Iceland · MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS
The good museums & exhibitions sell out first and the weather takes some of the rest. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes, and how they differ once you look past the photographs.
Step into Perlan in Reykjavik for a real indoor ice cave, hands-on nature exhibits, a volcano show, and an 8K Northern Lights planetarium.
“different from traditional museums. the amount of experiences are diverse and unparalleled. definitely a must visit if you're in Reykjavik”
See real flowing lava at Reykjavik’s Lava Show, feel the heat, and learn Iceland’s volcanism with a live host. 50-75 minutes.
“Good tour. Informative. It’s a bit short but I think it’s enough? It’s cool to see actual lava. Perfect for people interested in geography and volcanoes… interesting activity perfect for the kids.”
See real molten lava in a Reykjavik showroom. Educational video, live eruption show, Q&A, and optional Premium backstage lounge upgrade.
“Enjoyed the lava show - the lady was informative, enthusiastic and answered questions. Seeing the lava up close was cool and you could really feel the heat. It was great doing this before the lava cave experience as could imagine the lava flowing!”
Perlan in Reykjavík blends an ice cave, volcano simulator, Áróra Northern Lights planetarium, and 360 views.
“Be prepared for a great immersive experienve. Allow at least 2 hours. It's amazing. Lovef every mi ute”
See molten lava up close, touch cooling lava, hear the Katla 1918 story, and ask questions.
“This was such an amazing and informative experience. Good for adults and little kids. Getting to see real lava upclose and personal was incredible.”
Watch real lava flow in Vik, Iceland. Feel the heat, hear the crackle, and learn the science in a 50-minute live show.
“The lava show was really informative and entertaining. Be prepared for heat, as the lava radiates a lot of heat into the room once it comes out. My son and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Reykjavik hop-on hop-off bus for 24 hours plus Perlan Museum entry. Ride by Harpa, then see the Ice Cave and 360 views.
“Great virtual experience of Iceland in n the Perlan Museum”
A ticket to Reykjavik’s Whales of Iceland Museum, with life-size whale models, interactive displays, and documentary films plus a multilingual audio guide.
“The atmosphere and ambiance was done with excellent perfection.”
Private South Coast Fire and Ice day trip with waterfalls, black sand, glacier walk, and Lava Show, plus Reykjavik pickup for up to 2.
“Our guide, Ingimunder S, was top notch and made the day amazing. The sites are awe inducing and the Lava Show is not to miss.”
Whales of Iceland in Reykjavik: life-size whale models, multilingual audio guide, and included documentaries in Fin Whale Theatre. Ticket $34.84.
“Not worth the price. I expected more. The amount is high with respect to the size of the "Museum". I belueve it is not worth it.”
Timed entry to Lava Centre in Vik, Iceland, for hands-on volcano and earthquake exhibits plus a film and rooftop view. Great for families.
“Great museum! Quite interactive- had vibrating plates to simulate different movements in the earth and a big wheel to turn that took you through the history of the formation of Iceland. Amazing views from the roof where you can see all the volcanoes (which is all mapped out very simply which was helpful). The film about the volcanoes was great, out 4 year old was very impressed and it helped with explaining the different eruptions (really smoky one, one with lots of lava etc). Quite similar to what's in the Petlan Museum in Reykjavik”
Whale watching from Reykjavík to Faxaflói Bay, then the Whales of Iceland museum with 23 life-size models, VR, and audio guides. 3.5 hours.
“Trip in the boat was amazing !! However we bought tickets to go to the museum and we’re not told it closed at 5 and we were flying home the next day So I am dissatisfied with this trip”
Visit the Hellisheiði Geothermal Energy Exhibition near Reykjavík. Self-guided audio tour, interactive exhibits, and Carbfix room stop.
“I absolutley loved being able to visit and our an operating geothermal energy plant! I do wish that instead of an app that someone was able to walk us through everything especially since there really were only 2 of us in the entire exhibit.”
Interactive Lava Centre volcano exhibition in Iceland’s south, with a cinema eruption film, live earthquake map, and observation deck views.
Visit the Settlement Center in Reykjavik with a self-guided audio headset tour, covering the Viking settlement story and Egils Saga.
“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.”
Pick the kind of day you want. Every one of them is ranked.
