Reykjavik
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

From a 13th century farmhouse, in its original position, to a re-constructed upper class town square with its 19th and 20th century two story buildings, this open air museum explores the early history of Reykjavik. Each house has been staged with period specific artefacts, allowing visitors to see what daily life was like in Iceland for farmers, fisherman and city dwellers. One of the buildings, in which the first worker’s guild was formed, houses a permanent exhibition that charts the history and development of consumption in Reykjavik.

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.

Hallsteinn’s Park, on the north eastern edge of Reykjavik, is not only popular with local cyclists it also has great views of the sea. But this public park is named for the collection of 16 aluminium sculptures installed here by the sculptor Hallsteinn Sigurdsson. Sigurdsson, a celebrated Icelandic artist and known for his sculptures of Nordic gods, has his work on display in a number of public spaces and galleries in the city and throughout Iceland. The park is popular with locals who like to come for the picturesque sunsets.

The quaint whitewashed house located on the Reykjavik waterfront is the Höfði. Although the building and the site has a long history, it is best known for the meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in October 1986. Although no agreement was reached at the Reykjavik Summit, the meeting is widely regarded as the beginning of the end of the Cold War. The house was built in 1909 by a French consul, became the residence of poet and businessman Einar Benediktsson as well as the location of the British Embassy. Today the house is used by the city for official functions and is not open to the public.

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.

Reykjavik Zoo keeps 150 individual animals across 19 species. Many are wild animals native to Iceland including arctic foxes and seals. Other domestic animals include Icelandic breeds of goats, sheep, and horses to name a few. Other exotic species from abroad are also featured. Attached to the Zoo via a bridge called Bifrost, a family park and play area is open all year round. It is full of funfair rides and entertainment along with a restaurant and BBQ area. Adding a historical flavour to the experience, Viking Age and Norse Mythological motifs are scattered across both areas.

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.

In 2001 workers digging in Reykjavik city centre came across the remains of a Viking longhouse dating to the 10th century. Later excavations revealed that the building was on top of an earlier structure dated to 871 ±2 AD – making this the oldest evidence of human habitation on the island. The remarkable find has been preserved in situ, and an extraordinary multimedia exhibition using state-of-the-art interactive technologies suitable for people of all ages reveals the world of Iceland’s earliest settlers.

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.

This long awaited exhibition delves deep into the multifaceted world of the Icelandic manuscripts. These are the sources of the Sagas and Old Norse poetry. Displayed thematically to describe the worldview of the early Icelanders, some of the most important manuscripts are being showcased here. Housed at the University of Iceland and the Árni Magnússon Institute, this authoritative exhibition has been carefully curated by experts. This intimate look at some of the most precious artifacts Iceland has produced is a must see for historians and medievalists alike.