The Icelandic Turf House
The Icelandic Turf House
4.5
About
The Icelandic Turf House: the Jewel of Arctic Architecture. The house that kept Icelanders alive and nurtured their culture through the centuries. How they were built, how they were lived in, their origin and cultural context, contemporary significance, subtlety and beauty. Collection of original houses and in detail exhibitions.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
61 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Melissa M
2 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
The address link given in trip advisor is very wrong.
It's on 264 (Rangárvallavegur), off of 1, just south of Hella. There is a big map on the side of the road.
It's on 264 (Rangárvallavegur), off of 1, just south of Hella. There is a big map on the side of the road.
Written July 8, 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.
Steve F
Bellevue, WA1,037 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We were so glad we took the time to visit here on our drive along Iceland's south coast. It's perhaps 15-20 minutes out of the way from the Ring Road but very worthwhile. We had heard it was closed during the off-season, so we expected to just take a quick walk around the grounds. Upon arriving, we noticed a work party in the nearby fields harvesting turf for maintenance of the buildings. As we walked about, a man approached us and introduced himself as the owner. He had grown up here on his grandfather's farm and had converted it to the museum it is today. Although he confirmed it was not yet open for the season, he invited us to look inside several of the buildings as he told us of his upbringing here without modern conveniences of electricity or running water. It was a fascinating visit.
Written June 6, 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.
Michael M
Florida29 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Hi, we had a great time visiting this museum. The owner/curator was one of the family members of this property. There were several homes to visit and also a workshop. You can learn about its construction. There owner was gracious and accommodating. It is difficult working and keeping up these homes with 261 days of rain last year. He gave us a cup of coffee at the end of tour. He has many photos of places and homes from around the world. He also treated me to a bag of stinging nettle leaves, (for tea) which I am using today. The cost is only $15 dollars or 1500 Kronas for a 1 1/2 hr tour. This is the best place to visit for your money.
Written January 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.
KayGoldie
36 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We didn't realise it's only open on Sunday unless you call in advance to arrange a viewing. So whilst it was fascinating to see the outside of the turf house up close, the best we could get of the inside was pressing our noses up against the glass. So don't make the same mistake as us - check the website and call ahead.
Written October 14, 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.
Linda S
Reading, PA25 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Islenski and his wife are fabulous people. They really care about their turf house and the remodeling they have done is absolutely terrific. They really care about their history and it gives you an overall view of how people lived in the past. It also makes you appreciate everything you have and how grateful you are to live in the USA.
Written July 25, 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.
Chris R
4 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Had a wonderful visit to the museum and we were toured around by one of the volunteers for an hour learning how Icelanders lived. They have s huge range of old photographs and tools from old Icelandic farms as well as a reconstructed tuff and stone farmhouse. Really worth a visit!
Written May 17, 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.
Joanie_Balonie
Sedona, AZ546 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We booked a day trip through Viator "The Best Golden Circle Gourmet Food Tasting Tour". We were pleased that we had a small group...with a small bus. All of the other travelers in our troupe were friendly and kind. (Sometimes, on these bus tours, you can get stuck with a cranky group of folks.)
Our last stop was at the Islenski Baerinn. Kristin greatly us warmly and then we hustled in the rain to the Turf House. We all were seated in the cozy main room of the house while Kristin told us the history of this homestead. It's an incredible place to see. It makes you wonder how people survived in this home hundreds of years ago.
Thank goodness the rain stopped, so Kristin showed us other areas such as the gardens and a sod-cutting area. Our tour ended in a nice and toasty Exhibit Hall where old photos of other turf houses are displayed. There is also a wall of unique sculptures Kristin's husband Hannes created. (Photo Attached)
Hannes prepared some samples of authentic Icelandic foods, we had dried fish with seaweed, chocolates, hot tea, dried beef with cheese, salmon on bread, sheep pate and skyr (a cream made with curdled milk...I think it tastes better than yogurt!) with berries. (see photo)
All of the folks in our group agreed this was the highlight of today's tour. You need to visit the Islenski Baerinn Turf House if you're in the area
Our last stop was at the Islenski Baerinn. Kristin greatly us warmly and then we hustled in the rain to the Turf House. We all were seated in the cozy main room of the house while Kristin told us the history of this homestead. It's an incredible place to see. It makes you wonder how people survived in this home hundreds of years ago.
Thank goodness the rain stopped, so Kristin showed us other areas such as the gardens and a sod-cutting area. Our tour ended in a nice and toasty Exhibit Hall where old photos of other turf houses are displayed. There is also a wall of unique sculptures Kristin's husband Hannes created. (Photo Attached)
Hannes prepared some samples of authentic Icelandic foods, we had dried fish with seaweed, chocolates, hot tea, dried beef with cheese, salmon on bread, sheep pate and skyr (a cream made with curdled milk...I think it tastes better than yogurt!) with berries. (see photo)
All of the folks in our group agreed this was the highlight of today's tour. You need to visit the Islenski Baerinn Turf House if you're in the area
Written September 1, 2015
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.
