Hotels near National Museum of Iceland

If you want to understand Iceland's extraordinary story from Viking settlement to modern independence, the National Museum of Iceland (Thjodminjasafn Islands) is a must. The permanent exhibition "Making of a Nation" traces 1,200 years of Icelandic history through over 2,000 artefacts, starting with a 10th-century Viking longboat and an original copy of the medieval Sagas, through the centuries of Norwegian and Danish rule, to the country's 1944 independence.

The highlight is the Valthjofsstadir church door from around 1200 AD, an intricately carved Romanesque masterpiece depicting a knight fighting a dragon - one of Iceland's most treasured artefacts. The museum also covers modern Icelandic culture, DNA research, and rotating temporary exhibitions. Admission is ISK 2,500 (~€17) for adults, free for under-18s. Allow 1.5-2 hours. The museum is housed in a handsome building on Sudurgata in the Vesturbjaer neighbourhood, a short walk from the University of Iceland campus.

Pro Tip: Visit on a rainy or windy day (you will get one) - it is the perfect indoor activity. Free guided tours in English run on select days; check the museum website for the current schedule. The cafe on the ground floor is a quiet spot for coffee and cake away from the tourist crowds.