Family Friendly Museums
Wartime Museum
At the Icelandic Wartime Museum, you can travel back to the days of the Second World War and the military occupation of Reyðarfjörður. The museum gives a vivid insight into life during the war in a country which has never had an army or been at war - with this one exception. The focus is on the impact of the occupation on the local population. On the first of July, there is a festival in memory of this unique event in Icelandic history.
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Maritime Museum
The museum mostly exhibits objects and utensils relating to fishing and seafaring in general. It also displays various reminders of local trade, industry, and medicine from times past. The collection is in a commercial building, “Gamla búð”, built in 1816.
Hours of Operation: June, July, and August: 13:00 - 17:00 daily or by arrangement with the manager, tel. 470 9063
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Technical Museum of East Iceland
Join us in the Old Mechanical Shop for a journey through history and innovation at our exhibition „Búðareyri – stories of transformation“. The exhibition tells us the history of Búðareyri, the part of Seyðisfjörður that was hit by a major landslide inDecember 2020. On the exhibition we combine innovative multimedia solutions with traditional technology offering a rich bilingual experience for visitors of all ages.
In the Harbour garden you can discover the rich history of women in Seyðisfjörður around 1900 at our outdoor exhibition„Working Women“. The exhibition explores the range of different jobs held by women and their significant economic contributions to society during this immense period of change in Iceland from 1880 to 1920.
Opening hours at the old mechanical shop
15 May – 30 June: Mondays – Saturdays, 13 – 17
July 1 – August 31: Every day from 10 – 17
September 1 – 15: Mondays – Saturdays, 13 – 17Winter: By agreement: tekmus@tekmus.is
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Museum of Natural History Nordfjordur
A new and interesting museum which displays the best of Icelandic nature; Icelandic mammals, shellfish, birds, insects and stone collection as well as specimens from the East Icelandic flora.
Hours of Operation: June, July, and August: 13:00 - 17:00 daily or by arrangement with the manager, tel. 470 9063
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East Iceland Heritage Museum
East Iceland Heritage Museum (Minjasafn Austurlands)
The East Iceland Heritage Museum preserves and presents the cultural history, traditions, and community life of the region. The museum features two permanent exhibitions: Reindeer in East Iceland and Sustainable Unit. In addition, temporary and smaller thematic exhibitions are hosted throughout the year. The current special exhibition is titled Landnámskonan – The Settlement Woman.
Landnámskonan – The Settlement Woman
Two richly adorned women from the Viking Age are the focus of this unique exhibition: One is a chieftainess whose grave was excavated in 2021 at Fjörður, Seyðisfjörður, the other is the mysterious Fjallkonan, whose remains were discovered in a cave at Vestdalsheiði, above Seyðisfjörður, in 2004. Both finds date from around the year 950, suggesting that these women lived at the same time. The exhibition draws on research conducted on these archaeological discoveries to shed light on the lives and work of women during the Settlement period. The exhibition is a collaboration between the East Iceland Heritage Museum, Antikva, the University of Iceland Research Center inEast Iceland, and the National Museum of Iceland.
Reindeer in East Iceland
This exhibition explores the life and survival of reindeer in East Iceland, the natural and human-related threats they face, reindeer research, hunting history, and the various uses of reindeer products in food and craft. Visitors can watch the film Á hreindýraslóðum - On the Reindeer Trail by Eðvarð Sigurgeirsson (from the 1940s), hear stories fromreindeer hunters, and view numerous related photographs and artefacts.
Sustainable Unit
The exhibition’s title refers to how traditional Icelandic farms had to be self-sufficient—providing food, clothing, tools, and shelter. On display are various objects that tell the story of rural life in East Iceland up to the mid-20th century. A key item is the traditional baðstofa - living and sleeping room from the farm Brekka in Hróarstunga.
Opening Hours
September – May
Tuesday to Friday: 11:00–16:00
June – August
Monday to Saturday: 10:00–18:00
From June 25 to July 31, 2025, the museum will stay open until 20:00 on Wednesdays, offering live music and local tastings.
Visits outside regular hours can be arranged upon request.
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Steinasafn Petru
Ljósbjörg Petra María Sveinsdóttir was interested in stones all her life and started to collect them in earnest in 1946.
Most of her stones were found in Stöðvarfjörður and other places in East Iceland because Petra didn´t go much looking for stones in other parts of the country.
In 1974, Petra decided to open her home for all those that wished to look at her stones. Petra´s receives many visitors each year and it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Iceland.
It´s obvious to all those that visit Petra´s, that she was an efficient stone collector but not many people know that she collected more than stones. Petra collected marked pens, cups, and numerous other small paraphernalia and for most of her life, she collected eggs, shells, and conches.
For sure, Petra´s house has slowly acquired the appearance of a nature museum, but first and foremost, it´s a home.
Open from May 1st to October 31st, seven days a week from 09:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Kaffi Sunnó
In the year 2015, an old dream came true when Kaffi Sunnó was opened. The guests can buy delicious soups and bread, hot and cold drinks and something sweet.
Open from May 1st to October 31st, seven days a week from 09:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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Skriðuklaustur, Centre of culture & history
Skriðuklaustur is the former home of the famous author Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975). Since 2000 it has been open as a centre of culture & history with various activities and exhibitions. It houses a museum about the author with personal guidance about his life and career as well as the adventure of building a mansion in Fljotsdalur valley in 1939.
The house itself is one of Iceland’s most treasured buildings, donated to the Icelandic nation by the author in 1948. It was designed by the German architect Fritz Höger.
At Skriðuklaustur, you can also have a look at the ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery from the 16th century which was excavated at the beginning of the 21st century. The ruins are accessible all year round, close to the author's home. The exhibition about medieval life and the excavation can be found in the cultural centre which also houses the restaurant Klausturkaffi.
Opening hours
April - May: Open daily 11am - 5pm June - August: Open daily 10am - 5pmSeptember - October 13th: Open daily 11am - 5pm
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