The Settlement Exhibition
Local history museum · Reykjavik ·

The Settlement Exhibition

Local history museum · Reykjavik ·

Viking settlement museum with longhouse ruins and artifacts

The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by Photo by Roman Gerasynenko
The Settlement Exhibition by Photo by Roman Gerasynenko
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null
The Settlement Exhibition by null

Information

Aðalstræti 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions

Information

Static Map

Aðalstræti 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions

+354 411 6370
reykjavikcitymuseum.is
TheSettlementExhibition

Features

restroom
crowd family friendly
crowd lgbtq friendly
crowd trans safespace
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Nov 26, 2025

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@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík’s Settlement Museum was established in 2001 after archaeological remains were discovered during an excavation. Said remains turned out to be the oldest relics of human habitation in the city, with some fragments dating to before 871 C.E. Today the museum hasmany of those finds on display, including the largest element from the historic haul, parts of a 10th-century longhouse, whose main hall and wall fragment form the focal point of a compelling exhibition about the nature oflocal life during Viking times. Mixing multimedia technology such as holographic dioramas with original artifacts from various excavations around the city (farming implements, sacrificial cow bones), the exhibition does a great job of bringing the Viking era to life."

The Best Things to Do in Iceland
Photo by Roman Gerasynenko
The Settlement Exhibition
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík’s Settlement Museum was established in 2001 after archaeological remains were discovered during an excavation. Said remains turned out to be the oldest relics of human habitation in the city, with some fragments dating to before 871 C.E. Today the museum hasmany of those finds on display, including the largest element from the historic haul, parts of a 10th-century longhouse, whose main hall and wall fragment form the focal point of a compelling exhibition about the nature oflocal life during Viking times. Mixing multimedia technology such as holographic dioramas with original artifacts from various excavations around the city (farming implements, sacrificial cow bones), the exhibition does a great job of bringing the Viking era to life."

What to Do in Reykjavik
Photo by Roman Gerasynenko
The Settlement Exhibition

Claudia S.

Google
I loved this museum! I am particularly interested in the settlement era of Iceland's history, so this was really interesting for me. There were LOTS interesting exhibits to read and explore. I spent a couple of hours there! I am disabled. The museum is wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms, although the museum floor itself is undulating. Be a little cautious. The museum is free for disabled people, but you have to ask. They don't seem to suggest this discount, no matter how disabled you look!

Rosi Rapisarda G.

Google
The museum was very nice, with lots of interesting information and some really cool artifacts. Everything was well organized and easy to follow, which made the visit enjoyable. The only thing I would have liked is for it to be a bit more interactive, but overall it was a great experience.

Yuan Y.

Google
The coolest part of the museum was the centrepiece Viking long house foundations. It was difficult to view in total due to the low ceiling (presumably because there's stuff on top of it), but otherwise the exhibit was well done. The other exhibits were all about the history of Reykjavik, which was presented in a fairly dry manner with minimal interaction and variety in the displays. The Settlement Exhibition cost as much as the National Museum of Iceland but had considerably less content.

will M.

Google
This is a wonderful place to visit with some very nice audio visual effects to show how settlers came and habitation developed. Original archeology of long house is here and you can get close up to look. There is a lot of reading and information too so younger kids may lose interest. The museum is also linked to the oldest house museum. For best value visiting in Reykjavik buy the city pass which allows access to most of the museums and also local swimming pools/geo heated pools.

joj T.

Google
I showed up a bit late to do this exhibit it's due. I'd go back, show up with two hours to spare, and see it again. Very cool. I wish even more of the discovered longhouses were being preserved.

Stacey B.

Google
As someone who loves to read and is really interested in history and culture, this place was really informative from the very first moment the Vikings arrived and how they decided where to settle to the changes over the years right up to 2020. Lots of pictures and is bigger than you think with an actual living quarters in the museum itself. We spent a good couple of hours here and there are toilet facilities. The only drawback was that there is nowhere to sit and eat/ buy drinks from, but they do allow you to come and go and are situated just by a square with the original pillars. With plenty of options to purchase food.

Gingko G.

Google
A lot of reviews mention too much reading and that it’s just ruins but if you have any interest in history and archaeology this is a really special place. They built a museum around a longhouse and the displays share so much interesting details about the city and country. Several of the artifacts are the only one found ever in Iceland. The museum is bigger than just the main room with the ruin and lets out into a house built in 1700s styled with old details with history of all the former occupants. Very worth a visit

Chris D.

Google
A hidden gem—often overlooked (our party of nine skipped it in general but my son and I took a chance); this exhibit and museum is WORTH it. It is an excavation of an original Viking settlement right here in Reykjavik. You get to see the entire thing for cheap and exit at an exhibit of what they city was like in 1906. It is part of a 5 location tandem exhibit overall and there are passes to see all 5. It is incredible to see the foundation and layout as is and not just a model or 3-D video.