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Published: 20 Jul 2018

Exploring Creativity & Culture in North Iceland

Lucky enough to be visiting Iceland this summer? While many people visit Iceland for its amazing scenery and fascinating natural environment, it has a lot more to offer.  So if you’re looking for some culture and creativity, the North Iceland Creative Trails app can help.

This free app is available for Android and iOS and features two separate Trails covering North Iceland:

Design & Craft Trail

Discover 14 unique design and craft businesses across North Iceland, many of whom draw their inspiration from Iceland’s nature, culture and heritage. All of these businesses have open studios or workshops (full-time or on request) so you can visit so see the creative process in action.

For example if you’re looking for something special for your home Hjartalag designs home décor products that add warmth and love to life combining unique prints with poetry, while Guðrún Huld – Designer designs and manufactures Iceland-inspired ornaments in her hometown of Akureyri including the popular ‘Icelandic Snowflake’ while Berg Icelandic Design draw inspiration from the colourful Guillemot eggs of the Langanes cliffs.

Textile designs also feature strongly with the Heimahagar textile design collection inspired by the flower Biðukolla while Vorhus Living is one of the most popular Icelandic design brands stocked in over 30 retailers and you can meet the people behind the brand at their shop in Akureyri.

The Heimöx Craft Group meanwhile is a collective of artists and craftspeople from four countries who all call Iceland home while the small family-run business Gagn is located in the very north of Iceland specialising in high quality design and woodworking.

All of Skrautmen’s products are inspired by the nature and history of the country and handcrafted locally.  Jewellery designer Djúls design meanwhile specialises in classical and romantic jewellery inspired by the Icelandic filigree used on the national costume.

There’s also art galleries and studios to explore including Hvitspoi Art Gallery and Studio, Dyngjan-listhús open studio and gallery, Black Butterfly Gallery and Hitt og Þetta handverk-Gallerí.

Museum Trail

And if you want to find out a bit more about the history, culture and nature of North Iceland, the Museum Trail features 11 museums across North Iceland.

Explore the region’s history at Nonnahús (Nonni’s House), Laufás (Old Farm and Heritage Site), Akureyri Museum, Davíð’s House, The Municipal Library of Akureyri and Byggðasafn Húnvetninga og Strandamanna.

The region’s close ties to the sea are documented in the Herring Era Museum (in Siglufjordur), the Grenivik Fisheries Museum and Selasetur Islands (The Icelandic Seal Center) while Kópasker Earthquake Centre – Skjálftasetrið á Kópaskeri commemorates the major earthquake in 1976.

And for the kids Leikfangasýninginí Friðbjarnarhúsi (the old toys exhibition) shows what kids did for fun before computer games and smart phones!

So if you’re visiting Iceland this year (or even if you live there and want to discover something new!) download the free app now.  Search ‘North Iceland Creative Trails’ on Google Play or the App Store.

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