Experience one of Reykjavik's most unusual and unforgettable attractions with a ticket to the Icelandic Phallological Museum. It's one of the best things to do in Reykjavik for anyone who appreciates places where science, humor, and Icelandic folklore collide.
Known in Icelandic as Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn, the museum was founded in 1997 by historian and teacher Sigurður Hjartarson. What started as a joke gift from colleagues snowballed into a lifelong obsession with collecting phallic specimens from every mammal in Iceland.
Today, it’s widely regarded as one of Reykjavik's most popular museums. Its collection features biological specimens, phallic artwork, cultural artifacts, and mythological displays that span the full spectrum, from the scientifically rigorous to the wonderfully absurd.
It's equal parts natural history museum and conversation starter. Visitors consistently describe it as one of the most surprisingly memorable stops on their trip, and certainly one of the weirdest museums in Iceland.
Visiting the Icelandic Phallological Museum: What You Need To Know
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The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays, so check availability and book your ticket before your visit.
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Children aged 13 and under enter free when accompanied by a parent.
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A visit typically takes 45 minutes to one hour. Visitors who read every exhibit label and enjoy the on-site cafe may spend up to 90 minutes.
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The museum offers a free English-language audio guide.
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The museum is located at Hafnartorg District in central downtown Reykjavik, just steps from the Old Harbor. It is accessible on foot, by bus, or by car.
The Collection at the Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavik
The museum's collection spans an extraordinary range of biological specimens. The exhibition includes phallic parts from whales, seals, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, polar bears, and even a hamster.
The largest exhibit is a portion of a blue whale's phallus, measuring approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters) long and weighing around 154 pounds (70 kilograms). The smallest item, a hamster baculum just 0.08 inches (2 millimeters) long, requires a magnifying glass to view.
The museum also holds human specimens. The first was acquired in 2011, a milestone that was documented in the 2012 Canadian documentary film "The Final Member." Signed donor contracts from future contributors are displayed on the museum walls.
Other notable items include silver casts of the Icelandic national handball team, a certified plaster cast of Jimi Hendrix's phallus, and artworks crafted from animal parts.
A fascinating section of the museum is dedicated to Icelandic mythology and folklore, displaying 22 imaginative ‘specimens’ representing creatures such as elves, trolls, mermen, and the Icelandic Yule Lads.
Exhibit descriptions are available in multiple languages, including English, making the museum accessible to international visitors.
History of Iceland's Phallological Museum
The story behind the museum is as unusual as the collection itself. Sigurður Hjartarson, a historian and teacher based in Reykjavik, received a bull's pizzle (a dried phallus used as a cattle whip) as a joke from his teaching colleagues while working as a school headmaster in the town of Akranes.
Some of his fellow teachers had summer jobs at a nearby whaling station, so whale specimens soon followed, and his curiosity about collecting phallic parts from every mammal species in Iceland took root.
Bullwhip made from bull penis skin
By 1997, Hjartarson had gathered 62 specimens and received a grant from the Icelandic parliament to open the collection to the public.
The museum initially opened in a small space in downtown Reykjavik. In 2004, financial pressures led to a relocation to Husavik, the whale-watching capital of northern Iceland, where visitor numbers grew steadily.
In 2011, Sigurður retired and passed the museum to his son, Hjörtur Gísli Sigurðsson, who moved it back to Reykjavik. In 2020, the museum relocated again to a much larger space at the Hafnartorg District, tripling its exhibition area and adding interactive features, a themed bistro, and improved displays.
The Phallic Cafe and Gift Shop at the Icelandic Phallological Museum
One of the museum's standout additions is The Phallic, a themed cafe and bistro that opened alongside the Hafnartorg District expansion. The cafe serves phallus-shaped waffles, themed cocktails, craft beers, and other creative dishes.
Visitors can enjoy their food and drinks in the exhibition area itself. The cafe is also accessible without purchasing a museum ticket.
The gift shop offers a wide selection of quirky merchandise, from penis-shaped pasta and novelty bottle openers to t-shirts, magnets, and "Willy" toothbrushes. These playful items make for memorable and humorous keepsakes, and rank among the most unique souvenirs from Iceland you can bring home.
Where is the Icelandic Phallological Museum Located?
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is located at Hafnartorg, Reykjastraeti 4, 101 Reykjavik, in central downtown Reykjavik. The entrance is on the corner of Geirsgata and Reykjastraeti, right by the Old Harbor area.
The museum sits within easy walking distance of many of Reykjavik's top landmarks, including Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrimskirkja Church. It is also close to the famous Baejarins Beztu Pylsur Hot Dog Stand.
How To Get to the Phallological Museum in Reykjavik
Because of its central location, the museum is easy to reach on foot from most downtown Reykjavik accommodations.
Visitors arriving by car will find parking available in the Hafnartorg parking garage beneath the building, though spaces can be limited during peak hours in summer. For more details on where to park and what to expect, see our guide to parking in Reykjavik.
Reykjavik city bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 service stops within a short walk of the museum. Taxis are also readily available throughout central Reykjavik.
For visitors arriving from Keflavik International Airport via rental cars, Reykjavik's city center is approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) away, about a 45-minute drive. Airport transfer shuttles and private transfers are also available for those who prefer not to drive.
Reykjavik Attractions Near the Icelandic Phallological Museum
The museum's central location at Hafnartorg District places it within walking distance of many other popular Reykjavik attractions and experiences.
The Old Harbor is steps away, where visitors can board whale watching excursions or explore the Maritime Museum. Just up the street, Hverfisgata Street is known for its restaurants, galleries, and street art.
The Icelandic Punk Museum is also nearby, as is the Reykjavik Museum of Photography and the Settlement Exhibition. For shopping and dining, the vibrant Laugavegur Shopping Street is just a short stroll from Hafnartorg District.
Making the Most of Your Visit to the Icelandic Phallological Museum
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is compact enough to fit into a busy Reykjavik day, but interesting enough to deserve more than a rushed walkthrough. If you're spending a few days in the capital on a Reykjavik city break, the museum is an easy addition to your itinerary.
To get the most out of your visit, arrive in the morning when the museum is quieter and take the time to use the free audio guide, which adds depth to specimens that might otherwise seem like curiosities behind glass.
Pair the museum with one of the many Reykjavik walking tours to explore the surrounding downtown area. The Reykjavik Food Walk Tour takes visitors through the city's best eateries, while the Walk With a Viking Tour explores tales of trolls, elves, and hidden people that connect to the same mythological world represented in the museum's folklore section.
Plan to stay at the cafe. The phallus-shaped waffles are a talking point in their own right, and sitting down for a drink in the exhibition space is an experience you won't find at any other museum in the world.
Book your Icelandic Phallological Museum tickets in advance, especially if you're visiting between June and August.
