Saga Museum, Reykjavik

Reykjavik has many great museums, but Saga Museum, which is privately owned, has a bit more punch. Instead of displays full of Viking artifacts with text next to it, the Saga museum takes you though some of the more interesting parts of Icelandic Sagas. These stories come alive with life-like models and an audio tour. The details are great, the turf house is made from real turf. You can actually pick up and handle the blacksmith's tools, you could never do this in an American museum. Some parts of the museum may not be suitable for young children. There is Viking warfare and witch burnings. The models are amazing and there is a video near the gift the shop that shows how they are made. But the earphones are cheap and uncomfortable.

Quiet, dark, and close the museum offers hyper realistic wax work dioramas of some of Iceland's major historical players. From the first timber tossed ashore to the exploration of Greenland the Saga museum will have you wanting to learn more. Treat yourself to the audio commentary offered by the front desk, and take a glossy tour book too. Well worth the visit. Thank you, Saga Museum.

Excellent story told here with full size models of the viking saga. Also great dress up area but beware of the weight of the chain mail vests! Had a great hour and half here and lots of photos to take away !

Wish there was more too this museum. You get an audio guide and walk through some recreations of Iceland history (interesting stuff!) but it could use more authentic exhibits.

Expensive for what it is. Its a walk round waxwork presentation of the viking saga stories that relate to Iceland. The full tour, which progresses at the pace of the audio guide, takes maybe 35 mins. Interesting, but I prefer to progress at my own pace, and I'd have liked more to read. We did learn a lot there, and there's a good little restaurant attached and the gift shop has some of the better bespoke jewellery I saw on my trip.