You can visit all manner of interesting museums in Iceland, but none is more unusual than the Icelandic Phallological Museum in downtown Reykjavik. Home to the world’s largest collection of penises, this museum offers visitors an experience that is both bizarre and enlightening. From a sperm whale’s member to the casts of rock stars and mythical creatures, this is definitely a one-of-a-kind museum that is sure to satisfy even the most salacious curiosity.
- Ricky Menzies
- Last Checked and/or Updated 8 September 2025
- Museums, Iceland
Iceland is full of unusual and interesting museums. From a punk museum built into a public toilet, to a museum of smells, a museum of collected stones, and even one dedicated to witchcraft. But perhaps the strangest and oddest of all is a museum dedicated to the phallus.
The Phallological Museum, located in downtown Reykjavik, draws around 70,000 visitors each year, and claims to be the only museum dedicated to the male member in the world. Sigurður Hjartarson, the museum’s founder, has collected over 300 genuine specimens and more than a handful of artistic impressions of penises. The most famous (and largest) specimen is the penis of a sperm whale. It is therefore no wonder so many people are drawn to this museum, even if it is purely to satisfy and salacious or morbid curiosities.
The founder of The Icelandic Phallological Museum: Sigurður Hjartarson
Now you may be wondering what kind of a man decides to collect over 300 pickled penises. I think that is a fair question, and for that reason I thought it best to talk about the owner and curator of this fascinating and bizarre museum first.
Sigurður Hjartarson became fascinated with the phallus from a young age while living on his farm. He was given a whip made from a bull’s penis, and from that moment on he was hooked. As he grew older he acquired three more specimens. He then moved on to blue whale penises, given to him by his friends in the whaling industry.
His collection grew mainly through donations. Friends working in abattoirs sent him farm animal penises, while fishermen sent him those of sea creatures that were caught and died in their nets. After the Whaling Industry came under pressure to stop, Sigurður turned to harvesting whale penises from those that unfortunately beached and died on Iceland’s shores.
Sigurður says that collecting penises is like collecting anything: you can never be done. He originally displayed his favourite specimens in his office at work as a teacher. After his retirement he decided to generously share his collection with the world. He received a grant from the government and in August 1997 the Phallological Museum opened its doors. The museum attracted over 5,000 visitors a year, more than half of them from abroad. Sigurður ran into some financial issues and the museum had to be moved to HúsavÃk. After Sigurður retired, however, his son Hjörtur GÃsli Sigurðsson inherited the museum and managed to have it moved back to Reykjavik, where it is now located at Laugavegur 116.
Visiting the Museum & What to Expect
This museum wasn’t at the top of my list, it seemed more of a novelty joke than a serious museum. But when my friends visited me in the summer of 2025, they insisted on going. Being the conscientious host I am, I obliged. For what they are worth, here are my thoughts and impressions.
The first thing that hit me was the price. It is considerably more expensive than a lot of the other museums in and around Reykjavik. Holders of a Reykjavik City Card get a 20% reduction on their entrance ticket price. General admission is 3500 ISK or around €24.50, while pensioners and the disabled get a discounted rate at 2800 ISK or €19.55. Pretty steep compared to the National Museum, which is 3000 ISK for general admission (€20.95) and there are discounts included for students, seniors, the disabled, children, and admission is included with a Reykjavik City Card. Something to consider when deciding whether to visit or not.
The exterior of the museum seems to camouflage itself between offices and shops. But as you enter, the tone is set right away: it does not take itself too seriously. Immediately, it becomes apparent that this is not a pornographic museum, nor a sex-museum. There is a small sculpture of three rocks in the shape of a penis directly outside the entrance, and as you take the escalator down, a corridor opens up with walls decorated in caricatures and cartoons in the theme of penis jokes. Among the jokes you will also see an award by the Guinness Book of Records for the largest collection of penises in the world. At the end of the corridor is the gift shop and penis-themed café and bar. There are lockers available for your bags, and it is here that you buy your tickets.
Despite all the penis joke gifts you can buy at the shop, the beer poured from penis-shaped taps, and penis waffles you can eat … yes, ‘penis waffle’ is now not just a British sounding insult, the tone of the museum subtly shifts as you enter the main exhibition. The museum takes on the appearance of a lot more scientific, serious, and dare I say … professional museum.
