Grenjaðarstaður Turf House Museum: A Hidden Gem in North Iceland

Grenjaðarstaður Turf House: Step Inside Iceland's Past

If you want to understand how Icelanders lived for a thousand years, skip the crowds and drive to Grenjaðarstaður (often spelled Grenjadarstadur). This grass-roofed farmhouse in the Aðaldalur valley is one of the largest turf houses in Iceland, and one of the most rewarding small museums in the north.

A Wealthy Vicarage on the Lava Fields

Grenjaðarstaður was once one of the richest church estates in the country, counted among the six best livings in Iceland. Before the Reformation a church dedicated to St. Martin stood here, and its embroidered altar cloth, showing twelve scenes from the saint's life, now hangs in the Louvre in Paris.

The turf house you see today was built from 1865 onwards and was lived in until 1949. Its thick walls are made mostly of local lava stone and turf, and the rooms inside are panelled with driftwood carried to these shores by the sea. In 1931 the great estate was divided into five smaller farms.

What to See at Grenjaðarstaður

• The turf house: a maze of low, connected rooms, from the kitchen and pantries to the baðstofa, the shared living and sleeping room where families worked through the long winter evenings.

• Around 2,000 objects showing daily life on a North Icelandic farm and vicarage over the centuries.

• The church, built in 1865 and still in use.

• A medieval rune stone in the churchyard, a rare find in Iceland.

• The old barn, now home to the museum reception, a small café and locally made crafts.

Opening Hours and Practical Information

Grenjaðarstaður is open in summer, daily from 11:00 to 17:00, usually from 1 June until mid-August or the end of August. Dates vary between sources, so check with the Museum of Húsavík before you go. The house belongs to the National Museum of Iceland.

The floors are uneven and the stairs steep, so some areas are difficult for visitors with limited mobility. Allow about an hour.

How to Get There from Aurora Farm

Grenjaðarstaður lies in Aðaldalur, about 30 km south of Húsavík and a 10 minute drive from Aurora Farm Hotel. It combines well with a morning of whale watching in Húsavík, or a stop on the way to Goðafoss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grenjaðarstaður worth visiting? Yes. It is one of the largest and best-preserved turf houses in Iceland, and far quieter than the better-known museums in the south.

How long do you need? About one hour, plus time for coffee in the barn café.

Can you visit in winter? The museum is open only in summer, but the buildings can be seen from outside all year.

Where can I stay nearby? Aurora Farm Hotel in Reykjadalur is a short drive away, with private geothermal hot springs and the wood-fired Þorgrímur Restaurant. Book your stay.