Cahurricane
Virginia Beach, Virginia212 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Well we made a valiant effort to find this Turf house, to no avail. We did however find other Turf homes on Route 1 as we traveled SouthEast from Reykjavík.
There we a great example of a Tuft home in Keldur, at the end of a gravel road right on the water near a quaint church. If you have time check it out.
Between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur. Turn on Road 264 from Road 1; the turnoff is almost directly across the road from Hotel Ranga.
There we a great example of a Tuft home in Keldur, at the end of a gravel road right on the water near a quaint church. If you have time check it out.
Between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur. Turn on Road 264 from Road 1; the turnoff is almost directly across the road from Hotel Ranga.
Written August 11, 2015
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.
Agog84
Tysons Corner, VA496 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
A super friendly guy in Hveragerði recommended we swing by Íslenski bærinn - The Icelandic Turf House because I love anything and everything about sustainable building design. He also mentioned if it's closed that someone should be around to give us a brief tour.
We drove up Monday mid-morning in March, but the sign on the door said winter hours Sept 1 to May 14 is only open Fri to Sun 2pm to 6pm. Although closed we waited for awhile. We walked around to admire the re-construction and tried to imagine life back then so we were a little disappointed when no one showed up to give us more information.
The wind that day bite down into your bones so envisioning respite from the harsh arctic weather wasn't too far a leap of fantasy. Peering into the greenhouse and seeing the abundant greenery created green thumb envy in all places!
Highly recommend this is an easy stop on your Ring Road adventure. From Selfoss, take Rd #33 southeast of town for about 4-5 miles. Look for the "Íslenski bærinn" sign on your right. Turn right and at the fork veer left until you arrive at the parking lot.
We drove up Monday mid-morning in March, but the sign on the door said winter hours Sept 1 to May 14 is only open Fri to Sun 2pm to 6pm. Although closed we waited for awhile. We walked around to admire the re-construction and tried to imagine life back then so we were a little disappointed when no one showed up to give us more information.
The wind that day bite down into your bones so envisioning respite from the harsh arctic weather wasn't too far a leap of fantasy. Peering into the greenhouse and seeing the abundant greenery created green thumb envy in all places!
Highly recommend this is an easy stop on your Ring Road adventure. From Selfoss, take Rd #33 southeast of town for about 4-5 miles. Look for the "Íslenski bærinn" sign on your right. Turn right and at the fork veer left until you arrive at the parking lot.
Written March 29, 2015
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.
CatnAlan
Clowne, UK241 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
It's hard to express to other generations that life in iceland was severe
A crew of 12 fishermen would live in this Turf house for three months most years, it is a stone built Turf covered cave like dwelling
It has walls and a roof, it is very substantially built, and only heated by the crews body heat, it gave the crew superb shelter but that was all, in a hostile environment
Upon walking in there is a long threshold to pass through, my wife didn't look where she was and bumped her head,
To stand inside this relic of the past I could only think how glad the fishing crew would have been getting back to this warm solid house ready for food and sleep whilst the icelandic weather did its worst outside
Alan xxx
A crew of 12 fishermen would live in this Turf house for three months most years, it is a stone built Turf covered cave like dwelling
It has walls and a roof, it is very substantially built, and only heated by the crews body heat, it gave the crew superb shelter but that was all, in a hostile environment
Upon walking in there is a long threshold to pass through, my wife didn't look where she was and bumped her head,
To stand inside this relic of the past I could only think how glad the fishing crew would have been getting back to this warm solid house ready for food and sleep whilst the icelandic weather did its worst outside
Alan xxx
Written February 1, 2015
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.
Kitty M
Madrid, Spain5 contributions
How do I find after visitingKerid
Joanie_Balonie
Sedona, AZ546 contributions
Hello Kitty! Perhaps if you 'Google' and/or Google Maps: Islenski Baerinn, you'll find it. It's a really cool place!
The Icelandic Turf House (Selfoss) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Icelandic Turf House
- The Icelandic Turf House is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near The Icelandic Turf House:
- (5.80 mi) 360 Boutique Hotel
- (5.14 mi) Lambastadir Guesthouse
- (5.63 mi) Guesthouse Heba
- (4.92 mi) Thoristun Apartments
- (4.83 mi) Hotel South Coast
- Restaurants near The Icelandic Turf House:
- (4.83 mi) Samúelsson Matbar
- (4.85 mi) Tryggvaskali Restaurant
- (4.78 mi) Kaffi Krús
- (5.65 mi) Fjorubordid
- (8.99 mi) Ingolfsskali Viking Restaurant
The Icelandic Turf House Information
Excellent Reviews | 37 |
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Very Good Reviews | 13 |
The Icelandic Turf House Photos | 58 |