ReykjavíkHistory
National Museum of Iceland
The permanent exhibition Making of a Nation follows Iceland’s history through objects and their stories. A broad introduction to the country’s history before visiting smaller specialist museums.
Museums
Museums of Iceland
From Viking-age ruins to life-size whale models and volcanic eruption exhibits, Iceland's museums cover the island's history and the forces that shaped it.
Visitor tip
Reykjavík City Card
Covers free entry to many museums, galleries, and public transport.
Quick Answer
Iceland's main museums, from the National Museum's Viking artifacts to Perlan's ice cave and Eldheimar's excavated eruption house. Hours, passes, and tips.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Opening hours and admission prices may vary seasonally. Always check the museum's official website for the most up-to-date information before visiting.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Choose by what you want to see
| Your interest | Museum | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| An excavated Reykjavík home | Settlement Exhibition | A tenth-century hall preserved where it was found. Site details. |
| Historical scenes with narration | Saga Museum | Recreated scenes and an audio guide in seven languages. Language options. |
| Whale anatomy | Húsavík Whale Museum | 13 real skeletons in North Iceland; the Reykjavík Whales of Iceland exhibition uses life-size models. Húsavík collection. |
| A volcano exhibition on the south coast | Lava Centre | Compare Full Experience with the separate Cinema Only ticket before booking. Ticket choices. |
ReykjavíkNatural wonders
Perlan Museum
Natural wonders exhibits and planetarium housed inside the glass-domed Perlan building on Öskjuhlíð hill. Features an indoor ice cave, interactive displays on volcanoes, glaciers, and ocean life.
ReykjavíkMarine life
Whales of Iceland
Life-size whale models in one of Europe's largest marine exhibitions. Features 23 life-size models of the whale species found in Icelandic waters, with audio guides and interactive displays.
VestmannaeyjarVolcanic history
Eldheimar
Museum built around a house excavated from the 1973 Eldfell eruption in the Westman Islands. It documents the eruption that buried half the town under lava and ash.
ReykjavíkArchaeology
Settlement Exhibition (Reykjavík 871±2)
Built around the ruins of a 10th-century Viking longhouse discovered beneath central Reykjavík. The tenth-century hall survives in place; the 871±2 name refers to the settlement-era tephra layer, not the hall’s construction date.
ReykjavíkCultural history
Saga Museum
Wax figures and staged scenes depicting key moments from Norse history and the Icelandic sagas. Features 17 recreated historical scenes with period-accurate costumes and artifacts.
HvolsvöllurGeology
Lava Centre
Interactive volcano exhibition in Iceland's most active volcanic zone. The exhibits explain the geology behind Eyjafjallajökull, Katla, Hekla, and other nearby volcanoes.
North IcelandMarine biology
Húsavík Whale Museum
Whale skeleton displays in the whale-watching capital of Iceland. Houses real whale skeletons including a blue whale, plus exhibits on whale biology, ecology, and Icelandic whaling history.
Perlan Museum: Iceland Under One Roof
Perlan (The Pearl) is housed in one of Reykjavík's most recognizable landmarks: a glass dome perched atop six former hot-water storage tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill. Originally built to store geothermal water for the city's heating system, the building was repurposed in the 1990s as a cultural venue and observation deck.
The museum's centerpiece is its indoor ice cave, a 100-meter tunnel built from over 350 tonnes of snow harvested from Icelandic mountains. Visitors walk through a recreated glacier environment complete with realistic ice formations and educational displays about glacial science. Other permanent exhibits explore Icelandic wildlife, ocean phenomena, and the forces behind the island's volcanic landscape.
The Áróra planetarium show projects the northern lights onto a full-dome screen, which works in any season or weather. The observation deck on the fourth floor has a 360-degree panorama of Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains.
Planning help
Iceland museums FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What are typical museum opening hours in Iceland?
Hours differ enough to affect your itinerary: Perlan lists 09:00–21:00, while the Saga Museum lists 10:00–17:00. Rural museums also use different seasonal calendars. Check the individual museum’s dated hours instead of assuming a shared closing time.
Is there a museum pass for Reykjavík?
The Reykjavík City Card covers free entry to several museums and galleries, plus free public transport and pool access. It's available as a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour pass and can be purchased at tourist information centres, some hotels, and online.
Are Icelandic museums accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Most major museums in Reykjavík are wheelchair accessible, including the National Museum, Perlan, and Whales of Iceland. Smaller or rural museums may have limited accessibility. Contact the specific museum in advance to confirm facilities and any available assistance.
Are museum exhibits available in English?
Check the format as well as the language. The Saga Museum lists seven audio-guide languages, while the National Museum offers a children’s audio guide in Icelandic and English. Húsavík Whale Museum lists guided tours in Icelandic or English, booked five days ahead.
Which museums are best for children?
Perlan Museum is a top pick for families with its indoor ice cave and interactive volcano exhibits. Whales of Iceland is popular with children for its life-size whale models. The Lava Centre's hands-on earthquake simulator and eruption displays also appeal to younger visitors.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.