Iceland's seafaring heritage

Guide to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

Explore Iceland's seafaring heritage in Reykjavík's historic Old Harbour.

HistoryLocal heritageNature

Located by the harbour, this museum showcases Iceland's relationship with the ocean through interactive exhibitions on fisheries, marine history, and preserved historic vessels, including a coast guard ship and an early steel tugboat.

Explore Iceland's maritime heritage through interactive fisheries exhibitions and historic floating vessels docked at the harbor.

Exploring Icelandic Seafaring History at the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

Housed in a former fish processing plant by the historic harbor in Reykjavík, the Reykjavík Maritime Museum explores how the ocean has shaped Icelandic culture and livelihoods. Visitors can explore the Fish & folk exhibition, which traces 150 years of fisheries through interactive displays. The museum experience also features historic floating vessels docked at the pier, such as the Coast Guard Vessel Óðinn.

Museum pass access at Reykjavík Maritime Museum

Visitors can access the Reykjavík Maritime Museum using an active city pass, which provides a convenient way to explore the local maritime heritage. Depending on your chosen card, admission to the permanent collection may be fully covered, allowing for a flexible visitor experience at the historic Old Harbour site.

Reykjavík City Card

A comprehensive pass for cultural access and city transit.

Use this pass to visit major museums, galleries, and swimming pools throughout the city. It includes unlimited bus travel and ferry transit for a flexible duration of 24, 48, or 72 hours.

Accepted here3 pass options

From ISK 61

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Reykjavík Maritime Museum Location and Setting

The Reykjavík Maritime Museum is situated at Grandagarður 8 along the city's historic Old Harbour in Reykjavík. Housed in a former fish-freezing plant, its harbor-side location perfectly complements the exhibitions inside, which focus on Iceland's seafaring history and fishing industry. Visitors can explore the historic vessels docked right at the adjacent pier.

Grandagarður 8

101 Reykjavík

Capital Region, IS

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Planning Your Visit to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

When planning a trip to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum in Reykjavík, visitors can find the venue located at the historic Old Harbour. The exhibits are housed within a former fish-freezing plant, making it a prominent landmark along the waterfront. Exploring the museum fits easily into a morning or afternoon itinerary focused on the city's seafaring heritage.

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Maritime History and Historic Ships at Reykjavík Maritime Museum

The Reykjavík Maritime Museum, located by the historic harbor in Reykjavík, explores the deep connection between Iceland and the ocean. Housed in a former fish processing plant, the museum reveals how fisheries and seafaring shaped local life. The permanent 'Fish & folk' exhibition traces 150 years of maritime heritage through interactive displays. Outside at the pier, visitors can step aboard preserved historic vessels. These include the Coast Guard vessel Óðinn, famous for its role in the Cod Wars, and Magni, the first steel tugboat built in the country.

A traditional Icelandic fishing boat with a white sail displayed indoors on a bed of stones, with a large black-and-white harbor mural on the wall behind it.

History of the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

The building housing the Reykjavík Maritime Museum was constructed in 1947 as a fish freezing plant in Reykjavík. After the plant closed, the city council established the museum here in 2002. The facility opened to visitors in 2005, followed by significant renovations in 2008 that added new exhibitions. By acquiring the historic Coast Guard vessel Odinn in 2008, the venue preserved its **maritime heritage** and transformed a former industrial harbour site into a rich educational space.

Museum building constructed as a fish freezing plant
1947Construction
The current museum building was constructed in 1947 on a landfill area known as Grandi to serve as a fish freezing plant. It was later acquired by the Reykjavík Municipal Fishing Company in 1959 and operated as a major redfish processing facility until 1985.
Formal establishment of the museum
2002Founding
Following a period of vacancy after the fish freezing plant closed in 1985, the Reykjavík City Council formally established the building as a maritime museum in 2002 after extensive renovations.
Museum opened to the public
2005Opening
The museum officially opened to the public in 2005. During its initial three years of operation, the facility occupied only the building's second floor.
First floor reconstruction
2007-2008Renovation
The museum closed during the winter of 2007–2008 to undertake reconstruction of the first floor. This project resulted in the opening of four new exhibitions and a new entrance in June 2008.
Acquisition of the Coast Guard vessel Óðinn
2008Collection
In February 2008, the museum acquired the Coast Guard vessel Óðinn. The ship, which was built in 1959, was subsequently transformed into a museum exhibit detailing the history of the Cod Wars.
Expansion with new exhibition and cafe
2009Milestone
In 2009, the museum underwent further expansion by converting a former storage area into a new exhibition hall and opening a museum café in a space that had previously been rented out.

Charting the Course: Reykjavík Maritime Museum FAQs

Planning your voyage to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum in Reykjavík but still navigating a sea of questions about parking, reservations, or transit? While some travel details are best discovered as you explore, our practical FAQ guide is here to help anchor your expectations before you set sail.

How do I contact the Reykjavík Maritime Museum?

Direct contact details such as email addresses or an online contact form for the Reykjavík Maritime Museum are currently not provided.

What is the Reykjavík Maritime Museum phone number?

The official telephone number for the Reykjavík Maritime Museum is not available in our current records.

How to get to Reykjavík Maritime Museum by public transport

Public transport routes and detailed directions to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum are currently not specified.

Do you need a reservation for Reykjavík Maritime Museum

It is currently not specified whether advanced reservations or timed-entry tickets are required to visit the Reykjavík Maritime Museum.

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Planning Your Visit to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

When planning a visit to the Reykjavík Maritime Museum at the Old Harbour, visitors can prepare to explore the history of Iceland's relationship with the sea. Housed in a former fish-freezing plant, the venue showcases the lives of local harbor workers and fishers. Exploring the exhibits at a steady pace allows for a complete appreciation of these maritime stories in their historic waterfront setting.

Planning a Visit to the Reykjav''k Maritime Museum

The Reykjav''k Maritime Museum, located at the city''s historic harbor in Reykjav''k, is highly suited for visitors interested in maritime history, local heritage, and Iceland''s relationship with the sea. With its combination of interactive fisheries exhibitions and historic floating vessels, the museum accommodates families, groups, and solo travelers alike. Visitors can expect an engaging, educational experience that covers 150 years of fisheries history alongside preserved historic ships docked at the pier. The venue is particularly fitting for those seeking a self-guided exploration of maritime history inside a unique setting housed within a former fish-freezing plant.

Inside the Reykjavík Maritime Museum: Gallery Preview

Images of the Reykjavík Maritime Museum capture its unique rust-colored facade situated along the city's historic harbor. Inside the exhibition spaces, the visual story unfolds with historic wooden boats resting on stone beds against black-and-white coastal murals. Visitors will also preview realistic displays showcasing traditional fisheries heritage, including historic fish-drying racks.

Museum exhibition display showing dried fish hanging from wooden racks and laid out on stones, with a large black-and-white photograph in the background.

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Reykjavík

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