The Icelandic nation is rich in cultural tradition. Icelanders take pride in their heritage, as numerous museums all around the country bear witness to. Historical museums, embracing Icelandic heritage from the Viking era up to the 20th century, can be found both in Reykjavík and around the country. In the countryside, there are also many museums that cover aspects of local history and heritage. Admission fee to museums is usually low, 0-900 ISK. History put aside, there is much going on in music and arts as well. Art museums and galleries are growing in number and Icelandic design is becoming ever more popular. Music plays a big part in the cultural lives of Icelanders; the Icelandic symphony orchestra as well as the Icelandic Opera are notable for ambitious work in this small community. Those looking for something more progressive might want to check out the Airwaves music festival, held in October every year, where the newest trends in Icelandic and international rock and pop music are represented. Another cultural event that should not be missed is Culture Night, third weekend in August, when the streets of Reykjavík are filled with art performers and spectators.

Gljúfrasteinn Laxness Museum

Gljúfrasteinn
270 Mosfellsbær
+354 586 8066

www.gljufrasteinn.is
gljufrasteinn@gljufrasteinn.is

During a lifetime that spanned nearly an entire century, Laxness, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature 1955, wrote over 60 books embracing a... more

Kópavogur Art Museum, Gerðarsafn

Hamraborg 4
200 Kópavogur
+354 570 0440

www.gerdarsafn.is
gerdarsafn@kopavogur.is

Numerous exhibitions are held annually, displaying works by contemporary and modern artists, both from Iceland and overseas. The museum is dedicated t... more

Kópavogur Concert Hall, Salurinn

Hamraborg 6
200 Kópavogur
+354 570 0400

www.salurinn.is
salurinn@salurinn.is

A great variety of concerts are held at Salurinn featuring music from the renaissance period to modern days, including solo concerts, singing recitals... more

Kópavogur Natural History Museum

Hamraborg 6a
200 Kópavogur
+354 570 0430

www.natkop.is
natkop@natkop.is

It is divided into two categories, geological and zoological. The geological part focuses on the formation of Iceland, the major rock types and minera... more

Museum of Design and Applied Art

Garðatorg 1
210 Garðabær
+354 512 1525

www.honnunarsafn.is/
honnunarsafn@honnunarsafn.is

The Museum of Design welcomes groups, and provides guided tours of the exhibitions. Guided tours of the Museum’s repositories are also offered f... more

Nature.is

Breiðihvammur
816
+354 483 1500

www.nature.is
nature@nature.is

Nature.is is an eco-conscious website for everything concerning nature and the environment in Iceland.

Nature’s Green Map® pre... more

Reykjavík Maritime Museum

Grandagarður 8
101 Reykjavík
+354 517 9400

www.sjominjasafn.is
solveig@sjominjasafn.is

With a great view over the ocean next to Reykjavík‘s harbour and only 10 minutes walk from the city center is Víkin – Maritime museum. Ins... more

The Icelandic Opera

Harpa
101 Reykjavík
+354 562 2255

www.opera.is
opera@opera.is

Originally it was a cinema until the Icelandic Opera bought the building. There are approximately 2-3 performances at The Icelandic Opera each year, f... more

The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra

Harpa
101 Reykjavík
+354 545 2500

www.sinfonia.is
sinfonia@sinfonia.is

This is mainly due to excellent reviews for the orchestra’s recordings during recent years and also to the numerous sell-out concerts in Háskóla... more

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Austurbakki 2
101 Reykjavík
+354 528 5050

www.harpa.is/
midasala@harpa.is

Settlement Center

Brákarbraut 13-15
310 Borgarnes
+354 437 1600

www.landnam.is
landnam@landnam.is

The Settlement Exhibition

Aðalstræti 16
101 Reykjavík

www.reykjavik871.is
minjasafn@reykjavik.is