Region
Northwest Iceland
245 km from Reykjavik
Blonduos, Northwest Iceland
A Ring Road stop with the Icelandic Textile Centre, salmon fishing on the Blanda River, and access to the Hunafloi Bay coast.
Population
~900
Northwest Iceland • Textile museum
Quick Answer
Blonduos, a Ring Road town of about 900 residents 245 km from Reykjavik, holds the Icelandic Textile Centre; the Blanda River draws salmon anglers June to September.
Blonduos sits at the mouth of the Blanda River, one of Iceland's best-known salmon rivers. This quiet town on the Ring Road is home to the Icelandic Textile Centre, which preserves traditional wool crafts, and makes a calm base for the Hunafloi Bay coastline.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Blonduos is a convenient Ring Road stop between Reykjavik and Akureyri with essential services.
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Official sources to check
Population
~900
Service center for Hunafloi Bay
Known for
Textile Centre
Traditional Icelandic wool crafts
Top Attractions in Blonduos
Icelandic Textile Centre
Workshops and exhibitions on wool traditions
Blanda River
Atlantic salmon fishing, June to September
Blonduoskirkja Church
Modern volcanic crater-shaped church
Textile Museum
Costumes, embroidery and wool-working tools at Arbraut 29
Hunafloi Bay
Scenic coastline and birdwatching
Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool with hot pots
How to Get to Blonduos
From Reykjavik: 3 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road) heading north through Borgarnes.
From Akureyri: 1.5-2 hours via Route 1 heading west.
Ring Road location: Blonduos is a natural midpoint stop for those driving between Reykjavik and Akureyri.
Best Time to Visit Blonduos
Summer (June-September): Salmon fishing season, textile workshops, and best weather for coastal exploration.
Year-round: The Textile Museum opens regularly June–August and otherwise by agreement. Check individual venues before making an indoor stop in winter.
For the collection, choose the Textile Museum
Blonduos has two textile institutions that are easy to confuse. For historic clothing and tools, the Textile Museum, Heimilisidnadarsafnid, is at Arbraut 29. Its collection includes national costumes, embroidery, spinning wheels and a loom; the wool display follows the material from sheep to clothing with English explanations. Halldorustofa preserves weaving and knitting patterns collected by educator Halldora Bjarnadottir.
The museum lists June 1–August 31 opening from 10:00 to 17:00, and visits otherwise by agreement, checked September 10, 2026. Contact textile@textile.is before an autumn or winter visit. Those hours do not establish public access to the separate Textile Centre’s studios or residencies.
Planning help
Blonduos FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Blonduos?
Blonduos has approximately 900 residents and is a service center for the Hunafloi Bay region in Northwest Iceland.
What is the Icelandic Textile Centre?
The Icelandic Textile Centre promotes and preserves Icelandic textile traditions. It runs workshops, residencies, and exhibitions on wool, weaving, and traditional crafts.
Is Blonduos good for salmon fishing?
Yes, the Blanda River is one of Iceland's best-known salmon rivers. The fishing season runs from June to September and draws anglers from abroad.
How far is Blonduos from Reykjavik?
Blonduos is about 245 km from Reykjavik, approximately 3 hours by car via Route 1 (Ring Road).
Is the Textile Museum the same as the Textile Centre?
They are separate institutions. The Textile Museum at Arbraut 29 exhibits costumes, embroidery and wool-working tools; the Textile Centre is associated with contemporary textile work and residencies.
Can I see seals near Blonduos?
The Hunafloi Bay area has significant seal populations. The Icelandic Seal Centre in Hvammstangi provides information on designated seal-watching locations; confirm any boat tour separately.
What services does Blonduos have?
Blonduos has a supermarket, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, and a swimming pool, and is a convenient stop on the Ring Road.
What is unique about Blonduos Church?
The modern Blonduoskirkja church is designed to resemble a volcanic crater.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.