Arbaer Open Air Museum
Arbaer Open Air Museum
4.5
Historic Walking AreasHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Árbær Open Air Museum - A day out of time Reykjavík's open-air museum, where you can stroll through the past and experience the way we lived. Fun, fascinating and full of surprises, this living museum takes you on a journey through time. Reykjavík's early history is preserved in a series of lovingly-restored homes, where you'll encounter costumed guides, grazing animals and traditional crafts. Exhibitions, demonstrations and tours reveal how Reykjavík came to life, from a few scattered farms to a vibrant capital city. JUNE - AUGUST Open daily 10 AM - 5 PM. SEPTEMBER - MAY Open daily 1 PM - 5 PM. Daily guided tours in English, all year round, at 1 PM - no booking necessary. No guided tours on Dec 25, Jan 1, Good Friday & Easter Sunday. Árbær Open Air Museum is part of Reykjavík City Museum: One museum in five unique places. Welcome!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Juliet H
    Reading, United Kingdom408 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic museum
    This was a great find and worth making the effort to go out of the city on a local bus (which was included in our Reykjavik pass). The old Icelandic buildings were displayed in an interesting and informative way. I would definitely recommend.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 9, 2023
  • Maggie M
    Mulwala, Australia179 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting insight into how Icelanders lived
    We enjoyed a couple of interesting hours at Arbaer, on a mild summer's day in Reykjavik. All the old reconstructed buildings have been moved to the site over about 50 years and provide a good overview of how the Icelanders lived in the past. Most of the buildings are set up as a snapshot in time, as if the family had just stepped out. This time period varies for the buildings, and there are good explanation boards. We loved the turf roofed farmhouse especially. It had a roofed tunnel into the barn area for the animals, necessary in the winter, I'm sure. Staff wearing old fashioned clothes wander around and can answer many questions. The cafe is set in one of the old buildings and had delicious cakes for sale. There is a small shop at the entrance to the site, as well as a lolly shop selling among other things yummy licorice. The site would be fun for families, there were a number of children while we were there and they appeared to be having fun with the provided toys and playground.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 26, 2023
  • jwest
    Marlborough, Massachusetts127 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Favorite Attraction in Iceland
    One of our first stops in Reykjavik and the one we enjoyed the most in all of Iceland. Used the Reykjavik card (good deal) and got there around the time it opened and were able to join a tour. Our guide was great. Learned much about Iceland's history (it's very rich and intricate).
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 8, 2023
  • Ian K
    Linlithgow, United Kingdom202 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful museum recreates how people in Reykjavik used to live
    This is my second favourite museum in the Reykjavik area after Perlan. Essentially the Reykjavik City Museum has created a village out of old houses from Reykjavik over a period of a few hundred years, moved out here. Nearly every building is accessible and they are laid out in their historical condition. In addition to some lovely houses with their time period furnishings and personal effects there is an old garage and a building devoted to the work of legendary Icelandic weaver Karólína Guðmundsdóttir, one of only two steam locomotives used in Iceland and one of the buildings is given over to a history of consumer consumption in Iceland. I spent a few pleasant hours here. There are several wc facilities but unfortunately the cafe was shut during my visit. The museum opens at 1300. If you don't have your own transport or if you don't want to pay the taxi fare I would suggest that you take buses 12 and 16. (Get off the 12 bus at the stop called Vogar then catch the 16- after 4 stops get off a the stop called Laxakvisl and walk east for about 5 minutes. On the way back you can get a bus back into town from the bus stop not far out in front of the museum. Entrance to this open air museum is free with the Reykjavik City Card,
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 6, 2023
  • Ričards Edijs
    Latvia105 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An Excellent museum to understand how Icelanders lived
    Despite not having high expectations, the museum truly surprised me since many of the buildings were open and not only the facades but also the interior and everyday objects could be seen. Some of them I saw for the first time in my life! A very insightful and educative place to visit, in addition, some of the bigger buildings also have exhibitions about how everyday life changed for Icelanders throughout time.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 19, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles704 reviews
Excellent
465
Very good
200
Average
32
Poor
5
Terrible
2

