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Museums in Reykjavik
No trip to Iceland is complete without getting a taste of the geographic features and history of the island. While getting outdoors allows to really experience the wonders of Iceland, sometimes you need an indoor break, and visiting some of the museums gives you a chance to learn more about the country. Iceland is filled with unique exhibits, from an indoor ice cave to a penis museum, you are bound to find plenty to write home about.
Perlan
The Perlan Museum offers un unmatched look at the wonders of Iceland. The building towers over the city of Reykjavik, where it sits on top of a hill. There is an observation deck on the top of the museum, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of Iceland’s capital city.
Among the exhibits in Perlan is a man-made ice cave, the only place you can experience the wonders of an ice cave without actually having to step outdoors. Bring your warm clothing, but if you forgot to bring it (you really should not leave home without it if you’re coming to Iceland), the museum has vests you can borrow. Touch the walls, experience the sounds. It is like nothing else you’ve ever encountered.
Other exhibits in Perlan include the Northern Lights planetarium show. You can also learn more about Iceland’s wildlife, particularly birds like the puffin, through their displays, some which are even interactive.
The National Museum
A great way to learn about the history of Iceland is by visiting The National Museum. The collection in this museum features everything from the ship used by Vikings to travel to Iceland to riding equipment used on Icelandic horses, the sturdy breed you will catch glimpses of as you travel through the countryside. The museum is largely organized chronologically, so you can walk through the history of the country. From the quintessential Viking drinking horns and swords to a medieval church door and treasured arts and crafts, you will learn a great deal about the history of this hardworking country.
During your visit to The National Museum, you will have the opportunity to touch certain objects. There are also recordings where you can hear snippets of Iceland’s past. There is an audio guide available in several languages, and you can also take part in a guided tour several days per week.
The Settlement Exhibition
If you enjoy a look at history, make time to visit the Settlement Exhibition. This museum is located underground, where an archaeological dig occurred. This museum offers a fascinating look at Viking life, including an excavated Viking longhouse. This area is iconic not just for the artifacts that allow you a look at Iceland’s early settlement. It is also the site where the first settlers to this country made their homes.
In addition to the artifacts located here, there are plenty of multimedia exhibits that allow you to take a peek back through history into the life of typical residents including their jobs, such as iron working. Displays cover information about the ecology of the city, and you will even get to see an artist rendering of what Reykjavik looked like a millennia ago.
Reykjavik Maritime Museum
Fishing is a vital component of Iceland’s economy, and there is a varied history of activities on the water. The Reykjavik Maritime Museum offers visitors a look at the life of an Icelandic fisherman, with exhibits including a mock-up of a wireless signal room and even a compass repair shop. Examine old fishing artifacts and learn about Iceland’s relationship with the sea, which has been hard and involved an incredible amount of perseverance. As advancements have been made in fishing, so too has the country’s economy developed and grown.
Whales of Iceland
If you enjoy learning about marine life, the Whales of Iceland museum is a cannot miss stop. Located in a warehouse close to the Reykjavik Old Harbour, this museum features a series of life-sized whale models of cetaceans that can be found in the cold waters around Iceland. If you take a whale watching trip, which no visitor to Iceland should miss, you can get a better idea of the sheer size of these impressive animals.
Each of the whale replicas housed in the building have been hand-painted, so this is more than just a trip to an education museum: it is an art display. Experience the atmosphere of the ocean as you walk through the building, listening to the whale noises around you that are piped in through speakers. Pick up a tablet to use during your visit or download the app on your phone to learn all about the whales and porpoises of Iceland.
Interested in whales? If yes, check out our blogs:
Best Spots for Whale Watching in Iceland and also Whale Species in Iceland
The Icelandic Punk Museum
If you’ve had your fill of learning about the water, turn your sights to the history of music in Iceland. The punk music scene has been important to Iceland’s cultural development, and it has helped pave the way for artists such as Bjork.
