News

Easter 2023 - opening hours

Our museums are closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Reykjavík Museum of Photography is closed from 6-10 April.

Winter School Break at Reykjavík City Museum 2023

Reykjavík City Museum welcomes children and their families with a fun and varied programme during the Winter School Break, 23-26 February. Free admission for adults accompanying children.

Exhibition opening Christopher Taylor│Presence

Presence is the title of an exhibition with works by Christopher Taylor that will be opened in the Reykjavík Museum of Photography on Saturday, January 14 at 15:00. The exhibition consists of three series of photographs spanning a 25-year period that combine to explore contrasting notions of presence within an Icelandic context.

Opening hours Christmas & New Year 2022

Reykjavik City Museum - One museum in five unique places.

Christmas Education at Árbær Open Air Museum

Every year, the museum education team of the Reykjavík City Museum welcomes hundreds of children to a special Christmas education at the Árbær Open Air Museum.

Christmas Programme at Árbær Open Air Museum 2022

Celebrate Christmas in the old-fashioned way at the Árbær Open Air Museum on the 11 and 18 December.

Autumn School Break 21-25 October 2022

Reykjavík City Museum welcomes families during the autumn break of the elementary schools in Reykjavík from 21-25 October. During that time, there will be free admission for adults accompanying children.

Halloween at Árbær Open Air Museum 2022

Halloween will be held at Árbær Open Air Museum on Monday, 31 October, from 17:30-20:00.

Daníel Bergmann │Falcons

Falcons is the title of an exhibit by the Icelandic photographer Daníel Bergmann which will be opened in Skotið at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography Thursday, 20 October at 16:00.

The illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island 2022

The Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island will be illuminated for the 16th time on Sunday, 9 October, at 20:00. The event programme has been has been cancelled due to bad weather forecast.

Elvar Örn Kjartansson │The System

Opening at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography Saturday 17 September at 14:00. Free admission and everyone is welcome.

Aðskotadýr

Aðskotadýr (Intruders) is the title of Hlutverkasetur's art exhibition on the ground floor at the Reykjavík Maritime Museum. The subject of the exhibition is the interaction of human beings with the marine environment and marine pollution. The President of Iceland, Mr Guðni Th. Jóhannesson will open the exhibition on Thursday 1 September at 16:00.

Caraway harvesting

The Caraway Seeds on Viðey Island are ripe for picking, and you are invited for a special harvesting trip on Saturday, August 27 at 12:15.

Chess Tournament

A chess tournament will be held at Árbær Open Air Museum Sunday, September 28 at 14:00. The event is organized by the Reykjavík Chess Club in collaboration with the Museum.

Pier party on Culture Night 2022

Get on your dancing shoes for a pier party on Culture Night.

Árbær Open Air Museum 65th anniversary

Árbær Open Air Museum will celebrate its 65th anniversary on 14 August with a behind-the-scenes programme. Everyone is welcome to the festivities, which are free of charge.

Culture Night 2022 at Reykjavík City Museum

It will be inspiring as always to visit Reykjavík City Museum for Culture Night 20 August, where people of all ages get to know and enjoy the history that our society is based on.

Rainbow Kite Workshop

Diversity will be celebrated on Sunday, August 7 in Árbær Open Air Museum where guests will be invited to take part in creating kites in all colours of the rainbow.

Come and play!

During Bank Holiday Weekend, July 31 and August 1, kids can have fun playing outdoor games at the Árbær Open Air Museum as well as enjoy a ride on the swing or try out hula hoops and other toys. At 13:00 and onwards kids can compete in all kinds of games such as sack race and tug of war.

Hula Hoop Magic

Hula Hoop magic will be offered Sunday 24 July at Árbær Open Air Museum, when Húlladúllan Unnur María Máney Bergsveinsdóttir will visit the museum and teach visitors various tricks with hula hoops.

Folktales for children

Folktales will be brought to life on Viðey Island on Saturday 23 July at 12:15 in a fun nature walk with the storyteller Björk Bjarnadóttir, environmentalist and ethnologist. The spoken language is Icelandic.

The Reykjavík Accordion Festival

The annual Reykjavík Accordion Festival will be held at the Árbær Open Air Museum on Sunday 17 July starting at 13:00.

