Blönduós brings together the Blanda, the protected island of Hrútey, and textile history. The glacial river flows through the town; many original houses remain in the old town, and the Textile Museum is specifically dedicated to textiles. So, when considering whether Blönduós is right for your stay, you can weigh nature along the river and around the island alongside cultural history related to textiles and the town’s development.

River Landscape and Hrútey

The Blanda is a glacial river that flows through Blönduós. Hrútey, a protected island near Blönduós and one of the area’s natural attractions, lies in the river. Outside the spring closure, visitors can walk to the island over a footbridge and explore its hiking trails. Hrútey is closed in spring to protect nesting birds. If you plan to visit the island, take this seasonal restriction into account and check the visiting conditions in advance. The river running through the town is thus complemented by a specific island destination with bridge access and hiking trails.

Textile Museum and Creative Work

The Textile Museum in Blönduós is Iceland’s only museum specifically dedicated to textiles. It presents several unique, independent exhibitions on embroidery, Icelandic national costumes, and wool. The Halldóra Room is dedicated to the life and work of Halldóra Bjarnadóttir (1873–1981). Embroidery, costumes, and wool explore different textile themes; the Halldóra Room adds a biographical perspective. Each year, the museum also presents a special exhibition of Icelandic textile artists and designers.

These timing notes address different planning considerations: the spring closure determines when Hrútey cannot be visited; for the annual special exhibition, the specific dates matter. If this exhibition is relevant to your trip, check the event dates in advance.

The Icelandic Textile Center has a different focus. It is a private, non-profit makerspace and creative center in Blönduós. It supports workshops in its TextileLab as well as a textile residency program. While the museum presents textile themes in exhibitions, the center focuses on supporting creative work through workshops and residencies.

Old Town and Local History

The old town of Blönduós lies by the open sea and preserves many of the original houses built during this neighborhood’s earlier heyday. Hillebrandshús is one of Iceland’s oldest wooden houses: it was built in Blönduós in 1877 and had previously stood in Skagaströnd for 130 years. The history of this house thus spans two locations, while the preserved houses in the old town tell the story of the neighborhood’s earlier development. Heimilisiðnaðarsafnið first opened in 1976. Together, these points in time offer an overview of different layers of local history: an individual house, the neighborhood, and an institution.

Considering Blönduós as an Overnight Stay

Blönduós is located on Route 1. This makes it a useful point of reference when considering the town as an overnight stop along your route. If Hrútey is one of the reasons for your trip, take the spring closure into account when choosing your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Vidhidalstunga, Ríp, Hofsós, Hvammstangi, Miklibær, Lækjamót, Undirfell, Hólar

See the regional travel overview: Northwestern Iceland.