Museums & Open-Air Museums in Iceland

A small museum dedicated to a hugely important artist. As the first Icelandic painter to make a career in art, Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876 – 1958) was a pioneer in the history of art in Iceland. He lived in an important period when rural life was in decline and Reykjavik was growing as a city. He primarily painted Icelandic nature and landscape in watercolour. He also illustrated Icelandic folktales and became one of the most prolific folktale illustrators to this day. The collection is displayed in three rooms of Ásgrímur’s former home and studio. The museum is temporarily closed as of 2024.

A permanent exhibition entitled ‘Points of View’ is an extraordinary exploration of the visual cultures of Iceland. Objects from six Icelandic museums and institutions are on display; juxtaposing contemporary artworks of various style, medium and date with museum artefacts and archival objects such as books and maps. A highlight of the museum is the display of the Icelandic Law Code, the Jónsbók – 14 illuminated manuscripts dating from the 13th century to the present day.

The museum displays the work of Iceland’s first sculptor, Einar Jónsson. Sponsored by private donations, this gallery is a testimony to the appreciation of Einar’s work. Inspired by Icelandic and Mediterranean folklore, myths and sagas, many of his bronze casts adorn the city of Reykjavik. Einar’s work evolved through his career from realism to symbolism. The three-floor building that houses the collection was designed by Einar and was located at the highest point in the city. Behind the museum, a free sculpture park is open to visitors.

Today a popular tourist destination at the northwestern tip of Snæfellsnes peninsula, Hellissandur is one of the oldest fishing villages in Iceland. Near the town is the Snæfellsjökull glacier, made famous by Jules Verne. Visitors to the Sjómannagarðurinn maritime museum learn about the history of fishing and maritime culture in the shadow of the glacier. Highlights include Iceland’s oldest preserved fishing boat, the Bliki, built around 1826, and a reconstructed fisherman’s turf house.

Housed in a historic slaughterhouse in the picturesque port of Húsavík is one of Europe’s only museums solely focussed on whales. Interactive exhibits provide in-depth information about whale biology and ecosystems, their behaviour, the history of whaling as well as efforts to conserve whales today. Highlights of the museum include the skeletons of 13 different whale species, from the minke to the sperm whale. Visitors are able to walk among these skeletons in the ‘whale walk’ and compare the different species.

Displaying the most valuable Icelandic art on three floors, the National Gallery is the largest art museum in the country. With an emphasis on Icelandic art from the 19th century to the present, an overview of Icelandic culture through its art history is showcased here. The collection features a range of paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, video, and multimedia art installations. Some notable names include; Modern pioneer Jón Stefánsson, mythical landscapist Jóhannes Kjarval, and Erró with his Pop Art college style. The gallery also works in dialogue with the wider cultural landscape by featuring exhibitions from international artists.

A permanent exhibition entitled ‘Points of View’ is an extraordinary exploration of the visual cultures of Iceland. Objects from six Icelandic museums and institutions are on display; juxtaposing contemporary artworks of various style, medium and date with museum artefacts and archival objects such as books and maps. A highlight of the museum is the display of the Icelandic Law Code, the Jónsbók – 14 illuminated manuscripts dating from the 13th century to the present day.

Perlan is situated on Öskjuhlíð hill, the highest point in Reykjavik. Since 1991 the facility has been open to the public as a natural history museum. Visitors can experience the world’s first ever indoor ice cave, reconstructed in one of the six water tanks built in the 1980s. On top of these water tanks is a large glass dome, which has an observation deck giving a 360° view of surrounding Reykjavík. Exhibitions tell the natural history of Iceland, the geological processes that created the island and the waters that surround it. A state-of-the-art planetarium shows an amazing film about the northern lights.

The world’s only genuine phallus museum is located in Reykjavik. It holds the world record for the largest collection of male organs, with examples ranging from a blue whale to a hamster. Curator and founder of the museum, Sigurður Hjartarson, began by obtaining the phalluses of Icelandic animals throughout the country. This was during a time when Phallology was an underappreciated science, allowing Hjartarson to break new ground. The collection also features phallic art such as lampshades made from the scrotums of bulls. The museum also claims to hold the phalluses of several mythical creatures including elves and trolls.

A museum dedicated to sculptor and pioneer Ásmund Sveinsson (1893 -1982). Working mainly between 1942 – 1959, the building that houses this museum was his home and studio during his life. Inspired by Mediterranean culture, the building was designed and constructed by the sculptor himself. Sveinsson’s art reflects his lifelong interest in the Icelandic sagas, folk tales, nature and classical mythology. Many of his works have been made especially for outdoor use and have been displayed in the beautiful gardens of the museum. Alongside Sveinsson’s art, work from living artists, temporary exhibitions and events are held.