Chess Tournament

A chess tournament will be held in Viðey house on Saturday, 9 July at 13:00.

Traditional haymaking

Guests are invited for a lively day at Árbær Open Air Museum on Sunday, July 10. Observation and participation in old traditional haymaking are offered, provided the weather remains dry.

Árbær Open Air Museum summer programme 2022

The programme is from 13:00-16:00 on those mentioned days.

Rock & roll at Árbær Open Air Museum

Sunday July 3 at 13:00-16:00

A guided historical tour in Viðey Island

A history walk to the village in Viðey Island with the historian Stefán Pálsson, Tuesday, July 5 at 19:15

Yoga for peace

Join yoga teacher and sound artist Arnbjörg Kristín Konráðsdóttir on Tuesday, 28 June, at 19:30 for an invigorating yoga walk around Viðey Island, followed by a refreshing gong relaxation session.

Bird Watching

Biologist Dr. Freydís Vigfúsdóttir will educate hikers in Icelandic about the diverse bird life on Viðey Island Saturday, 25 June, at 12:15.

Free admission to Reykjavík Maritime Museum on Fisherman's Day

Í tilefni af sjómannadeginum eru allir boðnir velkomnir endurgjaldslaust á Sjóminjasafnið í Reykjavík.

New display and street festival in Aðalstræti

On May 7, Reykjavík City Museum will open a new exhibition in Aðalstræti 10. A fun street theatre and festival will be held on that occasion, starting at 13:00. All welcome and free admission!

Reykjavík City Museum obtains the Rainbow Certification

It is with great pleasure and pride we announce that the City of Reykjavík's Human Rights and Democracy Office has confirmed that the Reykjavík City Museum has obtained the Rainbow Certification.

Opening hours for Christmas and New Year 2021

Reykjavik City Museum - One museum in five unique places.

Inauguration of a new cultural landmarking 30 October at 15:00

A new cultural landmarking has been erected by Garðhús, which is close to the old slipway area at Mýrargata (Lagargata 2). The sign will be inaugurated on Saturday, 30 October, at 15:00.

Halloween at Reykjaviks' Open Air Museum 31 Oct.

Halloween will be held at the Árbær Open Air Museum on Sunday 31 October from 18:00-20:00.

Let's visit Reykjavík City Museum during the autumn break!

Free admission for children and their accompanying adults October 22-26. Please notice that you have to pay for the Viðey ferry, though.

The Coast Guard Vessel Óðinn transferred

The plan is to build a new pier by the museum. This means we cannot offer any guided tours until spring.

The Settlement Exhibition is closed 1-4 September

The ruin at the Settlement Exhibition will undergo some conservation work from 25 August until 4 September 2021.

Christmas at Árbæjarsafn

Christmas has arrived in Árbær Open Air Museum, but due to restrictions on gatherings, there will be no planned Christmas program this year. Visitors are encouraged to visit the museum in December, enjoy walking around the area and check out the beautifully decorated museum houses, thus experiencing the past's Christmas spirit. The museum is open every day from 13-17.

Summer courses for children & Grants from the Museum Council of Iceland

Reykjacík City Museum offers two courses for children this summer, one in Viðey in collaboration with the Reykjavík Art Museum and the other at Árbæjarsafn in collaboration with the Icelandic Home Industry Association. Reykjavík City Museum received six grants from the Museum Fund.

Winter Break Programme at Reykjavík City Museum

There are many fun things for families to do at the Reykjavík City Museum during the Winter Break, and as usual, there is no charge for adults accompanying children. Welcome!

CLEAN & SAFE - We comply with health measures

Reykjavík City Museum takes part in the Clean & Safe project by the Icelandic Tourist Board.

Advent at Reykjavík City Museum

Reykjavík City Museum opens again

Reykjavík City Museum and all of its five unique places have reopened with usual hours except the Reykjavík Museum of Photography.

Families encouraged to enjoy outdoor activities in Árbær Open Air Museum and Viðey Island

Reykjavík City Museum encourages families to enjoy outdoor activities in beautiful Árbær Open Air Museum and Viðey Island during the fall break and check out the museum houses, artworks and nature.

Reykjavík City Museum- Examplary Institution 2020

Reykjavík City Museum landed in 3rd place for the third year in a row of Exemplary Institutions with fewer than 50 employees.

