Natural gem in West Iceland Snaefellsjökull National Park is one of Iceland’s most well-known natural areas, where breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife and geological wonders form a unique whole. The national park encompasses Snæfellsjökull glacier and vast lava and coastal areas that have fascinated visitors for decades. Visitor Centres and Services There are two visitor centres in the area that provide …
MINK Viking Portrait
Step into the Viking Age on Laugavegur Mink Viking Portrait at Laugavegur 11 offers a unique photo and cultural experience. Guests step into the Viking Age in a custom-built studio in downtown Reykjavík. Visitors wear handcrafted costumes, carry real weapons and are photographed by experts with film industry experience. The experience has topped TripAdvisor for over a decade and holds …
The Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Centre
An exhibition dedicated to Iceland’s national dog The Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Centre is a lively and educational exhibition that highlights the history, role and unique character of this remarkable breed. Its aim is to preserve the cultural heritage connected to the Icelandic sheepdog and make it accessible to visitors of all ages. The story is told in a warm, visual …
The Textile Museum
Icelandic wool, embroidery and national costumes The Textile Museum in Blönduós preserves the forgotten crafts of past and present. The museum offers insight into the textile work carried out by women and men in Icelandic homes, which played a major role in daily life. This handcraft tradition was an export industry for centuries – the “heavy industry of its time” …
The Geothermal Exhibition
Experience the power of geothermal energy The Geothermal Exhibition at Hellisheiði Power Plant invites visitors to discover how renewable energy is created. Here you can see how Iceland’s largest geothermal power station produces electricity and hot water for the capital area. The exhibition is a vivid example of sustainable energy utilisation in action. Visible geothermal energy – from power to …
The Museum of Design and Applied Art
Icelandic Design from 1900 to Today The Museum of Design and Applied Art, founded in 1998, is a dynamic museum that enhances awareness, inspires and creates opportunities related to Icelandic design by collecting, archiving and sharing Icelandic design from the year 1900 to the present day. The museum serves as a platform for a community that is involved in these …
Lava Show in Vík
The Original Lava Show in Vík Lava Show in Vík is the first experience of its kind in Iceland, giving visitors the rare chance to watch real molten lava flow in a safe and controlled environment. Here, Iceland’s volcanic activity is brought to life as glowing lava runs across the stage, demonstrating how powerful natural forces shape the landscape. The …
Lava Show in Reykjavík
A Unique Lava Experience in the Heart of Reykjavík Lava Show in Reykjavík offers an extraordinarily close encounter with real molten lava flowing in a safe, controlled environment. The show blends nature, science, and storytelling in a vivid and engaging way, giving visitors insight into Iceland’s volcanic activity and how lava is formed. This is a rare opportunity to experience …
The Leader Sheep Centre
Heritage and Knowledge The Leader Sheep Centre opened in 2014 in the old community house at Svalbarð in Þistilfjörður. The exhibition offers rich information about Icelandic leader sheep and their role in Icelandic agriculture. Visitors learn how this unique breed has been part of the nation’s culture and farming traditions for centuries. Characteristics of Icelandic Leader Sheep Icelandic sheep are …
Gljúfrasteinn – Laxness Museum
The Nobel Prize Winner Halldór Laxness (1902–1998) was the leading Icelandic author of the 20th century. During his lifetime, he witnessed the greatest social changes in Iceland’s history, from a traditional farming society to modern life. When he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955, the nation united around him as a symbol of Icelandic culture and literature. Today, …
The Akranes Folk Museum
Living Cultural Heritage of Akranes The Akranes Folk Museum at Garðar has in recent years become one of the town’s main attractions. The museum offers a unique experience for everyone – even for those who do not usually consider themselves museum enthusiasts. Here, the history of settlement, industry and daily life south of Skarðsheiði is brought vividly to life. Main …
The French Museum in Iceland
The French Fishermen in Icelandic Waters Museum is a new highlight in Fjarðabyggð. It is housed in two impressive buildings from around 1900: the Doctor’s House and the French Hospital. The main exhibition sits in the underground tunnels that link the buildings and create a unique visitor experience. The History of French Fishermen in Icelandic Waters The French began fishing …
The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum
At the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum in Bíldudalur, the long‑lived Westfjords sea‑monster tales are preserved and presented. The stories of encounters between people and monsters are told in a fresh and exciting way. The playful design of the exhibition has delighted visitors and often exceeded expectations. Sea Monsters Around Iceland and in the Westfjords Many sea monsters around Iceland have …