This modern art museum focuses on progressive and contemporary art. This museum displays national and international artists in over six galleries and holds both permanent and temporary exhibitions.  The main permanent exhibition is dedicated to Erró (Guðmundur Guðmundsson), a significant artist in the Pop Art scene. The building itself has its own interesting history. Being an old harbour warehouse, in its time (1930s) it was the biggest building in the country. It was renovated by Icelandic architects Studio Granda between 1998 – 2000.

The first building in Iceland built to display art, this museum is dedicated to the works of Jóhannes S. Kjarval. In his youth, Kjarval worked as a fisherman but learned the basics of art from influential artist Ásgrímur Jónsson. Kjarval’s work can be described as abstract, impressionist and cubist. He often painted Icelandic landscapes while mixing mythological symbolism into some of his works. So important was Kjarval, that he is featured on the 2000 Icelandic Krona banknote. Regular exhibitions of Kjarval’s work and temporary exhibitions of well-known modern art from national and foreign artists are on display.

A specialist museum dedicated to photography from both the past and the present. It preserves an archive of thousands of images from between 1860 – 2000 and displays them on screen in themed temporary exhibitions. Visitors are able to step into various periods of history and gain insight into the changing culture of Iceland. The museum aims to show an appreciation for historical photography while educating visitors on where photography is now. Temporary exhibitions are also dedicated to contemporary photography and artists from both Iceland and abroad.

The focus of the museum is a permanent exhibition that features 2,000 objects and 1,000 photographs. ‘Making of a Nation’ charts the history of Iceland in chronological order from its earliest settlers to the 20th century. Some of the finest and most intriguing archaeological finds are made more accessible through ingenious multimedia displays. The shear diversity of objects, from Roman coins brought to the island by Vikings to the airport, will capture anyone’s attention.

The Saga Museum tells the story of Iceland’s history from when settlers first arrived in the 800s through to the 1550s. Key points of this period, known as the Saga Age, are reconstructed in life-size dioramas. An audio-guided tour, available in a number of different languages, explains the displays. There are 17 in total, from the making of Iceland to the first inhabitants, from the lack Death to the Reformation. The tour concludes with a silent film on the museum’s creation by owner and artist Ernst Backman.

A museum dedicated to the life and work of sculptor Sigurjón Ólafsson. It was founded by the artist’s widow, Birgitta Spur, on what would have been his 80th birthday. The building which was once his home and studio now displays abstract sculptures, sketches, drawings and biographical material. There are exhibitions held on two floors inside the building and a garden with a view of the sea outside. Being Ólafsson was an avid Classical music connoisseur, the museum sponsors summer concerts and other cultural programs at the location. The museum also features exhibitions of other artists.

Snorrastofa is a cultural research centre dedicated to Snorri Sturluson, a celebrated Icelandic writer, scholar and politician who lived from 1179 – 1241. Much of what we know of Norse mythology and northern Europe at this time is from his writing: the Prose Edda, Heimskringla and possibly Egils Saga. It was in Reykholt that he was killed. Visitors can view an exhibition about Snorri’s life, peruse the Centre’s vast library, and take a self-guided tour of 21 points of historic interest in the town (download the Snorri app for both Android and IOS).

A small museum found in Borgarnes in the west of Iceland, on the ring road. The museum houses two exhibitions: the Age of Settlement and the Age of Sagas featuring the viking poet Egill Skalagrimsson. Each part takes approximately 30mins to see, the exhibit employs a multimedia approach through theatrical techniques and audio guides in 15 languages. It is located on a scenic coast with a nice view of the sea. A restaurant is located inside the oldest house in Borgarnes, dating to 1877 and offers traditional Icelandic food.

The Turf House Museum near the town of Selfoss, preserves several surviving examples of a style of architecture once widespread across Iceland. These timber structures are characterised by having turf across their roofs, helping to provide a source of installation, particularly during the cold Icelandic winters. As well as the preserved houses, the museum includes an exhibition hall which discusses the architecture and history of these fascinating buildings.

A compact museum, perfect for those on a time budget but still wanting to see a Norse exhibit. The Viking World Museum’s main attraction is a replica of the Gokstad Ship. Named the Íslendingur, in 2000 it sailed from Reykjavik to L’Anse aux Meadows to celebrate Leif Eriksson’s voyage. The museum also houses an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution called Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga. It is dedicated to the colonisation of the North Atlantic by the Vikings throughout the 10th century. A further exhibit illustrating the settlement of Iceland can also be viewed.