It’s Christmas All Year Round
The Christmas Garden just outside Akureyri town is a magical place to visit. The little, red house looks like something out of a fairy-tale, with gigantic sweets decorating the roof and icicles hanging from the eaves. And as if that were not enough, a charming little wishing well for unborn children is to be found in a small hollow in the garden. Sounds enchanting, right? Inside the Christmas spirit rules every day, all year round. Hand-made Christmas ornaments, little titbits of traditional Icelandic Christmas food and the Yule Lads are among just some of the things to be found in the Christmas House.
What not to miss while in Akureyri
“There are plenty of interesting museums to visit in Akureyri. Among them are the Akureyri Museum and Nonni’s House, a museum dedicated to the children’s book author and Jesuit priest, Jón Sveinsson. Both museums are located in Aðalstræti Street, the town’s oldest thoroughfare.
I recommend a leisurely walk around the old part of town—the old houses from the turn of the 20th century are charming to look at. For a bit of relaxation, the swimming pool is a great place to visit.
The Viking shop, situated in the city center, offers a wide selection of handmade Icelandic woolen sweaters. They’re a good investment for those traveling around the country, and anyone who wears one automatically becomes Icelandic.”
Recommended by Sigurður Karl Jóhannesson, owner of the restaurants Strikið and Bryggjan at Akureyri.
Favorite day trip from Akureyri
“A drive along Eyjafjörður fjord, with its beautiful scenery. A stop at Kaffi Kú is popular with kids, check out Holtasel farm and cafe – they make their own ice cream and sell home-grown products. End the day in the hot tubs in Hrafnagil swimming pool.
Recommended by Margrét Helgadóttir, a lawyer from Akureyri
This is the North Iceland section of Best of Iceland This Week, the only Icelandic guide of its kind. New every week.
It’s Christmas All Year Round
The Christmas Garden just outside Akureyri town is a magical place to visit. The little, red house looks like something out of a fairy-tale, with gigantic sweets decorating the roof and icicles hanging from the eaves. And as if that were not enough, a charming little wishing well for unborn children is to be found in a small hollow in the garden. Sounds enchanting, right? Inside the Christmas spirit rules every day, all year round. Hand-made Christmas ornaments, little titbits of traditional Icelandic Christmas food and the Yule Lads are among just some of the things to be found in the Christmas House.
What not to miss while in Akureyri
“There are plenty of interesting museums to visit in Akureyri. Among them are the Akureyri Museum and Nonni’s House, a museum dedicated to the children’s book author and Jesuit priest, Jón Sveinsson. Both museums are located in Aðalstræti Street, the town’s oldest thoroughfare.
I recommend a leisurely walk around the old part of town—the old houses from the turn of the 20th century are charming to look at. For a bit of relaxation, the swimming pool is a great place to visit.
The Viking shop, situated in the city center, offers a wide selection of handmade Icelandic woolen sweaters. They’re a good investment for those traveling around the country, and anyone who wears one automatically becomes Icelandic.”
Recommended by Sigurður Karl Jóhannesson, owner of the restaurants Strikið and Bryggjan at Akureyri.
Favorite day trip from Akureyri
“A drive along Eyjafjörður fjord, with its beautiful scenery. A stop at Kaffi Kú is popular with kids, check out Holtasel farm and cafe – they make their own ice cream and sell home-grown products. End the day in the hot tubs in Hrafnagil swimming pool.
Recommended by Margrét Helgadóttir, a lawyer from Akureyri