Visiting the Icelandic Punk Museum is an exciting stop during your stay in Iceland. The museum was opened by Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and is located in a former public toilet in an underground area of Reykjavík. Throughout the museum, you will find streaming clips of punk shows and different areas to stop and listen to an Icelandic punk song. Take a moment before you leave to strike a pose with a leather jacket and either a guitar or drums.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum
That’s right, the so-called “penis museum.” The only museum of its kind in the world, this small museum features a collection of penises and parts from animals found across Iceland, even four human ones. Before you leave, consider stopping by the donation station and donate your appendage to the museum when you have passed on.
While it may not seem like there is much to the Phallological Museum, you will find displays on everything from a hamster specimen to that of a sperm whale. There is even a section that relates to mythological creatures which are part and parcel to the cultural history of Iceland. Do not forget to stop by the gift shop, with a variety of clever souvenirs.
If you travel on Iceland’s Ring Road, you might want to dive into the following blog: Best Museums in the Icelandic Countryside
Árbær Museum
Find out all about the life and culture of the Icelandic people at the Árbær Museum in Reykjavik. This popular landmark is an indoor and open-air museum that explores the lives of the city’s early settlers. The museum opened in 1957 with the aim to preserve the history of Reykjavik.
The most popular feature of the museum is the outdoor area. The open-air exhibition boasts a town square comprised of over 20 historic buildings, which were each taken from the city. There is also a village and farm. Find out what it was like to live in Reykjavik during the early settlement period and be sure to take lots of pictures.
Once an agricultural hub, Reykjavik became a village in the 18th Century. From then, it slowly developed into the city that we know and love today. Along with its longstanding exhibitions, the museum also holds many events throughout the year.
The Saga Museum
This fun-filled museum is located in Reykjavik and showcases some of the key moments in Icelandic history. It follows the lives of the Vikings during the settlement period. As you walk around, you will find lots of interesting exhibits detailing how the Vikings once lived. You will also find out how they survived through natural disasters including avalanches, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
Visitors can get an audio guide in a variety of languages to find out more about Iceland’s famous Vikings. There is also a restaurant inside serving up some tasty Icelandic delicacies. This museum is a particular favourite amongst families with an interest in Icelandic history.
The Culture House
Just like the name suggests, the Culture House celebrates a diverse range of Icelandic culture. Forming part of the National Museum of Iceland, this is an exciting exhibition space offering a variety of art, history, and other visual installations.
Points of View is the museum’s permanent exhibition, taking visitors on a journey through historic maps, books, and creative art projects. Working in collaboration with the National Museum of Iceland, the National Gallery, and the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, the exhibition has an extensive and impressive collection of cultural artefacts. Inside this regal building, you will also find the museum shop with lots of unique gifts and souvenirs to choose from.
Aurora Reykjavik
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a spectacular natural phenomena that you have to see at least once in your lifetime. The Northern Lights occur in the Northern hemisphere from mid-September to mid-April. What makes them even more unique is that they are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds.
Of course, if you do not manage to see the Northern Lights on your trip, or simply wish to find out more about how they work, you should definitely check out the Aurora Reykjavik.
Aurora Reykjavik is an interactive multimedia exhibition that teaches visitors all about the history and science of the Northern Lights. Listen to Icelandic myths and legends, learn how to take the perfect photo of the lights, and step into the photo booth for a memorable keepsake. And, if you haven’t managed to see the Northern Lights, this museum boasts its very own cinema that showcases the most incredible displays of the world-renowned Aurora Borealis.
Ásmundarsafn
Ásmundarsafn, also known as the Reykjavik Art Museum, is set within a unique white dome building with an impressive indoor and outdoor art collection. The museum is located within the former home and studio of Icelandic designer Ásmundur Sveinsson. Within the museum grounds, you will find a wide selection of Ásmundarsafn’s famous sculptures, with everything from traditional figures to abstract art pieces.
The interior is a work of art itself with Mediterranean inspired designs. Situated in the Laugardalur area, this museum is easy to find. Nearby, you will also discover the Reykjavik Park, the city zoo, and a beautiful botanic garden.
Interested to discover more of Reykjavik?
Fun & Daytime Leisure in Reykjavik