The Nordic House
The Nordic House
4.5
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
The Nordic House is an icon of aesthetics, a cultural institution and an architectural gem situated in a bird sanctuary, only a 10-minute walk from the Reykjavik city centre. The Nordic House was designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and opened in 1968 as a cultural institution intended to foster and support cultural connections between Iceland and the Nordic countries. The Nordic House has exhibition areas showcasing Nordic art, a beautiful Nordic library with a children's library and a playing area for families, an auditorium and a vegetarian restaurant SÓNÓ. Whether you fancy a nice lunch with a great view or want to enjoy quality events, art exhibitions, architecture or Nordic design, The Nordic House is definitely a place to visit. An informative and educating Audioguide is available for all guest, free of cost. In fact, no entry fee is to any of the exhibitions or events.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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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
74 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
21
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Thomas K
Copenhagen, Denmark1,379 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Got lost on my way to the National Museum and found this gem. They have a library with books and magazines etc in Danish, swedish and Norwegian. A very nice location with great view of the Reykjavik skyline. At the basement an interesting exhibition on refugees. Great vegan food at the restaurant. Entry to the library and exhibition is free.
Written July 22, 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.
Tristan Moon
Reykjavik, Iceland16 contributions
Dec 2019
Wow but not wow enough. I think they have a bigger one in Faroe Island which is way more wow then this wow.
Written December 20, 2019
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.
Hello. Thank you for your review! I agree WOW! And yes the Faroe Islands have a bigger one WOW!
Both equally beautiful and serve a different genre of art and culture.
Thank you for visiting and we hope to welcome you again soon.
Written February 10, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
saraheva92
Sunderland, UK8 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Firstly, walking here from the centre of reykjavik is a must if you're able to do so. We walked past the pond then over the main road and through the fab geothermal nature reserve just in front of the house. It was awesome to see the rivers steaming on a cold winters day! The house was great with an interesting watercolor exhibition and we spent the morning there. Would highly recommend
Written December 13, 2017
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.
Marnicity
Marsing, ID67 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
First let me warn visitors that the view in the picture doesn't face the street and it is under construction outside where the water is located. Once I reached the front door I was 99% sure I was at the right place :)
I entered and found the gift shop first which had a nice selection of items. Next I checked out the menu for the bistro but that will be a separate review. I then walked around the main floor and especially enjoyed the various art exhibits and the library was very nice with all the natural light.
I then took the elevator by the entrance down to the basement and the attendant was very helpful and even provided a booklet in English to help navigate the main exhibit. I enjoyed the items on display and especially the narrated video highlighting his accomplishments
The restaurant Is definitely worth eating at before you head elsewhere
I entered and found the gift shop first which had a nice selection of items. Next I checked out the menu for the bistro but that will be a separate review. I then walked around the main floor and especially enjoyed the various art exhibits and the library was very nice with all the natural light.
I then took the elevator by the entrance down to the basement and the attendant was very helpful and even provided a booklet in English to help navigate the main exhibit. I enjoyed the items on display and especially the narrated video highlighting his accomplishments
The restaurant Is definitely worth eating at before you head elsewhere
Written May 3, 2018
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.
Kristi J
Bethesda, MD14 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
Have visited the Nordic House. Few years ago. Could hardly wait to return! Many new parts to explore. For example, the Aalto Bistro - an extraordinary eating venue - delicious food presented so imaginatively. Friendly personnel - so accommodating to explain various parts of the menu. A children’s area with places to enjoy, create, moomin films.
Another area is the library. - extensive - including a newspaper area with news from all over the Nordic countries.
2 exceptional art exhibits - stimulating, enjoyable. - just a fun place to be - plus a shop which provided unusual gifts — The architecture of the NOrdic House is special also. This is the only work of Alvar Aalto in all of Iceland. Take a morning or afternoon - time for lunch snd enjoy this special place - across the way from the University!!!!
Another area is the library. - extensive - including a newspaper area with news from all over the Nordic countries.
2 exceptional art exhibits - stimulating, enjoyable. - just a fun place to be - plus a shop which provided unusual gifts — The architecture of the NOrdic House is special also. This is the only work of Alvar Aalto in all of Iceland. Take a morning or afternoon - time for lunch snd enjoy this special place - across the way from the University!!!!
Written February 1, 2018
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.
Thomas F
2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I liked my visit at the Nordic House. Alvar Aalto's building and landscape is some of the most beautiful in Reykjavík and in my opinion it is an good example of Nordic functionalism and has a great view to the city. I would recommend you to stroll around the library to get the atmosphere of the house.
The exhibitions I visited were all very different, however all were linked in the Nordic culture.
Great restaurant serving well cooked fish of day for only 2600 isk.
The exhibitions I visited were all very different, however all were linked in the Nordic culture.
Great restaurant serving well cooked fish of day for only 2600 isk.
Written September 19, 2017
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.
LouisaLin
Hong Kong, China16 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
We walked along the pond at Reykjavik and found Nordic House displaying works of Alvar Aalto. We looked and looked and found it already 6pm. Temperature falling. We noticed a Bristo and had dinner there. The 3-course dinner was 8300 ISK. We did not have much expectation to start with but the food quality was so good !! It is good value for money compared to dinners in town,
We had a great time there for the evening, the environment was peaceful and quiet, and it offered a good chance to digest the good works of this Architect.
The lamb I took was really good, no dishes of lamb of other restaurants could even come close up !!
We had a great time there for the evening, the environment was peaceful and quiet, and it offered a good chance to digest the good works of this Architect.
The lamb I took was really good, no dishes of lamb of other restaurants could even come close up !!
Written March 19, 2017
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.
Jenny A
Reykjavik, Iceland4 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Very good services at the library. Often exhibitions and interesting events, many family oriented. The house itself has a good vibe :)
Written July 6, 2016
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.
safak o
Istanbul, Türkiye286 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
This house itself very nice. Insidr they have a library, concert /congerence rooms, restaurant. I spent sometime seeing the building. I had a lunch there. Solmon and white Sili Wine, .It is nice and peacful environment. I walked to the house from national airport
Written June 15, 2019
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.
Thank you for your review and your visit to The Nordic House.
Written August 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jimdoc21
Chicago, IL104 contributions
Apr 2019
The museum was great. Interesting and easy to visit. I had lunch in the restaurant and it was REALLY good. Highly recommended
Written April 4, 2019
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.
Thank you for your review.
Written August 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
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