Iceland Must-See Vikings Sites: Visit Historical Landmarks
Travel back to the age of the Vikings and discover the places where Iceland’s first settlers lived, ruled, and told their legendary stories. With a rental car, you can easily explore museums, historical farms, ancient sites, and dramatic landscapes that shaped Viking life at your own pace and on your own route.
Iceland’s Viking History
Iceland was settled in the late 9th century, primarily by Norse explorers from Norway, along with people from the British Isles. Seeking freedom, land, and opportunity, these settlers crossed the North Atlantic and established farms across the island. Iceland soon developed a unique society without a king, governed instead by laws and assemblies. Many of the stories from this era were preserved in the famous Icelandic sagas, making Iceland one of the best places in the world to experience authentic Viking history.
Self-Drive Viking History Tour in Iceland
Iceland’s Viking heritage is spread across the country. Renting a car allows you to reach both major museums near Reykjavík and remote historical sites in the countryside. In this blog we have compiled some of the best Viking sites to visit in Iceland.
1. Viking World Museum
Located near Keflavík International Airport, this museum is an ideal first or last stop on your journey. Its centerpiece is a full-scale replica of a Viking ship, built using traditional methods. Inside, interactive exhibits explore Norse mythology, daily life, and Viking exploration, making it an engaging introduction to Iceland’s Viking past.
2. The National Museum of Iceland
Situated in central Reykjavík, the National Museum offers the most comprehensive overview of Icelandic history. Viking-age artifacts such as tools, weapons, jewelry, and religious objects bring early Icelandic society to life. Clear displays explain how settlers lived, farmed, and governed the island.
3. The Saga Museum
Also in Reykjavík, the Saga Museum focuses on storytelling. Life-sized figures recreate dramatic scenes from Iceland’s sagas, from heroic voyages to intense family feuds. Audio guides help visitors understand the characters and events that shaped Viking-age Iceland.
4. The Settlement Exhibition
Built around the ruins of a 10th-century longhouse, this exhibition shows how Reykjavík began as a Viking settlement. Located downtown, it combines archaeology with digital displays to explain how the first settlers built homes and survived Iceland’s harsh conditions.
5. Þingvellir National Park
One of Iceland’s most important historical sites, Þingvellir is where the Alþingi—one of the world’s oldest parliaments—was founded in 930 AD. Vikings gathered here annually to make laws and resolve disputes. The park is also famous for its dramatic geology, where two tectonic plates meet.
6. Eiríksstaðir: Eriks the Red's Farm
Found in West Iceland, Eiríksstaðir is a reconstructed Viking farm believed to be the home of Erik the Red, father of Leif Erikson. Visitors can explore turf houses and learn about Viking exploration of Greenland and North America. Reaching this site is easiest with a rental car.
7. The Viking Village in Hafnarfjörður
Located just south of Reykjavík, this open-air village was originally built as a film set but now serves as a cultural attraction. Traditional-style buildings and events give visitors a sense of Viking-era architecture and community life.
Bonus Viking Experiences
But wait, there is even more to explore…
Explore The Viking Village in Hafnarfjörður
Beyond the buildings themselves, the village often hosts guided tours and themed dining experiences inspired by Norse traditions, making it a fun and immersive stop on your road trip.
Enjoy the Viking Festival
Held annually in Hafnarfjörður, the Viking Festival features reenactments, crafts, music, and costumes. It’s one of the best ways to experience Viking culture in a lively, hands-on setting.
Visit the Viking Village Film Set
This dramatic coastal set near Stokksnes in southeast Iceland was created for films and series inspired by Viking lore. Surrounded by mountains and black sand beaches, it offers a cinematic glimpse into how Viking settlements may have looked.
Explore the Filming Locations of the TV Series Vikings
Several Icelandic landscapes resemble the world of the Vikings on screen. Skógafoss waterfall, Vik’s black sand beach, and Kvernufoss waterfall are all dramatic locations that feel straight out of a saga, and they all served as filming locations for the TV series Vikings. These picturesque sites are easily accessible by car.
Final Words: Ready to Experience Iceland Like a Viking?
From historic assemblies to remote farmsteads and epic landscapes, Iceland offers a rare chance to follow in the footsteps of the Vikings. With a rental car in Iceland, you have the freedom to explore these legendary sites on your own terms. Pack your sense of adventure and set out on a journey through Iceland’s Viking past.
