Iceland Yurt

The ski area at Mt. Hlidarfjall lies at the bottom of one of the biggest fjords in Iceland surrounded by high mountains ranging from 1000 to 1538 meters over sea level. The ski area is 5 km above the town Akureyri. The area has 6 ski lifts, 23 alpine slopes and 15 km of cross country tracks, ski cafés, ski rental and a ski school. Snow production systems ensure a long season from end of November till beginning of May.

South of Akureyri is Iceland´s most visited "forest" Kjarnaskogur woods. The area has 2km long athletic course, walking tracks, picnic tables and children´s playground. Campsite at nearby Hamrar.

Gásir is a unique place. In no other place in Iceland is it possible to find so many remainings from a trading post from the Middle Ages. Gásir was the main trading post in northern Iceland during the Middle Ages, and the place is mentioned many times in Old Icelandic Sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries. Archaeological digging in the area during the last six years has shown that it was a trading post up to the 16th century, possibly until trading started in Akureyri.

Each year in July Medieval life at Gásir is reconstructed with help from Icelandic craftsmen who wear medieval clothes and sell handicraft. Various handcrafts are on display; dyeing with plant extracts, wool-work, sewing, sewing leather and weaving.

Safnasafnið - The Icelandic Folk Art Museum - was founded in 1995 by Níels Hafstein and Magnhildur Sigurðardóttir. The collection, consisting of paintings, sculptures, drawings, watercolours, embroideries, books, dolls, toys and tools, presents an interesting and informative view of folk art, as well as modern art and what inspires it. The collection consists of over 3000 works by naive, outsider and folk artists and close to 200 works by modern artists. Also in the museum are a small café and a museum shop.

Yearly the museum displays 16 exhibitons of diverse character mixing folk art and modern to create a surprising rendez-vous of ideas and show in one place the wonderful and playful paths of the creative mind. The museum also offers a superb library with books on art, architecture, outsider art, gardens, cars and diverse other things, all adding to its meditative charm. The museum offers excellent explorative grounds for the curious visitor, who becomes spontaneously a participant in an adventure that brings his and hers youthful spirit to new heights.

A visit to The Christmas Garden will transport you into the realms of Christmas - only a 10 minute drive from Akureyri. Here you will find countless items connected to the festive season from all parts of the world. Of course, Icelandic Christmas traditions are given priority, such as legs of smoked lamb hanging from a beam and the decorative "leaf bread" in many patterns, as well as the Yuletide Lads and their parents, who play such an important role in the Icelandic Christmas celebrations. Quality handwork, crafted by many artists from all parts of the country deck the shelves, making this a place which appeals to all the family.