North Iceland
South of the village, the folk museum at Snartarstaðir farm highlights local textile and handicraft traditions. Look for cute, fully dressed scarecrows in…
Must-see attractions in Iceland
Southeast Iceland
This waterfall, 11km east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on the Ring Road, is a head-turning cascade that normally tumbles down from the cliffs. During especially…
Reykjavík
This working Catholic church was built in 1929 in the Gothic style on a hillock overlooking central Reykjavík. On Saturday the sermon of the 6pm service…
The South
Built between 1938 and 1939, this 26m-tall art nouveau lighthouse designed by Axel Sveinsson was Iceland's first built of reinforced concrete. It also…
The Golden Circle
This modern church was built to replace the Skálholt cathedral, which was demolished by an earthquake in the 1700s. The museum in the basement tells the…
Tröllaskagi
Sample tasty local brews at this microbrewery that's open for two visitors or more for a tour and tasting (2500kr). Usually open on Friday and Saturday,…
Heimaey
The lava from Heimaey's historic explosion stopped just short of the Landskirkja in the middle of town. The church’s carved wooden doors feature scenes…
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Mildly interesting display telling the story of the town’s development as a trading centre, and has an on-site handicraft shop and cafe (coffee included…
North Iceland
Sauðaneshús, the old vicarage on the church estate 7km north of town (en route to Langanes), provides insights into how locals lived a century ago, and…
Inland
Egilsstaðir’s cultural museum has sweet but unremarkable displays focusing on the region's history, and includes exhibits detailing the wild reindeer of…
Greater Reykjavík
Built in 1906, Beggubúð was a household goods shop on the town's main street. It moved to its current site in 2008 and is laid out as it was in the early…
The Westfjords
Displays at this small museum cover fishing, farming and collected knick-knacks. Handicrafts are for sale and staff offer information about the area.
Heimaey
A nice square to come and eat a picnic or relax in on sunny days. It has a children's play area, including a very fun permanent bouncy trampoline.
Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður's big bronze Seaman's Monument depicts two fishermen with their nets and commemorates those who've lost their lives at sea.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík's oldest timber house dates to 1762 and is now home to changing exhibitions charting the course of the city's history.
East Iceland
Long-established Gallerí Snærós showcases the works of a talented family of local artists who dabble in a variety of media.
East Iceland
En route to the jetty you’ll pass this quirky sculpture garden full of mineral rocks, bones and assorted flotsam and jetsam.
North Iceland
Learn about puffins, whales and their seal friends, as well as watch a 360-degree movie of puffins and the Northern Lights.
Southeast Iceland
This monument stands on Ósland, the bird-filled promontory south of the harbour. Head here for good walks and views.
The Westfjords
Norður Salt, on the point in Reykhólar, processes sea salt from the local salt bays. You can peek in its windows.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Get a 360 degree view of town and the fjords from this viewing disc marked with local landmarks.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík University has a scenic campus near the beach and the domestic airport.
Icelandic Printmakers Association
Reykjavík
The Printmakers' Association sponsors occasional exhibitions of Icelandic art.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Ólafsvík's modern church is made entirely of triangular pieces.
North Iceland
The geothermal site Hveravellir, on Rte 87, about 20km south of Húsavík, provides some of Húsavík's hot-water supply and the means of power production…
Mývatn Region
Signposted about 100m beyond Reykjahlíð is Stóragjá, a rather eerie fissure (slightly tricky to access) that was once a popular bathing spot. Cooling…
East Iceland
Breiðdalssetur is a small local museum and research centre with exhibits on regional geology and history. At the time of research it was only open to…
Byggðasafn Húnvetninga og Strandamanna
North Iceland
Located, 13km north of Staðarskáli, this regional museum includes the well-constructed interior of a 19th-century homestead and the shark-fishing boat…
Akureyri
The Catholic church is an attractive old red-and-white house built in 1912 and acquired by the church in 1952. On the nearby roundabout is Einar Jónsson’s…
Inland
Take a stroll up to the Hringsjá viewpoint from Fénaðarklöpp, for panoramas over the town and surrounds.
Tröllaskagi
Náttúrugripasafnið is a small natural history museum; it’s Ólafsfjörður’s only formal sight.
Ísafjörður
Of minor interest is the whalebone arch made from a whale’s jawbone in the central town park.
