Underrated TREASURES

1 Natural History

MUSEUM OF KÓPAVOGUR

Hamraborg 6

200 Kópavogur

Capital Region

+354 441 7200 natkop.kopavogur.is

Since 2002, the Natural History Museum of Kópavogur shares a building with the town’s library and is within easy access from downtown Reykjavík. Its exhibitions showcase the island’s diverse birdlife, mammals and fish species, and can be visited for free, making it a faultless educational stop for those rainy Icelandic days. The museum can trace its origins to Jón Bogason’s private collection of 200 species of molluscs and shellfish found in Icelandic waters. His generous donation laid the groundwork for greater scientific understanding in this field, and researching aquatic ecology is still the institute’s primary focus today.

2 PETRA’S STONE COLLECTION

Fjarðarbraut 21

755 Stöðvarfjörður

East Iceland

+354 475 8834 steinapetra.is

The result of a lifelong passion, Petra’s Stone Collection showcases the diverse and fascinating geology of East Iceland. Ljósbjörg Petra María

Sveinsdóttir started collecting stones in 1946, mainly from the bays of Stöðvarfjörður, though this was just one of many pursuits; ornate eggs, pens, shells, conchs and other small impedimenta all make up other collections. The recently opened Kaffi Sunnó also provides homely soups, breads and hot beverages.

3 The Workshop

Hjalteyri

601 Akureyri

Northeast Iceland arnaromarsson.com

Working in collaboration with local schools, theatres and cultural societies, this concrete and industrial exhibition space is located in an old herring factory, open daily during the summer from 2 pm to 5 pm. With the first exhibition opened in 2008, The Workshop’s primary goal is to increase tourism to the area, as well as further showcase the region’s unique and inspiring local culture. The exhibition is operated by Gústav Geir, an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in Hjalteyri.

4 Ystafell Transportation Museum

Ystafelli 3

641 Húsavík

Northeast Iceland

+354 464 3133 ystafell.is

Ystafell Transportation Museum in Húsavík is a gearhead’s dream, exhibiting classic cars, repurposed tanks, giant snowmobile trucks and everything in between. Parked inside spacious indoor garages, Ystafell has laid out the history of mechanical transportation in Iceland. This collection of antique vehicles makes up the oldest and largest transportation museum in the country. The museum was founded in 1998 by Ingólfur Kristjánsson – a professional driver and motorcycle enthusiast who spent decades collecting spare parts and abandoned vehicles –and his wife Kristbjörg Jónsdóttir.