Íslenska
Best Museums In Icelandic Countryside
Skogar Museum
The Skogar Museum is located in South Iceland; made up of three museums and six historical buildings. This museum was inaugurated in 1949. It is located 150 km east of Reykjavík. It houses an assemblage of traditions of territorial relics on display. The museum was established by the ingenuity of Þórður Tómasson, a cleric. An eight-oared fishing-boat, Pétursey was given to the museum by a merchant named Jón Halldórsson of Suður-Vík in 1952. The growth of the museum necessitated the need for its structure which was constructed in 1955. Another building was constructed as an addition to the museum building in 1990 and the fishing-boat Pétursey took its rightful place in the new structure.
The museum has three sections in which visitors get to experience an adventurous journey into the Icelandic world: the folk museum features an array of contraptions used for a fishery, as well as antiques of the Viking era. There were rebuilt turf houses where you can feel the Icelandic traditions in time past. Then the transport museum which was a thrilling addition in 2002, which interestingly features a relics shop and the Skógakaffi tea shop; the focal point of the transport museum is automation and general transportation regarding past forms of transport in Iceland during the 19th and 20th centuries respectively.
Bjarnarhöfn Snæfellsnes
The Bjarnarhöfn Shark-museum offers a chronicle of shark fishing and processing lineage thereby bringing the Icelandic lifestyle on a platter for visitors to have the first-hand experience. The farm place at Bjarnarhöfn is the district’s supreme maker of hákarl; fermented shark meat, a customary Icelandic delicacy. It is worthy of note that the family managed museum takes you on an adventure into their past, four centuries back.
Visitors are taken on a revelatory expedition to the drying house where an expository recording is watched on the details of the Greenland shark, how its meat is refined, and its history in general. Another interesting feature is the drying house which is the last stage of production, there, you will find chunks of hanging shark meat. Visitation to the museum creates an exceptionally interesting opportunity to get a bite of the indigenous hákarl, along with Brennivín schnapps.
Glaumbær Folk Museum, Skagafjörður
There is an appealing renowned turf house in Skagafjörður in Northern Iceland; it is the Glaumbær farm. The Glaumbær turf house was inhabited until 1947 when it was pronounced a guarded location; later managed by the National Museum of Iceland. It has been managed by the Skagafjörður Heritage Museum since 1952. The farmhouse currently comprises of thirteen structures with the latest turf house constructed within 1876-1879. The ancient sections of the turf house can be traced to the mid-eighteenth century.
All and sundry resided in a turf house in Iceland, there are a few turf houses maintained in Iceland. There are also two log cabins on the museum ground; Gilsstofa and Áshús. Gilsstofa is a remodelled 1849 log cabin, which displays a wooden living area. It houses a relic shop, the offices of the museum. Áshús was constructed in the design in vogue after the turf houses; there are displays on homemaking in the first half of the twentieth century. Expedition into the Glaumbær turf house can be likened to walking back in time to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to experience the Icelandic lifestyle; a worthwhile adventure!
Eiríksstaðir Viking Longhouse, Búðardalur
Eiríksstaðir is situated north of Reykjavik in Dalir, West Iceland; the heritage of the renowned Erik the Red and his son Leifur. The dilapidated remains are still evident, but a remodelled version of the longhouse has been constructed fundamentally of stone, turf, and driftwood, using the 10th-century technology and instruments. It is a short distance from the indigenous location. The longhouse is equipped with common objects used by a 10th century Viking household, along with a functioning loom, utensils, and intricately sculpted timber beds. The longhouse is a replica based on archaeological findings which is fascinating itself. Here guests soak in the past era of the Vikings of over a thousand years ago in a vivid dramatic display of the Icelandic narrative. Visitors get to visit the model of the farmhouse and location of the unearthed longhouse.
The expedition gets more thrilling you get to fit into the past ages as you snug around the flames in the middle of the longhouse. The expedition gets more exciting as you will encounter guides in Viking regalia whose duties are to narrate the story of Erik and Leifur in a revealing and amusing way. The dramatic narrative no doubt captivates adults and children alike. The invite to put on Viking costumes to enact with swords and shields is an experience that will stay with you for a long time to come!
Petra’s Stone and Mineral Collection Stöðvarfjörður
Ljósbjörg Petra María Sveinsdóttir had a passionate drive for stone collections; she began stone collection at the age of seven. Initially, she collected rocks just for drawing, and then gradually transited to collecting ornamental rocks. She acquired a house in 1946 and commenced stone collection on a larger scale as she had room to keep her rocks. Most of her stone collections were gotten during her walks to deserted paths in the countryside. She lived in a very secluded area of Iceland. In 1974, Petra opened up her home for communal visits for the sighting of her stone collections; having amassed rocks of various types running into thousands, many of which are now showcased to visitors annually. Petra´s home has over time evolved into one of the most sought after tourist sites in East Iceland. A visit to this modest house on the Icelandic fjord now turned museum is quite revealing and awe-inspiring.
