Þjóðgarðsmiðstöð Snæfellsjökulsþjóðgarðs á Hellissandi

About the museum

The national park centre in Hellissandur was officially opened on 24 March 2023 and is the main visitor centre of Snæfellsjökull National Park. The building is called Jökulhöfði and was designed by the architects Arkís, who won a design competition in 2006. Construction ran from 2020 to 2022, and Framkvæmdasýslan – Ríkiseignir managed the project. The building was constructed to the international environmental certification standard BREEAM.

The building is divided into three parts: Jökulhöfði in the south, which refers to Snæfellsjökull and houses the exhibition hall and catering; Fiskbeinið (The Fishbone) in the north, where the national park offices, a souvenir shop, an information desk and an education space are located; and Þjóðvegurinn (The Highway), a passage that runs through the building and allows people to walk straight across it.

In the upper hall of Jökulhöfði is the permanent exhibition Undur Snæfellsjökuls (Wonders of Snæfellsjökull), which covers the geology and mystique of the glacier, folk tales and facts, and the varied areas of the national park. It also contains the stone collection of volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson from Stykkishólmur, which the Icelandic Museum of Natural History lends to the park, with samples of the main rock types of the region and the country. In the middle of the hall is a model of Snæfellsjökull and its surroundings, where lava flows, the glacier retreats, the northern lights dance and trolls appear. The model is linked to places around the glacier where visitors can find folk tales and information. Rangers and service staff provide information and education.

Highlights

• The permanent exhibition Undur Snæfellsjökuls on the geology, folk tales and nature of the glacier
• Model of Snæfellsjökull and its surroundings with stories and information
• Stone collection of volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson, on loan from the Icelandic Museum of Natural History
• Free admission to the exhibition
• Café Elja, souvenir shop and information from rangers

Permanent exhibition

• Undur Snæfellsjökuls – Permanent exhibition on the geology and mystique of Snæfellsjökull, folk tales and the areas of the national park, with a model of the glacier and the stone collection of Haraldur Sigurðsson.

Founded

2023

Operated by

Snæfellsjökulsþjóðgarður

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no admission fee for the exhibition.

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

The building is said to be exemplary in terms of accessibility, with good walking and cycling paths leading to it.

Kids & families

The education and exhibition spaces are for all age groups.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Elja runs a food service in the building with seating for 40 people. Souvenirs are sold in Fiskbeinið. Charging stations are available for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The building’s meeting and lecture rooms are available for rent; contact the park’s service manager.

Plan your visit