Aðalstræti – The Settlement Exhibition
Immersive archaeological museum built around the remains of a tenth-century Viking Age longhouse discovered beneath central Reykjavík.
About Aðalstræti – The Settlement Exhibition
The Settlement Exhibition preserves the remains of an early Reykjavík longhouse discovered during construction work in 2001. Rather than removing the archaeological site, the museum was built around it. Multimedia displays reconstruct life during Iceland’s settlement period, while the exhibition extends between Aðalstræti 16 and Aðalstræti 10, one of the oldest surviving houses in Reykjavík, to tell the wider story of how the settlement developed into a capital city.
Our practical tips
✓This is one of the best places to visit early in a Reykjavík trip because it explains how the city began.
✓Look closely at the actual longhouse remains rather than treating the surrounding digital displays as the main attraction.
✓Allow roughly an hour if exploring at a relaxed pace.
Getting there and visiting
Access
Located at Aðalstræti 10 and 16 in the historic city centre.