Icelandic Textile Center Travel Guide

The Icelandic Textile Center is a cultural institution in Blonduos, Northwest Iceland that promotes textile art and culture through exhibitions, workshops, and events.

You can visit the Icelandic Textile Center as part of a self-drive tour of Iceland. One of the best options is this summer self-drive tour around the Ring Road, which takes you around the country's highlights and includes a day in North Iceland.

The Icelandic Textile Center is a community institution aiming to revitalize traditional weaving practices in Iceland. It funds and facilitates research into this lost cultural practice and offers residencies to artists and scholars. 

Photo from Flickr, by Evelyn. No edits made.

Visiting the Icelandic Textile Center

The Icelandic Textile Center is housed in the historic Kvennaskolinn building, a former women's college offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. 

While the building dates back to 1911, the center has state-of-the-art facilities and encourages textile students and artists to explore the world of digital textiles. The modern TextileLab is a space where any visitor (whether they're an artist or not) can experiment with new technology and learn textile skills. 

In addition to its teaching and development practices, the Icelandic Textile Center hosts various events throughout the year, including exhibitions by resident artists. Visitors can view a range of textiles, from traditional wool garments to contemporary textile art. 

The center also has an annual festival dedicated to knitting – the Iceland Knit Fest. Activities at the festival include lectures and workshops on various knitting topics, a knitting competition, and sightseeing trips to sites of local interest.

The Textile Museum, located next to the Icelandic Textile Center, provides a fascinating look at Iceland's textile heritage. Visitors can see traditional garments, tools, and techniques used for centuries.

How to get to the Icelandic Textile Center

The Icelandic Textile Center is situated on the banks of the Blanda River in the town of Blonduos. Blonduos is located on the Ring Road (Route 1), which circles the entire island of Iceland. This location makes it easily accessible by car, and visitors can enjoy a scenic drive along the coast to reach the town.

Alternatively, several bus companies operate routes to and from Blonduos, making it a convenient destination for travelers without transportation.

The nearest airport is Akureyri Airport, which is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) away.

Attractions Near the Icelandic Textile Museum

Visitors can explore several attractions near the Icelandic Textile Center.

Hrutey Island

The picturesque Hrutey Island is located on the Blanda River, just one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Icelandic Textile Center. The island is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna and a wide variety of birdlife.

Visitors can take a leisurely walk around the island's trails, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and beautiful river views.

Vatnsnes Peninsula

The scenic Vatnsnes peninsula is accessible from Blonduos and is known for its rugged coastline, seal colonies, and stunning natural beauty. Visitors drive along the coast, stopping at various viewpoints to admire the scenery and look for wildlife.

The peninsula is also home to the iconic Hvitserkur rock formation, located 38 miles (62 kilometers) from the Icelandic Textile Museum. It's known as "the troll of Northwest Iceland" as it resembles a mythical creature.