Skógar Museum — Attraction in undefined

Stopped here by accident: end of two week trip around Iceland, going clockwise from Reykjavik, heading back on last day from Vik to Reykjavik. Drawn in by the falls, decided to see if the museum was open (early season, last day in April), and to our amazement, it was! We had the whole museum to ourselves, inside and out!

We expected to spend 30 minutes, an hour tops, but we spent 3 1/2 hours here and could have happily spent much longer. There are modern curated exhibits in the big shiny new building which are good at illustrating the recent past in Iceland. Then you drift out to the turf buildings, and you can wander around inside them, getting up close to things and even touching them (I try not to touch things, but sometimes...) The shock is that the insides of the houses belie the rustic character of the exteriors, with brightly painted panelling, cheery patterned upholstered chairs, lovely furnishing, and plenty of books. Really gives a flavor of what life was like for the well-to-do in Iceland. There are much more primitive buildings with workshops, tack rooms, and store rooms to provide a contrast.

Once you have finished the turf houses (some call you back for another walk through going in the way you came out), you find that there is another modern building full of "artifacts" from early Icelandic life. This is a collection of bits and bobs that the creator of the collection, Thordur Tomasson, found interesting. These diverse things (he had a wide ranging eye), seem silly at first, but then you realize that it covers the same sort of scope as the different museums at the Smithsonian Institution ranging from animal/mineral (Museum of Natural History), home furnishings (Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum) , and fishing (the formerly named National Museum of History and Technology, now folded into the American History Museum). There is a bit of something from every bit of life, which makes the items feel much more human and immediate.

We were on a timeline, which we totally blew, spending so much time happily exploring the different buildings and taking plenty of photos.

There is a wonderful fish and chips truck (as of April 2016) on the road to the south leading back to the Ring Road. The food is tasty and fresh, and the people there are friendly. Both the museum and the fish and chips are absolutely...

Skógar Museum is a fascinating cultural institution located near the Skógafoss waterfall, dedicated to preserving Icelandic heritage.

Exhibits: The museum features a diverse collection of artifacts that showcase traditional Icelandic life, including tools, clothing, and household items. The extensive outdoor exhibits include turf houses, which offer a glimpse into historical living conditions.

Atmosphere: The museum has a charming and rustic feel, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits allows visitors to immerse themselves in Icelandic culture while enjoying the scenic surroundings.

Accessibility: Located just a short walk from Skógafoss, the museum is easily accessible and makes for a great addition to your itinerary when visiting the area.

Educational Value: The museum provides informative displays and knowledgeable staff who are eager to share insights about Icelandic history and culture. It's an excellent place for both adults and children to learn more about the country's rich heritage.

Overall Experience: Skógar Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in Icelandic culture and history. With its unique exhibits, beautiful setting, and educational opportunities, it offers a rewarding experience that enhances any visit...

When I entered the museum area I was not expecting such a rich, engaging and wholesome experience. From the vast collections of icelandic artifacts with detailed and extremely interesting descriptions concerning agricolture, fishing an daily life, to an amazing natural sciences section that will have you look at stuffed icelandic animals, bones, insects and marine creatures of many sorts. The open air museum is such an immersive and enjoyable experience, roaming around rebuilt icelandic old houses from different times, a school and a church, complete with interiors. To finish it off, the transportation museum lets you walk through years of developement of icelandic ways of transportation, with curiosity'catching detours on electricity, phone lines, road building, cod wars and special rescue forces. Cherry on top, the museum's bar: extremely cozy, superb food and great taste in music. All of this with one ticket, discounted for students (1800kr). Spent here the whole...