Sights in The North
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Akureyri Museum
The Akureyri Museum houses an interesting collection of art and historical items from the Settlement Era to the present. Among the displays are photographs, farming tools and re-creations of early Icelandic homes. An interesting exhibit details the life of early settlers along Eyjafjörður and displays artefacts from Gásir, one of Iceland’s most fruitful archaeological digs. Plans are afoot to turn the site (near Árskógsströnd) into an interactive historical attraction. The museum garden became the first place in Iceland to cultivate trees when a nursery was established here in 1899.
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Lundey & Flatey
The small islands of Lundey & Flatey lie anchored in Skjálfandi, near Húsavík. Lundey (Puffin Island), rises dramatically from the sea in a series of high, nest-covered cliffs and is a breeding ground for puffins, fulmars and other sea birds. Flatey (Flat Island) lives up to its name, rising only a couple of metres above sea level. It's now abandoned, but as recently as 1942 it had a population of more than 100.
Tours to both islands are possible with the two whale-watching companies, Norður Sigling and Gentle Giants.
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Lystigarðurinn
A host of exotic species from as far away as New Zealand, Spain and Tanzania flourish in Akureyri’s botanical gardens, Lystigarðurinn, thanks to the region’s moderate microclimate. The wealth of plant life on display is truly astonishing considering the gardens’ proximity to the Arctic Circle. You’ll find examples of every species native to Iceland here, as well as an extensive collection of high-latitude and high-altitude plants from around the world, all meticulously labelled with scientific names and countries of origin.
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Húsavík Museum
A folk, maritime and natural-history museum all rolled into one complex, the Húsavík Museum is one of the best local museums you’ll find in Iceland. The museums occupy the 1st and 3rd floors of the building (the library is on the 2nd floor), and an annexe nearby. The natural-history display has the usual array of stuffed animals, including arctic foxes, a frightening-looking hooded seal, and a stuffed polar bear, which was welcomed to Grímsey in 1969 with both barrels of a gun.
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Icelandic Phallological Museum
The unique Icelandic Phallological Museum houses a bizarre collection of penises. From pickled pickles to petrified wood, there are over 300 different types of family jewels on display. There are no actual human contributions though. But don’t rush to volunteer – four donors-in-waiting have already promised to bequeath their manhood (signed contracts are mounted on the wall). Quirky sidenote: all displays are translated into Esperanto.
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Húsavík Whale Museum
Best visited before you head out on a whale-watching trip, the excellent Húsavík Whale Museum will tell you all you ever needed to know about these gracious creatures. Housed in an old slaughterhouse at the harbour, the museum interprets the ecology and habits of whales, conservation and the history of whaling in Iceland through beautifully curated displays, including several huge skeletons soaring high above (they’re real!).
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Húsavíkurkirkja
Húsavík'slovely and unusual church is quite different to anything else seen in Iceland. Constructed in 1907 from Norwegian timber, the delicately proportioned red-and-white church would look more at home in the Alps. Inside its cruciform shape becomes apparent and is dominated by a depiction of the resurrection of Lazarus on the altarpiece. The carved font is also worth seeking out, as are the 17th-century murals and candlesticks.
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Nonnahús
Nonnahús was once the childhood home of the renowned children’s writer Reverend Jón Sveinsson (1857–1944), known to most as Nonni. The house dates from 1850; its cramped rooms and simple furnishings provide a poignant insight into life in 19th-century Iceland. A collection of old photographs and original books completes the display.
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Icelandic Aviation Museum
In a hangar at Akureyri airport, the newly improved Icelandic Aviation Museum charts the history of aviation in Iceland, from the first flight in 1919 to the present. Several restored aircraft fill the exhibition space, including a coast-guard helicopter and the remains of a British war craft that crashed near Akureyri during WWII.
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Kjarnaskógur Woods
About 3km south of town is Iceland's most visited 'forest', the Kjarnaskógur woods. This bushland area has a 2km-long athletic course, walking tracks, picnic tables, an amusing children's playground and some novel fitness-testing devices. Check out the amusing log sundial designed by Icelandic Scouts.
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Flugsafnið
Flugsafnið, in a hangar at Akureyri airport, charts the history of aviation in Iceland from the first flight in 1919 to the present. Photographs and memorabilia are on display, and you can visit the workshop where historic gliders and small aircraft are stored and repaired.
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Akureyrarkirkja
Dominating the town from high on a hill, Akureyrarkirkja was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the architect responsible for Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja. The church continues his geological theme, but is less blatantly ‘basalt’ and has a more traditional interior.
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Skrúðgardin
The small town park Skrúðgardin is a lovely place running along the southern bank of the Buðará river. It's a relaxing spot for a walk, and there are several heritage houses scattered around, including one of Húsavík's original homes, Arholt.
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Helgi the Lean
On the hill near Klapparstígur, a five-minute walk from the city centre, is a statue of Helgi the Lean, the first settler in the Akureyri area. There's also a view disc, but the view, of shops and office buildings obscuring the fjord, isn't brilliant.
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Akureyri Municipal Library & Archives
Books and magazines in English (including novels) and extensive historical archives; book loan is free and available to travellers. Plenty of computer terminals and fast internet connections in a light and airy space.
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Hveravellir
The geothermal site Hveravellir, on Rte 87, about 26km south of Húsavík, provides some of Húsavík's hot-water supply. The farm here sells fresh vegetables from its geothermally heated greenhouses.
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Lake Botnsvatn
It's a 5.2km walk around the Lake Botnsvatn, in a hollow behind the village, where reafforestation projects are greening the landscapeCampers are welcome by the lake, but there are no facilities.
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Davíðshús
Northwest of the centre, Davíðshús looks much like it did on the day that Icelandic poet laureate Davíð Stefánsson died in 1964. The lower floor serves as a writers’ retreat.
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Akureyri Industrial Museum
Celebrating 100 years of industry, the Akureyri Industrial Museum gives a bit of insight into Akureyri’s past, with artefacts from more than 40 local companies.
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Akureyri Art Museum
The emphasis is innovation here, so expect sophisticated contributions from of a variety of local and international artists, from Goya to Matthew Barney (Mr Björk).
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Matthías Jochumsson Memorial Museum
Situated beside the Akureyrarkirkja stairs, the Matthías Jochumsson Memorial Museum honours the former Icelandic poet laureate and dramatist.
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Catholic Church
The Catholic church is an attractive old house built in 1912 and acquired by the church in 1952.
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Húsavík Museum
A folk, maritime and natural-history museum all rolled into one complex, the Húsavík Museum is one of the best local museums you’ll find in Iceland. The museums occupy the 1st and 3rd floors of the building (the library is on the 2nd floor), and an annexe nearby. The natural-history display has the usual array of stuffed animals, including arctic foxes, a frightening-looking hooded seal, and a stuffed polar bear, which was welcomed to Grímsey in 1969 with both barrels of a gun. The folk-history exhibits cover everything from a re-creation of an early farmhouse to a healthy collection of 16th-century weapons and historic books – including a copy of a Bible printed in 1584.…
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Akureyri Museum
This museum houses an interesting collection of art and historical items from the Settlement Era to the present. Among the displays are photographs, farming tools and re-creations of early Icelandic homes. An interesting exhibit details the life of early settlers along Eyjafjörður and displays artefacts from Gásir, one of Iceland’s most fruitful archaeological digs. Plans are afoot to turn the site (near Árskógsströnd) into an interactive historical attraction. Stay tuned for details. The museum garden became the first place in Iceland to cultivate trees when a nursery was established here in 1899.
reviewed
