There are several great and diverse museums in Reykjavik. They are ideal places to explore if/when the weather turns a bit gooey! I particularly enjoyed the following:
The Settlement Exhibition
The Settlement Exhibition, not far from the northern edge of Tjornin, is underground and is centred around the remains of a Viking longhouse. It is well laid out and interesting with plenty of information in English. It gives an excellent insight into the early settlement and development of Iceland. It may be worth visiting their website to see if there is a discount on admission prices.
The National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum is on the outskirts of Tjornin towards the local airport but is well worth the walk. The building itself is rather bland on the outside, but inside it is well presented with exhibits on two floors covering the settlement of Iceland to the modern age. I liked some of the rustic early figures that were not that attractive at the first glance but the history behind them was fascinating. There is a cafe and a decent museum shop on the ground floor.
Perlan
Perlan is at the top of Oskjuhlid hill on the outskirts of Reykjavik. You can get a bus, scooter or walk to Perlan and there is free parking on site.
The museum is housed in massive geothermal water tanks that used to serve the city and focuses on the geographical and natural features of Iceland – so volcanoes and eruptions, tectonic plates, glaciers, ice tunnels and the aurora are all major features. It’s clearly aimed at families and there are rides/experiences more akin to a theme park.
I know some people love it but I have mixed views. The reconstruction of an ice tunnel is popular, but if you have been in a real one it’s not quite the same, but at least you don’t get water dripping on your head or wet feet! The Aurora show is also popular but again not a patch on seeing the real thing. The new Volcano Show is actually rather special and great fun. The Geysir/fountain is a bit pathetic though! Perlan does not come cheap and you need about 2 hours there to take in the exhibits and the shows. Don’t forget to go up to the roof to take in the lovely views.
Phallological Museum
Yay! A Willy Museum! and it’s great, well laid out and good fun. This wonderful museum has now moved to a new underground location not far from Harpa. It’s still full of willys- including a cast of Jimi Hendrix’s amongst others. It’s not for pussys!
Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The excellent Sculpture Garden near Hallgrimskirkja is free! The Museum is not but it’s well worth a visit and the fee is quite reasonable. For more on the Sculpture Garden click HERE,
Einar Jónsson was an Icelandic sculptor and he worked and died in Reykjavik in 1954. You can see his sculptures dotted around Reykjavik and Iceland and they are often evocative, thought provoking and striking. There are exhibits over three floors, the basement is surprisingly large.
Punk Museum.
The tiny, but interesting, Punk Museum near the bottom of Laugavegur is easy to miss as it is inside an old public toilet under the pavement on the left hand side as you walk downhill. I loved it. So much stuff crammed into such a small space. Early Bjork in her punky days is represented of course. It does help if you have a passing interest in punk music but it’s not essential.
Maritime Museum
This is a great museum with exibits on two floors. When we visited in 2022 there was a room dedicated to the fascinating story of the sinking, rediscovery and exploration of the 17th century merchant ship Melckmeyt. The second floor had a range of exibits covering the history and struggles of seafaring around Iceland. Their website sometimes offers a discount so it’s worth taking a peek before buying your ticket.
Art Museum
The Art Museum is in fact three different museums in three separate buildings in three different locations. One ticket gives you access to all of them. Check their website for opening hours as they vary.
Hafnarhús is the most central of the three museums. It is a large space but you are not subjected to an onslaught of exibits. The focus is on challenging modern visual media art.
Kjarvalsstaðir is about 15 minutes walk from Hallgrimskirkja and is in a modern [ugly but functional] ground floor building in a park. When we visited there was a display of work by Jóhannes S. Kjarvals (1885 – 1972), a revered Icelandic artist as well displays by other contemporary Icelandic artists.
There was also an exhibition of work by Hallgrímur Helgason who is the man behind the book: 101 Reykjavik which I recommend, [well I have seen the film!]. His work is vivid, thought provoking and challenging. [see below].
Ásmundarsafn Sculpture Museum is the farthest away but it’s my personal favritist out of the three. It’s about a 35 minute walk from Hallgrimskirkja. Its main focus is on the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982) and the museum is in his old home and workshop. Do venture into the dome up the stairs as the acoustics are really weird. Stand by the stairs and speak out loud, it feels as if your ears are being sucked out!
Fold Gallery
The Fold Galleri is just around the corner from Hlemmur and has a range of interesting contemporary works on display and on sale from Icelandic artists. Entry is free.
Iurie Gallery
Iurie Belegurischi is a landscape photographer and he has more than one Gallery in the centre of Reykjavik. His vivid photographs of Icelandic landscapes, ice caves, mountains and the aurora are amazing. Entrance is free.
There are a few more museums to visit which I have not got to yet including the National Gallery and the Saga Museum ……. next time.
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