All history museums and attractions to visit in Iceland

Iceland is a good place to visit if you are interested in history. Below we list all 54 history museums in Iceland, to lose yourself in the place's cultural heritage and local history.

Are you a real history buff and are you looking for the best history museums to visit in Iceland? These are the ones:

  1. The Icelandic Phallological Museum1

    The Icelandic Phallological Museum

     Reykjavik
    The Icelandic Phallological Museum, known in Icelandic as Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn, is a one-of-a-kind institution situated in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital. The museum was first established in 1997 in Húsavík, a quaint town on the northern coast of the country, before it was relocated to Reykjavik in 2012.
  2. National Museum of Iceland2

    National Museum of Iceland

     Reykjavik
    The main building of the National Museum of Iceland is structured into three floors. The first floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and a café. The two upper floors house the permanent exhibition. The administrative offices of the museum are located in a separate building, just a few meters east of the main building.
  3. Reykjavík Maritime Museum3

    Reykjavík Maritime Museum

     Reykjavik
    The Reykjavik Maritime Museum, previously known as the Víkin Maritime Museum, is a maritime museum situated by the old harbour in Reykjavik. The museum is managed by the city of Reykjavik and offers a deep dive into the maritime history of Iceland. Its location by the old harbour adds to the authenticity of the maritime experience it offers.
  4. Whales of Iceland4

    Whales of Iceland

     Reykjavik
    Whales of Iceland is a natural history museum situated in the Grandi harbour district of Reykjavík, Iceland. The museum was first opened to the public in 2015 and is dedicated to educating visitors about the various cetacean species that have been sighted in Icelandic waters throughout recorded history.
  5. Eriksstadir5

    Eriksstadir

     Búðardalur
    Eiríksstaðir, located in the Haukadalur area of the Dalasýsla region in Iceland, is the former homestead of the famous Viking, Eiríkr Þorvaldsson, better known as Erik the Red. This historical site offers a unique insight into the life and times of one of the most renowned figures in Viking history.
  6. Árbær Open Air Museum6

    Árbær Open Air Museum

     Reykjavik
    Árbæjarsafn, also known as Árbær Museum, serves as the historical museum of Reykjavík. It is an open-air museum that provides a glimpse into the past, showcasing the living conditions, work, and recreational activities of the people of Reykjavík in earlier times. As a regional museum, it also holds significant cultural and historical value for the region.
  7. Herring Era Museum7

    Herring Era Museum

     Siglufjörður
    The Herring Era Museum, known as Síldarminjasafn Íslands in Icelandic, is one of the largest museums in the country. It offers visitors a glimpse into the significant role herring played in transforming Iceland from a nation of long-standing poverty to modern prosperity. The museum stands as a testament to this remarkable period in Iceland's history.
  8. Hofdi house8

    Hofdi house

     Reykjavik
    Höfði is a significant historical site in Reykjavík, Iceland, recognized for hosting the 1986 Reykjavík Summit. This meeting between President Ronald Reagan of the United States and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union marked a crucial step towards the end of the Cold War. The house commemorates this event by cross-hanging the flags of the United States and the Soviet Union.
  9. Glaumbær Farm & Museum9

    Glaumbær Farm & Museum

     Varmahlíð
    This preserved farmhouse from the mid 18th century now serves as an exhibition place - focusing on rural life in Iceland.
  10. Glaumbær Church10

    Glaumbær Church

     Sauðárkrókur
  11. Skógar Museum11

    Skógar Museum

     Skógar
  12. The Commonwealth farm12

    The Commonwealth farm

     Þjórsárdalur
    Þjóðveldisbærinn, located in Iceland, is an interpretation center that provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore a reconstructed Viking farm from the 10th or 11th century. This historical site offers a glimpse into the life and culture of the Vikings, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in history and archaeology.
  13. Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft13

    Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft

     Hólmavík
  14. 14

    Settlement Centre

     Borgarnes
    This place presents the history of Iceland and heroes of the Icelandic Sagas.
  15. The Settlement Exhibition15

    The Settlement Exhibition

     Reykjavik
    Reykjavík 871±2 is an exhibition located in the heart of Reykjavik, Iceland. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to delve into the history and culture of the country, particularly during the Viking era. It is an integral part of the city's cultural landscape and a significant point of interest for visitors.
  16. Nonni's House16

    Nonni's House

     Akureyri
    Nonnahús, located in the Icelandic city of Akureyri, is renowned as the childhood home of the Icelandic author Jón Sveinsson. This historical house offers a glimpse into the early life of the author, providing a unique perspective on his works and the influences that shaped them.
  17. Bustarfell Museum17

