situated in a beautiful new building and the exhibitions are easily accessible for visitors. …
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 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 …
Leader Sheep Centre
The Leader Sheep Centre in Þistilfjörður North-Iceland is unique. It is impossible to find a similar museum as Iceland is the only country in the world where Leader Sheep exists. The leadership-sheep breed and Icelandic sheep-herding have been joined by unbreakable bonds since the beginning of settlement in Iceland. They are known best for their leadership characteristics. The Leader Sheep …
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 …
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 …
War and Peace Museum
The War & Peace Museum in Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord) opened in 2012. It traces a unique and remarkable history of occupation from 1940 to 1945, a story that transformed a more peaceful countryside into a setting for world events and was crucial to the Allies’ victory during World War II. Here you can see an elaborate collection of monuments and …
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 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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
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 …
Hey Iceland
With over 30 years experience, Hey Iceland is a leading expert in guiding those wanting to travel through the Icelandic countryside. The company offers a range of self-drive packages, guided tours and day tours all year round, as well as a vast network of comfortable accommodation in scenic locations. The travel agency was founded by farmers in 1980, the Icelandic …
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 …
The Settlement Exhibition in Aðalstræti
Just below ground in Aðalstræti 16 in downtown Reykjavík, this open excavation uncovers the city’s Viking Age history. Discovered during building work in 2001, these archaeological remains turned out to be the earliest evidence of human settlement in the city, with some dating to before AD 871±2. Careful excavation revealed a 10th-century hall or longhouse, which is now preserved in …
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 …
Reykjavík Maritime Museum
The Reykjavík Maritime Museum bears witness to the importance of fishing in Icelandic history; the museum building used to be a thriving fish factory. The new permanent and recent exhibition, “Fish & Folk – 150 years of fisheries,” covers fishing off Iceland since rowboats were replaced by large fishing vessels in the last decades of the 19th century and the …
National Museum of Iceland
Discover Iceland’s Cultural Heritage The National Museum of Iceland preserves and communicates 1,200 years of the nation’s history through living exhibitions, artifacts, and narratives that reflect the development of society from the settlement era to the present day. The permanent exhibition „A Nation is Born – Culture and Society over 1,200 Years“ In this popular permanent exhibition, visitors can explore …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
The Settlement Center
The Settlement Center in Borgarnes takes visitors on a magical journey through Egil’s saga and the story of Iceland’s settlement; two interesting exhibitions. The Egil´s exhibition is dedicated to Egill Skallagrímsson, poet, warrior, and one of the Icelandic sagas’ most colorful characters in the 10th century. The exhibition takes visitors through the magical and mythical storyline of Egil’s saga. Scenes …
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 …
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 …
Museum of Prophecies
What does the future behold? Have your fortune told at the Museum of Prophecies in Skagaströnd in Northwest Iceland and learn about Þórdís the fortune-teller, the place’s first named inhabitant. Þórdís was not only known for her supernatural abilities, but she was also the foster mother of Þorvaldur the far traveller, Iceland’s first missionary, and her name appears in a …
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. …
Snorrastofa in Reykholt
Snorrastofa is an independent research centre established in 1995. The centre is located in Reykholt in western Iceland, the main residence of Iceland’s greatest medieval writer, poet, scholar and statesman, Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241). Its main task is to instigate and conduct research on the medieval period in general, and Snorri and his works in particular. It is one of Iceland’s …