The Akranes Lighthouse
A Symbol of West Iceland The Akranes Lighthouse stands at the western tip of Akranes and is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. There are two lighthouses: the older one was built in 1918 on Suðurflös, designed by Thorvald Krabbe, and is one of Iceland’s oldest concrete lighthouses. It is square, painted white and 10 metres tall. Its original …
Litlibær in Skötufjörður
Historic Turf House Litlibær in Skötufjörður is a historic turf house from 1895, restored and open to visitors with a small café serving cakes and cream waffles. This charming little house is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the Westfjords, attracting both travellers and locals who wish to experience the region’s history and culture. Construction and Settlement Litlibær was …
War and Peace Museum
The Story of the Allied Occupation in Hvalfjörður The War and Peace Museum in Hvalfjörður tells the remarkable story of the Allied forces stationed in Iceland during the Second World War, with exhibitions showcasing original artefacts from the period. The museum opened in 2012 and has since become a popular destination for both Icelandic and international visitors. The exhibition traces …
The Maritime Museum at Hellissandur
In the Fishermen’s Garden at Sandahraun is a Maritime Museum – a living reminder of traditional seafaring and life beneath the glacier. Here you can see unique artefacts that tell the story of rowing boats, fishing culture, and everyday life in past centuries. The Rowing Boats Bliki and Ólafur Skagfjörð The Maritime Museum at Hellissandur preserves two remarkable rowing boats: …
Hnjótur Museum
The Egill Ólafsson Museum at Hnjótur in Örlygshöfn preserves a unique collection of artefacts that offer insight into the history of seafaring, agriculture and daily life in the southern Westfjords. The Hnjótur Museum was founded in 1983 and is today a popular destination for travellers. History and Foundation Egill Ólafsson began collecting objects related to life and work in the …
The Sheep Farming Museum
A lively cultural Centre in Sævangur The Sheep Farming Museum in Strandir is a lively cultural centre located in Sævangur by Steingrímsfjörður, founded in 2002. The museum is situated 12 km south of Hólmavík and offers a wide range of activities for the whole family. Sheep and Rural Life Their permanent exhibition, Sheep and Rural Life, explores sheep farming from …
The Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft
The Sorcery Exhibition in Hólmavík – Witch Trials, Folklore and Culture in Strandir At the Sorcery Exhibition in Hólmavík, visitors are introduced to one of the darkest periods in Icelandic history. The story of the 17th‑century witch trials is woven together with folklore and cultural heritage that lived on in people’s minds. More than 200 cases were brought forward in …
The Herring Era Museum
The largest maritime and industrial museum in Iceland The Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður is Iceland’s largest maritime and industrial museum. Across three distinct museum buildings, visitors discover the story of herring fishing and processing – the “silver of the sea” that shaped Iceland’s destiny in the twentieth century. The herring industry was so significant that people spoke of it …
The Arctic Fox Centre
A research centre dedicated to Iceland’s only native land mammal The Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík is a research and educational centre devoted to the Icelandic arctic fox, known locally as melrakki or tófa. It is Iceland’s only original land mammal. The centre is housed in the old Eyrardalur building and opened in 2010. It aims to gather knowledge, materials …
The Icelandic Emigration Centre
The story of Icelandic emigration The Icelandic Emigration Centre in Hofsós was founded in 1996. Its purpose is to honour Icelanders who emigrated to North America between 1850 and 1914. The centre tells their story, preserves their memory and strengthens ties between their descendants abroad and relatives in Iceland. It operates in three historical buildings and offers four exhibitions, genealogy …
Skálinn – Viking Center
A Viking Journey into the Past in Þingeyri Skálinn – Viking Centre in Þingeyri invites visitors to step into the world of the early settlers and experience the daily life of the Vikings in an engaging and hands‑on way. Guests can dress in hand‑sewn Viking‑age clothing, bake bread over an open fire, and learn about the customs and traditions of …
Viking World
Viking History and Seafaring Traditions Viking World on the Reykjanes Peninsula is an impressive, educational museum where visitors can explore Viking history, the seafaring traditions of the Norse people and their culture through engaging visual exhibitions. The museum’s centrepiece is the Viking ship Íslendingur, built by master craftsman Gunnar Marel Eggertsson from the Westman Islands. The ship gained international attention …
Westfjords Heritage Museum
The Oldest Building Cluster in Neðstikaupstaður The Westfjords Heritage Museum stands in Neðstikaupstaður in Ísafjörður. Here you find Iceland’s oldest building cluster from the late 18th century. The cluster includes Faktorshús, Krambúð, Turnhús and Tjöruhús. Danish monopoly traders built all four houses. Today, Faktorshús and Krambúð serve as homes. Turnhús houses the maritime museum. Tjöruhús offers year‑round space for meetings …
