What Kjarvalsstaðir Is
Kjarvalsstaðir is an art museum in Reykjavík’s Klambratún Park and part of the Reykjavík Art Museum network. Opened in 1973, it was Iceland’s first building designed exclusively for art exhibitions. The museum is dedicated to the legacy of Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885–1972), whose paintings explore Icelandic landscapes, folklore, and national identity. Its collection and exhibitions also include Icelandic and international modern art (museumguide.is, listasafnreykjavikur.is, visitreykjavik.is, visiticeland.com).
The museum is at Flókagata 24, 105 Reykjavík, beside Klambratún Park. It is about a 15-minute walk from Reykjavík city centre and sits at the meeting point of the mid-20th-century neighbourhoods of Hlíðar, Rauðará, and Norðurmýri (icelandicartcenter.is, listasafnreykjavikur.is).
History and Architecture
Jóhannes S. Kjarval
Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885–1972) was born into poverty in the remote Eastfjords. His family and community supported his artistic talent, and he pursued art while working as a fisherman (klausturiceland.is).
Kjarval studied with prominent Icelandic painters and at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, where he encountered Impressionist, Expressionist, and Cubist influences. After returning to Iceland in 1922, he helped introduce modernism to Icelandic art. His thousands of paintings and drawings depict Icelandic landscapes, mythology, and symbolic elements of nature (en.wikipedia.org, listasafnreykjavikur.is).
His work has influenced Icelandic national identity and inspired writers and artists. The museum’s exhibitions often consider nature, mythology, and the relationship between tradition and modernity (eldsveitir.is).
The Building and Park Setting
Designed by Hannes Kr. Davíðsson and inaugurated in 1973, Kjarvalsstaðir is a landmark of Nordic modernism. The museum and Klambratún Park were conceived together in the 1960s, with the building positioned at the park’s northern edge. Davíðsson’s design draws on Japanese and Nordic architectural traditions and emphasizes simplicity, natural materials, and a close relationship with the surroundings (listasafnreykjavikur.is, en.wikipedia.org).
The pavilion-style museum has two main wings around a central courtyard, joined by a slender connecting wing. It opens toward the park to the south and is relatively closed to the north and street. Expansive, floor-to-ceiling southern windows offer views of Klambratún and bring natural light into the galleries. The building combines raw concrete, Corten steel with a naturally weathered patina, glass, and a copper-clad horizontal roof supported by slender columns. Interior columns extend diagonally through glass skylights. Horizontal details above the windows echo the roofline (listasafnreykjavikur.is, visitreykjavik.is, guidetoiceland.is).
The open-plan galleries accommodate large paintings, sculpture, and smaller installations. Benches and portable chairs are available, and the central area by reception and the café provides a social space apart from the quieter galleries. The museum’s stone-tiled courtyard and park setting connect the building with the landscape that informs Kjarval’s work.
Klambratún Park has open lawns, playgrounds, disc golf, and walking paths, and is used for cultural events, sports, and leisure. The museum’s surroundings are generally flat and accessible for pedestrians and cyclists (listasafnreykjavikur.is, guidetoiceland.is).
What to See
Collections and Exhibitions
Kjarvalsstaðir’s collection began with works donated by Kjarval and has grown to more than 17,000 registered artworks. The permanent collection traces his artistic development, from impressionistic landscapes to abstract and fantastical compositions. It also includes works by Icelandic and international modern artists, including Hildur Hákonardóttir and Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir (icelandictimes.com, listasafnreykjavikur.is, icelandicartcenter.is).
Temporary exhibitions explore Icelandic culture, nature, and artistic innovation. Named exhibitions include:
- “Kaleidoscope: Icelandic 20th Century Art,” which featured around 200 works for the museum’s 50th anniversary.
- “Kjarval and the 20th Century: When Modernity Anchored.”
- “Dreamland.”
- “Hildur Hákonardóttir, Red Thread” (2023).
- “Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir, Null Island” (2023).
- “D51 Sadie Cook and Jo Pawlowska: Allt sem ég vil segja þér.”
- “Erró: Remix.”
- “Höfuðskepnur.”
- “Undraland: Halldór Ásgeirsson með verk í vinnslu.”
- “Ragnar Kjartansson: Heimsljós – líf og dauði listamanns.”
Exhibition labels are in Icelandic and English. Current and upcoming exhibitions are listed on the official museum website.
Activities and Events
The museum offers guided tours, workshops, and educational programs for different audiences. Events include artist talks, lectures, cultural evenings, film screenings, gallery walks, concerts, and community gatherings. Some activities are tied to current exhibitions (icelandguidetours.com).
Annual and seasonal events include the Europe Day Cultural Festival, with music and art performances, and events connected with Reykjavík celebrations such as Culture Night and the Winter Festival (allevents.in, reykjavik.is).
The Idea Lab (Hugmyndasmiðjan), beside the café, is a family activity space with books, magazines, interactive resources, and creative materials. It hosts creative sessions for children and families.
Virtual Visit
An interactive map and virtual tour of Kjarvalsstaðir is available online.
Practical Visiting Information
Opening Hours
Opening-hour information varies across the available listings:
- One listing gives Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Mondays and public holidays.
- Another gives Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, with closure on certain public holidays.
- Other listings give daily hours of 10:00–17:00, with extended opening until 22:00 on the last Thursday of each month.
- Holiday hours may vary. One schedule lists closures on Easter Sunday, December 24, 25, and 31, and January 1; it lists opening from 13:00 to 17:00 on December 26.
