Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum

The museum is part of a working family farm, and the shark is cured on the premises. The presentation covers the Greenland shark and the traditional method of curing its meat. It runs about seven minutes, and the guides answer questions afterwards. Every tour ends with a taste of fermented shark, hákarl. Behind the buildings stands the drying house, where the meat hangs on wooden racks. Walk out to it after the presentation and expect a heavy ammonia smell. The room itself is packed with objects, with little written to explain them, so what you learn comes from the guide.

• Tasting included. Every tour ends with a piece of fermented shark, and one bite is enough for most people.
• The drying house. Walk out to it after the presentation. The smell of curing shark is strong and stays on clothes.
• Not after a heavy meal. The tasting sits better on an empty stomach.
• Few labels. The exhibits carry little written explanation, so the information comes from the guide, not from reading.
• Facilities. There are toilets at the museum, and the visit works for children.

There is no bus to Bjarnarhöfn, so visitors drive. The car park sits about 200 metres from the museum, and the walk in is level. The entrance is step-free. An information point stands about 25 metres from the door. A second car park lies some 3 km away, worth knowing about only if the first one is full.