The National Museum of Iceland is a modern and progressive experience that provides an insight into Iceland‘s past 1200 years of cultural history. The museum was opened on 24th February 1863 as Antiquarian Collection and was housed in several buildings in Reykjavik, before being housed in the current building at Suðurgata Street in 1944.
The museum aims to spread the knowledge of Icelandic cultural heritage from the nation’s earliest settlement through to the modern day. The main exhibition of the museum - Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland will take you on a journey from the past eras to the present day through interactive displays, of more than 2000 objects belonging across ages. In addition, more than 1000 photographs belonging to the 20th century are present in this exhibition. Apart from this the museum also contains a collection of around 6.5 million photographs in various forms and prints, both by individuals and professionals.
Highlights
• Visit the National Museum to get an insight into the cultural history of Iceland from the beginning of settlement till the present day.
• Opt for a 45-minute guided tour of the permanent exhibition - Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland.
• Take a look at more than 2000 objects and 1000 photographs from the time of settlement till the opening of the modern airport.
• Listen to the audio guide in your preferred language to get in-depth knowledge about the exhibits on display.
• Learn the history of the museum, about how the collection began and ended in the museum of today.
How To Reach
- By Car: The National Museum is 1.1 km from the city centre, it will take 4 min via the Tjarnargata route.
- By Bus: Take a bus to Háskóli Íslands station which is 350 m away from the museum. You can reach the location from the bus station with a 2-minute walk
- By Train: Take a train to Háskóli Íslands station which is 280.0 m away from the museum. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 4-minute walk
- By Foot: If you wish to travel by foot from the city centre, you will need to walk for 850 m via Suðurgata and reach in 12 minutes.
Best Time To Visit
The National Museum of Iceland is open year-round, allowing visitors to explore its collections daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
- Best Season: The summer season starting from June to August is the best season to visit the National Museum of Iceland, with longer days and pleasant weather, making it perfect for exploring.
- Best Day of the Week: Tuesday to Thursday are the best days of the week to visit the museum as these days tend to be less crowded, offering a more relaxed experience.
- Best Time of Day: The best time of the day to visit the museum is in the morning, soon after its opening time.
Other Essential Information
Visitor Tips:
- The museum has a cafe where you can enjoy light refreshments such as coffee and a variety of delicacies from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- If you wish to use Wifi, you can visit the cafe where it is available for free.
- The museum has a souvenir shop where you can purchase specially produced goods, books and handicrafts daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- If you are travelling by own car, you can park your car for free at the National Museum.
- Photography is allowed inside the museum for personal use but refrain from using flash.
- If you are carrying strollers, backpacks or large bags, you can store them in the free locker room.
Go on Guided Tours
The best way to explore the National Museum will be to go on an English-guided tour for 45 minutes. The tour will be for a maximum of 25 people and will include a walk through the permanent exhibition - Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland. You may also opt for an audio guide instead, which is available for downloading on your smartphone. You will be able to choose from 9 languages - Icelandic, English, Svenska, Espanol, Français, Dansk, Deutsch, Polski, and Italiano.
Witness the Permanent Exhibition
The National Museum of Iceland has a permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland, which you will be able to witness. This exhibition is aimed at providing an insight into the history of Iceland from the time of the Settlement till the present times. The journey through time will begin with the ship bringing mediaeval settlers across the ocean to Iceland and will end in a modern airport, Icelands' gateway to the world.
Take a look at Photographs and Print
You will be able to take a look at Iceland’s largest public collection of images in this museum. Browse through a varied collection that includes drawings, graphic prints, watercolours, paintings and prints. The museum’s collection also includes more than 6.5 million photographs in various forms, most of which has been taken by individual photographers.
Learn the History of the National Museum
While exploring the National Museum, came to know that it was opened to the public on 24 February 1863 and was known as the Antiquarian Collection up until 1911. Learn that during the first decades, the museum was housed in various attics in Reykjavík such as the Parliament, the Cathedral, and others before it reached the attic of the National Library building on Hverfisgata where it resided for four decades.
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