Reykjavík Museum Walking Tour: Three galleries with a local guide

Three museums, one guide, three hours through Reykjavík's art

A shared walking tour of Reykjavík visits three museums—the Einar Jónsson Museum, the House of Collections, and the National Gallery of Iceland—with a live English-speaking guide and admission to all three included. The route moves from the sculptor's 1923 home and studio atop Skólavörðuhæð hill through the city center to the National Gallery by the pond, covering early 20th-century Icelandic sculpture, historical collections, and contemporary art in a single morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Reykjavík's art museums

• Visit Einar Jónsson Museum
• Walk to the House of Collections
• Explore the National Gallery of Iceland

The Experience

The tour starts at the Einar Jónsson Museum, a striking building designed by the sculptor himself as both his home and creative sanctuary, perched on Skólavörðuhæð hill in central Reykjavík. Opened in 1923, it houses Jónsson's powerful, dreamlike works and offers views across the city. From there, the guide leads you down into Reykjavík's vibrant center to the House of Collections, which bridges past and present through its exhibitions, then concludes at the National Gallery by the pond, where classical and cutting-edge works sit side by side.

A local guide in English leads the whole route, so you move through each space with context—the symbolism in the sculpture, the stories behind the collections, how contemporary Icelandic art reflects modern life and nature. Admission to all three museums is included, which means no separate tickets to buy or lines to navigate on your own. The walk itself takes three hours, and the operator notes the route is wheelchair accessible, with public transportation nearby if you need it.

What’s included

• Admission to all three museums.
• a live guide speaking English.
• the full walking route connecting Einar Jónsson Museum, House of Collections, and National Gallery of Iceland.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by National Gallery of Iceland (Listasafn Islands)

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a guide leading the group, so you move through the museums together rather than exploring on your own. It suits someone with a free morning in Reykjavík who wants context and company, and who prefers not to buy separate tickets or plan the route themselves.

Top questions

What's inside the Einar Jónsson Museum?

The Einar Jónsson Museum houses the sculptor's own powerful, dreamlike works in the building he designed as his home and studio. Opened in 1923, it sits atop Skólavörðuhæð hill and is itself considered his largest sculpture—a striking blend of art and architecture.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs three hours from start to finish, moving through all three museums with the guide.

Is admission to the museums included in the price?

Yes, admission to the Einar Jónsson Museum, House of Collections, and National Gallery of Iceland is included in the tour price.

What kind of art will I see?

The tour covers Icelandic artistic heritage from powerful early 20th-century sculpture at Einar Jónsson through historical collections at the House of Collections to classical and contemporary works at the National Gallery, reflecting modern life, nature, and society.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby. The operator notes it's suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.