Enid C
44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had a wonderful time here. The guides were very friendly and helpful. The whole place was incredibly atmospheric! It is an open air museum based around an old farm that was abandoned by the 1950s. The original farmhouse and associated buildings have been preserved alongside urban buildings that have been relocated from Reykjavik. The church with the turf roof was a highlight. As we were there in February it felt like we had the place to ourselves! I would recommend anyone to go there.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

soccermomFlorida
Florida70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We really enjoyed this place. It is a large complex with many buildings and gives you a sense of what life was like in rural Iceland, especially from the 19th through the mid 20th century. It is a different type of museum where you walk in and out of different buildings with exhibits in them, and therefore a welcome change from the usual type of museum. Plan on 1-3 hours depending on how much and thoroughly you wish to go through things. Also they have free tours in English at 1 pm on weekedays, at least.
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian D
Denver, CO2,393 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Great museum to visit in Reykjavik. It looks like it would be out in the middle of nowhere, but it is actually right in the heart of the city, located just off a couple of very busy highways. The farm land has been maintained here as there is still one original structure that has been on this site for over a century. Most of the other homes and buildings have been moved here to preserve their historic value. The homes have been decorated in time appropriate motif. You get a great idea of what it would have been like to live here many, many years ago. Inside you'll find different exhibits - one house has a whole range of items from every decade - items that you may have found in these homes at those times. Another house features a photography museum. The farm features chicken and other livestock. There are some turf buildings and homes to explore as well. Really an enjoyable place to visit and it features a lot more than you first expect.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maggie M
Mulwala, Australia179 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
We enjoyed a couple of interesting hours at Arbaer, on a mild summer's day in Reykjavik. All the old reconstructed buildings have been moved to the site over about 50 years and provide a good overview of how the Icelanders lived in the past. Most of the buildings are set up as a snapshot in time, as if the family had just stepped out. This time period varies for the buildings, and there are good explanation boards. We loved the turf roofed farmhouse especially. It had a roofed tunnel into the barn area for the animals, necessary in the winter, I'm sure.
Staff wearing old fashioned clothes wander around and can answer many questions. The cafe is set in one of the old buildings and had delicious cakes for sale. There is a small shop at the entrance to the site, as well as a lolly shop selling among other things yummy licorice.
The site would be fun for families, there were a number of children while we were there and they appeared to be having fun with the provided toys and playground.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ian K
Linlithgow, UK202 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
This is my second favourite museum in the Reykjavik area after Perlan. Essentially the Reykjavik City Museum has created a village out of old houses from Reykjavik over a period of a few hundred years, moved out here. Nearly every building is accessible and they are laid out in their historical condition. In addition to some lovely houses with their time period furnishings and personal effects there is an old garage and a building devoted to the work of legendary Icelandic weaver Karólína Guðmundsdóttir, one of only two steam locomotives used in Iceland and one of the buildings is given over to a history of consumer consumption in Iceland. I spent a few pleasant hours here. There are several wc facilities but unfortunately the cafe was shut during my visit. The museum opens at 1300. If you don't have your own transport or if you don't want to pay the taxi fare I would suggest that you take buses 12 and 16. (Get off the 12 bus at the stop called Vogar then catch the 16- after 4 stops get off a the stop called Laxakvisl and walk east for about 5 minutes. On the way back you can get a bus back into town from the bus stop not far out in front of the museum. Entrance to this open air museum is free with the Reykjavik City Card,
Written October 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Juliet H
Reading, UK408 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
This was a great find and worth making the effort to go out of the city on a local bus (which was included in our Reykjavik pass). The old Icelandic buildings were displayed in an interesting and informative way. I would definitely recommend.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ričards Edijs
Latvia105 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Despite not having high expectations, the museum truly surprised me since many of the buildings were open and not only the facades but also the interior and everyday objects could be seen. Some of them I saw for the first time in my life! A very insightful and educative place to visit, in addition, some of the bigger buildings also have exhibitions about how everyday life changed for Icelanders throughout time.
Written October 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

j0hnjamesdavids0n
London, UK11 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
It's not the easiest place to reach on public transit, but easy with a car. It's not somewhere to spend a huge amount of time. However, Iceland went through a massive transformation in the mid 20th century. This place shows life as it was less than 100 years ago, albeit unrecognisable against today's Iceland. I really enjoyed it.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

catfish_hurdles
Stroud, UK162 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
We spent 4 or 5 hours here! We were treated to a one-to-one guided tour by a very knowledgeable and helpful member of staff in national dress. Throughly enjoyed learning about how people lived in Iceland and how Reykjavík grew to be city it is now. Fascinating stuff.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John L
Rushden, UK5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Family
We had an excellent guided tour here on Thursday with Steppi (hopefully that’s the correct spelling!). He was funny, engaging and incredibly knowledgeable about Icelandic history. He gave us a genuinely fascinating insight into how rapidly Iceland has changed in recent years, which we wouldn’t otherwise have realised. We also really appreciated that he was willing to go ‘off-script’ and share some of his personal experiences with us. Definitely an unexpected highlight of our trip to Iceland and well worth doing the guided tour to get the most out of this brilliant museum. Takk!
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Arbaer Open Air Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Arbaer Open Air Museum