If you want to get a full lesson on all things Iceland, the National Museum is a great place to add to your itinerary. Not only is it right in the center of Reykjavik, a great location for post-museum dining or pre-visit shopping, it does a fantastic job of showcasing local talent (current and past).
History buffs should definitely make time to visit this museum. As described below, there are tons of artifacts dating back to the settlement of the country, including a very special door. You could easily spend an entire afternoon lost in this attraction and that also applies to families; The museum has something for every age.
This guide has everything you need to know about planning a visit to the National Museum of Iceland, from when to visit to what exhibits you can see throughout the year. If you’re looking to learn a little about everything when it comes to Iceland, you’ll want to reserve an afternoon to lose yourself in the museum.
Location
You’ll find the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik, just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown, near the University of Iceland. There is parking located on-site, but you’ll also find ample street parking (depending on the day and time you visit, it won’t be nearly the battle you’ll find in downtown Reykjavik). It’s worth noting that the museum’s designated parking lot, which you can find
Price
A regular ticket for adults costs 2,000 ISK or about $ 17. Children under 18 are free and there is a special rate of 1,000 ISK (~ $ 8) for students and over 67.
When to visit
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that the museum is closed on Mondays between September 16 and April 30. Normal hours are from 10 am to 5 pm
Permanent exhibitions
The permanent collection of the National Museum, “Making of a Nation”, focuses on a timeline from the settlement of the country to the present day. Make sure to spend a good amount of time in the settlement’s exhibition, as it is known as one of the strongest in the museum and shows the introduction of Christianity in Iceland. According to the museum’s website, “it begins with the ship on which medieval settlers crossed the ocean to their new home, it ends at a modern airport, the Icelanders’ gateway to the world.” In total, the exhibit has around 2,000 objects, including more than 1,000 photos from the 20th century.
You can also access a free audio guide via the smartphone app for the permanent collection. To do so, visit the museum’s website and download the app. The audio guide offers nine languages: Icelandic, English, Danish, Swedish, Spanish, Polish, French, German, and Italian.
Rotating exhibitions
The rotating exhibits at the National Museum are a real treat because you never really know what is going to appear. The museum is currently hosting an exhibition on artist books and creative printing at the House of Culture, ‘Discovering Icelandic Monasteries,’ 400-year-old vellum literature, and a look at the ‘Churches of Iceland’ curated by directors of museums and a bishop.
Access to the house of culture
Your ticket to the National Museum of Iceland will also allow you to enter the House of Culture, a collaborative project between the National Museum of Iceland, the National Gallery, the Museum of History, the National Archives of Iceland, the University Library of Iceland and the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.
The exhibition dives into special artifacts from all museums and institutions organized by theme, from contemporary art to manuscripts from the 14th century.
Please note: the House of Culture is closed on Mondays during winter (the same date range at the National Museum of Iceland).
Reflexes
If there’s something you’ll see in the museum, make it the doorway to the 13th-century Valþjófsstaðir church. There are carvings throughout the artifact, depicting the story of a knight with his lion and a herd of dragons. You’ll also find plenty of swords and horns to drink, which are always fun to watch.
