First Stop: National Museum of Iceland, Suðurgata 41, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Begin your cultural journey at the National Museum of Iceland. Explore exhibits that illuminate Iceland’s historical saga from its Viking-age settlements to modern times.
Interactive displays offer insights into the cultural history and evolving identity of the Icelandic people.
Second Stop: National Gallery of Iceland, Frikirkjuvegur 7, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Continue to the National Gallery of Iceland, where you can admire an extensive collection of 19th and 20th-century Icelandic art. The gallery also showcases significant international works, including pieces by Picasso and Munch, highlighting the global dialogue between Icelandic artists and the broader art world.
Third Stop: Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus, Tryggvagata 17, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Visit Hafnarhús, located in the old harbour area. This venue serves as a key center for contemporary art, featuring exhibitions from both local and international artists.
Explore the permanent collection of works by Erró, a prominent figure in the pop art scene housed in this historically significant building.
Fourth Stop: Ásmundarsafn, Sigtun, Reykjavík
Duration: 40 minutes
Head to Ásmundarsafn, the home and studio of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson. The building itself, inspired by Mediterranean architectural styles, is a work of art surrounded by Sveinsson’s captivating sculptures.
Inside, explore exhibitions that include both his earlier monumental works and later abstract pieces.
Fifth Stop: Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstadir, Flokagata 24, Reykjavík
Duration: 1 hour
Next, visit Kjarvalsstaðir, which focuses on the works of Jóhannes S. Kjarval, one of Iceland’s most influential artists. The exhibitions primarily showcase his paintings and sculptures, set in a modernist building with expansive views of Klambratún Park.
Sixth Stop: Reykjavik Maritime Museum, Grandagardur 8, Reykjavík
Duration: 1 hour
Continue to the Reykjavik Maritime Museum, where you can delve into the 150-year history of Icelandic fisheries. The museum, located in a former fish factory, presents a comprehensive look at the evolution from rowboats to modern fishing vessels, centered around Reykjavík’s role as the nation’s biggest fishing port.
Seventh Stop: Árbær Open Air Museum, Kistuhyl 4, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
The Árbær Open Air Museum provides a unique glimpse into historical Icelandic life. Featuring over 20 buildings that collectively form a town square, a village, and a farm, each structure has been meticulously relocated from central Reykjavík to preserve the city’s heritage.
This stop offers an immersive experience into the past, ideal for understanding traditional Icelandic culture.
Eighth Stop: The Settlement Exhibition, Aðalstraeti 16, Reykjavík
Duration: 40 minutes
Explore the Settlement Exhibition, located in the heart of Reykjavík. This museum focuses on the city's origins with detailed exhibits based on archaeological findings from the area.
Highlights include the remains of a hall from the Settlement Age, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Reykjavík’s earliest inhabitants around 871 AD.
Ninth Stop: Reykjavik Museum of Photography, Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavík
Duration: 40 minutes
Visit the Reykjavik Museum of Photography, which sits on the top floor of the city's old newspaper building. The museum showcases a mixture of historical and contemporary Icelandic photography, capturing the country's social, cultural, and artistic development through the lens.
Tenth Stop: Videy Island
Duration: 2 hours
Take a short ferry ride to Videy Island, a serene escape from the city. Experience unspoiled nature alongside significant artworks, including Richard Serra’s renowned sculpture path.
The island is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with abundant wildlife and panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Eleventh Stop: Gerdarsafn Kopavogur Art Museum, Hamraborg 4, Kopavogur
Duration: 1 hour
Continue to Gerdarsafn Kopavogur Art Museum, dedicated to modern and contemporary art and named in honor of Icelandic artist Gerður Helgadóttir. The museum’s exhibition program focuses on works by Icelandic and international contemporary artists, reflecting current trends and innovations in art.
