Whales of Iceland

About the museum

Whales of Iceland is a whale museum in the Grandi district of Reykjavík, which its organisers describe as the largest museum in Europe devoted to whales. The exhibition consists of 23 life-size models of the whale species found in Icelandic waters. The models were designed from detailed drawings and built by specialists in China. Each one is painted after a real individual and shows its distinguishing features, such as scars and fin markings.

The whales arrived in the country in August 2014, and the largest models were transported in parts and assembled in the building. In 2015 interactive installations on the biology of minke whales and whale movements were added, made in cooperation with Gagarin and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnun); at that time three humpback whales were tagged with satellite transmitters in Eyjafjörður. In 2016 an app with an audio guide was released.

Award-winning documentaries are shown every day in Langreyðarbíó (Fin Whale Cinema), and the exhibition is included in the admission price. There is also education on whale conservation, produced with international animal welfare organisations and Icelandic whale experts. The models are soft and may be touched. The museum has a café and a shop.

Highlights

• 23 life-size models of whale species, soft and can be touched
• Documentary films in Langreyðarbíó included in the ticket price
• Interactive installations on whale biology and whale movements
• Audio guide in more than 16 languages
• Live guided tours daily at 11:00 and 15:00

Permanent exhibitions

• Hvalirnir 23 – Life-size models of 23 whale species found around Iceland, such as blue whale, sperm whale and right whale. Each model is painted after a real individual, and visitors can touch them.
• Langreyðarbíó – A cinema hall with an eight-metre screen where documentaries about whales are shown daily, along with an exhibition on whale conservation.

Founded

2015

Admission & discounts

School and leisure groups are asked to get in touch about prices. Preschool groups enter free. The admission price includes the screening of documentaries in Langreyðarbíó.

Accessibility

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

The whole exhibition is on one level, without stairs or thresholds. A wheelchair is available to borrow, marked wide parking spaces are right by the entrance, and there is a toilet specially marked for wheelchair users. The audio guide describes the exhibition in detail for visually impaired visitors. A printed text version is available at the reception for hearing-impaired visitors, and all films are shown with subtitles.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The museum is intended for families and visitors of all ages. The models are soft and can be touched, and interactive information stations and films fill the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Grandi district, about a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Big Little Whale Café offers coffee and freshly baked pastries among the whales. The gift shop sells handmade Icelandic products, books, T-shirts, magnets and soft toys.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 600 guests.

Events can take place daily 17:00–23:30. The venue includes a large hall, a small hall, a foyer, a cloakroom, a bar/café, a cinema hall and a staff work area. Space for up to 300 seated or 600 standing guests. The hirer arranges the set-up and equipment and may bring their own food and drink.

Plan your visit