Seydisfjordur is a town ringed by a rainbow of tin houses and dramatic snowcapped peaks. At ground floor a delicious bistro, serving international dishes like pizza and soups reinvented with local ingredients like blueberries and reindeer's meat. Seyisfjrur, on the far east coast of Iceland, was a ghost town. It is a low intensity hike, where you also get the opportunity to see Iceland's oldest operational power plant called Fjardarselsvirkjun. Bjolfur and Mt. We found the puffins nesting and fishing at the end of a small peninsula, high atop an outcrop of sea rocks. Spend a day exploring the stunning southern coastline of Iceland on our South Coast Tour from Reykjavik. You do not have to go far to figure out that this place has a lot to offer. Locals and international tourists come here to enjoy the stunning nature, peaceful yet artsy and quirky atmosphere (Seydisfjordur is surprisingly one of Iceland's cultural centers), and to take a photo of that iconic Seydisfjordur blue church with a rainbow pavement next to it. It is good to know that the Borgarfjordur puffin site is quite small, so be respectful to other visitors and puffins, of course. The seas and winds were calm so tendering was easy and fast. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! For more tips, head to this article: Iceland Summer Packing List. We have opted for visiting Iceland in the summer, therefore, for birdwatching. Protect Puffins; 360 VR tour; slenska; Search. Here you pay extra for the remoteness and privilege to stay in one of Iceland's most picturesque towns. We did not spend a night there, did not do any longer hike in the area, yet, the drive and the town itself were super-photogenic and worth the trip. Performances, concerts, dancing, theatre, poetry reading, comedy, visual exhibitions take place in every corner of the town, culminating in a two night music festival showcasing old and new talents from all over Iceland and abroad. And turf roofed houses, the home Husavik Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall They shared their home with noisy seagulls, screeching and complaining noisily in their cliffside nests. Although the winter scenery looks gorgeous in pictures, you must realize that getting from Egilsstadir to Seydisfjordur in winter is no fun due to ice and snow. This simple pale blue church lies in the centre of town, and it's open to visitors in the summer, when there's also a series of concerts featuring classical and traditional folk musicians. Borgarfjordur puffin nesting site can get pretty windy, and the conditions can be quite harsh when it rains. Length 2.0 miElevation gain 1,515 ftRoute type Out & back. After lunch, we walked over to the red-painted Lindarbakki turf-roofed house and peered into the windows. Do you want to know more about this subject? Your email address will not be published. You will see art and handicrafts in almost every garden and virtually every house when you walk around. At the southern end of the fjord, 17km from Seyisfjrur, flourishes the natural reserve of Sklanes. Sometimes forgetting that many countries do in fact also have their own south coasts. Have you had an experience related to the contents of this article? Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to see both phenomena at the same time because puffins' bill loses its trademark orange color outside the nesting season, but more about it later. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Secondly, Seydisfjordur feels quite remote, especially when you take into account that the road ends here. And there's no one here. Wandering around the streets it's like walking in a surrealist painting. Since we are not that active on social media, this was not the reason to put the town on our list. So, later on, we had to buy an extra memory card for a camera inAkureyri. This is a private tour. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that fishing and hunting were the primary sources of living here back in the day. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. One was dead ahead. by using our unique promo code: "laidbacktrip". The combination of colors and the church at the end of the street is pretty photogenic, and if you want to enjoy the sight just by yourself, your timing must be perfect. Step by step you'll see the fjord turning into open ocean, you'll meet sheep and Icelandic horses and you can also visit a real Viking archaeology site. If you have a standard car you must leave it at the parking area by Austdalsriver, and from there it's 30 minutes quite easy and scenic walk. The road to see the puffin colonies on the east coast of Iceland is a winding mountain drive. Similar to the road toSeydisfjordur, the route to Borgarfjordur is so scenic that we recommend you drive it even outside the birdwatching season. Welcome to Borgarfjrur eystri. The southern coast of Iceland is by far one of the most popular destinations that Iceland has to offer. The clouds were misbehaving here, lying lower than usual. Along the Rainbow street are a few shops selling clothes and locally made items along with a caf. Borgarfjordur Eystri (Borgarfjrur) is one of the best places to see puffins in Iceland in the summer. From here we went to hike at Hengifoss,. Rainbow path to the Blue Church in Seydisfjordur. