Our Blog RSS

Árbær - Open Air Museum

Árbæjarsafn 5
27/09/2022 07:09

A growing concern during the middle of the 20th century was that the old spirit of Reykjavík was disappearing and something needed to be done in order to preserve its history. Therefore, once the idea of a museum was brought to the attention, it was very well received. Árbæjarsafn opened in 1957 with the purpose of showing visitors the work and living conditions of people in Reykjavík in earlier times.

The location is special, as it used to be an old farm Árbær which was a rest stop for people on their way to and from Reykjavík. The farm was later abandoned so the buildings ended up in a poor condition. Now the area is an open-air museum that has been divided into a square, a village and a countryside that reflect the life and atmosphere of Reykjavík in the 19th and 20th centuries.

At Árbæjarsafn you will find original houses, furniture and other things that have been collected and moved to the museum to create a unique visit. Organized shows and events will then enhance your experience as you get to see special aspects of Reykjavík´s history. Árbæjarsafn is constantly growing and is a great attraction for everyone while visiting Reykjavík.

Parking in Reykjavik Made Simple: Tips and Tricks for a Hassle-free Experience
Are you planning to rent a car during your visit but feeling uncertain about where to park and how much it might cost? Fear not, as we've compiled some helpful tips to streamline your parking experience in Reykjavik. Additionally, for those staying at any of the Center Hotels properties, we have included specific information about parking options at each location.
5 Nature spots in Reykjavik, the capital´s green spaces.
At Keflavík Airport, tourists are often asked to take part of a survey. One of the questions of this survey is why the chose to come to Iceland and about 80% of those who answered said that the nature was their main reason. Nature is something we have in abundance here in Iceland and our capital is no exception. We would like to invite you to take a look at 5 of these accessible nature spots in the country´s capital.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland
Northern lights, that elusive magical moment in the sky that many feared or revered in the past as either an omen of bad things to come or as a sign the ancestors were watching over us. Perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland offers a front-row seat to one of nature's most breathtaking performances.
Falling for Reykjavik: Discover the Fall Season.
Fall marks the end of our short summer, and it's time to bring out those cozy coats from hibernation and mentally prepare ourselves for the wild winter storms. But don't fret, because even though fall is fleeting, it's packed with its own unique charm.
Culture night
Reykjavik city is celebrating its birthday and invites you to join the fun! Menningarnótt or Culture night takes place on 19th of August full of events and activities that shed light on our local culture. Enjoy a day full of celebrations and take part in one of the biggest festivals in Reykjavik, Iceland.
We use cookies to personalize content and to analyze our traffic. Please decide if you are willing to accept cookies from our website.