If there is one thing more confounding than Iceland’s shape-shifting volcanic landscapes, it’s the work of its greatest cultural export: Björk. This spring, however, the National Gallery of Iceland will become a portal into the musician’s avant-garde world with “Echolalia,” an immersive exhibition for the 2026 Reykjavík Arts Festival from May 30 to June 14. Spanning the museum, it will show installations like Metamorphlings, celebrating collaborator James Merry’s intricate embroidered headpieces; the performance piece Sorrowful Soil, with Iceland’s wild landscapes as its backdrop; and a new work related to her upcoming untitled album. For many, Björk is the gateway to Reykjavík’s unconventional creative scene, but don’t let it be the end; make these your next stops.
This cultural center in Elliðaárdalur has served as the home of Chromo Sapiens, a multisensory installation, since 2022. Crafted by Icelandic artist Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir (a.k.a. Shoplifter), the experience—three caves made of synthetic hair extensions and filled with sounds by Icelandic band HAM—was a hit at the 2019 Venice Biennale and remains planted on Reykjavík’s cultural map. Höfuðstöðin also hosts events; time it right to catch a knitting circle.
Now in its 18th year, Designmarch, Reykjavík’s spring design week (May 6–10) features open studios, pop-ups, and exhibits from every corner of Iceland’s design community (one very fun example: on-demand wool-art pizzas using a felting machine, led by textile designer Ýrúrarí and design studio Flétta). It all kicks off with DesignTalks, a day of conversations with industry leaders, before it tumbles into a long weekend of rubbing shoulders with locals who are also on the hunt for a new piece of art.
This former herring factory—now a sprawling art hub—feels surprisingly interconnected despite its being five separate art spaces under one roof. Highlights include The Living Art Museum for experimental work and Þula for contemporary art. The elusive Stúdíó Ólafur Elíasson is the cherry on top—its namesake Icelandic Danish artist crafted the iconic façade of nearby Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. Reach out to Marshallhúsið over email for a tour.
A lively conversation with the staff at Gallerí Fold will teach you more about the past and present local art scene than any trip to a museum. At this gallery and auction house, you’ll find everything from screen prints starring a famous grocery store pig (named Bónus; look it up) to regional names with their own fan base (Tryggvi Olafsson is a favorite). And while you’ll find work by many of Iceland’s leading artists here, price tags often fall within souvenir territory.
This article appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