    Bustarfell Museum

     Vopnafjörður
  18. The Culture House18

    The Culture House

     Reykjavik
    The Culture House, locally known as Safnahúsið, is a significant exhibition space located in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is home to the exhibition 'Points of View', which is a collection of pieces from various national museums and other cultural institutions. This exhibition provides a comprehensive insight into the country's rich cultural and historical heritage.
  19. Hafnarfjörður Museum19

    Hafnarfjörður Museum

     Hafnarfjordur
    A diverse museum - there are historic houses a toy exhibition and an exhibition about local history. Third exhibition theme varies around the year.
  20. 20

    The Sorcerer Cottage

     Drangsnes
  21. The Árnesinga Folk Museum21

    The Árnesinga Folk Museum

     Eyrarbakki
    One of Iceland's oldest buildings has been turned into a museum with displays on folk crafts. A great chance to acquaint yourself with the culture.
  22. Old Turfhouse Laufás22

    Old Turfhouse Laufás

     Grenivík
  23. Reykjavik Museum of Photography23

    Reykjavik Museum of Photography

     Reykjavik
    The Reykjavík Museum of Photography, situated in the heart of Reykjavík, Iceland, is home to an extensive collection of about five million photographs. These photographs, captured by both professional and amateur photographers, span from around 1870 to the present century, offering a comprehensive visual history of the region.
  24. Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn24

    Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn

     Reykjavik
    The Reykjavik Art Museum, established in 1973, is Iceland's largest visual art institution. It is spread across three locations in Reykjavík: Hafnarhús by the old harbour, Kjarvalsstaðir by Klambratún, and Ásmundarsafn in Laugardalur. Each location offers a unique experience, showcasing different aspects of Icelandic art.
  25. Norwegian House25

    Norwegian House

     Sveitarfélagið Stykkishólmur
  26. Skriðuklaustur26

    Skriðuklaustur

     Fljótsdalur
  27. Húsavík Culture House27

    Húsavík Culture House

     Húsavík
    Safnahúsið, also known as the Culture House, is an exhibition space located in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is a significant cultural institution that houses various exhibitions drawn from national museums and other cultural institutions. It has been part of the National Museum of Iceland since 2013.
  28. 28

    Saga Museum

     Reykjavik
  29. 29

    Gljúfrasteinn

     Mosfellsbær
    Gljúfrasteinn, located in Mosfellsdal by the Köldukvísl river, was the home of renowned author Halldór Laxness and his family for more than fifty years. Today, it serves as a museum dedicated to the life and works of the author. Visitors can explore the house and gain insights into the life of one of Iceland's most celebrated literary figures.
  30. 30

    Hvers Museum - Hversdagssafn

     Ísafjörður
  31. Friðbjarnarhús31

    Friðbjarnarhús

     Akureyrarbær
  32. 32

    Hnjótur Museum

     Patreksfjörður
  33. 33

    Sænautasel

     Egilsstaðir
  34. 34

    1238 Battle of Iceland

     Sauðárkrókur
  35. 35

    Folk Music Centre

     Siglufjörður
  36. 36

    Byggðasafn Húnvetninga og Strandamanna

     Borðeyri
  37. 37

    Verslunarminjasafn Bardúsa

     Hvammstangi
  38. 38

    Duus Museum

     Keflavík
  39. 39

    War and Peace Museum

     Akranes
  40. 40

    KVIKAN - House of Culture and Natural Resources

     Grindavík
  41. 41

    Íslenska stríðasárasafnið

     Reyðarfjörður
  42. 42

    Snorrastofa Museum

     Reykholt
  43. 43

    Kirkjubaejarstofa

     Kirkjubæjarklaustur
  44. 44

    Ljóðasetur Íslands

     Siglufjörður
  45. 45

    Safnahús Borgarfjarðar

     Borgarnes
  46. 46

    Sagnheimar

     Vestmannaeyjabær
  47. 47

    Nýibær á Hólum í Hjaltadal

     Hólar
  48. 48

    Westfjords Heritage Museum

     Ísafjörður
  49. 49

    Byggðasafnið á Garðskaga

     Garður
  50. 50

    Akranes Folk Museum

     Akraneskaupstaður
  51. 51

    Hvoll Folk museum

     Dalvík
  52. 52

    Heimilisiðnaðarsafnið - Textile Museum

     Blönduós
  53. 53

    Mánárbakki Museum

     Mánárbakki
  54. 54

    Akureyri Museum

     Akureyri