National Museum of Iceland on Postcard

@travelleisure

"This museum showcases paintings, statues, and other artifacts from Iceland’s storied past. It’s located within walking distance from Reykjavik's center and is the perfect way to spend a rainy day or lazy afternoon in the city." - Travel + Leisure Editors

25 Best Things to Do in Iceland

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@afar

"Vikings and Sagas! The National Museum of Iceland is a great spot to find out about the nation's fascinating past. The permanent exhibition stretches right back to the first settlement and comes up to the present day, and contains some 2,000 objects plus around 1,000 photographs from the 20th century. Displayed chronologically, the exhibit starts with replicas of the ships that the settlers arrived in and ends, with a modern flourish, with Keflavik airport—which lets in people every day from all across the globe."

The Best of Reykjavik

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@afar

"Vikings and Sagas! The National Museum of Iceland is a great spot to find out about the nation's fascinating past. The permanent exhibition stretches right back to the first settlement and comes up to the present day, and contains some 2,000 objects plus around 1,000 photographs from the 20th century. Displayed chronologically, the exhibit starts with replicas of the ships that the settlers arrived in and ends, with a modern flourish, with Keflavik airport—which lets in people every day from all across the globe."

What to Do in Reykjavik

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will mcmurtrie

Google

This is easily within walking distance of downtown and take the route past the lake is nice. Impressive interior steps up into museum and lots to see. Of course a traditional museum so lots of reading and small displays in cases. I liked the religious art and iconography as very beautiful. The museum is part of the city pass ticket scheme so would recommend you buy that if you will plan to visit a few museums.

Dr. Corbin J. Standley

Google

We spent over two hours here and could’ve spent more. So much rich history, unique exhibits, and fantastic information. It was a really great way to learn about the history of Iceland and it’s people.

Chris Daniel

Google

We walked here from the Parliament Hotel. It is small but very interesting on the history of Iceland. I thoroughly enjoyed the first level exhibits on Viking history and early settler life. The layout is not intuitive and you could miss the extra exhibits; but if you take your time it is small enough to double back.

Lukasz Zbylut

Google

Good History museum with high quality exhibitions and extensive audio guide. Can be seen and appreciated in around 2 to 3 hours.

Neil Laughlin

Google

Big enough to fill a morning, not so large as to be impossible to absorb on a single visit. The overview of Icelandic history was particularly edifying for international tourists like us.

Atli Freyr Guðmundsson

Google

This was my fourth go this year. I recommend this museum to everyone (especially if you are a historical reenactor and you just wanted to add things to your must-buy list). The audioguide is good and true to the research behind the museum pieces, but it's best to go with a guide if possible - the people working here are so nice and knowledgeable, it really lifts the whole experience up to a whole other level. Takk Helga! Have a cappuchino at the coffee shop, try to catch the events they host, get your replica Eyrarland statue from the gift shop, and most importantly: take your time walking through the museum and enjoy

Nigel Geary-Andrews

Google

Very interesting museum, presented in Icelandic and English. Charts the fascinating history of Iceland, which has a very interesting history. I particularly enjoyed the part about Iceland becoming an independent republic in 1944.

Valerie Machovec

Google

Visiting this museum was an absolute joy! I was very impressed by the quality of workmanship and explanation. I was quite surprised by the lack of alarms and glass encasing every exhibit - it was almost like they trusted you respect the property and not touch it! I studied medieval history and literature in university, so seeing the remarkably well preserved manuscript and whole history behind Iceland was fascinating to take in. I admit, I did not take as many pictures of the more modern things found on the first level because it did not interest me as much as the old stuff.

will mcmurtrie

Google

This is easily within walking distance of downtown and take the route past the lake is nice. Impressive interior steps up into museum and lots to see. Of course a traditional museum so lots of reading and small displays in cases. I liked the religious art and iconography as very beautiful. The museum is part of the city pass ticket scheme so would recommend you buy that if you will plan to visit a few museums.

Dr. Corbin J. Standley

Google

We spent over two hours here and could’ve spent more. So much rich history, unique exhibits, and fantastic information. It was a really great way to learn about the history of Iceland and it’s people.

Chris Daniel

Google

We walked here from the Parliament Hotel. It is small but very interesting on the history of Iceland. I thoroughly enjoyed the first level exhibits on Viking history and early settler life. The layout is not intuitive and you could miss the extra exhibits; but if you take your time it is small enough to double back.

Lukasz Zbylut

Google

Good History museum with high quality exhibitions and extensive audio guide. Can be seen and appreciated in around 2 to 3 hours.

Neil Laughlin

Google

Big enough to fill a morning, not so large as to be impossible to absorb on a single visit. The overview of Icelandic history was particularly edifying for international tourists like us.

Atli Freyr Guðmundsson

Google

This was my fourth go this year. I recommend this museum to everyone (especially if you are a historical reenactor and you just wanted to add things to your must-buy list). The audioguide is good and true to the research behind the museum pieces, but it's best to go with a guide if possible - the people working here are so nice and knowledgeable, it really lifts the whole experience up to a whole other level. Takk Helga! Have a cappuchino at the coffee shop, try to catch the events they host, get your replica Eyrarland statue from the gift shop, and most importantly: take your time walking through the museum and enjoy

Nigel Geary-Andrews

Google

Very interesting museum, presented in Icelandic and English. Charts the fascinating history of Iceland, which has a very interesting history. I particularly enjoyed the part about Iceland becoming an independent republic in 1944.

Valerie Machovec

Google

Visiting this museum was an absolute joy! I was very impressed by the quality of workmanship and explanation. I was quite surprised by the lack of alarms and glass encasing every exhibit - it was almost like they trusted you respect the property and not touch it! I studied medieval history and literature in university, so seeing the remarkably well preserved manuscript and whole history behind Iceland was fascinating to take in. I admit, I did not take as many pictures of the more modern things found on the first level because it did not interest me as much as the old stuff.

National Museum of Iceland

National Museum of Iceland

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Highlights

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