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. After climbing all seven peaks, go back to present the map with holes at the information centre and you'll get your precious rewardon top of all the inspiration, wilderness and fairy sceneries you'll have experienced and enjoyed throughout this incredible journey. Parking in Seydisfjordur is plentiful and free of charge. We knew that Seydisfjordur is home to one of the most Instagrammable spots in Iceland. You'll get astonished by the amount of forgotten objects you'll see. The Atlantic Puffin is not a rare species, but it's still one of the most stunning and beautiful birds in the world. If I were to imagine a heaven on Earth, I couldn't imagine a different place than this. Another great alternative is Viator. Designed by MyIslandDesigns.com, Click "Show More Posts" to show all the links to the other posts for the, The Eggs of Merry Bay Djupivogur (Post #15). Seydisfjordur Puffins, Elves & more A tour to remote Borgarfjordur Eystri, one of the best places in Iceland to see the much-loved Atlantic Puffin. We continue north crossing another mountain pass to Borgarfjordur Eystri, best known as the home of elves and puffins. Alfaborg hill, believed to be the home of the Elf Queen, was nearby. Another great alternative is Viator. Would you like to know what we did do at Borgarfjordur for two hours? This mid-valley hike starts and ends in Seydisfjordur. If you want more information on visiting Borgarfjordur and seeing puffins, you've come to the right place. All the mountains seemed to have a particular Icelandic style; the dramatic rocky mountain top, and a long, sloping grassy base, as if sculpted by thousands of years of wind. LungA also schedules workshops, some of them for children, to learn and experiment with different forms of creativity. The card costs three times more than we are used to paying in the Czech Republic, so we recommend you one thing. The parking is less than 4 kilometers from Seydisfjordur. less. When the conditions are icy and snowy, it is essential to have 4WD and snow chains in the car trunk. Welcome to our Village. We would return here later for lunch after viewing the Puffins. Atlantic puffins are famously monogamous. It can host 6 emerging artists at same time, living and working in a 350 square meters space. I went to one in an abandoned fish warehouse early September 2017. A lonely sailboat waiting for the cruise ships to, Husavik has one of the prettiest harbours in Icela, Is Iceland on your cruise bucket list ? Decades later, after having served as a base for the American and British armies, Seydisfjordur entered an economic depression following the gradual recession of the herring industry. On one of the tables upstairs you can spot a massive book with photos and history for every house of Seydisfjordur. You can either fly to the Island or take a ferry. Three of us took over the back row with 4 seats which gave us a little more room. To fully understand why this day was the best, check back tomorrow for my recap of Seydisfjordur. Once you reach the coastline, it is only a short drive to Borgarfjordur Eystri. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. 2. Remember, that if you do not want to pay that much for a night or the town is booked up, you can look for accommodation in Egilsstadir, which is only thirty minutes' drive away. * Breiafjrur screen printing, crafting tools for agriculture, printing analogue photographs in a dark room. Its actually such a big deal over here that we tend to refer to it exclusively as The South Coast. A few minutes later we made another brief stop at the home of Icelandic painter Johannes Sveinsson Kjarval. See the world famous erupting geyser & hot springs, experience the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall and follow in the footsteps of the Vikings, as you walk down the lava canyon in ingvellir, $ Seyisfjrur was used as a base for British/American forces during World War II and remnants of this activity are visible throughout the fjord, including a landing strip no longer in use and an oil tanker SS El Grillo that was bombed and sunk. All around there are sightseeing points to observe the birds and wildlife. Around 11 am we arrived in the small village of Borgarfjordur Eystri for a restroom stop. This friendly team nurture the Festival with positive energies and the healing powers of arts and culture. Ltrabjarg bird-cliff in the Westfjords of Iceland is the largest seabird cliff in Iceland and one of Europe's biggest seabird cliffs. For all waterfalls in Iceland, such as Gufufoss, Seljalandsfoss, Dettifoss, or Skogafoss, we recommend you to have your dry sack ready to keep your valuables safe. 88 Loading your cart Budget | Hafaldan HI Hostel - Old Hospital Building - This place is one of the nicest hostels we've ever seen. A beautiful tour to one of Icelands most scenic and remote fjords with breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls and a WWII shipwreck. The way was steep and winding, and it was cold enough that the snow at altitude didnt melt. The Blue Church used to stand at Dvergasteinn farm until 1882, and then it was moved to Vestdalseyri. Adult from: $ 449.00 USD; One of Iceland's existing law even protects birds during the breeding season, because they were in the past hunted for eggs and meat. Seydisfjordur is also home to an annual culture festival called LungA, which takes place every July. Let us know! Our travel guide includes what to expect from visiting Seydisfjordur and tips on the best things to see and do while there. 