About the National Museum
Our stunning building at Suðurgata houses a range of exciting exhibitions, including a delightful cafeteria and the Museum shop. We are committed to providing a welcoming experience for all visitors. Come and explore our beautiful space, soak up the history and culture of Iceland from the Settlement to the present day. Suðurgata is in the heart of Reykjavík, and we can't wait to share our national heritage preservation with you.
History & role
The National Museum was established on February 24th, 1863. Up until that time Icelandic relics had been kept in Danish collections. During the first decades it was housed in several attics in Reykjavík but at the establishment of the republic in 1944, Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament decided to build a house for the National Museum. Sigurður Guðmundsson designed the building at Suðurgata, which is now one of the main landmarks of the city.
Read moreOur staff
On and off the scenes, a dedicated and passionate team works tirelessly to fulfil our main role: to preserve, research, and showcase our cultural heritage. Our staff is made up of curators, researchers, educators, conservators, administrators, and many other professionals who share a deep commitment to the museum's mission.
Finance
Vilhjálmur H. Ólafsson
Customer Service
Collection and research
Alma Sigurðardóttir
Director General office
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Café & shop
Refuel, Reconnect, and Discover at the Þjóðminjasafn Íslands Cafeteria & Shop: Take a
Moment to Relax and Enjoy a Bite, or Browse Our Collection of Unique Souvenirs and
Gifts to Commemorate Your Visit to the Museum.
Musem Shop
In the Museum Shop, you’ll find souvenirs and gift items that reflect the exhibitions and the collection. The shop offers Icelandic handicrafts and unique replicas of archaeological artifacts from Iceland and showcased in the museum. Among them, you will find beautiful jewellery pieces, along with magical symbols and runes. The shop also offers a diverse selection of books on Icelandic history and culture.
The Museum Shop is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
Café
We warmly welcome you to the cafeteria, whether you come to explore the exhibitions or just want to take a break from city strolling and enjoy a pleasant moment, immersing yourself in the beautiful surroundings. We offer quality coffee, tea, soft drinks, and light refreshments, as well as beer and wine.
The café is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm.
Friends of the National Museum of Iceland
Heritage & History (Minjar og saga), a friend association of the National Museum, has been operating since 1988. Its aim is to strengthen the Museum’s activities in various ways and to raise awareness of the importance of the nation’s main cultural and historical museum being well managed.
Read more