Icelandic designers have been honing their skills over the years, balancing inspiration from history and culture with their own imagination. Architect Hrólfur Karl Cela gives us his guide to creativity in Iceland.

Iceland has 266 museums. The obsession alone is strange.

Volcanic activity is a fact of life in Iceland. People have learned to live with both its drawbacks and considerable advantages, such as geothermal energy and a dramatic natural environment - and even entertainment.

Vatnajökull National Park, established in 2008, encompasses all of Europes largest glacier Vatnajökull and extensive surrounding areas. These include the national parks previously existing at Skaftafell in the southwest and Jökulsárgljúfur in the north. Today's park covers 13% of Iceland and ranks among the largest national parks in Europe.

It’s easy to spot the number one activity in Húsavík: the charming harbor is lined with schooners and wooden boats boarding passengers for the next whale watching tour. But what else is there to do in this northern town – and how to best see those whales? 

Whether you are seeking remoteness in nature or entertainment in cities, individual or group residencies–there is enough to choose from!
Here is the list of Iceland’s artist residencies, big and small, remote and central.