Top Iceland Art & Culture: A Detailed Review

Iceland, that amazing Nordic island nation, well, it’s really more than just volcanoes, glaciers, and the Northern Lights. It’s also got this incredibly rich cultural scene, a mix of old traditions and super forward-thinking modern art. What might surprise you is that this place, which seems so remote, is really bubbling with creativity, from old sagas that tell amazing stories to new music that really pushes the boundaries.

Museums That Tell a Story

To get a feel for Iceland’s story, start with the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík. It walks you through the country’s history, beginning all the way back with the Vikings. You’ll see everything from old artifacts to things that show what daily life was like way back when. And then there’s the Reykjavík Art Museum, actually, it’s in three different spots, each focusing on different kinds of art. Kjarvalsstaðir has works by Jóhannes S. Kjarval, one of Iceland’s most treasured artists; Hafnarhús concentrates on modern art, is that right, plus it features work by Erró, a pop artist; and Ásmundarsafn is located in a cool sculpture garden that showcases the work of Ásmundur Sveinsson. So too it’s almost worth your while.

Another spot worth a look is the Saga Museum, that gives you a look at Iceland’s Viking past in a way that feels super real. What they’ve done is use lifelike wax figures to show scenes from Iceland’s sagas, that brings these old stories to life. The Punk Museum, well, it’s a quirky little place that’s in an old underground public toilet. Is that even legal? Still, the place celebrates Iceland’s punk scene, so it makes total sense.

Read our full review: Icelandic Museums Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Find Your Adventure)

Icelandic Music: From Björk to Bedroom Beats

Music’s big in Iceland. And the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík, so it’s a fantastic spot to see a show. Not only is the architecture super eye-catching, the acoustics are something else. That building actually stages all kinds of concerts, from classical music to pop shows. Airwaves Iceland is arguably one of Iceland’s biggest music festivals, happens every year in November, bringing together a mix of both new and well-known acts, yet that definitely gives you a feel for what’s hot in music.

When you consider how small Iceland’s population is, it might surprise you to learn just how influential it’s music has been. Think about Björk, just a bit of her stuff sounds kind of strange, she mixes electronic beats with classical arrangements and abstract soundscapes, she’s an original. Bands like Sigur Rós use their music to express the landscapes of Iceland, you can almost see them through the instrumentation. For all the bands that break into the mainstream internationally, there are way more creating their own music scenes right in their bedrooms. You never know, a song that sounds kind of crazy could be on top of the charts, yet they do it their way and we embrace them because of this attitude.

Read our full review: Icelandic Music Scene Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Feel the Beat)

Literature: Sagas and Modern Novels

Iceland has a thing with stories. I am just wondering, where else can one hear stories from 1,000 years ago being so relevant? The Icelandic sagas, tales from the 13th and 14th centuries, are a big deal here, so in a way, they show what life was like during the Viking age. They’re filled with drama, family feuds, and adventures that’ll keep you hooked, so reading them gives you insight into Iceland’s history and how people thought way back when. Halldór Laxness, for example, so he is Iceland’s only Nobel laureate in Literature, wrote books that often explore Iceland’s society. They are works looking at how things changed here over time. His style has had an impact on how stories get told here, that’s an ongoing influence today.

Basically, there’s a big push to keep these stories alive. The Sögusetrið, or the Saga Centre in Hvolsvöllur, has cool exhibits that tell stories from the sagas in exciting ways. The Icelandic literature community does festivals and talks where they dig into both the old stories and what writers are doing now. It makes sure that these stories still matter. Iceland, actually, it is a place that keeps its stories close, so it’s not really just about reading; it’s about passing things down.

Read our full review: Icelandic Sagas and Literature Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Literary Iceland)

Festivals and Cultural Events

If you want to experience Icelandic culture, visit during one of their many festivals. The Reykjavík International Film Festival showcases all kinds of films from everywhere. You get everything from indie flicks to documentaries. The Reykjavík Arts Festival that tends to happen every summer, transforms the whole city into a stage, what I am saying is you see art pop up in theaters, museums, and even just out on the street. The Culture Night is basically a massive celebration. I feel that everything just closes and everyone gets together to have a good time. On Culture Night museums and galleries open late, they put on concerts and set up food stalls all over the city.

The Winter Lights Festival might be a blast. The event brightens up those dark winter days. Artists create amazing light installations. A few museums also host nighttime events. I think what’s great is that these events usually blend both modern stuff with the past, is that neat, so the Christmas celebrations blend traditional Yule folklore with a modern love of the holiday season. The Þorrablót festival, it’s like a huge Viking feast in midwinter, gets people together to celebrate their heritage with music, food, and stories.

Read our full review: Icelandic Cultural Events Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Join the Celebration)

The Contemporary Art Scene

Iceland has an art scene that feels both raw and refined. What’s noticeable is that galleries like i8 Gallery and Kling & Bang show art that is all about Iceland, but it can stand alongside anything from anywhere else, I am telling you. The Living Art Museum displays the newest art. I mean, they are literally pushing what can happen with creative freedom. Street art gives artists another way to display ideas. One really cannot go a single block without seeing another building with a painted mural.

Artists in Iceland aren’t afraid to mix up styles or to use art as a way to make some type of statement. You are viewing the artwork. The stuff there addresses everything, yet the things that it tends to examine the most involve Iceland’s landscape, and identity in that land. I mean, it can also look at world affairs and things that affect the Earth, almost anything and everything is open for interpretation through art.

Read our full review: Icelandic Contemporary Art Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (See the Art)