The World's Most Unusual Museum Sits Right in Central Reykjavik

The Icelandic Phallological Museum is, without question, one of the most talked-about stops in Reykjavik. Located at Hafnartorg in the 101 postal district, it holds the world's largest collection of penile specimens from mammals, and it takes its subject matter completely seriously. That combination of scientific dedication and inherent absurdity is exactly what makes it worth your time.

People expect a novelty shop. What they find is a proper natural history collection, methodically organized, with accompanying folklore, legal documents, and art. First-time visitors often admit they walked in smirking and walked out genuinely impressed.

Why the Icelandic Phallological Museum Matters

The collection was assembled over several decades by Sigurdur Hjartarson, a former teacher who started with a single bull's pizzle and eventually found himself with hundreds of specimens. The museum formally opened to the public in 2004, originally in the town of Husavik on Iceland's north coast, before relocating to Reykjavik. The move brought it in front of far more visitors, and it has since become one of the capital's most-visited cultural institutions.

What makes it more than a curiosity is the scope. The collection spans marine mammals, land mammals, and even mythological creatures, with documentation that reflects decades of careful acquisition. It is the only museum of its kind anywhere in the world.

Quick Facts

• Location: Hafnartorg, Reykjavik 101 (central district, about a 5-minute walk from Laugavegur)
• Collection: Over 280 specimens from more than 90 species of mammal
• Includes specimens from whales, seals, polar bears, horses, and humans
• Founded by Sigurdur Hjartarson, who began collecting in the 1970s
• Moved to Reykjavik from Husavik around 2011
• General admission entry, no timed tickets required on most visits
• Suitable for adults and curious older teenagers
• Gift shop on site

Getting There

Hafnartorg is a commercial square in central Reykjavik, well within walking distance of most downtown hotels. If you're staying anywhere along Laugavegur or near Austurvollur square, you can reach the museum on foot in under 10 minutes. The harbor waterfront is nearby, so it fits naturally into a morning or afternoon spent exploring the city center.

There is no dedicated parking at Hafnartorg itself, but street parking and public lots exist nearby. Most visitors simply walk from their accommodation or combine it with other stops in the 101 district.

The Layout and Experience

The museum occupies a single-floor space that is compact but dense. Specimens are displayed in jars and cases along the walls, organized roughly by animal type. Whales take up a significant amount of real estate given the scale involved. At the other end of the spectrum, you'll find mice and hamsters represented in much smaller vessels.

The human specimen section draws the most attention. It includes a legally documented donation and associated paperwork, which the museum displays alongside the physical specimen. There is something genuinely strange about reading the notarized correspondence. The museum leans into that strangeness without being crass about it.

Folklore and mythology get their own corner. Iceland has a rich tradition of creatures like elves and hidden people, and the museum has acquired symbolic or artistic representations of those beings' anatomy as well. It is one of the more unexpected sections and worth slowing down for.

The gift shop sells what you would expect. T-shirts, magnets, novelty items. It is popular and the quality of merchandise is generally better than the average tourist trap.

History and Background

Sigurdur Hjartarson taught history and Spanish at a secondary school in Iceland for most of his career. The story of how a single cattle whip became a lifelong obsession is documented in the museum itself and has been the subject of a documentary film. His son Hjortur Gnarr took over management of the collection, ensuring it continued to grow and eventually moved to a higher-traffic location in Reykjavik.

The relocation to the capital around 2011 was a turning point. Husavik is a small fishing town most visitors reach only if they're doing a full Ring Road circuit. Reykjavik, by contrast, gets the bulk of Iceland's international tourism. The move brought the collection to an entirely new audience and helped cement its reputation internationally.

Tickets and Entry

Entry is general admission with no advance booking required on most days. You pay at the door. Pricing is mid-range for a Reykjavik attraction, roughly comparable to other small independent museums in the city. There are typically discounts for students, and children under a certain age may enter free, though it is worth checking current policy before you arrive since these details change.

Most visitors spend between 30 and 60 minutes inside. If you read every label and spend time in the folklore section, you can stretch that to 90 minutes without difficulty.

Best Time to Visit

Reykjavik tourism peaks between June and August, and the museum tends to be busier during those months. If you visit on a rainy afternoon in summer, expect company. Weekday mornings are typically quieter than weekend afternoons regardless of season.

Because the museum is indoors and climate-controlled, it works well as a rainy-day option or a mid-afternoon break during a longer city walk. There is no seasonal variation in the collection itself.

Photography Tips

Photography is generally permitted inside the museum, and most visitors take plenty of photos. The lighting is consistent and relatively flat, which is fine for documentary shots but not ideal for dramatic images. The large whale specimens near the entrance make for the most visually striking photos purely based on scale.

If you want a cleaner shot without other visitors in frame, arrive when it opens. The museum tends to fill up as the morning progresses, and the narrow layout means people are often visible in the background of your shots by mid-morning.

Combining with Nearby Attractions

Hafnartorg is a short walk from the Harpa Concert Hall, which sits right on the waterfront and is worth seeing even if you do not have tickets to a performance. The building's geometric glass facade is one of the more distinctive pieces of architecture in the city.

Laugavegur, Reykjavik's main shopping and dining street, runs nearby. After the museum, that stretch offers coffee, lunch, bookshops, and independent clothing stores. The Settlement Exhibition, which displays the remains of a Viking-age longhouse excavated beneath the city, is also within walking distance and makes for an interesting counterpoint to the phallological collection if you want to cover two unusual stops in one afternoon.

Practical Tips

• Arrive with an open mind. The museum is funnier if you let it be, but it rewards genuine curiosity more than it rewards ironic detachment.
• Read the labels. A lot of the interest is in the provenance and acquisition stories, not just the specimens themselves.
• The gift shop is worth a look even if you do not buy anything.
• The space is compact, so if it feels crowded when you arrive, consider grabbing coffee nearby and returning 30 minutes later.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The museum is a short walk from most 101 hotels, and you will likely be on your feet for most of the day.
• Check current opening hours before you go, as they vary by season.

FAQ

Is the Icelandic Phallological Museum appropriate for children?

The museum is most comfortable for adults and mature teenagers. Younger children can visit, but parents should know the content is explicit in a scientific sense. It is not graphic in a lurid way, but it is also not designed with children in mind.

How long does a typical visit take?

Most visitors spend between 30 and 60 minutes. If you read the documentation and explore the folklore section carefully, 90 minutes is reasonable.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

On most days, walk-in entry is available and advance booking is not required. During peak summer months, it may be worth checking whether reservations are an option, but the museum rarely reaches the kind of capacity that requires timed entry.

Is the museum easy to find?

Yes. Hafnartorg is a well-known square in central Reykjavik, and the museum is clearly signposted. If you are walking from Laugavegur, you will likely pass it within a few minutes.

Has the collection always been this large?

No. The collection grew over several decades from a single specimen. The museum's own documentation traces that history in detail, and it is one of the more interesting parts of the story on display.