Imagine Peace Tower lit 9 Oct at 21:00

Imagine Peace Tower, Yoko Ono´s artwork, will be illuminated for the 14th time the 9 October on John Lennon´s 80th birthday and will lig­ht up the even­ing sky until 8 December 2020.

City Museums closed until 25th October

All museums run by the City of Reykjavík will be closed as of today, Wednesday 7 October until Monday 25 October, due to stricter infection control rules, aimed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 service update: Tighter restrictions in effect from 31st July.

Opening times at all five sites of the Reykjavík City Museum will remain unchanged. There will be no guided tours while the 2-meter rule is in effect. Scheduled events during this period may also be affected. The museum will ensure that hand sanitizer is available for visitors and staff in and around all high-touch areas: by entrances, reception desks and where interactive screens and devices are located. Enhanced routine cleaning regimes will be implemented with signage and clear markings emphasizing personal hygiene measures and individual responsibility. The museum also ensures that the assembly limit of no more than 100 people is respected.

The new permanent exhibition at Reykjavík Maritime Museum nominated for the Icelandic Museum Prize 2020

FISH & FOLK - 150 years of fisheries, the new permanent exhibition at the Reykjavík Maritime Museum and the collaboration with the civil societies of the two vessels Óðinn and Magni, have been nominated for the Icelandic Museum Prize 2020.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE YEAR at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography

The exhibition Press Photographs of the year 2019 opens in the Reykjavík Museum of Photography May 11th.

Reykjavík City Museum reopens its doors on May 4th

We are happy to announce that the Reykjavik City Museum will reopen its exhibitions for guests on May 4th. Our staff has utilized the closing time well preparing for the summer season as well as doing other important internal work at the museum.

Reykjavík City Museum closed due to ban on gatherings

Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, Reykjavík Museum of Photography & Reykjavík Maritime Museum will be closed starting Tuesday, March 24th.

THE CITY'S MUSEUMS OPEN despite gathering ban due to Coronavirus threat

Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir has announced a gathering ban of 100 people or more in Iceland to prevent further spreading of COVID-19, beginning on March 16th. This will not affect ships and aeroplanes, nor the international airport nor harbours. Universities and secondary schools will be closed and all major events such as concerts and conferences will be cancelled. The ban will be in effect for at least four weeks

Reykjavik City Museum programme during Winter School Break

28 Feb - 2 March. Free admission for adults accompanying children.

The Settlement Exhibition closed 17-31 January 2020

The Settlement Exhibition will be closed 17-31 January 2020 for renovations.

Viðey Island closed until further notice

Viðey Island has been closed to visitors until further notice due to the floating pier on the island breaking off in the recent storm.

Árbær Open Air Museum closed 10 December due to violent storm

Árbæjarsafn verður lokað á morgun 10. des þar sem von er á norðan stormi. Landnámssýningin, Ljósmyndasafnið og Sjóminjasafnið verða að óbreyttu opin til kl. 14. Árbær Open Air Museum will be closed tomorrow 10 December due to violent storm. Our other museums: The Settlement Exhibition, Reykjavik Museum of Photography and Reykjavík Maritime Museum will close at 14:00.

Árbær Open Air Christmas Program

Sundays 15 & 22 December 2019 at 13:00 -17:00. Christmas at the Árbær Open Air Museum is a must for visitors to the city during Advent. Offering a great program of events for the whole family, you'll not find a more cosy or cheerful place to visit this time of year.

Opening hours Christmas Holidays 2019-2020

Reykjavík City Museum - One museum in five unique places

Culture Night Programme at Reykjavík City Museum 24th August 2019

Opening hours during easter

Opening hours during the easter holidays. Open at the Maritime museum and Settlement Exhibition 18th - 22nd of april. Árbær Open Air museum open the 20th of april. Closed at the Museum of Photography.

Children's Festival at the Reykjavík City Museum

Event programme 09.-14.04.2019

Winter School Break Program 23-26 February 2019

Free admission for adults accompanying children!

Museum Night 2019 | Reykjavík City Museum

Reykjavík City Museum takes part in Museum Night 8 February 2019 with exciting event program at Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, Reykjavík Museum of Photography and Reykjavík Maritime Museum. Free admission!

Building Preservation Centre opens again

The Centre will open again after a winter break on 6 February 2019.

