National Museum of Iceland

One of the most popular museums, and also one of the most visited, is the National Museum of Iceland. It is a fantastic museum that highlights the history of the nation and how the country was formed. There are always a variety of exhibitions taking place that illustrate the story of the Icelandic past from Medieval Viking settlements right up to modern day. The main exhibition that takes place at the museum is home to over 2,000 artefacts that were discovered around the country. It is well worth a visit if you are planning a trip to Iceland. You can find more information about the museum here.

Reykjavik Art Museum

If art is more your thing, then you should definitely visit Reykjavik Art Museum. Housed across three distinct buildings, the museum is the largest art institution in the country and offers a wide array of art. It regularly exhibits work from three of Iceland’s most renowned artists, Erró, Kjarval, and Ásmundur Sveinsson. On top of this there are exhibitions from some of the other Icelandic artists and international art exhibitions too. You can experience a variety of styles from traditional paintings to the very modern peripheries of art here. Find out more about the exhibitions and museum here.

Árbaer Open Air Museum

This is one of the most interesting museum experiences in Iceland and is a must visit if you are planning to travel to Reykjavik. This open-air museum is comprised of more than 20 buildings that form a town square, a village and a farm. It tries to give visitors a sense of what life was like in the past and how the Icelandic population used to live. There are many special exhibitions that take place at the museum throughout the year so there’s always plenty to see and do. Read more about the museum online here.

The Einar Jónsson Museum

The fantastic museum and gallery is located in downtown Reykjavik and can be found beside the landmark church Hallgrimskirkja. The museum is dedicated to the works of Einar Jónsson, who was an Icelandic sculptor until he died in 1954. He started producing art from an early age but there was no tradition of sculpture in the country when he was creating his work. The artist has a vast array of experience and studied in both Copenhagen and Rome before returning to Iceland. He also produced statues for the American Government in 1914 and donated a large amount of his work to the city of Reykjavik. Find out more about the museum and gallery here.

The Settlement Exhibition

A unique museum experience, The Settlement Exhibition includes archaeological remains that were excavated in 2001. These turned out to be the oldest relics of human habitation in Reykjavik, as some of the fragments date back to before 871 AD. The ancient ruins and settlement have been preserved for the exhibition and provide an insight into Viking times. In visiting the exhibition you will learn about how the buildings were constructed through multimedia technology. The exhibits also include artefacts recovered from the site. Find out more about the exhibition here.

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