The Saga Museum near the Old Harbour recounts the history of Iceland. From its geological origins to the Settlement of Iceland in the Viking Age, from the conversion to Christianity to the Reformation, this story is set out in a chronological but creative way. Based on reliable historical sources, major events and personalities in Iceland’s Saga Age are recreated using lifelike silicone figures. In researching our guide to Saga sites in Iceland, I recently visited the museum and share my impressions of this popular attraction in Reykjavik.
- Ricky Menzies
- Last Checked and/or Updated 21 January 2025
- Iceland
Saga Museum Tickets & Tours
Entry Ticket
Entry to the Saga Museum, with audio guide in a choice of seven languages. Cancel up until the end of the day before for a full refund.
Reykjavik City Card
The Reykjavik City Card includes entry to many museums. Pass holders get 10% discount on their entry to the Saga Museum.
Walking Tour of Reyjkavik
A 2-hour walking tour of the Icelandic capital city, taking in some of the main sights and landmarks.
Or, continue reading this page for all the information you need in preparation for your visit to the Saga Museum.
Archaeology Travel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you decide to purchase them.
Iceland’s fascinating history is told at the Saga Museum in a lively and interesting way. Founder, Ernst Backman, wanted to create an interactive and engaging experience to tell Iceland’s story. He designed the museum to be a self-guided tour through scenes of historical events created using lifelike silicone figures dressed in authentic reconstructed medieval garments and weapons. Sights, sounds, and smells were introduced to make it even more sensorial.
Offered in seven languages, the 30 minute audio tour leads visitors through 17 different historic landscapes, from its geological origins and first inhabitants to Vikings and Christians. Visitors learn about important figures such as Ingólfur Arnarson, Snorri Sturluson and Sister Katrín, as well as significant events such as the establishment of the Althing, the Black Death, and the Reformation. Also, included are prominent Saga characters, namely Egill Skallagrímsson and Grettr the Strong, as well as the adventures of Leif the Lucky and the magic of Þorbjörg Lítilvölva.
A key aspect of the ethos at the museum is attention to detail. The exhibition was created based on descriptions from the Icelandic Sagas, bringing the words on the page to life. Clothing, weapons and tools were handcrafted using traditional techniques and methods in use at the appropriate period to provide a more authentic feel. At the end of the tour, visitors can watch a documentary about the making of the museum (a short version of which is available on their website). The website also has many photographs showing the various stages in the process of making the silicone models, from creating casts of live individuals to dressing the models, applying hair and required special effects, such as wounds, to create the historical personae (see photographs of the making of the models).
Why Visit the Saga Museum?
The Saga Museum is unlike many of the other museums you will find in Reykjavik. Instead of displaying artifacts in glass cases out of any meaningful context, this museum places the visitor into the historical setting. Thereby creating a different atmosphere for learning about Iceland’s past. The audio tour is, I believe, especially suited for people with little or no background in Icelandic history: it does not flood you with too many details, and sticks to a clear narrative. Besides the audio commentary guiding you through the exhibition, there are also information panels at each of the 17 display areas.
Apart from a little blood and gore, and one instance of nudity, it is a child friendly exhibition that aims to be engaging and entertaining. For example, a ‘dress-up’ area has authentic clothing, even chain-mail shirts with hoods, metal helmets and swords for visitors to try on. Wooden swords and shields are also available for younger children to play with.
Given most people take between 30 minutes to an hour to see the entire exhibit, you do not need to set aside a lot of time in your itinerary to include it in your plans. Considered one of the top museums in Iceland, the Saga Museum is complemented by visits to the National Museum, the Settlement Exhibition and the World in Words manuscripts exhibition – especially for those interested in exploring the country’s cultural history. As I point out in my article about the Saga sites of Iceland, paying attention to place names will help you spot significant locations. A mountain becomes more than just a mountain when you know a story about it.
For these reasons, I have recommended this museum as one of the first places to visit on my self guided tour of Iceland’s history.
My Impressions of the Saga Museum
My visit was in December 2024, which, given this is generally a quiet time of the year, meant the venue was not crowded, making it a pleasant experience. My overall impression is that it is a perfect museum for beginners to learn about Icelandic history. For me, it was perhaps a bit basic, but then I am studying this topic in great detail as part of my Master’s course at the University of Iceland. Of course, anyone with little to no prior knowledge about the Sagas, Settlement and the history of Iceland will get a lot out of this wide-ranging exhibit. This is another factor to consider when you think about the price and length of the tour.
