Reykjavik has museums of history, art, nature and the sea.
History museums that tell Iceland's story
The National Museum of Iceland is on Sudurgata in Reykjavik, and its permanent exhibition traces Icelandic cultural history from the settlement to the present day.
The Settlement Exhibition at Adalstraeti is built around a Viking-age longhouse that is preserved in its original location. North of the longhouse lies a wall fragment that is one of Iceland's oldest archaeological remains. The Settlement Exhibition runs underground along Adalstraeti to the oldest remaining building in the Kvosin area.
The Saga Museum at Grandagardur recreates key moments in Icelandic history with lifelike figures. Reykjavik City Museum runs several sites, including the Settlement Exhibition, the Maritime Museum and Arbaer Open Air Museum.
Arbaer Open Air Museum is a collection of historic buildings, most of them moved from central Reykjavik.
Where to see Icelandic art and sculpture
Reykjavik Art Museum is spread across three houses: Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir and Asmundarsafn.
Hafnarhus shows contemporary art, and the works of Erro are permanently on show there. Kjarvalsstadir hosts regular exhibitions of the work of the painter Johannes S. Kjarval, beside Klambratun park.
Asmundarsafn in Laugardalur shows the sculpture of Asmundur Sveinsson in a building he designed himself. The National Gallery of Iceland holds mainly Icelandic art of the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries.
Nature, science and maritime museums by the harbour
Perlan sits on top of hot-water tanks on Oskjuhlid hill, with an observation deck that encircles its dome. Perlan has a man-made ice cave and a planetarium that shows a northern lights film.
Whales of Iceland in the Grandi district shows life-size models of whales found in Icelandic waters, including a full-size blue whale.
The Maritime Museum's permanent exhibition tells the history of Icelandic fisheries, and the former coast guard vessel Odinn is moored at the museum pier. Guided tours on board Odinn focus on the Cod Wars and the vessel's rescue history.
Grandi is home to Whales of Iceland, the Saga Museum and the Maritime Museum.
Planning your museum days around Reykjavik daylight and weather
The Reykjavik City Card gives entry to museums and attractions, the city's swimming pools and buses, and the Videy ferry. The City Card includes the National Museum, the National Gallery, the three Reykjavik Art Museum houses, the Settlement Exhibition, the Maritime Museum and Arbaer.
Use the Daylight Calculator to help plan your trip.
Comparing guided museum tours and city passes
You can compare Reykjavik tours to see the current options.
