History and Culture

Bjarnaröfn Shark Museum

About the Museum

A unique Icelandic cultural experience

Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum preserves the traditions of fermented shark curing, a process that has been part of Icelandic coastal culture for generations. Visitors can explore authentic artifacts, learn about the Greenland shark, and experience one of Iceland’s most unusual food traditions.

Located on Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland, the museum offers travelers an authentic glimpse into Icelandic history, food culture, and rural life.

Traditional Icelandic food

Taste fermented shark at Bjarnarhöfn

Fermented shark, known as hákarl, is one of Iceland’s most famous traditional foods. At Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, visitors can learn about the curing process and experience authentic shark tasting together with Icelandic Brennivín.

This unique tasting experience offers travelers a rare opportunity to connect with Icelandic history, food traditions, and local culture.

What to expect?

✔ Guided shark tasting
✔ Learn about Greenland sharks
✔ Traditional Icelandic food culture
✔ Historic curing sheds
✔ Authentic family-run museum
✔ Local stories & history

A family tradition


For generations, the family at Bjarnarhöfn has preserved the traditional methods of curing Greenland shark.
What began as a necessity for survival became one of Iceland’s most unique cultural food traditions.