Laufás is a turf farm and museum in Northeast Iceland, on the eastern side of Eyjafjörður. A row of grass-roofed houses from the 19th century stands there, still furnished inside, with a small church of the same period beside them. Old farm machinery is displayed outside on the grass. There is a café and a gift shop with a view down the valley, and the visit takes in both the buildings and the church.
Laufas turf farm and museum
Local name: Laufás
Behind the row of grass gables the turf house opens into room after room, still furnished with the household's things.
- Entrance
- Ticketed entry. The ticket includes a coffee or tea in the café.
- Accessibility
- The car park and the toilet are wheelchair accessible.
- Parking
- Free car park at the site, about 60 metres from the entrance.
- Transport
- No bus stop within 5 km — the farm is reached by car.
- Hours
- Daily, 11:00–17:00.
- Address
- Laufás, 610 Grýtubakkahreppur
What makes it special
From the car park Laufás looks like one long wall of grass-covered gables, each leaning against the next. Inside, the turf house runs much deeper than that: room after room, joined by passages, each one furnished and full of household things. The buildings date from the 19th century, when this was a working farm and parsonage rather than an exhibit. A small church of the same period stands beside them. Old farm machinery is set out on the grass outside. It is easy to walk the yard, photograph the roofs and leave without going in, and the interiors are where the collection is.
Good to know
- Toilets: there is a toilet on site, and it is heated.
- When the museum is closed: the turf houses are locked and can only be seen through the windows. The church and the outdoor machinery stay reachable.
- Café and shop: a café and gift shop are on site, with a view down the valley.
- Allow time indoors: the turf house is far more extensive than it looks from the yard.
Getting there
No bus stop lies within five kilometres of Laufás, so arrival is by car. The car park is at the site itself, which makes the walk in a matter of metres. The turf houses, the church and the café all stand together, so the whole visit is done on foot from where you leave the car.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside the turf houses at Laufás?
Yes, and that is the main reason to come. The rooms open one into the next and are furnished with the household's belongings. From the yard the building looks far smaller than it is.Is there a church at Laufás?
Yes. A small 19th-century church stands beside the turf farm and is part of the visit. It stays reachable even when the museum buildings are locked.Is there anywhere to eat or drink at Laufás?
There is a café and a gift shop on site, with a view down the valley. A coffee or tea comes with the ticket.Can you reach Laufás by public transport?
No. There is no bus stop within five kilometres of the farm. Come by car; the car park at the site is free.Is Laufás suitable for children?
Yes. The museum is set up for family visits, and there is a toilet on site.