Twelfth Stop: Natural History Museum of Kopavogur, Hamraborg 6a, Kopavogur
Duration: 1 hour
Your next visit is to the Natural History Museum of Kopavogur, which offers insights into the geological and zoological aspects of Iceland. The geological section focuses on the volcanic origins of the island and its mineral wealth, while the zoological section covers the native species of birds, mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
Thirteenth Stop: Reykjavik Family park and Zoo, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
The Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo offers more than just a glimpse at Icelandic farm animals; it provides interactive educational experiences that are perfect for families. With playgrounds and facilities accessible year-round, this stop is an excellent choice for those looking to combine learning with leisure during their tour.
Fourteenth Stop: The Culture House, Hverfisgata 15, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
The Culture House welcomes visitors to "Points of View," an exhibition that explores the visual world of Iceland. This immersive display integrates art, historical objects, and archival materials, showcasing the diverse and dynamic visual history of the nation.
It blends styles and media from six major Icelandic cultural institutions, offering a unique and enriching experience.
Fifteenth Stop: Aðalstræti 10, Reykjavík
Duration: 30 minutes
The Aðalstræti 10, part of the Reykjavík City Museum network, provides a unique glimpse into the historical landscape of the city. This site features exhibitions that illustrate the life and times of Reykjavík's earliest settlements, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the area's rich history.
Sixteenth Stop: Sigurjon Olafsson Museum, Laugarnestangi 70, Reykjavík
Duration: 50 minutes
Continue to the Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum, dedicated to the life and work of one of Iceland’s prominent sculptors. Explore an extensive collection of his sculptures in a museum space created by his widow as a tribute to his artistic legacy.
Seventeenth Stop: Laugardalslaug, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Relax at Laugardalslaug, the largest pool in Reykjavík, which features an outdoor swimming pool, a children's pool, numerous hot tubs, a steam bath, and a giant water slide, all heated with geothermal water.
Eighteenth Stop: Sundhollin, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Unwind in Sundhollin, the oldest public bath in Reykjavík, which offers indoor and outdoor swimming facilities, steam baths, saunas, and an iconic diving platform.
Nineteenth Stop: Vesturbaejarlaug, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Vesturbaejarlaug is a neighborhood favorite in Reykjavík, renowned for its cozy atmosphere. This local gem features several hot tubs, a steam bath, an outdoor pool, and a cold tub, making it the ideal spot for a relaxing soak during your tour.
Twentieth Stop: Arbaejarlaug, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
The Arbaejarlaug swimming facility offers a family-friendly experience with both an indoor and outdoor pool, water slides, hot tubs, and a steam bath. Set against Reykjavík's scenic natural backdrop, this location is ideal for visitors seeking both relaxation and recreational activity.
Twenty-First Stop: Klébergslaug, Kollagrund 4, Reykjavík
Duration: 1 hour
Head to Klébergslaug for a serene experience in a rural setting. This pool offers a refreshing outdoor swim with picturesque views of Mount Esja, complete with a kiddie water slide and steam bath, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and family fun.
Twenty-Second Stop: Breiðholtslaug, Austurberg 3, Reykjavík
Duration: 2 hours
Breiðholtslaug is a large recreational facility that features both indoor and outdoor pools. It caters to all ages with amenities like water slides, a sauna, and hot tubs, providing a delightful and engaging swimming experience for the entire family.
Twenty-Third Stop: Dalslaug, Úlfarsbraut 122, Reykjavík
Duration: 1 hour
Dalslaug boasts modern amenities as one of Reykjavík's newest swimming facilities. With a pool, multiple water slides, and a sports hall, it's designed to entertain and provide leisure activities for visitors of all ages, making it a fantastic spot for both fun and relaxation during your tour.
Twenty-Fourth Stop: Grafarvogslaug, Dalhús 2, Reykjavík
Duration: 1 hour
Finish your tour at Grafarvogslaug, a comprehensive aquatic complex in the Grafarvogur suburb. This facility includes indoor and outdoor pools, children’s paddling pools, two water slides, three hot tubs, and a steam bath, offering a relaxing and enjoyable conclusion to your exploration of Reykjavík’s water culture.
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