Kjarvalsstadir-Listasafn Reykjavikur was one of the very first establishments which was founded solely for the purpose of hosting art exhibitions. Along with regular exhibitions of the famous Icelandic painter, Johannes Sveinsson Kjarval, the museum is also host to year-round temporary modern art exhibits by painters and sculptors from around the world. While here, you may enjoy a cup of coffee at the museum cafe as you take in the view from their floor-to-ceiling windows.
Keiluhöllin Egilshöll is among the premier bowling alleys in the country. This avant-garde center has 22 lanes with automatic scoreboards. Hone your skills or compete with friends and family at this establishment. Opened in 2012, it also features a lovely restaurant and sports bar. Though it is expensive, you can be sure of a fun time at this place.
Explore the history of the city's early settlements at The Settlement Exhibition. The museum is based on an ancient Viking house that was discovered in 2001. There are many artifacts, objects, models and multimedia displays here that enunciate the first civilizations, their culture and lifestyle. You can also find here old photographs, manuscripts, archaeological findings and more. There is a museum shop from where you can buy souvenirs for keepsakes.
Kjarvalsstaðir is one of the museums that are part of the Reykjavik Art Museum. Located on the Miklatún Park, it accords tremendous importance to paintings and sculptures.
Founded in the year 2009, Viking World Museum is housed in a building built to the designs of Guðmundur Jónsson. On permanent display here is a prototype of Íslendingur, the Gokstad Viking vessel which crossed the Atlantic Ocean to arrive at L'Anse aux Meadows to honor 1000 years of Leif Ericsson's iconic voyage. Interesting artifacts of Norse mythology are also on display here.
The Nordic House not only lies at the very heart of Iceland's Nordic culture, but is also the only building in the country to have been designed by the famed architect, Alvar Aalto. Since its establishment in 1968, the Nordic House has come to be at the center of a vibrant and diverse cultural program, featuring major events like the Reykjavík International Film Festival and The Nordic Fashion Biennale alongside conferences and meetings. The showpiece of this beautifully designed architectural gem is a fabulous library that boasts an extensive collection of books, CDs, graphic art, magazines, newspapers and other literary materials in seven Nordic languages. Apart from a host of event spaces, auditoriums and exhibition rooms, the Nordic House is also home to the acclaimed AALTO Bistro and a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee.