The Akureyri Museum is located in a historic building in the oldest part of Akureyri. Outside is an old country church in a beautiful ornamental garden. Various exhibitions are held at the museum to shed light on the town’s history, including its musical heritage.

The former homes of the children’s book author and priest Jón Sveinsson (Nonni) and the national poet Davíð Stefánsson are now museums dedicated to their lives and work. The house of Nonni (Nonnahús) built in 1849 was the childhood home of  Nonni (1857-1944) and is situated next to the museum building. His children’s stories concerning a character´s named Nonni and Manni are well known in Iceland and parts of Europe.  If you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss the Toy Museum.

The old turf farm Laufás, close to Grenivík on the other side of Eyjafjörður, also belongs to the museum.

Ten ideas for things to do in and around Akureyri:

1. Take a look at the diverse and fascinating art on display at the Akureyri Art Museum.
2. The Akureyri swimming pool is a water paradise for the whole family. There are two swimming pools, three new water slides and one of them is the longest in Iceland.
3. In summer, visit the colorful Akureyri Botanical Garden, which opened in 1912.
4. Give stand-up paddleboarding a try or some other fun water sports down by the harbor.
5. Visit in the winter and discover the skiing paradise of the Eyjafjörður area: Four ski resorts and plenty of opportunities for cross-country, mountain and heli-skiing.
6. Go on a whale watching tour while cruising on the beautiful Eyjafjörður Fjord.
7. Drive deeper into rural Eyjafjörður south of Akureyri and discover the Christmas house, museums and restaurants.
8. Take an indulging bath in locally brewed craft beer at the Beer Spa in Árskógssandur, while enjoying a cold and refreshing local “Kaldi” beer.
9. Take the ferry to Hrísey Island, an idyllic place in the middle of Eyjafjörður, known for its rich birdlife and shark hunting history.
10. Enclosed by tall mountains, scenic seaside town Siglufjörður attracts visitors for its stunning nature, colourful houses and fascinating herring museum.

For more information and travel tips, go to www.visitakureyri.is or www.northiceland.is