Crafts & Design

East Iceland Heritage Museum (Minjasafn Austurlands) The East Iceland Heritage Museum preserves and presents the cultural history, traditions, and community life of the region. The museum features two permanent exhibitions: Reindeer in East Iceland and Sustainable Unit. In addition, temporary and smaller thematic exhibitions are hosted throughout the year. The current special exhibition is titled Landnámskonan – The Settlement Woman.  Landnámskonan – The Settlement Woman Two richly adorned women from the Viking Age are the focus of this unique exhibition: One is a chieftainess whose grave was excavated in 2021 at Fjörður, Seyðisfjörður, the other is the mysterious Fjallkonan, whose remains were discovered in a cave at Vestdalsheiði, above Seyðisfjörður, in 2004. Both finds date from around the year 950, suggesting that these women lived at the same time. The exhibition draws on research conducted on these archaeological discoveries to shed light on the lives and work of women during the Settlement period. The exhibition is a collaboration between the East Iceland Heritage Museum, Antikva, the University of Iceland Research Center inEast Iceland, and the National Museum of Iceland.  Reindeer in East Iceland This exhibition explores the life and survival of reindeer in East Iceland, the natural and human-related threats they face, reindeer research, hunting history, and the various uses of reindeer products in food and craft. Visitors can watch the film Á hreindýraslóðum - On the Reindeer Trail by Eðvarð Sigurgeirsson (from the 1940s), hear stories fromreindeer hunters, and view numerous related photographs and artefacts.  Sustainable Unit The exhibition’s title refers to how traditional Icelandic farms had to be self-sufficient—providing food, clothing, tools, and shelter. On display are various objects that tell the story of rural life in East Iceland up to the mid-20th century. A key item is the traditional baðstofa - living and sleeping room from the farm Brekka in Hróarstunga.  Opening Hours  September – May  Tuesday to Friday: 11:00–16:00  June – August  Monday to Saturday: 10:00–18:00  From June 25 to July 31, 2025, the museum will stay open until 20:00 on Wednesdays, offering live music and local tastings.  Visits outside regular hours can be arranged upon request.  

The Hús Handanna Shop is to find at the most trafficked crossroads in Eastern Iceland and in the heart of Egilsstadir town.The shop was established in 2010 and from the first day the main focus has been on representing Icelandic / East-Icelandic goods founded on our culture and our lifestyle.The Hús Handanna Shop is environmentally friendly and an artistic life-style-shop, offering a wide variety of Icelandic product design, art crafts, clothing design, art creative writing etc.Our special emphasis is on offering goods that benefit our environment and ourselves. We even have some gourmet specialities from the local community.At Hús Handanna Shop among other items, you will find shampoo in a travel kit, waxed napkins for the sandwiches, warm stockings - or even a good book. And of course your own personal souvenir from your travel.  You are always Welcome!  

Skriðuklaustur is the former home of the famous author Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975). Since 2000 it has been open as a centre of culture & history with various activities and exhibitions. It houses a museum about the author with personal guidance about his life and career as well as the adventure of building a mansion in Fljotsdalur valley in 1939. The house itself is one of Iceland’s most treasured buildings, donated to the Icelandic nation by the author in 1948. It was designed by the German architect Fritz Höger. At Skriðuklaustur, you can also have a look at the ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery from the 16th century which was excavated at the beginning of the 21st century. The ruins are accessible all year round, close to the author's home. The exhibition about medieval life and the excavation can be found in the cultural centre which also houses the restaurant Klausturkaffi.  Opening hours April - May: Open daily 11am - 5pm June - August: Open daily 10am - 5pmSeptember - October 13th: Open daily 11am - 5pm