The Icelandic Herring Era Museum
The Herring Era Museum is in the deepest northern town in Iceland, Siglufjörður, oftentimes, guests never get to see this location. However, the museum is outstanding in that it relives fruitful days of the grapple for the herring in the “Atlantic Klondike.” The museum is Iceland’s biggest seaside and trading museum, where guests get the chance to understand the workings of the herring fishery and refining business that promoted Iceland’s resources for the greater part of the twentieth century. The museum began in a deserted salting facility and was constructed for some years; it now comprises of five structures containing a freezing facility, a boathouse, a salting station, and a factory. These museum structures shed more light into the awe-inspiring and enthralling herring business. The structures remain as they were in the past, during the days the herring girls lived in the structures throughout the solstice period. During your touring time there, the experience is so intriguing and making you forget that you are in a museum!
Lava Centre Hvolsvöllur
Lava Center situated one hundred kilometers east of Reykjavík at Hvolsvöllur, South Iceland. The Lava Centre is located in the midst of five of Iceland’s significant volcanoes. This center showcases the monumental natural elements that structure our terrene and made Iceland. Interestingly, guests are treated to a summary course in Volcanology whilst getting a true life feel of the maximum blasts related to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. All your human senses will be brought to full attention as you perceive and connect to the “fiery core” of Iceland. The presentation was planned by Gagarin in conjunction with Basalt architects.
The Settlement Center, Borgarnes
The Settlement Center is situated in the village of Borgarnes in West Iceland, an hour drive from Reykjavik towards the north. The exhibition at the Settlement Center is in two parts: the first is its commitment to reliving Iceland’s early days by presenting guests to one of Iceland’s famous heroic legend, Egil Skalla-Grimsson; then the second is the exhibition that offers an insight into the Iceland community. It narrates how the land was founded, how the Viking sailors defeated the seas and the reason for leaving Norway. Further narrating about the founders of the island and the set up of the first house-of-commons in the world, the Alþingi, at Þingvellir in 930AD. An interactive multimedia system is used to ensure guests have a thrilling and captivating experience of what happened in time past. It also offers a memento shop, a warm and comfortable restaurant, and a snack bar. The Center comprises three structures; a depository, a reception, and a trading house. The center also provides a Multilanguage audio guide.
The Lava Show, Vík
Icelandic Lava Show is in the center of Vík in South Iceland, the delightful village burrowed in the middle of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, encompassed by glaciers, black sand beaches, and volcanoes. Icelandic Lava Show being the first of its kind on the globe is uniquely designed for visitors to have an enthralling, safe and direct encounter of hot molten lava right before them! The exhibition brings to life a volcano eruption, close to the popular Eyjafjallajökull and Katla volcanoes by spilling molten lava of one thousand, one hundred degrees centigrade for all to see. It is a distinctive occasion to be near to red boiling lava and getting to feel the fierce hotness emitting from it and amazingly, visitors get the opportunity to feel cooling lava. There is no doubt this exhibition is highly pedagogic and breathtaking at the same time!
The Geothermal Energy Exhibition, Hellisheiði
The Geothermal Energy Exhibition at Hellisheiði Power Plant is an exceptional view of the channeling of geothermal energy in Iceland. Reykjavík Energy owns the plant and has taken a step ahead in showcasing to the world how geothermal energy is channeled in a viable procedure. Hellisheiði Power Plant is just a 20-minute drive from Reykjavík, in a phenomenal environment encompassed by lava and moss making the encounter all the more thrilling. Hellisheiði Power Plant is the newest and biggest out of the six geothermal power plants in Iceland. It supplies electricity and hot water for space heating in the commercial and local zones in Iceland.
To get the possible energy below the surface, wells are thousands of meters deep in the ground, infiltrating tanks of pressurized water. The water heated by the Earth’s energy, the temperature of the water can get as high as 300°C or more. With the release of the water, it heats up from the well, changing partially to mist along the way. At Hellisheiði, the mist is removed from the water to run some of the plant’s seven transformers. Continuous depressurization causes the remaining water to make more mist to power the other transformers. The peak energy production of the station is 303 Megawatts; making it one of the biggest single energy plants on the globe.
