4 Best Sights in Rural Akureyri, Akureyri

A remarkable collection of “small things” is exhibited at this museum, which is dedicated to Sverrir Hermansson, a local carpenter who took it upon himself at the age of seven to start collecting, well, stuff. Beginning with a set of pencils, Sverrir ended up accumulating more than 20,000 unique items over 80 years—mostly tools and other instruments associated with his craft as a tradesman.

Located 11 km (7 miles) north of Akureyri, on the western shores of Eyjafjörður fjord, Gásir was the most important trading post in Iceland during the Middle Ages. Locals joke that it was the Keflavík of its time, but today it’s a heritage site that springs to life every year in the third week of July for a lively reenactment festival where people dress up in medieval Viking costumes, host fun old-fashioned activities, and sell all sorts of handcrafted wares.

Just a 20-minute drive from Akureyri, you'll find this charming little zoo, home to nearly every Icelandic animal you can imagine—yes, even an arctic fox! The friendly owners will personally guide you through the grounds, sharing fun stories as curious barn cats and playful goats vie for your attention.

The Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum is an unconventional exhibition space in Svalbarðsströnd, a 10-minute drive from Akureyri's town center. This museum owes its endearing qualities to an emphasis on artists outside the cultural mainstream. Its curators are known to scour the country looking for quality pieces from both known and unknown artists.