Matkaopas: Skyrland

Skyrland is an exhibition in southern Iceland where visitors can learn about the journey of skyr from a Viking-era dairy product to a modern global health food in an interactive way.

Skyrland is an interactive exhibition located in the town of Selfoss dedicated to showcasing the world of skyr, a traditional Icelandic dairy product that's been a staple of Icelandic cuisine for over a thousand years.

A ticket to Skyrland offers an immersive experience that includes sights, scents, and tastes, allowing visitors to explore the rich history and cultural significance of skyr in Iceland. If you're exploring Iceland's south coast on a rental car, you'll pass through Selfoss, making a stop at Skyrland on the way a fantastic option to get in touch with Iceland's cultural heritage.

What is Skyr?

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Skyr is a traditional Icelandic dairy product similar to yogurt. It's made from skim milk after the cream has been removed to make butter. The milk is then warmed with live active cultures from previous batches of skyr, and rennet is added to help the mixture coagulate. After several hours of incubation, the curds form, which is then strained to remove the whey, resulting in a thick, creamy, and high-protein product.

Skyr has been a part of Icelandic cuisine since Viking times. It's known for its slightly sour taste and thick consistency, similar to Greek yogurt, but it's usually creamier and with a milder flavor. Rich in protein and calcium, skyr is often enjoyed with milk and a sweetener, like sugar or honey, and sometimes with added fruit or nuts. It has gained popularity in other countries in recent years as a health food due to its high protein and low-fat content.

Things to Do at Skyrland

The Skyrland exhibition features interactive panels showing the vast timeline of Icelandic history, from the first settlers to the modern day. The connecting thread between the eras is skyr, and you will be able to learn all about the process of making skyr and how it affected Icelandic culture. 

Among the things you'll find at Skyrland are the mythological cow and the source of milk, miniature turf houses that transport you to ages past when skyr helped Icelanders survive, and a vast collection of stories that reveal how a unique dairy product has shaped a nation.

Finally, visitors can, of course, try various skyr products at the Isey Skyr Bar. There you can sit down and partake in delicious products such as bowls and smoothies made from skyr. Overall, visiting the Skyrland exhibition is a great way to connect with Iceland's culinary heritage and get a sample of a true Viking superfood.

Things to Do Near Skyrland

Skyrland is located in the new town center of Selfoss, which is full of trendy restaurants, shops, galleries, and more. The exhibition is found, quite fittingly, at the bottom of the Selfoss Old Dairy, which houses a food court full of great restaurants.

The new town center is a mix of renovated old buildings as well as newer buildings in a classic style which makes visiting the area feel a bit like stepping back in time a few decades when life in Iceland was simpler. Make sure to check out our list of the top 8 things to do in Selfoss.