The National Theatre of Iceland
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About The National Theatre of Iceland
The National Theatre of Iceland (Þjóðleikhúsið) is the country's main stage, a dark, glittering building at Hverfisgata 19 in central Reykjavík. Since it formally opened in 1950, it has drawn around 100,000 theatergoers a season.
State architect Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrímskirkja, based the building on Icelandic folktales about elf palaces hidden inside giant boulders. He coated the concrete exterior with his own mix of crushed obsidian, quartz and silver berg, a finish that later spread to houses across Iceland. Inside, the ceiling of the main hall takes its shape from basalt columns. Even without a ticket, the exterior is worth a look from the street.
The National Theatre of Iceland runs four venues in two buildings. The Main Stage (500 seats) and the Theatre Cellar Club are in the main house, while the Black Box and the Small Stage sit around the corner at Lindargata 7. Each season brings about ten new productions alongside revivals, from new Icelandic plays and classics to musicals, dance and children's shows, and since 2025 the theater has also been home to the new national opera.
Most performances are in Icelandic, which matters if you're visiting. For selected Main Stage productions the theater offers English captions, usually at the seventh performance, so check the theater's English-language page for which dates apply.
Tickets are sold online and at the box office, which is open 14:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 18:00 on weekends, and until 20:00 on performance evenings. The theater stands next door to the House of Collections, a few minutes' walk from Harpa and Lækjartorg square.
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Good to know
Where is the National Theatre of Iceland?
The main building is at Hverfisgata 19 in central Reykjavík, with two smaller stages around the corner at Lindargata 7.
Who designed the National Theatre of Iceland?
State architect Guðjón Samúelsson designed it, drawing on folktales about elf palaces inside rocks, and the theater formally opened in 1950.
Does the National Theatre of Iceland have shows in English?
Most shows are in Icelandic, but selected Main Stage productions have English captions, usually at the seventh performance. The theater's English-language page lists the dates.
How many stages does the National Theatre of Iceland have?
It has four: the Main Stage with 500 seats and the Theatre Cellar Club in the main building, plus the Black Box and the Small Stage at Lindargata 7.
When is the National Theatre box office open?
It is open 14:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 18:00 on weekends, staying open until 20:00 on performance evenings.
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