Skogar Museum Travel Guide
The Skogar Museum is located along the South Coast of Iceland, next to one of the most popular waterfalls in the country, Skogafoss. This museum is dedicated to the folk history of the region, featuring fascinating collections that include traditional Icelandic turf houses, artifacts, and exhibits on the country’s way of life.
The Skogar Museum comprises three sections, each telling a different story of Iceland’s past. The Folk Museum, the heart of Skogar, showcases historic artifacts, tools, and everyday items, giving a glimpse into daily life in Iceland. The museum also includes the Open-Air Museum, where you can explore restored turf houses, and the Technical Museum, which has exhibits on the development of transport, communication, and technologies in Iceland.
If you're staying in accommodations in Reykjavik, you can easily access the museum with a rental car or as a stop on select South Coast tours. The Skogar Museum and Skogafoss waterfall are a two-hour drive from downtown Reykjavik, but if you prefer to stay close by, there are plenty of hotels in South Iceland to choose from.
The entry ticket grants access to all three sections and an educational visit to the Skogar Museum is the perfect cultural addition to any exploration of the region. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the Skogar Museum.
Skogar Museum: Three Museums in One
The Skogar Museum has over 18,000 artifacts showcased in the Open-Air Museum, Folk Museum, and Technical Museum. Each one gives insight into the life of Icelanders throughout their history.
The Folk Museum features artifacts like household items, furniture, handicrafts, and a section about natural history. You'll also see items relating to agriculture and the unique fishing history of the region, and a key artifact is the eight-oared fishing boat Pétursey, which was in use between 1855 and 1946.
The Technical Museum is a relatively recent addition, having opened in 2002. The museum covers the development of transport, communication, and technology throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and how life in Iceland was transformed throughout that time.
The Open Air Museum has multiple buildings from different times. Explore a traditional turf house, a wooden house, a schoolhouse, and a church. Together, all of these museums offer insights into the 19th and 20th centuries and how life changed during this time in Iceland.
Þórður Tómasson - The Museums Founder
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Neitram. Þórður Tómasson playing the Icelandic folk instrument Lagnspil for visitors.
The Skogar Museum was founded by Þórður Tómasson (1921-2022), a devoted local with a lifelong passion for Icelandic folkloristics and cultural heritage. Since opening in 1949, Þórður served as curator until 2013, often personally guiding visitors through the exhibits and sharing the stories behind each artifact.
His dedication was recognized in 1997 when he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Iceland. Today, the museum’s collection reflects his life’s work and enduring commitment to preserving Iceland’s past.
Admission and Opening Times at the Skogar Museum
Admission to the Skogar Museum is around 2750 ISK for adults, 1900 ISK for seniors, and 1500 ISK for children aged between 12 and 17. Children under 12 can enter for free. If you're traveling with children, you can also get a family ticket for around 6000 ISK, covering two adults and children.
The Skogar Museum is open every day except on December 24th and 25th and January 1st.
Between June and August, the opening times are from 9 AM to 6 PM. From September to May, it's open between 10 AM and 5 PM. Keep in mind that opening hours and ticket prices are subject to change.
Things To Do Near the Skogar Museum
The Skogar Museum is located near some of Iceland's most stunning natural attractions, making it a perfect stop on a South Coast adventure. From the Skogar Museum parking lot, you can take a short trail to Kvernufoss, a beautiful waterfall tucked into a secluded gorge. You can walk behind for a unique perspective.
Just next to the Skogar Museum is the iconic Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, where you can climb a staircase to take in beautiful views from the top. For those interested in hiking, this is the starting point of the Fimmvorduhals trail, which offers a challenging but rewarding journey between the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers.
A 25-minute drive west brings you to Seljalandsfoss, another must-see waterfall famous for the footpath that allows visitors to walk behind the cascading water. It's a must-see on any South Coast tour and is visible from the Ring Road.
Further south, you can visit the Dyrholaey peninsula, which offers dramatic coastal cliffs with views of black sand beaches and nesting seabirds, including puffins in summer. A bit further is the incredible Reynisfjara, arguably the most beautiful black sand beach in Iceland.
These nearby sights make a visit to the Skogar Museum an ideal addition to a day filled with exploring some of Iceland's most famous natural attractions. Make sure to include a visit during your travels!
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