Rimmugýgur Viking Club
Iceland’s Oldest Active Viking Club The Viking Club Rimmugýgur in Hafnarfjörður is the oldest and largest active Viking organisation in Iceland. Founded in 1997, the club takes its name from the famous axe of Skarphéðinn Njálsson in the Saga of Burnt Njáll. It aims to promote interest in the Viking Age, its culture and the origins of the Icelandic people …
The Agricultural Museum of Iceland
Living History of Icelandic Agriculture The Agricultural Museum of Iceland at Hvanneyri sheds light on the history of Icelandic agriculture and its development through the centuries. In the peaceful countryside of Borgarfjörður, visitors can explore the remarkable story of an industry that has shaped Icelandic society, view diverse agricultural tools and see how technological advances transformed farming in the 20th …
The Settlement Exhibition in Aðalstræti
The Story Comes Alive Through Multimedia and Technology The Settlement Exhibition in Aðalstræti is based on archaeological research in the centre of Reykjavík. Visitors learn about the earliest settlement in the area. A 10th‑century longhouse ruin at Aðalstræti 16 is the heart of the exhibition. It was discovered during construction at the corner of Aðalstræti and Túngata. North of the …
Árbær Open Air Museum
Historic Houses and a Living Heritage Site Árbæjarsafn is an open‑air museum in Reykjavík where around twenty historic buildings and the turf farm Árbær create a charming setting reminiscent of a town square, a village and rural Iceland. Visitors can walk through the houses and explore architecture, daily life and the living conditions of people in old Reykjavík. Exhibitions That …
Reykjavík Maritime Museum
The Story of Iceland’s Fishing Industry in a Living Setting The museum is housed in a building that once accommodated a thriving fish processing plant. Its exhibitions explore the importance of fishing in Iceland’s history. Visitors can discover the lives of people who lived by the sea and learn how the fishing industry has shaped Icelandic society. Fish & Folk …
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 …
Saga Museum
Experience Iceland’s Dramatic History The Saga Museum at Grandagarður offers a unique journey through the dramatic events of Icelandic history. Historical figures such as Gissur Þorvaldsson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir and Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði come to life in a vivid way. Wax figures, sets and an audio guide draw visitors into the past. A visit to the Saga Museum appeals to tourists, families …
Duus Museum in Reykjanesbær
Discover Culture and History at Duus Museum in Reykjanesbær Duus Museum is a unique cultural centre on the waterfront in Reykjanesbær. History, art and nature come together in one location. The buildings once housed trading operations and fish processing facilities. Today, they reflect the area’s rich heritage. They also illustrate the development of fishing and everyday life on the Reykjanes …
Laufás Turf Farm in Eyjafjörður
Historic Clerical Estate in Eyjafjörður Laufás Turf Farm in Eyjafjörður is one of Iceland’s most important former clerical estates and has been lived in since Christianity was adopted. Visitors can see how daily life developed over the centuries and how the homestead and community were closely connected. The oldest part of the farmstead dates back to the 16th and 17th …
Museum of Rock’n’ Roll
Many people know Icelandic artists such as the Sucarcubes, Björk, Sigur Rós and Of Monsters and Men. What’s their story? What’s their background? And how did these bands become so successful coming from the tiny population of Iceland? At the Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Reykjanesbær, only 6 km from Keflavik Airport, you can walk through the history …
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 Centre
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 …
Eldheimar – Volcano Museum
Imagine what it was like waking up in the middle of the night to a volcanic eruption in your town! Eldheimar, a volcano museum of remembrance in Westman-Islands, traces the story of the 1973 eruption with a powerful and moving interactive exhibition. Almost all the inhabitants of Heimaey, over 5.000 people, had to leave their homes in the middle 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 Centre
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 …
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. …
1238: The Battle of Iceland
Visit 1238 – The Battle of Iceland Virtual and Augmented Reality Museum, and participate in the largest battle in Iceland’s history. Step into history and participate in the Battle of Örlygsstaðir immersive exhibition that takes you through some dramatic and violent Icelandic Sagas in a new and exciting way! The VR museum is located in Sauðárkrókur in North Iceland, close …
Snorrastofa in Reykholt
A Cultural Centre on a Historic Site Snorrastofa in Reykholt is a cultural and medieval research centre dedicated to the legacy of Snorri Sturluson. The centre stands on one of Iceland’s most important historical sites and connects visitors with medieval culture, storytelling traditions and local heritage. Snorrastofa in Reykholt aims to make history and research accessible to all who visit …