Asmundarsafn is a sculpture museum in Reykjavik's Laugardalur neighborhood, built as the home and studio of Icelandic sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson. Today it houses his bold figurative and abstract works, a free outdoor sculpture garden, and one of the city's most striking modernist buildings. Read on to plan your visit.
Asmundarsafn is one of Reykjavik's top museums and sits about 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) from downtown Reykjavik in Laugardalur, the green valley east of the city center. It's an easy 35-minute walk, a 10-minute bus ride, or a quick stop on a Reykjavik day tour, though most guided day tours skip Laugardalur, so a rental car or the public bus is the most reliable way to get here.
Asmundarsafn is one of three branches of the Reykjavík Art Museum, alongside Hafnarhús downtown and Kjarvalsstaðir at Mikla Hill. A single ticket is valid for 24 hours across all three sites, useful if you're building an art-focused day in Reykjavik. The outdoor sculpture garden, however, is open and free to walk through at any time, year-round.
Spelled Ásmundarsafn in Icelandic, the museum is also known internationally as the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum.
Keep reading to learn more before your visit, or explore a large variety of other museum and exhibition admissions in Iceland to make the most of your cultural adventures in the country.
Key Takeaways
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Asmundarsafn is a sculpture museum in Laugardalur, Reykjavik, built by Icelandic sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893–1982) as his home and studio.
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The outdoor sculpture garden is free to visit year-round, day or night.
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Indoor admission costs ISK 2,550 for adults / ISK 1,550 for students; the ticket is valid for 24 hours at all three Reykjavík Art Museum sites.
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Opening hours are 13:00–17:00 daily, closed 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January.
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The building's dome and curved white walls were inspired by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Egyptian architecture.
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Reach the museum on foot in about 35 minutes from downtown, by bus (routes 2, 4, 5, 14, 15, or 17), or by car; there's free parking at the door.
Architecture of Asmundarsafn Museum
Ásmundur Sveinsson designed and built the museum himself in three phases between 1942 and 1959, with help from architect Einar Sveinsson on the final plans. The result looks like nothing else in Reykjavik: a whitewashed dome rises from a low concrete base, flanked by pyramidal forms and curved walls that frame the garden.
The shapes were drawn from Icelandic and Mediterranean architecture, the domes of the Middle East, and the pyramids of Egypt. Ásmundur wanted the building to function as a sculpture in its own right, not just a place to display them.
After his death in 1982, the family donated the building to the city, and it opened as a museum in 1983. Architect Manfreð Vilhjálmsson added the glass corridor linking the older and newer sections between 1987 and 1991.
What To See at Asmundarsafn
From the indoor galleries to the open-air garden, the museum reflects a single artist's lifetime of work. Ásmundur Sveinsson was a pioneer of Icelandic sculpture, taught in Copenhagen and Paris, and was known as a "folk poet" for his depictions of working life and folklore.
Indoor Exhibitions
The indoor galleries hold a permanent selection of Ásmundur's sculptures, abstract stone carvings, figurative bronzes, and large plaster studies for works installed elsewhere in Reykjavik. Look for The Water Carrier, Through the Sound Barrier, and Mother Earth, three of his best-known pieces. The dome itself is part of the experience: standing beneath it is a curious acoustic moment that staff are happy to point out.
Rotating exhibitions pair Ásmundur's work with contemporary Icelandic artists, so what's on changes through the year. Reception staff at the museum can tell you what's currently showing.
Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Around 30 of Ásmundur's monumental sculptures stand in the garden encircling the building, many enlarged from indoor originals, others made specifically for outdoor display. The garden is unfenced and free to wander any time of day, even when the museum itself is closed, which makes it one of the more rewarding free attractions in Reykjavik.
Seasons change the mood completely. In summer, the garden is green and lit until midnight; in winter, the snow-on-white-dome contrast turns the whole site into a photographer's set.
How To Get to Asmundarsafn Museum
Asmundarsafn sits on Sigtún in the Laugardalur valley, about 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) east of downtown Reykjavik. Laugardalur is the city's green belt: a low, open valley of parks, sports facilities, and family attractions.
