10 of the Best Museums in Reykjavik and How To Visit

The first institution in this Reykjavik museum guide is the National Museum of Iceland, and it might be the best. Tug at the threads of Iceland’s rich history through the creative displays of artifacts spanning the early arrivals of the Vikings to the modern age. Skip the line and use your phone to make use of the great (and free) audio guide, which adds layers of story onto displays of Viking weapons, drinking horns, Icelandic national costumes, and statues of Pagan gods.

Don’t miss: The gift shop here sells unique souvenirs, such as jewelry inspired by early Viking designs.

Reykjavik’s history museums dive deep into the country’s Viking origins, and nowhere does it better than the Settlement Exhibition. The museum is based around the foundations of a 10th-century longhouse, rumored to belong to Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first permanent settler. On all sides you’ll find multimedia exhibits and archaeological artifacts that illustrate the lives of the settlers, and next to the longhouse is a wall that experts date to AD 871, one of the oldest man-made structures in Iceland.

Don’t miss: If you’re visiting between June and August, there’s a free guided tour of the exhibition on weekdays at 11am.

Explore Iceland’s natural wonders and geology at the Perlan Museum’s Wonders of Iceland exhibit. Your adventure begins in a stunning 328-foot-long (100-meter-long) ice cave, crafted from 2,205 pounds (350 tons) of snow from the Icelandic mountains. Then, discover glacier life cycles, visit the Látrabjarg bird cliffs via augmented reality headsets, and learn about the shifting tectonic plates below and how they fuel Iceland’s volcanoes, earthquakes, and geothermal power.

Don’t miss: A planetarium occupies one of the other water tanks, and features an award-winning film on the northern lights and the legends that surround them.

If you like your history brought to life by eerily accurate models of Vikings, then the Saga Museum is for you. In this Reykjavik history museum, the lifelike replicas of important Viking figures set the stage for an incredible audio guide filled with the thudding of weapons, blood curdling screams, and fiery retellings of the famous Icelandic Sagas. The models are all based on local residents of downtown Reykjavik, so keep them in mind as you wander around the city.

Don’t miss: At the end of the exhibit, you can dress up as a Viking explorer for a great photo.

Volcanoes are one of Iceland’s biggest draws, and continue to shape the spectacular landscapes. While witnessing an eruption is unforgettable, most often the eruption areas are closed to the public. The Lava Show provides a thrilling alternative. Using a special furnace, molten lava is poured down a chute into the center of the room; you’ll look on while staff manipulate it with a metal rod and explain its properties.

Don’t miss: The Reykjavik show focuses on recent eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula; the original in Vik highlights the Eyjafjallajökull eruption and other regional volcanoes.

Iceland is a country of artists, a tradition passed down from ancestors who entertained themselves during long, dark winters. The Reykjavik Art Museum offers a top-notch look at some of Iceland’s most famous artists across three separate locations. Hafnarhús in downtown showcases contemporary Icelandic art; Kjarvalsstaðir near Klambratún Park focuses on modern artworks and sculptures; and Ásmundursafn is dedicated to 20th-century sculptor, Ásmundur Sveinsson.

Don’t miss: Admission to all three museums is included as part of the Reykjavik City Card, which comes with a lot of other bonuses including other Reykjavik museum tickets.

Each summer, Iceland’s fjords are home to 23 different species of whales, drawn by long daylight hours that turn the water into rich feeding grounds. The Whales of Iceland exhibition in the Grandi neighborhood takes an in-depth look at these majestic creatures. Interactive screens offer detailed information about them, virtual reality goggles send you to the bottom of the ocean to watch them swimming, and life-size models of the whales hang from the ceiling.

Don’t miss: A tempting one-two combo while in town: entrance to the museum is included on some whale-watching tours from Reykjavik’s harbor.

Aurora Reykjavik is all about the northern lights, exploring what they are and how to best experience them. The museum exhibit offers an excellent introduction to the fleeting winter night sky phenomena, complemented by a panoramic recreation of the lights and an impressive collection of photography. Of course, no exhibition can match seeing the aurora firsthand, so also consider a northern lights tour or try venturing out on your own to catch the aurora.

Don’t miss: After exploring the exhibit, stop by the photo booth, which will help you with the best settings on your phone for capturing photos of the lights.

Housed in a former ice storage warehouse, the National Gallery of Iceland is a popular museum in Reykjavik designed by the architect behind Hallgrímskirkja that celebrates all things Icelandic art. Inside, marble atriums and spacious galleries showcase a rotating selection from a 15,000-piece collection, featuring depictions of the Sagas, stunning landscapes, and more. Admission is included with the Reykjavik City Card.

Don’t miss: After taking in the artwork, unwind with coffee and treats at the wonderfully artsy café on the top floor, and be sure to visit the gift shop downstairs for unique finds.

Before tourism, fishing was Iceland’s lifeblood. Explore the country’s maritime history across the centuries at the Reykjavik Maritime Museum, easily reachable by hop-on hop-off bus. Set inside a former fish-freezing plant, it’s one of the must-see museums in Reykjavik. The main display uses interactive games, old photos, and seafaring artifacts to highlight the evolution of Iceland's seafaring vessels, from simple rowing boats to modern trawlers, while also showcasing trading ships, routes, and the development of Reykjavik's harbor.

Don’t miss: From March until November the museum offers guided tours around a retired Icelandic Coast Guard vessel called Óðinn.