What is in the National Museum of Iceland?

Its permanent exhibition follows Icelandic history from the settlement onwards, with archaeological finds, everyday objects, religious art and textiles, alongside changing temporary exhibitions.

How long does the National Museum take?

Most visitors spend one and a half to two hours in the permanent exhibition, longer if the temporary shows are included.

What is the difference between the National Museum and the Settlement Exhibition?

The National Museum covers the whole span of Icelandic history across many sites and objects. The Settlement Exhibition is built around one excavated Viking-age longhouse wall found in central Reykjavik.

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National Museum of Iceland

Iceland's principal history museum in Reykjavik, tracing the country from settlement to the present day.

The National Museum of Iceland is the country's principal museum of history, tracing Icelandic life from the settlement period to the present through objects, textiles and archaeological finds. Its permanent exhibition is arranged as a chronological route, which makes it a useful first stop for understanding the sites you will visit elsewhere in the country.

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Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket
★ 4.4 (104 reviews)1.5 hoursFree cancellation
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Plan your visit

Where it is: At Sudurgata in central Reykjavik, next to the University of Iceland campus.
Getting there: Walkable from the city centre, roughly fifteen minutes from the Hallgrimskirkja area.
Typical visit: Plan for around one and a half to two hours for the permanent exhibition.
When to go: Indoors and open year-round, which makes it a good choice for a wet or dark day.
Good to know: It is the national museum, distinct from the Settlement Exhibition, which is built around a single excavated Viking-age site in the city centre.

Frequently asked questions

What is in the National Museum of Iceland?: Its permanent exhibition follows Icelandic history from the settlement onwards, with archaeological finds, everyday objects, religious art and textiles, alongside changing temporary exhibitions.
How long does the National Museum take?: Most visitors spend one and a half to two hours in the permanent exhibition, longer if the temporary shows are included.
What is the difference between the National Museum and the Settlement Exhibition?: The National Museum covers the whole span of Icelandic history across many sites and objects. The Settlement Exhibition is built around one excavated Viking-age longhouse wall found in central Reykjavik.