13 Museums in Reykjavik You Can Book Before You Land

1.Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,575 reviews · from $48Our pick

Spend about two hours exploring Perlan’s interactive Wonders of Iceland exhibits, including a real indoor ice cave, volcano show, wildlife displays, and the Áróra northern lights film in an 8K planetarium. Finish with wide views from the observation deck. Café and restaurant food cost extra.

“Great museum with lots of interactive things! Stunning views from floor 4 and 5. Rotating floor of restaurant was a lovely touch and a complete surprise took us 20 mins to realise we were gently turning.”

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2.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Perlan Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 719 reviews · 1 day · from $88

Start beside Harpa Concert Hall and use a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket to reach Reykjavík sights, including Perlan at Stop 11. Your timed Perlan entry covers the Wonders of Iceland museum, a real 100-metre ice cave, volcano and earthquake displays, Northern Lights exhibits, and the observation deck.

“had a wonderful time....all the people were very helpful and full of knowledge.....an excellent time”

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3.Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 493 reviews · 1 day · from $34

Walk among life-size models of 23 whale species found in Icelandic waters, including the blue whale and sperm whale. Explore anatomy and conservation displays, listen to an audio guide in 17 languages, and watch films in the Fin Whale Theatre, including Whale Wisdom narrated by Sir David Attenborough and Sonic Sea narrated by Rachel McAdams.

“An interesting visit about the giants of the Ocean. The museum give informations about lot of whales thanks to the panels and audioguide available in many languages. I loved this experience !”

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4.National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 432 reviews · 365 days · from $20Best value

Visit Reykjavík’s National Museum and trace Iceland from Settlement Age ship to modern airport. See a year 1000 Thor figure, medieval church art, the first Icelandic Bible, and about 2,000 objects. Your ticket includes an audio guide in 10 languages, Wi-Fi, temporary exhibitions, and 365 days of validity.

“Spent about an hour and a half in the museum. Enjoyed all the exhibits Definitely worth it”

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5.Aurora Reykjavík, The Northern Lights Center Museum Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 327 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

At Aurora Reykjavík, you’ll explore northern lights myths and science, watch a 30-minute 4K Iceland film, try 360-degree VR, and learn camera settings in a photo simulator. The self-guided visit takes about an hour and works especially well when summer daylight, clouds, or luck keep the real aurora out of reach.

“My solo traveling experience at Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Museum was fantastic. Self tour guide was great. Very informative information provided about northern lights from its history to discovery and how they are formed etc. Virtual reality experience was okay could have been bigger in room space instead of sitting down better to stand up to look around a full 360 VR Experience. Make sure you pick up a copy and purchase your Blu-Ray souvenir disc of Nortthern Lights actually recorded in Iceland for a memorable keepsake! Worth checking out!”

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6.Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 189 reviews · 1 day · from $28

Visit Reykjavik’s family-owned Phallological Museum, home to more than 300 specimens from 120 species. The English-language exhibits explain phallology in a playful, unusual setting. Admission also gives you access to the Phallus Café and Bistro, where you can order penis-shaped waffles, cocktails, and local beer. Food and drinks cost extra.

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7.Whale Watching Tour, Whales of Iceland Exhibition

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 187 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $123

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor into Faxafloi Bay aboard a large whale-watching boat, with thermal overalls, WiFi, and an English-speaking guide. Look for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, then visit Whales of Iceland’s 23 life-size models. Guides such as Lucas, Daniel, Oskar, and Ivan have all led memorable trips.

“A wonderful trip by Special Tours. We met at the office about 40 mins before the expected tour as we needed to ensure my disabled daughter could manage gang plank and secure a seat. We opted for a seat upstairs to get the best views. The tour took around 3 hours and we spotted a dolphin and humpback as well as a seal. My daughter is fanatical (or fin-atical) about whales and this was the reason for our trip to Iceland. This made her trip! Tour guides were knowledgeable although a little difficult to hear as so windy. Top tip: layers,layers, layers! It is very cold up top but so…”

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8.Saga Museum – Entrance ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 110 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $32

Spend 45 minutes to two hours at Reykjavik’s Saga Museum, where lifelike figures recreate Icelandic saga scenes and historic events. Follow the audio guide in English or six other languages, learn about Leif Eiriksson and Snorri Sturlusson, then try Viking clothing, armor, and weapons. Entry costs $32, with free admission for children under six.

“Great origin/making of story of the museum. Fantastic staff especially the guy in the gift shop. Interesting exhibit with 30-minute guided audio tour. Outstanding figures with crazy realistic eyes. Worth it and not too busy in the middle of a beautiful October Monday.”

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9.Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 95 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Visit Reykjavik’s National Museum of Iceland with a pre-booked mobile ticket. Follow Iceland’s story from the first settlers through modern times, see Viking-era and religious artifacts, and use the museum’s audio tour and free Wi-Fi. Admission also includes free entry to the former Culture House, Safnahúsið.

“This was a great way to learn and immerse our family in Icelandic history, lore and culture. An added bonus for us on Christmas Eve morning was a special Christmas show where children participated and sang. We don't know the Icelandic language, but could definitely feel the spirit in the cheer and music!”

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10.Saga Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $33

At Reykjavik’s Saga Museum, you’ll follow a 35-minute audio-guided route through 20 lifelike scenes from Iceland’s settlement, Viking Age, civil war, and Reformation. Hear the stories in seven languages, then try on Viking clothing and handle replica weapons in the costume area. The museum is compact, wheelchair accessible, and easy to visit by car.

“As everything in Iceland, the cost was very high as compared to other European countries and the USA. The museum was nice, but very small, and not terribly interesting”

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11.Settlement and Egils Saga Exhibition Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 49 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30

At The Settlement Center in Reykjavik, you’ll use a mobile ticket and self-guided audio headset to explore two exhibitions: Iceland’s first settlers and Egill Skalla-Grímsson, the Viking poet at the heart of Egils Saga. Plan about an hour, and bring children along for the multimedia displays.

“There are two parts to the tour, with an upstairs and downstairs. There’s a very helpful person at the beginning to give you your headphones and an iPod mini that has the tour in many languages. The upper floor with a history of Iceland was interesting but a little difficult to follow. The tour below with the saga was much more dramatic and entertaining. This is a nice stop if you were visiting the country for the first time.”

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12.Whale Watching Excursion & Whale Exhibition

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $160

Start at Reykjavik’s Vesturbugt Harbor for a guided whale-watching trip across Faxaflói Bay. Look for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises, with warm flotation overalls and heated cabins available. Your ticket also includes the Whales of Iceland exhibition, where full-size models and interactive displays explain the lives of Iceland’s sea giants.

“Great that we saw humpback whales and dophins and minke whales. Nice refreshments on board. Weather made it, we were lucky with the sunny day. Would recommend, just stay out on deck so you don't feel seasick!”

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13.Deluxe Whale Watching and Whales of Iceland Exhibition Combo from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Meet at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a roughly three-and-a-half-hour outing: a guided boat trip in search of minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises, followed by entry to Whales of Iceland. Warm flotation suits, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are included. The boat holds up to 198 people.

“Waste of time, we couldn’t watch any whales and operator provided option to come another day which is not practical for someone with back to back tours scheduled.”

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