Museum and Culture

Árbæjarsafn

Árbæjarsafn was established by the City of Reykjavík in 1957 as an open-air museum to preserve and show selected old houses. The museum is built around the old farm of Árbær but most of the houses there are originally from the center of Reykjavík. The museum’s aim is to give the public an idea of the architecture and the lifestyle of the past.

Address: by Kistuhylur - 110 Reykjavik - Tel: 577 1111 

Art Gallery Fold

Art Gallery Fold has the finest selection of contemporary Icelandic art available in Iceland. Located at the three biggest shopping areas Art Gallery Fold makes it easy for everyone to enjoy and acquire Icelandic contemporary art. We pride ourselves in selling good art by recognized Icelandic artists at a reasonable price.

Address: Rauðarárstígur 14-16 - 105 Reykjavik - Tel: 551 0400

Eiríksstaðir

In Haukadalur, Dalabyggð in the west of Iceland, the Eiríksstaðir ruins were excavated in the summers of 1997-99. Excavations by archaeologists from the National Museum of Iceland in 1997 revealed the existence of a farmhouse with an interior area of 50 m². Dating from the 10th century, the ruins are on public display.

Address: Haukadalur - 810 Selfoss - Tel: 434 1118

National Gallery of Iceland

The National Gallery of Iceland, established in 1884, houses the main collection of Icelandic art, covering in particular 19th and 20th century Icelandic and international art. It contains the main Icelandic key works of the 20th century, by the nation's leading artists.

Address: Fríkirkjuvegur 7 - 101 Reykjavik - Tel: 515 9600 

National Museum of Iceland

The National Museum of Iceland has a long history and has played an important part in the Icelandic culture since it was first established in the year 1863. Now the museum has been extensively refurbished and offers an adventurous insight into the Icelandic history and its heritage in a stylish and modern building at Sudurgata in Reykjavík.

Address: Sudurgata 41 - 101 Reykjavik - Tel: 530 2200 

Reykjavik Museum of Photography 

The Reykjavík Museum of Photography is Iceland's only autonomous photographic museum. Its role is to preserve photographs, glass plates, negatives and slides in such a way that the people of Reykjavík and visitors have optimum access to the museum's collection.

Skalholt

In the year 1000 A.D., Christianity became the state religion of Iceland. The first bishop was inaugurated in 1056. Skálholt is one of the most important places in the history of Iceland and deeply respected as well.

Address: Skálholti - 801 Selfoss

Skogar Museum

In the heart of the southern part of Iceland, located next to the magnificent waterfall Skógafoss, is an interesting museum which was established in the year 1949. The museum has grown immensely through the years. There you can now see how the Icelanders lived in the past.

Address: Austur-Eyjafjöllum - 860 Hvolsvöllur - Tel: 487 8845

The Culture House

In an old and magnificent building located in the heart of the city centre, the Icelandic cultural heritage and natural treasures are on display in the Culture House. The building, which was designed by a Danish architect, Johannes Magdahl Nielsen, opened in the year 1909 and is one of the greatest structures in Iceland.

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, widely considered to be one of the leading Nordic orchestras, continues to attract audiences through its high standards of performance coupled with innovative programming.

Address: Austurbakki 2 - 101 Reykjavík - Tel.+354 545 2500

The Icelandic Emigration Center

The Icelandic Emigration Center was founded in 1996 to commemorate the Icelandic emigrants to North America and promote contact between their descendants and the people of Iceland.

Address: 565 Hofsos - Tel: 453 7936

The Icelandic Saga Centre

The Saga Centre in Hvolsvöllur was opened in 1997 and the guests are offered a guided tour through the exhibition on the Njál´s Saga and the viking age. In the heart of the building there is a reconstruction of a medieval hall.

Address: 860 Hvolsvöllur - Tel: 487 8781 

The Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn

Ásmundarsafn or The Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum is dedicated to the sculptures and drawings of the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982). The building is the former home of the artist, mostly designed by himself. Ásmundarsafn gives an overview of different periods in the career of the artist.

The Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús

In April 2000 The Reykjavík Art Museum opened a new museum by the harbour side in an old warehouse named Hafnarhús. It has six exhibition halls for art, a multi-purpose space and an outdoor area in an enclosed courtyard.

The Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir

The Reykjavík Art Museum at Kjarvalsstaðir was inaugurated in 1973. It is situated at Miklatún park close to the center of Reykjavík. At Kjarvalsstaðir works by leading Icelandic and international artists of the 20th century are exhibited.

Address: Flókagata - 105 Reykjavik