Visitors get to have a pleasant time at the Geothermal Energy Exhibition as collaborative multimedia equipment and wall exhibits introduce the show. It offers visitors the chance to study Iceland’s geothermal energy application objectively and there are adept guides available to give an explanatory presentation about reliable green energy as the world’s energy supply. Visitors will enjoy a visit to the fascinating communal handiwork center and a cafeteria at the site.
Seal Museum, Hvammstangi
The Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi is a research and exhibition center examining and expounding the lives of seals found in Iceland; it is also the Tourist Information Center for Húnaþing-vestra, Iceland’s foremost seal and wildlife watching station. At the center, visitors will acquire knowledge about the various species of seals found along the coasts of Iceland, their general characteristics, and how to differentiate them when on a guided seal watching expedition. Information on the fauna of the vicinity is made available. At the “Seal Cinema” a documentary on the seals found in Iceland and particularly in the vicinity of The Icelandic Seal Center is shown for visitors to watch. Visitors will be advised at the Tourist Information Center on the appropriate sites to watch seals and other fauna in their natural habitat around the captivating Vatnsnes peninsula and Húnaþing-vestra, along with intelligence on the other fantastic locations, together with the popular 15m giant goblin Hvítserkur changed to stone a short distance from the shoreline; and Bjarg the birth and funeral place of Grettir and the thrilling Kólafossar waterfalls and canyon.
Húsavík Whale Museum
The Húsavík Whale Museum is a non-profit establishment inaugurated in 1997. Its focus is to offer specific and gripping knowledge about whales and their domain in a fun way. At the museum, you will find whale skeletons of varying species exhibited and thrilling truths about the whales and life in the sea. The museum has more than eight showrooms; the museum has 11 whole whale skeletons exhibited. A whole mighty blue whale skeleton and also a narwhale skeleton with its tusk is one of the museum’s striking displays. Apart from the established shows, the museum has an educational program; Whale School. It has its showroom. The museum also features a homey cafeteria where visitors relax. There is a gift shop at the doorway where several whale themed objects can be found along with other items.
Interested in whales? If yes, check out our blogs:
Best Spots for Whale Watching in Iceland and also Whale Species in Iceland
Beluga Whale Sanctuary, Westman Islands
The Beluga Whale Sanctuary was established in collaboration with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation with a focus on offering previously restrained beluga whales with a secure habitat and inspires the recuperation of more retrained whales into a natural habitat, automatically phasing out whale and dolphin amusement shows in the nearest future. The Sanctuary’s first inhabitants are Little White and Little Grey, transported six thousand miles from their initial abode in a Shanghai aquarium to the sanctuary situated in a massive fjord on Heimaey Island, off the south coast of Iceland. Besides, the sanctuary offers a permanent abode to wounded puffins at the Puffin Rescue Centre on location. A visit to the sanctuary takes you on an adventure so thrilling that it allows visitors to experience beautiful marine animals at a close range and know their narratives.
Eldheimar Museum, Westman Islands
Eldheimar Museum is a remembrance museum from the volcanic eruption in 1973, that forced the entire population of Vestmannaeyjar to evacuate the island in the middle of the night. The volcanic eruption in Vestmannaeyjar is one of Iceland’s biggest natural disasters. Going to the museum you will get a glimpse into the lives of people that lived at Heimay before the eruption that would change their lives forever.
In the early hours of 23rd of January 1973 the people of Heimaey were woken up with a volcanic eruption that would change their lives. They had to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night and leave the island, many never saw their homes or belongings ever again. The eruption lasted for 5 months, with lava and ash destroying almost 400 homes and businesses (that is about a third of the buildings on Heimaey). No one knew if the island would ever be populated again, while the eruption lasted.
The entire population of Heimaey fled to the mainland to live with either relatives or in temporary housing, hoping that one day they might be able to return.
News of the eruption traveled fast all over the world and when it stopped, scientists, reporters and tourist all came to the island to see how powerful nature can be with their own eyes.
Viking World, Keflavík
A visual impression is created by Viking World Museum, of Íslendingur, a replica Viking ship suspended along Faxaflói Bay; it is sighted by guests on arrival, driving from Keflavik Airport into Reykjavik. It was built and completed by Gunnar Marel Eggertsson in 1996. This majestic accomplishment is the same model of the ship found in the course of an exhuming exercise in Norway in 1880. Viking World also organizes parts of the Smithsonian Institution’s Viking Millennium Exhibition, ‘Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga’; educating guests on early Norse community. The Viking World Museum organizes four varying shows and has a fantastic café on site where guests can lighten up!
Conclusively, during your plan to holiday in Iceland, ensure to visit these captivating and thrilling museums, it will be an experiential adventure you will remember for a long while!
Have you seen our blog about museums in Reykjavik?