Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Húsavik Whale Museum, housed in an abandoned slaughterhouse, offers an informative look at Iceland’s native whales. You’ll first learn about whale evolution—including the surprising hypothesis that whales may have evolved from a four-legged, hoofed land mammal (an artiodactyl) that lived some 50 million years ago. You’ll then see an actual jawbone of a sperm whale and find several good children’s areas. But the museum’s highlight is upstairs, where you’ll find the skeletons of 10 whale species, including narwhal, sperm, humpback, orca, and pilot. The biggest skeleton—in the side hall on the main floor—is an 80-foot-long blue whale.
Visit ricksteves.com for more information about this destination and other destinations in Europe.
*Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:*
• “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show
• “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio
• European tours: ricksteves.com/tours
• Guidebooks: store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks
• Travel gear: store.ricksteves.com/shop
• Travel classes: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks
• Rick Steves Audio Europe app: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe
Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
The Húsavik Whale Museum, housed in an abandoned slaughterhouse, offers an informative look at Iceland’s native whales. You’ll first learn about whale evolution—including the surprising hypothesis that whales may have evolved from a four-legged, hoofed land mammal (an artiodactyl) that lived some 50 million years ago. You’ll then see an actual jawbone of a sperm whale and find several good children’s areas. But the museum’s highlight is upstairs, where you’ll find the skeletons of 10 whale species, including narwhal, sperm, humpback, orca, and pilot. The biggest skeleton—in the side hall on the main floor—is an 80-foot-long blue whale.
Visit ricksteves.com for more information about this destination and other destinations in Europe.
*Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:*
• “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show
• “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio
• European tours: ricksteves.com/tours
• Guidebooks: store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks
• Travel gear: store.ricksteves.com/shop
• Travel classes: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks
• Rick Steves Audio Europe app: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe
Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