Opening hours Christmas & New Year

Óðinn Coast Guard Vessel under repair

The former Coast Guard Vessel Óðinn was pulled into the shipyard of Reykjavík’s old harbour this morning 15th October to undergo some maintenance and repairs. Óðinn is famous for its role in all three Cod Wars but today the vessel serves as a floating exhibit at Reykjavík’s Maritime Museum.

The Building Preservation Centre will be closed during July 2018

The Building Preservation Centre at Árbær Open Air Museum will be closed during July 2018 due to staff summer vacations.

Reopening of the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

The Reykjavík Maritime Museum has reopened with a brand new permanent exhibition called Fish & folk: 150 years of fisheries and Melckmeyt 1659 - Underwater Archaeological Survey.

Aðalstræti 10: The oldest house in the city centre

Was opened by the Mayor of Reykjavík on 5th May 2018. The house is now a museum and and exhibition space belonging to Reykjavík City Museum.

Children Cultural Festival at Reykjavík City Museum April 17-22, 2018

Reykjavík City Museum participates in the annual Children´s Cultural Festival with a wide selection of events at Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition and Reykjavík Museum of Photography.

Changes at Reykjavík Maritime Museum

The winner of Reykjavík Museum of Photography Portfolio Review 2018

We are happy to announce that the winner of the Portfolio Review 2018, organised by the Reykjavík Museum of Photography on 19th and 20th January – as part of The Icelandic Photography Festival 2018 – is the MA student Þorsteinn Cameron. For this he received ISK 500,000 grant from Magnús Ólafsson photographers‘(1862-1937) Memorial Fund.

Christmas Opening Hours 2017-2018

Building Preservation Centre closed in December and January

The Building Preservation Centre will be closed in December 2017 and January 2018. During the closing period, it is possible to communicate with specialists sending emails to postur@minjastofnun.is or minjavarsla@reykjavik.is. The Centre will open again on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, between 15:00-17:00.

Changes at Reykjavík Maritime Museum

The Icelandic Photography Festival January 2018

Portfolio Review be held for the fourth time at the Icelandic Photographic Festival on 19th and 20 of January 2018 and is. As previously, it is organised by the Reykjavík Museum of Photography.

Family weekends in Viðey Island

The Illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower October 9

YOKO ONO WILL PAY HER ANNUAL VISIT TO ICELAND THIS OCTOBER, TO ILLUMINATE IMAGINE PEACE TOWER ON JOHN LENNON’S BIRTHDAY, MONDAY OCTOBER 9

Árbær Open Air Museum 1957-2017

Celebrate 60 years of Árbær Open Air Museum August 11-13, 2017.

International Museum Day 18 May 2017

Reykjavík City Museum participates in International Museum Day on May 18th 2017, offering free admission to five interesting events:

Museum Night at Reykjavík City Museum

3 Feb 18:00-23:00

Christmas Opening Hours

Iceland Airwaves Off Venue at Reykjavík City Museum

Winter Break Program Oct 20 - 24, 2016

Reykjavík City Museum - 1 museum - 5 venues

Festival of the Sea

Reykjavík Maritime Museum offers free admission to the museum during Festival of the Sea June 4 – 5, 2016.

Easter opening times at Reykjavík City Museum

The Icelandic Photography Festival January 2018

Portfolio Review be held at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography on coming 19th and 20 of January.

The Illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower to celebrate Yoko Ono's birthday.

THE IMAGINE PEACE TOWER will be lit on Thursday 18 February at 19:00 in celebration Yoko Ono's birthday and will remain lit until 09:00 February 19.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Due to unforeseeable circumstances it has been decided to cancel the game "Murder on board" on Museum Night in the Friday evening, February 5, 2016.

Museum night at Reykjavík City Museum February 5th from 19:00-24:00

Reykjavík City Museum offers a great selection of interesting events on Museum Night. Here below is a detailed program.

Fyrirmyndarstofnun ársins 2015 (EN)

Borgarsögusafn Reykjavíkur hlaut á dögunum viðurkenningu fyrir að vera ein af fyrirmyndarstofnunum ársins 2015. Athöfnin fór fram í Silfurbergi í Hörpu og tók safnstjórinn Guðbrandur Benediktsson við blómvendi og viðurkenningarskjali af því tilefni.