Árbæjarsafn Rejseguide

Árbæjarsafn is an open-air museum in Reykjavík dedicated to providing guests with an insight into the daily lives of the capital's earliest settlers. 

Explore this area of Iceland on a self drive tour.

Photo above from Wikimedia. Creative Commons. by Ymblanter. No edits made.

The museum was founded in 1957 after local concerns grew that 'Old Reykjavik' was beginning to disappear amidst modern development.  Prior efforts had been made to establish the museum as far back as 1942, and yet, despite positive reaction to the proposal, such efforts long proved futile. The historical, yet recently abandoned farmstead, Árbær, was finally chosen the designated location as it had served for generations as a popular inn. 

The museum resembles a historical village, with over twenty different authentic buildings in which to explore. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe traditional turf houses, a historic church and numerous pre-century that have been moved to the open air museum following renovation. 

Upon the museum's founding, the original location was a little way out of city limits. Today, however, Reykjavik has outgrown its original borders, meaning that the museum is easily accessible for all those staying in the centre.