National Museum of Iceland

The National Museum of Iceland at Suðurgata 41 is the best single stop for understanding how the country was settled and how it changed. Its permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation, anchors the visit, and special exhibitions rotate on the upper floors. Special exhibitions change, so it is worth checking what is on.

It also runs events through the year, from family days with a Viking reenactment group to tours and film screenings. The museum is one of the attractions included in the Reykjavík City Card, which also covers buses and pools, and that makes it a sensible wet-weather choice. Allow a couple of hours, and note that some tours are in Icelandic only.