Listasafn Íslands

About the museum

The National Gallery of Iceland was founded in October 1884 in Copenhagen by Björn Bjarnarson, who later became a district magistrate (sýslumaður). The gallery was an independent institution until 1916, when the Althing decided to make it a department of the National Museum of Iceland. Under the Education Council Act of 1928 it was placed directly under the management of the Menntamálaráð (Education Council).

The gallery's works were shown in the Alþingishúsið (Parliament House) from 1885 to 1950, when the collection moved to Safnahúsið on Suðurgata, which it shared with the National Museum. It was formally opened there in 1951 and received full independence by law in 1961.

In 1987 the gallery moved to the house at Fríkirkjuvegur 7. The main building was erected in 1916 as an ice house to designs by Guðjón Samúelsson, while the new wing is the work of Garðar Halldórsson, state architect. Today exhibitions are also held in Safnahúsið at Hverfisgata 15, and the Listasafn Einars Jónssonar (Einar Jónsson Museum) on Skólavörðuholt is part of the gallery's activities.

Highlights

• The collection of Icelandic art, shown in part in Safnahúsið on Hverfisgata
• The main building from 1916, originally built as an ice house
• Kaktus Espresso Bar on the ground floor, with an outdoor terrace
• Krakkaklúbburinn Krummi (Krummi Children's Club), a free programme for children
• Group exhibitions and shows by Icelandic and foreign artists in four halls

Founded

1884

Admission & discounts

Holders of the Reykjavík City Card, members of ICOM, FÍSOS and SÍM, and media representatives get free admission to all three buildings.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The buildings at Fríkirkjuvegur 7 and Hverfisgata 15 were designed with the needs of people with reduced mobility in mind, and lifts serve all exhibition halls, the shop and the café. Wheelchairs, pushchairs and lightweight chairs can be borrowed at the museum; enquire at reception. The accessible toilet is on the first floor of the Listasafn and on the ground floor of Safnahúsið.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

The Krummi Children's Club offers a free programme each month in which children learn about the museum's exhibitions and create their own artworks. Children and young people aged 17 and under enter free, and pushchairs can be borrowed at the museum.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at the corner of Fríkirkjuvegur and Skálholtsstígur.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Kaktus Espresso Bar on the ground floor of the Listasafn is open daily 10:00–17:00 and serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches and soup. Entrance is through the main entrance of the museum or from the Hallargarður garden. There is a shop on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 100 guests.

Three halls in Safnahúsið on Hverfisgata are available for hire for meetings and events, including the Reading Room (about 100 people standing, about 80 in cinema-style rows) and a meeting room for 16 people. The Reading Room is not rented out for general parties.

Plan your visit