Description
Summary
Description
Go beyond Iceland’s famous waterfalls and volcanoes by diving into the country’s deep literary roots with this cultural tour in Reykjavik. This tour offers a rare chance to explore Iceland’s storytelling tradition through original Viking sagas, centuries-old manuscripts, and traditional bookbinding techniques once used by the island’s earliest writers.
If you’ve ever wondered what handwritten stories from 1,000 years ago look like, this small-group tour in Reykjavik should be on your list. Perfect for history lovers, book lovers, and curious travelers, you’ll discover how Iceland has preserved its identity through language and storytelling.
Your one-hour adventure begins with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Reykjavik. From there, you’ll visit key literary landmarks like the Culture House and the Arni Magnusson Institute, home to some of Iceland’s most treasured manuscripts and historical texts.
Your guide for the tour is Eyþór, curator of Old Icelandic Books. He has spent years saving and restoring rare texts using traditional methods, such as hand-washing pages and repairing bindings. Inside his collection of more than 500 works, you’ll see how centuries-old stories are brought back to life, page by page.
During the tour, you’ll also get exclusive access to private collections that are not open to the public. You’ll see Viking-age texts, handwritten folktales, tales of Norse gods, and early letters from Iceland’s first settlers. These works reveal how people once lived, what they believed, and how they shared their stories with each generation.
Your guide brings each piece to life with insights and explanations that make ancient words feel familair. His passion for Icelandic literature makes this tour informative and inspiring for visitors of all backgrounds.
Next, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on workshop to learn old Icelandic bookbinding and calligraphy. Using traditional tools and materials, you’ll experience the skill and care that went into making each book. It’s a fun and creative way to connect with the past.
To wrap up the experience, enjoy a live reading of an Icelandic saga or skaldic poem. Hear your guide read passages in Old Norse or modern Icelandic, just as Viking families did long ago by the fire.
With small group access, you’ll have time to explore, ask questions, and take in the details. The personal atmosphere helps you connect with both the material and your guide in a meaningful way.
Experience Iceland’s literary heritage through rare manuscripts, expert storytelling, and hands-on creativity. Check availability now by choosing a date.