For me, the exhibition was somewhat brief. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was visiting with the view to writing this article, I would have probably finished the entire tour in 30 minutes flat. Thirty minutes for what is essentially a potted history of the country, at 24€ per adult initially seemed expensive to me. That is, until I saw for myself each of the display areas with their lifelike silicone figures, the attention to detail given to the clothing and historical objects used. Until I realised the amount of work and craftsmanship that went into creating the entire exhibition. Given this, I was surprised at how close visitors are allowed to get to the models, close enough even to take photos with them.
An important point I must make is that although it is called the Saga Museum, only a few of those historically significant Icelandic Sagas are mentioned, but not discussed in any detail. Instead, the exhibition is a narrative of the most important events that we know about because of the Sagas and other medieval texts. For a more detailed exhibition about the Sagas themselves and to even see some of them, I recommend heading to the World in Words manuscript exhibition, in the Árni Magnússon Institute next to the National Museum of Iceland.
Unfortunately, I found that the audio guide distracted me from reading the extra information available, as I couldn’t pause the recording and I didn’t want to lose my place along the way. I later found out that all the text on the information boards is on the museum’s website.
Sadly, the restaurant was closed during my visit so I couldn’t try any of the advertised traditional Icelandic food. The shop, however, was open and had lots of impressive handcrafted items and locally sourced jewellery. There are Viking souvenirs, posters, prints and even high quality woollen garments for sale. Many of the translations of the Sagas published by Penguin are also available to purchase.
Practical Information
● The Saga Museum is located at Grandagardur 2 in the Grandi area, close to the city center. It is open from 10h00 hrs until 17h00hrs and tickets can be pre-booked online or purchased on site. There is a 10% on entry fees for holders of the Reykjavik City Card. If you are thinking about getting one of these passes, look at our article Tips & Suggestions to Make the Reykjavik City Card Worth It.
● The best way to get to the Museum is by walking down to the Old Reykjavik Harbour which has some beautiful views out to sea. Alternatively you can take the city bus number 14.
● Other than at the entrance, the museum has almost no steps, making it wheelchair accessible. There are toilets on site but there are very few and are not particularly wheelchair friendly. There is a very small car park outside of the building, but it is for staff.
● There is a place to hang coats and a few lockers for valuables. Photography in the museum is allowed.
● The audio tour will be set up for you at the desk and you will be given a pair of headphones and an mp3 player. While the audio commentary is available in seven languages (Icelandic, English, French, German, Russian, Spanish and Swedish), the text on the information panels is only in Icelandic and English. One thing to bear in mind about the audio tour is that you have no control over the pace, you are not able to pause or repeat a section.
● Just next door, you’ll find the Aurora Museum, and across the road is the Reykjavik Maritime Museum. Also, not too far from here is the Whales of Iceland exhibition where you can see life-size models of whales that can be spotted around the coast of Iceland.
● Although the museum has its own restaurant, it is surrounded by many bars, cafes and places to eat.
Is the Saga Museum Worth It?
For those looking for a fun and unique way to learn about the history of Iceland, the Saga Museum is a good place to start. It is both child friendly and accessible. As it runs as a self guided tour, you can set your own pace throughout the 17 stages of the exhibition. The silicon figures are handmade, and have been carefully dressed and staged to give an authentic depiction of Iceland’s past. It is a good introduction to the Icelandic Sagas and compliments other museums in Reykjavik and elsewhere in Iceland. It can take as little as 30 minutes to walk through the entire exhibition, so it is perfect for people on a tight schedule. Yes, the price is a bit higher than other museums in Reykjavik. But I think the creative presentation and and attention to detail justifies the price.
Remember: Reykjavik City Card holders get a 10% discount on their entry fee for the Saga Museum.
Add the Saga Museum to Your Itineraries & Travel Lists
If you are planning a trip to Iceland, you can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your visit. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
Find more sites and museums in our Reykjavik City Guide and our Iceland Travel Guide.
Saga Museum
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.
Archaeology Travel Writer
