Description
Summary
Description
Explore Iceland’s World War II past on this day tour to the War and Peace Museum in Akranes, only 45 minutes away from Reykjavik. This tour is a great choice for anyone interested in history, including families and travelers who want to see real items from World War II and gain insight into daily life during that era.
Your tour begins at the War and Peace Museum in Akranes, located in the peaceful countryside of West Iceland, north of Reykjavik. The museum is near Hvalfjordur Fjord, a quiet fjord that became an important place during World War II.
The area still shows signs of the time when foreign soldiers arrived and daily life quickly changed. Homes were turned into military offices, streets filled with army trucks, and locals suddenly shared their town with thousands of Allied troops during WWII.
When you arrive at the War and Peace Museum, you’ll step into a place where stories from the past come alive. The museum focuses on the years between 1940 and 1945, when Iceland was occupied by Allied forces.
Inside, you’ll walk through rooms filled with real objects from the time, such as uniforms, tools, letters, and photographs from the war. Some displays are set up like scenes from daily life, such as a grocery store, barbershop, or Coast Guard station with uniforms and radios.
These detailed setups help you imagine what it was like to live during the war, when everyday routines continued but under very different conditions. You can imagine someone waiting in line for food, talking during a haircut, or listening to radio messages while soldiers walked through town, and war changed everything around them.
Each part of the museum highlights different sides of the war. You’ll learn about the roles played by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Iceland during the war. The exhibits also show how children, nurses, and families were affected by these events.
Exhibits also include items tied to Russia and Nazi Germany, giving you a broader look at the global conflict. The museum offers more than facts on signs. It gives you a clear picture of what everyday life was like during a time of major change.
On select days, the museum's owner offers a brief guided tour. Listening to these personal stories can provide even greater insight into the meaning behind each piece on display. His knowledge brings added depth to the experience, especially for those interested in the human side of history.
After your visit, you can relax at the on-site cafe. The smell of fresh coffee and homemade cakes adds a warm, peaceful ending to a powerful journey through the past. It’s a quiet place to sit and reflect on what you’ve seen.
Discover the story of Iceland during World War II on this unforgettable War and Peace Museum tour in Akranes, filled with real objects and powerful stories from the past. Check availability now by choosing a date.
