MUSEUMS IN ICELAND

Did you know that Iceland is not only nature and has some of the most original museums in Europe? Whales, ice caves, volcanoes, art, history, plants, open air museums, northern lights... The list is long and varied. Check the best museums in Iceland and choose the favourite one for you and your family. You will not only learn about this amazing country but also enjoy the time and enrich your trip to Iceland. Think about your interests and be sure to visit the museums in Iceland. 

Why should I go to museums in Iceland?

Well, let's be honest, nobody thinks about museums when travelling to Iceland. In our minds Iceland is nature, nature and nature, in that order. But don't you want to put it all into context and learn about all you are looking at? Visiting the museums in Iceland is the best way to know all about the island, the history, the legends, the geological features, the curiosities and much more. If you travelling to Iceland on your own and you don't have a guide with you, who is gonna tell you all about Iceland? You will find the answers to your questions in the museums in Iceland. Moreover, visiting museums in Iceland is far from a boring activity. Did you know that you can find an ice cave in a museum in Iceland? Or that you can see life-size models of the whales that are around Iceland? And if the weather is not the best, which happens to be often in Iceland, is it not worth it to spend some quality time inside? Check all the museums in Iceland and choose the best ones according to your interests. 

Where can I find museums in Iceland?

If we are talking about museums in Iceland, Reykjavík is obviously the right answer. In the capital of Iceland you will find the largest variety of museums in the island such as the main art and history museums, the Perlan museum, the Whales museum or the Saga museum. But not all the interesting museums are in the capital. For example, the Lava Centre, a high tech exhibition about volcanos and earthquakes, and the Skógar open air museum are in South Coast Iceland are the best complement to all  the fabulous natural sites you will find in this area of Iceland. The Glaumbaer open air museum is in the north of Iceland and Petra's stone collection is located in the Eastfjords of Iceland. So all around the island you can find different and interesting options. Normally, these museums are small so you can enjoy the visit, have a break of all the walks and the nature and learn a bit before keep going on your amazing trip around Iceland. 

What are the best museums in Iceland?

Of course, it is all up to your interests, but here you have our list of the best museums in Iceland that you shouldn't miss: 

Perlan museum: Located on the famous Öskjuhlíð hill, it is one of the largest and most ambitous and original museums in Iceland. The building, with six hot water tanks, has an outside 360º platform with views of all of Reykjavík and the surrounding area. Inside it houses the exhibition "Wonders of Iceland", with an authentic ice cave, and a new planetarium to learn about the northern lights. It is opened every day all year round from 9:00 to 19:00. To get there you can walk around 40 minutes from the Centre, take the Hop on - Hop off bus in Reykjavík or the transfer from Harpa (you need to book the museum tickets in advance). 
Lava Show: The Icelandic Lava Show is a one-of-a-kind experience that recreates a volcanic eruption by superheating real lava to 1100°C (2000°F) and pouring it into a showroom for visitors to safely witness. This unique attraction lets you see, feel, and hear the power of molten lava, giving you a chance to experience the intensity of a volcanic eruption up close in a controlled environment. The show combines education with immersive, sensory engagement, making it a must-see for those wanting to understand the natural forces that shape Iceland. 

Whales museum: It is the largest exhibition in Europe about whales. Conveniently located near the old port of Reykjavík, where the whale watching tours take place, the Whales museum is intented for the whole family. Here you will find life-sized models of the whales that you can find in the Icelandic coast. You will know everything about these majestic creatures in a dynamic and entertaining way, so then you can go on a real whale watching tour with the homeworks done. You can book the tickets to the museum itself or together with a whale watching tour in Reykjavík. It is open everyday. 

Skogar museum: This is a cultural heritage collection of 18000 regional artifacts exhibited in 6 historical buildings and 3 museums, including an open air museum with traditional turf houses and examples of many periods of Icelandic architectural history. It is located in South Coast Iceland, near the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, so don't miss it and make a stop in your way thorugh the south of the island. It is open everyday.  

