Guide de Voyage : Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibition

The Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions are the best places to learn about the settlement of Reykjavik. Discover the archaeological remains of a 10th-century Viking longhouse and trace the city's history to the modern day.

Beneath the streets of Adalstraeti in downtown Reykjavik, you'll find the Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions. They're a part of the Reykjavik City Museum and are dedicated to different parts of the city's history, which is traced from the time of settlement around the year 871 to the modern day.

The Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions are two different but connecting exhibitions, each with its own entrance but a shared admission. The Reykjavik Settlement Exhibition originally opened in 2006 and has won multiple awards for its innovative design. The Adalstraeti addition opened in 2022 and is partially housed in the oldest house in downtown Reykjavik.

You only need one entry ticket to enter both exhibitions, and they're easy to access by rental car or city bus. The Adalstraeti Settlement Exhibition is also within walking distance of many city landmarks and Reykjavik accommodations.

All exhibits of the Reykjavik City Museum, such as the Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions, are included in the 24-hour Reykjavik City Card, which is the best way to visit the many museums and exhibitions in Iceland's capital. Read on to learn all about the Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions.

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Photo above from the Reykjavik City Museum.

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What to See at the Settlement Exhibition

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Szilas. The exhibition entrance by Adalstraeti 16 in Reykjavik.

You can begin exploring the interconnected exhibitions from either the entrance at Adalstraeti 10 or Adalstraeti 16. However, we recommend starting with the archeological dig of the Settlement Exhibition by Adalstraeti 16.

This exhibition came to be when a tenth-century longhouse was discovered by surprise during construction work in 2001. Next to it, a part of a wall was found, which is older than the believed time of settlement, around 871. It's one of the oldest archeological finds in Iceland.

Photo from the Reykjavik City Museum. The 10th-century Iceland longhouse on display.

The remains of the Viking house are on clear display, along with artifacts from the time period. Learn about life towards the end of the Viking Age in Iceland, and see what the landscapes surrounding Reykjavik may have looked like over 1000 years ago. You can even see glimpses of daily life at the time, hear the wildlife, and smell nature as you walk around the Viking longhouse!

Photo from the Reykjavik City Museum.

Multimedia displays and interactive exhibits make the educational experience fun. Along the walls are interesting artifacts from the time of settlement where both text and drawings make it easy to understand their original use. You'll also find explanations of Viking culture, daily routines, and the challenges faced by these early settlers in Iceland.

What to See at the Adalstraeti Exhibition

The Settlement Exhibition and the Adalstraeti Exhibition are connected by an underground tunnel.

Once you've explored the Settlement Exhibition, you go through a connecting door to the Adalstraeti exhibit. You start by going through an underground tunnel where you learn about key moments in Reykjavik's history after the 10th century. Once you've gone through, you've arrived at Adalstraeti and will find yourself in Reykjavik around the year 1900.

Photo from Creative Commons, Wikimedia, Cornell University Library. Adalstraeti street around the year 1900, one of the main streets of Reykjavik.

The Adalstraeti exhibition showcases how life in Reykjavik changed from around 1900 to today, covering important developments in both the city and Iceland's history. This is done with fun and inventive displays, many of which are interactive and provide a great insight into life at the time and how the Reykjavik of today came to be.

Photo from the Reykjavik City Museum. A miniature of Adalstraeti street as it looked around the year 1900.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is a miniature model of Adalstraeti street as it looked around the year 1900. Not only is it a perfect recreation of the traditional Icelandic houses, some of which are still standing today, but the street quite literally comes to life.

The model is surrounded by "binoculars", which you can look through to see people on the streets going about their lives. You can even hear conversations between the 19th-century locals and see references to incidents in the city's history.

A part of the exhibit is housed in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavik, Adalstraeti 10, which was built in 1762. It has served many different purposes throughout the decades, including being the residence of Bishop Geir Vídalín in 1807 and a store since 1895. These settings have been recreated within the house for visitors to experience.

Adalstraeti 10 served as a store for over half a century, which you can see recreated during a visit.

Once you've gone through the Austurstraeti exhibition, you'll have a good overview of Reykjavik's historical progression. Each exhibit has been carefully crafted to offer a window into different eras, from the city's first settlers to the streets you can explore today, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the history and culture of Reykjavik.

How to Visit the Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions

The Adalstraeti exhibition entrance by Adalstraeti 10.

The entrance to the Adalstraeti Exhibition is by Adalstraeti 10, and the one by the Settlement Exhibition by Adalstraeti 16. As they are connected, you can enter by either entrance, but we recommend starting out with the archeological dig of the Settlement Exhibition and making your way through the exhibit to the Reykjavik of today.

Both the Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibition are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Guided tours are available daily at 11 AM during the summer months. For the most up-to-date information on opening hours, prices, and guided tours, it is recommended to check the Reykjavik City Museum's official website.

 More Attractions Near the Adalstraeti Settlement Exhibition

Photo by Ivar Struthers. Adalstraeti street in Reykjavik today.

As Adalstraeti and the Settlement Exhibition are located in downtown Reykjavik, attractions like the Harpa concert hall, Laugavegur shopping street, and Hallgrimskirkja church are within walking distance. You'll also find plenty of shops, cafés, and bars in the vicinity, along with many of the best restaurants in Reykjavik!

To round out your visit, check out the National Museum of Iceland, which is just a 10-minute walk away. There, you can learn about the key events that shaped the nation, providing more historical context to many of the places you may see in Iceland. You can also visit the National Gallery of Iceland, which has a vast collection of Icelandic and international art, or check out any of the other Reykjavik City Museum exhibitions.

Other Exhibitions of the Reykjavik City Museum

In addition to the Adalstraeti and Settlement Exhibitions, the Reykjavik City Museum has a variety of other engaging exhibitions all around the city. Near the Reykjavik harbor, you'll find the Reykjavik Maritime Museum. It highlights Iceland's seafaring heritage and its pivotal role in the nation's development.

Make sure to visit the Arbaejarsafn Open Air Museum, which offers a living history experience with historic buildings that have been relocated and restored. This allows you to step back in time and witness the lifestyle and architecture of past centuries through interesting exhibitions.

For a different experience, visit Videy island off the coast of Reykjavik, which is accessible via a short ferry ride. The island features historical sites such as Videyjarstofa house, one of Iceland’s oldest stone buildings, and the Imagine Peace Tower artwork by Yoko Ono.

For those interested in more recent history, the Museum of Photography presents a compelling visual history of Reykjavik and its inhabitants through the lens of both professional and amateur photographers. The exhibits change regularly, and there's always something interesting to see!