The specimens are preserved in jars and grouped together in categories of species. Each entry is given a scale compared against a human penis. There is a wealth of information about penises of all kinds at each display, not only about the physical penis itself but also the mating habits of the species they come from. When you put this into consideration, it seems far less weird that this is actually a rather family-friendly place to visit. Perhaps the jokes at the start are just a way of breaking the ice.
It’s not all jars and specimens, the exhibition also dips into phallological art. You will find Cynthia Plaster Caster’s moulds of rock legends (Jimi Hendrix among them), plus sculptures, paintings, and doodles. It gives the whole place a wink of humour to balance the science.
Another interesting thing to look out for in the museum are two certificates of future donations. That’s right, two people on this earth have agreed to posthumously donate their penises to the museum. They will be displayed alongside their current and only human specimen, given to the museum by a 90-year-old Icelander. The exhibition also features a number of penises from mythology, including elves and trolls. A nice little nod to Iceland’s strong relationship with folklore.
As you come to the end of the exhibition, you will make your way back to the gift shop and café. I couldn’t help but try an IPA (Icelandic Penis Ale), which was not bad at all.
So, is it Just a gimmick?
Perhaps on the surface, the museum seems like a gimmick. When you hear about it, it certainly does sound like a hangover from a 19th century freakshow. The reality, however, is it is just a unique museum. And one that does not take itself too seriously. As you get more involved, and pay closer attention to the various displays, you do realise they have a lot to offer. You do come away knowing more about the biological functions of reproduction. It seems as though the goal of the museum is to educate or at least enlighten. But, the tone is kept light-hearted. Afterall, you are probably there on holiday, not a medical school field trip or biology lessons. The museum really is like any other science museum, only a bit more niche.
But Is it Worth Visiting?
If you are looking for a something interesting to do, and are not easily offended, I would say the museum is worth a visit. If for nothing else, you have ample opportunity for some hilarious photos. Perhaps it is not something I would recommend going out of your way to see. For instance, if most of your time in Iceland is not going to be spent in Reykjavik, I would not suggest travelling back to the city just for this. Also, I would not prioritise this museum above, say, the Manuscript Exhibition or the Settlement Exhibition if you’re more interested in the historical aspects of Iceland.
But if you have 2 hours to spare and want to see a whale penis, or a plaster cast of Jimi Hendrix’s schlong, then certainly, this is the place to do it. With the biggest collection of penises in the world, it is a one-of-a-kind museum, a spectacle to behold.
Recommended Tickets
Phallological Museum Entry Ticket
Reykjavik City Card
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Burning Questions You Were Too Afraid to Search for or Ask
Is it appropriate for children?
You may be surprised to learn that quite a lot of families bring their children to this museum. It is not pornographic or lude, but rather scientific with a mature sense of humour. Children are indeed allowed to visit the museum.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There is step-free access to the right of the main entrance to the museum. Once you are downstairs, the rest of the exhibition is all on one level.
Is there an audio-guide available?
Yes, there is an audio-guide available with admission. There are two options, you can either use the provided device, or listen on your phone. The audioguide is, however, only available in English and lasts about 40 mins.
How long does a visit usually take?
You can do it in 45 mins if you skim, but with friends in tow (and a penis-shaped waffle or two), it easily stretched to an hour and a half for me. Depends how long you want to stare at jars of pickled members.
How big is it?
The Phallological Museum is quite compact but it is packed with things to see and quirky detail.
What are the admission costs and discounts?
Admission is 3,300 ISK (roughly €22–25), with reduced rates for pensioners and disabled visitors. Reykjavik City Card holders get 20 % off.
Book in advance, online with chance of a refund for cancellations with GetYourGuide
Can you take photos inside?
Of course! And you’ll want to. Let’s just say my camera roll from that day was … distinctive.
Does it smell?
People on the internet say it can, but I didn’t notice any offensive smells. It’s more formaldehyde than fish market.
Where is the museum located, and how to get there?
It is centrally located in ReykjavÃk, metres from Harpa Concert Hall and the famous hot dog stand. It is both walkable and reachable by local bus.
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Add the Icelandic Phallological Museum to Your Itineraries & Travel Lists
Create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your Iceland visit. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
For more inspiration and ideas for places to visit, see our Iceland Travel Guide and the Reykjavik City Guide.
Phallological Museum
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.
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