Viking Sites & Museums in Iceland

The ill-fated farmstead of saga hero Njál Þorgeirsson and Bergthóra Skarphéðinsdóttir of Njál’s Saga. The story revolves around a blood feud between Bergthóra and Hallgerði, wife of Gunnar Hámundarson. This feud manifests in the form of a back-and-forth revenge cycle of killings that ends in the death of Njál and his family. The site has undergone archaeological excavations on multiple occasions to find proof of the fire that killed Njál. Evidence of a burned barn dating to the Viking age, when this Saga is set, was found. Today it is marked by an information sign and a small turf structure.

The saga hero, Viking, and poet, Egill Skallagrimsson was born within this important region in settlement history. Skallagrim Kveldúlfsson, father of Egill and one of Iceland’s earliest settlers, claimed this land for his own. A church has stood here since 1002, but the current one was built in 1880 and dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It stands under a backdrop of beautiful mountains and farmland of which a hiking trail can be found. The altarpiece is an ornate painting by English artist WG Collingwood. A sculpture inspired by Egill’s Saga created by Ásmund Sveinsson was erected outside the church in 1985.

An island off the north coast, known for being the final outpost of outlaw and monster slayer Grettir the Strong. Visitors can see the small hut dedicated to the final moments of Grettis life. The island is also home to numerous species of bird including the iconic puffin. The island is a remnant of a 700,000 year old volcano. Legend has it, however, that the island formed when a giant was turned to stone in the sunlight. Tours of and around the island are given by Drangey Tours during the summer months.

The Eiriksstadir Viking Home museum is a replica of a Viking turf house that was built next to the archaeological remains of the house of Eric the Red. And where his son, Leifr Eiriksson was born. From this part of Iceland the Vikings set sail westwards. Eric is thought to have been the first Viking to reach Greenland, while his son the first European to reach North America. Viking re-enactors guide visitors around the site showing them what life was like around 1,000 years ago.

Glaumbær is a historic church village that is now an open-air museum. People were living in the turf houses here up until 1947; the earliest evidence of human habitation is the 9th century. According to the Grænlendinga saga Snorri Þorfinnsson was one of the inhabitants. Snorri is said to be the first European to be born in North America in 11th century. Snorri built the first church in the village. The onsite museum is housed in a historic timber framed building.

One of Iceland’s legendary bathing spots of Saga fame. In the Saga of Grettir the Strong, Grettir swam 7.5km from the Island of Drangey to the mainland. To warm himself up, he bathed in this geothermal pool. Or so the story goes. Next to this pool is another, called Jarlspool. Both are accessible to the public. A small wall shelters the pool from the wind. Surrounded by mountains, the pool has expansive views out to sea, and Drangey. It is a 20 minute drive from the nearest town of Sauðárkrókur. There is also a campsite  nearby.

This pool is named after one of the most noteworthy female characters in all of the Icelandic Sagas, Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir. She is the protagonist of amongst some of the best known Sagas, Laxdæla Saga. The love triangle between Kjartan, Bolli, and Guðrún began developing around this hot tub. This pool is also mentioned in the Sturlunga Sagas. The original pool was destroyed by a landslide 140 years ago. However, it was rebuilt in 2009 in the same style as the original. Now, the active geothermal pool can be visited and enjoyed for free. Next to the hot tub is a small Viking shed replica.

The goat farm at Háafell has been protecting the endangered breed of Icelandic goat since 1989. In 2005 the farm gave up its holdings on other animals and specialised in goat farming. The goats here are a special breed that has remained relatively unchanged since the early settlement of Iceland. Before the farm’s interest in these goats, numbers on the island dwindled to under 100. The farm now owns over 1000. Visitors can meet and pet the goats and goat products are sold directly from the farm. Interestingly, three of these goats made a cameo appearance in Game of Thrones.

Also known as the Holy Mountain, this is one of the most sacred places in Saga history. In Eyrbyggja Saga, early settler, Þórólf Mostraskegg expressed his belief that when he died he would enter and remain in the mountain. This mountain is steeped in folklore. It is said that when walking to the top of the hill for the first time, do it without looking back or speaking and you will be granted three wishes. There are also the remnants of a wall at the top of the hill. This is dated to 1184 and was part of a monastery.

Earliest records of the historic site of Laufás date to the 10th century, although the buildings that make up the village today date from the mid 19th century. Including the church, which is dedicated to Saint Peter. On display in the turf houses are clothes, furniture, general household items and objects of everyday life from the 19th century. Of particular note is the church pulpit, made in 1698. One of the houses recreates the living room of an Icelandic Viking living room.

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.

One of Iceland’s most important historical sites, dating back to the Viking Age after the conversion. Skálholt Cathedral served as a school and cultural centre for bishops and priests from the 11th century. The first local bishop, Ísleifur Gissurarson, ordained in 1056, sat here. His son Gissur introduced the first taxes into the country. The nation’s only saint, Þorlákur Þórhallsson resided at Skálholt and his relics attract Christian pilgrims. Visitors can enter the cathedral, museum, a 13th century tunnel, and a reconstructed Þorláksbúð, a turf house that served as a temporary chapel in the 16th century.

The burial mound of Skalla-Grímur Kveldúlfsson, father of saga hero Egil Skallagrimsson is located in an ornamental park in Borgarnes. A cairn and a stone tablet mark the entrance. Skallagrim was one of the first settlers, whose father died during the crossing to Iceland. His father’s coffin was cast into the sea and It is said where it washed ashore is where Skallagrim settled. Skallagrim died of an unknown disease in the 930s AD. A modern relief of a famous scene from Egil’s saga also ornaments the site. It depicts Egil bringing his drowned son from the sea on horseback.

One of Iceland’s best kept secrets, Stöng farmstead is built on the ruins of a Viking settlement manor. This farmhouse is intricately reconstructed in the image experts believed it to have been like during the age of settlement. Nestled away in Iceland’s idyllic Þjórsárdalur valley, you can see the original stone foundations. Between 1974-1977 reconstructions of the turf farm houses were built as authentically as possible. Visitors are able to see how the original saga-age farm would have looked like in an open air museum style.

In 930 AD the Vikings established an open-air assembly or parliament, making this the world’s oldest Parliament. The assembly continued to meet here until 1798, before relocating to Reykjavik in 1844. Around the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) archaeologists have found the remains of human habitation from the 10th to the 19th century. Not only is Thingvellir a protected national site, it is situated with in the Thingvellir National Park, part of which is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site (2004), in recognition of its archaeological and geological importance.