capital-region · Iceland
House of Collections (Safnahúsið)
The House of Collections (Safnahúsið) offers a unique introduction to Icelandic culture, history, literature, and art under one roof. Located in central Reykjavik, the museum combines exhibitions from several national institutions, presenting everything from medieval manuscripts and folklore to modern visual art. Interactive displays and rotating exhibitions make this an ideal stop for visitors wanting a deeper understanding of Iceland beyond landscapes.
About House of Collections (Safnahúsið)
The House of Collections (Safnahúsið) offers a unique introduction to Icelandic culture, history, literature, and art under one roof. Located in central Reykjavik, the museum combines exhibitions from several national institutions, presenting everything from medieval manuscripts and folklore to modern visual art. Interactive displays and rotating exhibitions make this an ideal stop for visitors wanting a deeper understanding of Iceland beyond landscapes.
History & Background
Originally built in 1908 as the National Library of Iceland, the building later became home to several cultural institutions. Today it serves as the House of Collections, presenting rotating exhibitions from Iceland’s leading museums and manuscript archives.
Did You Know?
- ✔Built in 1908 as the National Library of Iceland.
- ✔Houses rotating exhibitions from multiple national museums.
- ✔Includes medieval manuscripts connected to Icelandic sagas.
- ✔Located in central Reykjavik on Hverfisgata street.
- ✔Combines art, literature, folklore, and history in one museum.
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Browse Iceland Tours →About House of Collections (Safnahúsið)
The House of Collections is one of the best places in Reykjavik to explore Icelandic identity through literature, history, and art. The museum brings together curated material from the National Gallery of Iceland, National Museum of Iceland, Árni Magnússon Institute, and other cultural institutions. Visitors can discover medieval manuscripts connected to Iceland’s famous sagas, explore folklore creatures that shaped storytelling traditions, and experience modern Icelandic visual art across multiple floors. Rotating exhibitions ensure each visit offers something new. Because of its central location on Hverfisgata, Safnahúsið is an easy stop while exploring downtown Reykjavik and pairs well with nearby attractions like Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall.
History & Background
Originally built in 1908 as the National Library of Iceland, the building later became home to several cultural institutions. Today it serves as the House of Collections, presenting rotating exhibitions from Iceland’s leading museums and manuscript archives.
Story & Folklore
Inside Safnahúsið, visitors travel through Iceland’s cultural timeline—from Viking-age storytelling traditions to contemporary creativity. The building itself has long served as a center of knowledge and preservation. Today it brings together treasures from several national collections, offering travelers a compact but powerful introduction to the identity and imagination of Iceland.
Visitor Information
Best Time
Morning or early afternoon
Duration
45–90 minutes
Access
Easy access from Hverfisgata street in central Reykjavik. Walking distance from Hallgrímskirkja and Laugavegur.
Why Visit
See Iceland’s culture, manuscripts, folklore, and art in one museum in downtown Reykjavik.
Did You Know?
Safnahúsið preserves important Icelandic manuscripts connected to the country’s medieval literary heritage.
Iceland’s Cultural Treasure House
Safnahúsið represents Iceland’s long tradition of preserving knowledge through storytelling, manuscripts, and art. It connects ancient saga culture with modern creativity in a single historic building.
📖 Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Hidden Gems Nearby
Folklore Creatures Exhibition Details
Look closely at the folklore exhibition where hidden references to elves, trolls, and mythical beings appear in artwork across multiple floors.
Visitors often walk past these subtle details without noticing them, but they reveal how deeply folklore still shapes Icelandic culture.
Historic Library Architecture
The building itself was originally designed as Iceland’s National Library and still contains architectural elements reflecting early 20th-century academic design.
A quiet detail most visitors miss — the building is as historically important as the exhibitions inside.
Top Floor Contemporary Art Rotation
The upper floors often host rotating modern Icelandic art exhibitions that change regularly throughout the year.
Returning visitors frequently discover completely new exhibitions here.
Practical Information
Best Time
Morning or early afternoon
Duration
45–90 minutes
Access
Easy access from Hverfisgata street in central Reykjavik. Walking distance from Hallgrímskirkja and Laugavegur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Safnahúsið worth visiting if I only have one day in Reykjavik?▾
Yes. It’s one of the best places to experience Icelandic culture, manuscripts, folklore, and art quickly in a single location.
