Aug 13, 2024
Even non-waxwork fans will enjoy this one - I'll admit it, I hate waxworks. I instantly feel sick whenever I go to Madame Tussauds and the like, yet at the Saga Museum I swallowed my pride (and bile) and found this museum to be a fascinating summary of the Icelandic / Nordik sagas.
The staff were amazing and friendly, and we were kitted out with our audio guides, which are an essential part of the tour.
Each display has eerily realistic waxworks of the principal characters in each saga, with the audio guide (and that gorgeous Icelandic accent) describing what the characters were famous for, as well as insights into everyday life as Vikings established a new home in these verdant isles.
It's not the world's biggest museum but if you love history and stories you'll really enjoy this (and it's not unreasonably priced by Iceland standards!) The only downside for us was an annoying kid who obviously ignored all the 'do not touch' signs and proceeded to 'parp' poor Freydis exposed breast (pity she didn't come to life and give him a swipe with her sword, the cheeky little twerp!) Parents, supervise your kids better!!
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Aug 5, 2024
Fun, Interesting, Small Museum - We had a lot of fun at this museum!! I would highly recommend the audio tour. It is free with the entrance ticket. I learned quite a bit about the viking history around Reykjavik. After going through the exhibits, take some time to dress up like vikings - it makes for great photos!!
The wax figures were incredibly life like. All of us swear one was breathing!! They have a video at the end showing how they are made - it is interesting to watch.
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Jul 31, 2024
Very good. - Completely nice activity, lots of information about the history of Iceland. Well made and fine effects. Well worth the money, recommend the place.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 20, 2024
Has Informative Audio Guide - It took us about 35-40 minutes to listen to the audio guide and go by the wax figures. Some of them are gruesome but they do give quite a bit of information. There are chairs along the way to sit if your legs get tired. At the end, you can dress up as a Viking. A big plus for this museum is that there is plenty of free parking and it is easy to find.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 5, 2024
Ok - I mean it was really interesting and I did enjoy listening to the audio guide but 25€ per person for 30 min is a lot plus it didn't smell very good in the entire museum. But at the end you were able to try on some viking costumes. It was fun and I guess overall worth it but it's still too expensive in my opinion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 19, 2024
History as myth, myth as history - A fun, if violent, summary retelling of Icelandic history, ostensibly as told by the sagas (though much of it as things progress becomes more and more history-based), and made "real" by excellently-crafted mannequins. The distinction between myth and legend is not always made clear, and the tale told is idiosyncratic in what episodes it chooses to tell, ending abruptly at (more or less) the bloody Icelandic Reformation.
Still, it's a lot of fun, and the opportunity at the finish to see a video about how the figures were built, as well as to dress up in Viking garb and weaponry and take pictures, is a nice add.
Not a museum for scholars, but one with a lot of flavor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 24, 2024
Too scary for young children - It’s a very small museum with around a dozen “scenes” set up with mannequins that depict a still moment in the larger story of the Vikings in Iceland.
The main “part” of the museum is the audio guide that tells you the stories.
My 7 year old made it to item 5 before the violence in the stories scared him. He refused to listen any further and closed his eyes as I carried him out. And it’s true - the rest tended to have bloodied mannequins prominently displayed.
My 11 year old made it to around 9 before he, too, left early.
Very expensive for what it is and not very suitable for young children.
They loved the dressing up area though with the helmets, chain mail, and swords.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 13, 2024
Sagas untold - Actually awfull, old-fashioned museum filled in with wax-figurines; most of them represent people who died of: direct violence: beheaded, killed with a sword or an axe, burnt (in witchcraft processes), just died (of black plague or any other disease).
I came there to learn anything about sagas and did learn absolutely nothing about spiritual and material culture of Iceland as well as oral traditions. Childish, naive exposition in old-fashioned style: nor representation of interesting objects, neither narrative museum telling you captivating tale.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 7, 2024
Not a must do, but educational. - It was fine. Not at all what we were expecting, but we did learn a lot about Iceland’s founding.
The exhibits are nice and the facility was very clean.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 27, 2024
Skip this and book the caves of Hella tour instead - Skip this and book the Caves of Hella Tour instead. This was a self guided audio tour and wax museum that gave a choppy history. The history was choppy and you a learn so much more in other places.
Definitely skip this and book the Caves of Hella tour where you have an expert guide and storyteller sharing history and answering questions.
I didn’t take a single photo. That’s speaks volumes to how unimpressed I was.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
