The Icelandic Emigration Center in the village Hofsós was founded in 1996 to honour Icelanders who immigrated to North America between 1850 and 1914. The goal of the center is to tell the story of the people who left and strengthen the ties between their descendants and their relatives in Iceland.

The Emigration Center offers four exhibitions in three buildings as well as genealogy services, a library and apartments for academics.

• The exhibition New Land – New Life  tells about life and fate of the thousands of Icelanders who moved to the „new world“. The reasons why about a quarter of the population migrated to America are explained in words and pictures, such as hardship, lack of catch and difficult social conditions.
• The exhibition The Story of the Brazilian Emigration gives an insight into the lives of the 39 people who set off from Iceland into uncertainty and ended up in Brazil.
• The exhibition Prairies Wide and Free  tells the story of the Icelandic settlers in North Dakota.
• In the exhibition Silent Flashes are shown nearly 400 photographs of the Icelandic settlers, among others photographic work in the western seas during the western voyage (1870 – 1910).

Ten ideas for exploring the Skagafjörður region in North Iceland:

1. Explore archaeological sites at Hólar, the ancient bishopric and school, where Hólar University now teaches equine science, among other subjects.
2. At Hólar, learn more about the region’s four-legged star at the Icelandic Horse History Centre, and the Icelandic Beer Centre, quench more than your thirst for knowledge!
3. Experience the Battle of Haugsnes (year 1246) , another bloody battle fought at the Sturlung Era, through the history and art exhibition in Kakalaskáli. Don´t miss the outdoor Stone Army of Sigurður Hansen.
4. Visit Víðimýrarkirkja church near Varmahlíð. Built in 1834, it’s one of the last preserved turf churches in Iceland.
5. Go on a wild rafting adventure on glacial rivers East and West-Jökulsá.
6. While in the cradle of Icelandic horsemanship, a riding tour is a must. If you’re visiting in the autumn, don’t miss the Laufskálaréttir horse roundup, a true country festival.
7. For a continued voyage through history, visit stately turf farm Glaumbær, learn about traditional Icelandic architecture and daily life in the countryside.
8. Participate in one of the battles in the Age of the Sturlungs through the immersive exhibition at 1238: The Battle of Iceland, Virtual and Augmented Reality Museum.
9. Take a boat trip to Drangey island and walk with a guide around the island where locals used to graze their sheep, catch birds and collect eggs, and find out which outlaw used the island as his hideout.
10. Bathe in Grettislaug, where Grettir the Strong, the protagonist of Grettis saga, warmed up after his heroic swim from Drangey.

Fort further information and ideas go to  www.visitskagafjordur.is and www.northiceland.is