The 15 Best Reykjavik Museums & Attractions

1.FlyOver Iceland Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,499 reviews · 35 min · from $45Our pick

At FlyOver Iceland in Reykjavik’s Grandi district, you’ll sit suspended before a giant spherical screen and glide over glaciers, fjords, waterfalls, and other Icelandic sights. A short pre-show covers Viking culture and Icelandic history, while wind, mist, scents, music, and motion make the eight-minute flight feel remarkably real. English and Icelandic hosts guide the experience.

“much better than I expected! smiled the whole ride”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland Entrance Ticket

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

Spend up to two hours exploring Perlan’s Wonders of Iceland, including a real indoor ice cave, interactive nature exhibits, a volcano show, and the Áróra northern lights film in an 8K planetarium. Finish on the observation deck, with a café and revolving restaurant available on site.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Perlan – Wonders of Iceland Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,012 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $56

Explore Perlan’s Wonders of Iceland in Reykjavik with entry to the ice cave, volcano exhibits, Áróra Northern Lights Planetarium Show, and 360-degree observation deck. Plan on two to three hours, with café and restaurant breaks available on site. Pre-booking helps secure your preferred morning or evening visit.

“This was a fun thing to do on a rainy day! They have a coffee shop, bar and food and a small gift shop.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.FlyOver Iceland Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,467 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

FlyOver Iceland is a 30-minute attraction in Reykjavík’s Grandi harbor district. A short pre-show covers Icelandic history before you take a moving-seat flight over glaciers, gorges, rivers, coastlines, and other striking scenery. The ride uses a 180-degree screen, wind, mist, music, and banking seats. Children must be at least 40 inches tall.

“The fight was smooth. There was good commentary there and back. Stopping off the experience the geysers in such a remote, special place was breathtaking.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Reykjavík City Card

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 964 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $40

Use a 1, 2, or 3-day Reykjavík City Card for free entry to major museums, city pools, the zoo, and unlimited city buses. Pick up the physical card at a listed museum, then visit places such as the National Museum, Settlement Exhibition, Maritime Museum, and Viðey Island. Discounts are also available at selected attractions.

“very easy to exchange the card and easy to use. just show to counter then can explore. the bad things is the operation hours too short so cant explore more”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Start at Harpa Concert Hall and use a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass to see Reykjavík at your own pace. Stop at Perlan for a timed visit to the Wonders of Iceland museum, including its real ice cave, volcano and earthquake displays, northern lights presentation, and observation deck. Audio commentary is available in eight languages.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance Ticket

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

At Whales of Iceland in Reykjavík, you’ll walk among life-size models of 23 whale species found in Icelandic waters. Use the audio guide in 17 languages, explore hands-on displays, and watch films in the Fin Whale Theatre, including Whale Wisdom narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

“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 !”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket

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

Visit Reykjavík’s National Museum of Iceland and follow the country’s story from the Settlement Age to today. You’ll see about 2,000 objects, including a year 1000 figure of Thor, medieval church art, and Iceland’s first printed Bible. Your ticket includes temporary exhibitions, Wi-Fi, and an audio guide in 10 languages.

“Great opportunity to get to know a bit more about Iceland’s history.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Whales Of Iceland Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 239 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $34

At Whales of Iceland in Reykjavik, you’ll walk beneath life-size models of 23 whale species, follow an audio guide in 17 languages, and watch documentaries in the Fin Whale Theatre. English guided tours run at 11:00 and 15:00, with Claire among the guides. Plan on one to two hours, longer if you stay for a film.

“The background video was really good and lasted around an hour. The tour which was advertised for 3pm seemed slightly unorganised. Was told it was like an on request thing which made me feel a little awkward. Although it did take place no problem and was fairly good. Overall it is probably priced about right for the experience. A good few hours and I would definitely recommend it for families or adults.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket

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

Visit Reykjavik’s family-owned Phallological Museum with admission to its collection of more than 300 phallus specimens from 120 species. Read about phallology, see donations from around the world, then stop at the Phallus Café and Bistro for penis-shaped waffles, cocktails, or locally brewed beer. English support is available, and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Whale Watching Tour, Whales of Iceland Exhibition

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

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay aboard a large whale-watching boat, with thermal overalls, guide commentary, and free repeat entry if no wildlife appears. Then visit Whales of Iceland’s 23 life-size models, audio guides, videos, and virtual reality displays. You can do the boat and museum in either order.

“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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Saga Museum – Entrance ticket

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

At Reykjavik’s Saga Museum in the old harbour, you follow Iceland’s early story through about 20 lifelike scenes featuring Leif Eiriksson, Snorri Sturlusson, and Ingolfur Arnarson. An audio guide is available in seven languages, and you can try Viking armour and weapons. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, or longer if you read everything.

“Very well done. The history comes alive with the well made figures and the scenes they are set in. We really enjoyed it. The staff was very kind and helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.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 and skip-the-line entry. Allow about 90 minutes, though the displays can fill two hours. Follow Iceland’s story from the first settlers to modern times, then visit the former Culture House free of charge. English is offered, and the museum has Wi-Fi, lockers, a cafe, and a gift shop.

“The museum was nice. It was a good mixture of photography, textiles, historical artifacts and information. Nice place. Provides free lockers for backpacks so that was nice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Saga Museum Entry Ticket

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

At Reykjavik’s Saga Museum, 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 dress as a Viking with period-style clothing and weapons. The museum is small, wheelchair accessible, and easy to visit independently.

“A brilliant museum with very friendly and helpful staff.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 44 reviews · 2 hours · from $134

Join an English-speaking guide and captain at Reykjavík’s old harbor for a 20-minute ferry to Viðey. Walk by flashlight to Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower, hear its story, visit historic island sites, and enjoy city views. The small-group tour runs on selected dates when the tower is lit, with Northern Lights sightings possible.

“Saw the Northern Lights from the boat. Our guide was very thoughtful in playing John Lennon's song while we stood around the light tower. We also visited the church and the home that were on Videy island. Found the history very interesting. It was worth every cent!”

Check availability →Read our full review