From Hallgrímskirkja Church, the museum is roughly 30 minutes on foot through quiet residential streets, or about a 10-minute drive in light traffic. From Keflavík International Airport, it's about a 50-minute drive on Route 41.
Walking from downtown Reykjavik takes about 35 minutes through residential blocks and along the Laugavegur shopping street as it transitions into Suðurlandsbraut. It's a flat, easy walk that doubles as a low-key city tour.
For a faster trip, Reykjavik public buses 2, 4, 5, 14, 15, and 17 all stop within a few minutes' walk of the museum entrance. The single fare is currently ISK 630 and can be paid contactless on board.
If you're driving, there's a free car park directly in front of the museum, including marked accessible spaces. Wider parking rules in Reykjavik don't apply here, Laugardalur is outside the paid zones. Cycling is also a good option in summer; bike racks are at the front of the garden, on the east side.
Admission to Asmundarsafn
Indoor admission costs ISK 2,550 for adults and ISK 1,550 for students, free for under 18s, and free with the Reykjavik City Card. The same ticket is valid for 24 hours at the other two Reykjavík Art Museum sites: Hafnarhús downtown and Kjarvalsstaðir at Klambratún, so it's a strong value if you're visiting more than one branch.
Asmundarsafn Open Hours
Opening hours are 13:00–17:00 daily. The museum is closed on 24, 25, and 31 December and 1 January, and open 13:00–17:00 on 26 December. Easter Sunday is closed; other Easter days are open as usual.
Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the indoor exhibitions and another 20–30 minutes for the sculpture garden. Photography fans and architecture buffs often stay longer; a relaxed visit with coffee in the museum cafe can stretch to two hours.
Accessibility at Asmundarsafn
Accessibility is fairly good. The main door has a low threshold and opens automatically, and an elevator runs from the lobby to the cloakroom and accessible toilet. There is no elevator up into the Dome itself, but staff can guide wheelchair users into the main exhibition hall through a side door. Guide dogs are welcome throughout the building. The outdoor garden is on level paving, though some paths can be icy in winter.
Attractions Near Asmundarsafn
The museum sits inside Reykjavik's most relaxing and family-friendly district, so it pairs well with several other stops in the area. For a longer itinerary in the area, see our guide to Reykjavik with kids.
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Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool: Reykjavik's largest geothermal swimming pool is just a short walk from Asmundarsafn. The complex features hot tubs, steam baths, waterslides, and outdoor pools that stay warm year-round.
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Reykjavik Botanical Garden: Located nearby, it features peaceful walking paths and a large collection of Icelandic and international plants. Summer is the best time to see the gardens in full bloom.
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Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo: This small zoo and amusement park focuses on Icelandic farm animals and family-friendly activities. It's a popular stop during the summer and a convenient attraction near the museum.
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Laugardalur Valley: The surrounding Laugardalur area is known for its green spaces, walking trails, and sports facilities. It offers a quieter atmosphere compared to central Reykjavik and is ideal for relaxing walks.
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Perlan Museum: Located a short drive away, Perlan is one of Reykjavik's most famous attractions. The museum features interactive exhibits about Icelandic nature, glaciers, volcanoes, and the northern lights, along with panoramic city views from its observation deck.
For more inspiration, see our round-up of the top things to do in Reykjavik in any season.
Plan Your Visit to Asmundarsafn Museum
Asmundarsafn is one of the most distinctive stops in Reykjavik, small, quiet, and built by the artist whose work it holds. The free outdoor sculpture garden also means the trip is worth it even if the indoor galleries are closed when you arrive, useful given the museum's short 13:00–17:00 window.
Combine it with a swim at Laugardalslaug and an hour at the Botanical Garden, and you have a half-day that most first-time visitors never find.
If you're still mapping out your trip, see our guide to Reykjavik's art museums, browse self-drive tour packages that include Reykjavik time, or take a wider look at things to do in Reykjavik.