Check the official website for current hours and holiday schedules (listasafnreykjavikur.is, listasafnreykjavikur.is, Reykjavík.is).
Tickets and Admission
Admission information also varies among the listings:
- One gives a standard ticket price of 1,000 ISK, with discounts for students and senior citizens; children under 18 are listed as eligible for discounted rates, and children under 12 as free.
- Another describes admission as free.
- A 2025 listing gives standard adult admission as approximately 2,000 ISK, with discounts for students and seniors and children typically admitted free.
- Other listings say admission fees apply and direct visitors to the museum website for current prices and discounts.
- Free admission is also listed for the first Thursday of each month.
Tickets can be purchased at the museum entrance or online through the official website. Combined tickets for Kjarvalsstaðir, Hafnarhús, and Ásmundarsafn are also available (listasafnreykjavikur.is, icelandguidetours.com, Visit Iceland).
Getting There and Parking
The museum is at Flókagata 24, 105 Reykjavík. It is about a 15-minute walk from the city centre and can be reached by public transport, bicycle, or on foot. Bus routes 11 and 13 serve the area, and three bus stops are nearby. The terrain is flat and pedestrian-friendly. City buses support wheelchair users, though only one wheelchair can be accommodated per bus, so arrangements may need to be coordinated with the driver (Reykjavík Art Museum - Kjarvalsstaðir, Iceland the Beautiful, Disability Insider).
There is adjacent parking, including two designated spaces for disabled visitors directly in front of the main entrance (listasafnreykjavikur.is).
Accessibility and Visitor Facilities
The museum is described as wheelchair accessible, with a single-level layout, step-free access, ramps at the main entrance and between the café and courtyard, automatic doors, and accessible restrooms. Listings also mention elevators. Wheelchairs are available to borrow, and exhibition halls have benches or portable chairs. Guide dogs are welcome (listasafnreykjavikur.is, listasafnreykjavikur.is, Disability Insider, joeyisatraveler.com).
Tours can be arranged in multiple languages, including specialized tours for blind, visually impaired, and hearing-impaired visitors, as well as sign-language tours. Accessibility programs also include sensory-friendly hours and tours for visitors with autism or sensory challenges. Visitors with specific accessibility needs are advised in the source material to contact the museum in advance.
The museum has complimentary Wi-Fi, a cloakroom for coats and bags, lockers, and stroller storage and loaners. The museum shop sells art books, prints, Icelandic design items, and souvenirs. The museum café, Klambrar Bistrø, is listed as open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the park. Its offerings include homemade dishes, light meals, cakes, pastries, teas, coffees, and other drinks (listasafnreykjavikur.is, visitreykjavik.is, travellersstays.com, Triphobo).
Tours and Group Visits
Guided tours are available upon request, for groups, and by advance booking. The museum’s contact email for bookings is [email protected]. The museum also offers workshops and educational programs throughout the year (listasafnreykjavikur.is, visiticeland.com).
Tips
- Late spring through early autumn is listed as a period with pleasant weather and extended daylight for visiting the museum and park.
- One visitor listing gives 10:00–11:00 AM as the most popular period and says early afternoon visits often offer a quieter experience. The average visit is approximately 1.5 hours (Triphobo).
- Photography is generally allowed, although flash and tripods may be restricted in some galleries.
- The museum operates on a cashless policy; credit and debit cards are accepted.
- Visitors may bring their own food to enjoy in Klambratún Park when the weather permits; there are no indoor picnic facilities.
- Guided tours should be booked in advance, particularly specialized tours.
Nearby Places
Klambratún Park is directly beside the museum, with walking paths, open lawns, playgrounds, and disc golf. Nearby Reykjavík attractions and cultural sites include:
- Reykjavík City Hall and the National Museum of Iceland.
- Hallgrímskirkja, with panoramic city views.
- The Pearl.
- Harpa Concert Hall, near the harbour.
- Other Reykjavík Art Museum branches: Ásmundarsafn and Hafnarhús.
- Reykjavík City Museum.
Hallgrímskirkja, The Pearl, and other cultural landmarks are described as being within walking distance (Iceland the Beautiful). Further information is available for the Reykjavik Art Museum – Hafnarhús and the Reykjavik City Museum.
Additional related links:
FAQ
What are Kjarvalsstaðir’s opening hours?
Listings give different schedules: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Mondays and public holidays; Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM; or daily, 10:00–17:00, with hours until 22:00 on the last Thursday of each month. Holiday hours vary, and one schedule lists specific closures and a 13:00–17:00 opening on December 26. Check the official website for current information.
How much are tickets?
Listings state standard admission of 1,000 ISK, free admission, or approximately 2,000 ISK for adults at 2025 rates. Discounts for students and seniors are listed; children under 12 are listed as free in one account, children under 18 as discounted, and children as typically free in another. One listing also gives free admission on the first Thursday of each month.
Is Kjarvalsstaðir wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum has step-free access, ramps, accessible restrooms, and wheelchairs available to borrow. Listings also mention automatic doors and elevators.
Are guided tours available?
Yes. Tours are available in multiple languages and can be arranged for groups or visitors with specific access needs. Advance booking is available by email at [email protected].
Can I visit with children?
Yes. The Idea Lab offers family activities and creative materials, and the museum has family workshops, stroller storage, and stroller loaners.
Is parking available?
Yes. Adjacent parking includes two designated spaces for disabled visitors near the main entrance.
Can I take photographs inside?
Photography is generally allowed, but flash and tripods may be restricted in some galleries.
Is there a virtual tour?
Yes. An interactive virtual tour is available.
