National Museum of Iceland

National museum · Reykjavik

National Museum of Iceland

National museum · Reykjavik

Suðurgata 41, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland

Highlights

Explore a compact yet captivating museum that unfolds Iceland’s rich history from the Settlement Age to modern times, featuring stunning art and photography, complete with a cozy café vibe.

Suðurgata 41, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions

thjodminjasafn.is

@thjodminjasafn

@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

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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."

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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.

Annika Haataja

Google

Great museum with a large variety of artefacts. We were hoping to read more about the viking era, but it's definitely worth visiting anyway

George Papavasileiou

Google

Visiting Iceland, and specifically Reykjavik, it makes sense to visit the National Museum of Iceland. The museum has two distinct areas, over two floors. On the first floor, the exhibits focus on the early era, the first settlements, and the influence religion had on the community. It shows the transition from the Scandinavian Gods to Christianity. On the second floor, the focus is on the post-WWII era and the establishment of the Republic. There are more modern (20th century) exhibits, but there is also a full-size (small) hut that would probably best fit on the first floor, chronologically. Overall, it is an interesting place to visit, but (a) for the main national museum and (b) the cost of admission, it is quite small - I would expect more when, e.g. admission to the Louvre is cheaper, or the British Museum is free to the public. If you get a city card and intend to visit more than one, though, you can easily get a better worth for your money.

Josh Graham

Google

A small but nice museum with information and pieces dating back to ~900 AD. You can complete this museum in about an hour or so, so it’s a very easy and quick activity. It’s quiet, clean, and well kept.

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.

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.

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