Byggðasafnið á Garðskaga

About the museum

The Byggðasafnið á Garðskaga (Garðskagi Local History Museum) opened in November 1995 in old fish-processing buildings in Garður. It is run by the municipality of Suðurnesjabær and stands in a scenic museum area beside the Garðskagaviti lighthouse, at the northernmost tip of the Reykjanes peninsula, where birdlife is rich and whales are often seen close to shore.

The museum is both a local history and a maritime museum and tells the story of the fishing industry and of the people who lived and worked in the community. Its greatest draw is the engine collection of Guðni Ingimundarson, with over sixty engines, almost all of them in working order, as well as the lorry Trukkurinn, which has a long working history. The clinker-built boat Fram, built in 1887, is preserved in the museum; clinker-built boats are on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Next to the museum stands the motor boat Hólmsteinn GK 20, a 43-tonne wooden boat that can be viewed.

The reception area has a shop selling local products and a tourist information point with interiors from 1921. Exhibitions include house models, fisheries and a household display from an Icelandic fishing village, and there is a play area for children. For a fee, visitors can visit the Garðskagaviti lighthouse from 1944, the Lýðveldisvitinn (Republic Lighthouse), which is 28 metres tall.

Highlights

• Engine collection of Guðni Ingimundarson with over 60 engines, most of them in working order
• The clinker-built boat Fram from 1887, on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage
• The motor boat Hólmsteinn GK 20, a 43-tonne wooden boat beside the museum
• Shop fittings from 1921 in the reception area
• Free admission, a children's play area and the Garðskagaviti lighthouse nearby

Permanent exhibition

• Byggða- og sjóminjasýningar – House models, fisheries and a household display from a fishing village, the boat Fram from 1887 and the large engine collection of Guðni Ingimundarson.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Suðurnesjabær

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no admission fee for the museum. Entry to the Garðskagaviti lighthouse (from 1944) costs a fee; the amount is not published on the municipality's website.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum register, wheelchair access is available; further details have not been found.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

There is a children's play area, a small shop to play in and old puzzles for visitors.

Getting there & parking

The museum is by the Garðskagaviti lighthouse at the northernmost tip of the Reykjanes peninsula, about a ten-minute drive from Keflavík Airport.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

A museum shop with local products and a tourist information point. The restaurant Röstin and a campsite are on the museum site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit