Culture House Museum in Reykjavik

Located in the city center of Reykjavik, the Icelandic Culture House is a one-stop shop for learning all about the history and culture of this island nation. While not as flashy as some of the city’s other historical museums, it offers some excellent exhibits at a lower price. And if you come on Wednesday, it’s free.

The Culture House contains many of Iceland’s most treasured manuscripts. The old sagas and eddas, written down on delicate vellum, are on display. Mondays and Fridays at 3:30pm, a free guided tour of the exhibition, which showcases the manuscripts themselves and explains how they were made, is available in English. The library displays even more books, dating from the 16th century to present day, from Icelandic authors, scholars, and poets.

Other exhibits rotate but may include films and photos that examine different aspects of life in Iceland, from the diversity of flora to the history of film in the country.

The museum is open daily from 11am to 5pm. Admission is 700 ISK for adults, with an additional fee for guided tours. There is no admission fee on Wednesdays. An onsite cafe offers soup, fish, pastries, coffee and cakes.

Photo by Michael Jessen