Lava Centre: The Lava Centre is also located in South Coast Iceland and depicts volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years in an entertaining and engaging way. This is an interactive high-tech exhibition, the best way to start your tour around the south coast. In the Lava Centre there is also a small cinema that shows every 30 minutes a spectacular film about the latest eruptions in Iceland. You can book the ticket for the whole museum or just for the cinema proyection. it is open everyday.

The Phallological museum: The Phallological museum houses the world's largest display of penises and penile parts. Do you need to know more? It is probably the only museum in the world to contain a collection of phallic specimens belonging to all the various types of mammal found in a single country. It contains a collection of more than two hundred and fifteen penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland. It is located in the very centre of Reykjavík and it is open everyday.

National Museum of Iceland: In the National Museum of Iceland you can find the utensils and tools of the first Viking settlers, such as the Statuette of Thor of Evrarland, the most famous object in the museum. Throughout the year, various temporary exhibitions are organized. It can be visited all year round, except on Mondays. It has an audio guide in different languages. The adult ticket is 2000 ISK and it is also valid for the Culture House.

Reykjavík 871 ±2: The museum on the Reykjavík settlement is one of the most valued by the public. The exhibition is based on the academic theories about the life and work of the first settlers. The focus of the exhibition is the remains of a Settlement Age room that was excavated in 2001. Also on display are objects from the Viking age found in central Reykjavik and the island of Videy. A layer of tephra was deposited around AD 871 from an eruption in the Torfajokull area, about 400 km to the east. The cape was dated to the year 871, with a possible two-year error range either way, and that's why this is the name of the museum.

Arbaer Open Air Museum: The Árbaer Open Air Museum tries to show the architecture, customs and lifestyles of the past times in Reykjavík. During the summer visitors can see domestic animals. Many exhibitions and events are held to highlight specific periods in Reykjavik's history. Árbær was a farm established well into the 20th century, and the museum opened there in 1957. Árbær is now an open-air museum with more than 20 buildings that make up a square, village, and farm. Most of the buildings came from downtown Reykjavik. 

Saga Museum: The Saga Museum intimately recreates key moments in Icelandic history from the time of the first settlers. It is located in the center of Reykjavík, not far from the old port. Visit this exciting museum and discover how Icelanders have lived for more than a millennium. You will get to know the most important historical figures and the main events that have marked the history of this country. It has an audio guide in different languages and it is open everyday.

Reykjavík Art Museum: The Reykjavík Art Museum is Iceland's leading art museum and is located in three different buildings in the center of the Icelandic capital: Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn. The Museum regularly exhibits works by three of Iceland's most famous artists: Erró, Kjarval and Ásmundur Sveinsson. In addition, the work of other important artists of today is also exhibited there. 

National Gallery of Iceland: The National Gallery of Iceland take emphasis on the collection of Icelandic art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum holds the most valuable collection of works by Icelandic artists in the country but international art is also on display and includes an impressive range of works by well-known artists such as Pablo Picasso, Edward Munch, Karel Appel, Hans Hartung, Victor Vasarely, Richard Serra and Richard Tuttle. Interesting exhibitions reflecting the collection are regularly displayed. 

What is the schedule of the museums in Iceland?

Important museums, such us Perlan Museum or the Whales museum are opened everyday all year round. Some museums, especially the art ones, close on Mondays. Some shcedules also differ according to seasons. Check the details of every museum and know the schedule in advance so you can choose the best time to visit the museums in Iceland. 

Are there any other similar attractions in Iceland? 
Yes, every time new interesting attractions are opening in Iceland. As they are not proper museums we didn't include them in the list but you should also check the new attraction FlyOver Iceland, a virtual flight through the great wonders of Iceland, or Aurora Reykjavik, an interactive information center about the northern lights in Iceland.

 MUSEUMS IN ICELAND