88 Skaftfell Art Centre is an institution, not only for Seydisfjordur but for whole Iceland. Their nachos with fresh creamy local cheese are tasty and perfect. This hotel is modernly decorated and offers everything you will need after a long and tiring day on the road. A very varied day in the East Fjords taking in puffins and isolated hamlets at Borgarfjordur Eystri, then a strapping 17km . Enjoy a relaxing visit to the natural hot springs, known as the Secret Lagoon after seeing some of Icelands most famous sights. Its easy to access and many breathtaking sights to see. And when all seems quiet, from October to December, LungA people in Seydisfjordur take care of an international school. Many puffin visits require you to get over your seasickness and buckle up for an hour or so on a boat, but quite a few good ones can be reached by car. You can visit Tvisongur, a place that unites nature and culture. . The road from Seydisfjordur offers some of the best views of the lake and the Fljotsdalur valley. There is no need to have 4WD in the summer. If you would like something more active, it is possible to include some hiking as part of a private tour. World Nomads Travel Insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers to cover your trip essentials. From Egilsstadir, we abruptly climbed to the mountain pass. During the days of the Festival there's free entry to The Technical Museum of East Iceland, established in 1984. On a clear day, we might have seen tall, snowy mountains, a still blue fjord, and a community of coloured wooden houses planted alongside a wooden church. You can also enjoy a stunning view of the town and the port in a complete silence and tranquillity, perfect for meditation and relaxing. EXPLORE OUR WONDERFUL HIKING TRAILS. 10,5 Hours, $ She also shared a little bad news and said that all the Puffins were gone as they tend to migrate in mid-August. The puffin population of Iceland is flying back to shore. A great option is the stunning Innra-Hvannagil gorge, unique due to its rhyolite colours. Part 3 of our Road Trip along Iceland's Ring Road brought us to the town of Egilsstadir. Tvisongur is on the mountainside in front of the old fish factory on Hafnargata, where there are clear signs showing the direction. One of the main attractions in town is the Blue Church and Rainbow street. Description This hike used to be a loop, but the western portion is closed and it can now only be completed as an out and back. It's also expensive, but it is worth to try their Nordic Restaurant and their sushi bar, where they serve fresh local fish japanese style. I've been very lucky to have spent the summer of 2017 living and working in Seyisfjrur, on Iceland's North East Coast. Luxury | Vid Lonid Guesthouse - Set in a wooden house and decorated in Scandinavian minimalist design, this guesthouse truly deserves to be one of the best hotels in Seydisfjordur. Fall in love with the charming and vibrant town of Seydisfjordur. The road led across snowy plains, vast ice patches, and icy lakes formed by melted snow, and we could see white mountain tops in the distance. 9,5 Hours, $ This place is BEAUTIFUL. Also, make sure you wear something warm such as a down jacket (that's what we wore that day). On each mountain's top you'll find a container with a guest book to sign and a hole puncher, with a different pattern for every mountain, that you must use to punch your map in the stated place. support@getlocal.is. Just east of Seydisfjordur is the remote farm of Skalanes. Still, it is hard to resist the combination of a town surrounded by snow-capped mountains, offering a tranquil atmosphere and the traditional Icelandic architecture of colorful houses. The Technical Museum of East Iceland and Blacksmith Festival. Mid-range | Hotel Aldan - The Post Office - This hotel offers a central location, clean and nicely decorated rooms, and a wonderful atmosphere. Landmannalaugar, The geothermal paradise tourists never hear about, The South Coast of Iceland - the ultimate guide. Only a thirty-minute drive from theRing Roadand the prosperous transportation hub Egilsstadir lies one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, Seydisfjordur. At the tourist information point you can book tours and find maps for local hiking trails. We saw puffins in Iceland!!! She also makes jewels from weird and unusual materials, like horse's hair, fish bones and seaweeds. Easy to walk to center of town. There are several places in Iceland to see puffins, we saw three of them, includingDyrholaey PeninsulaandLatrabjarg, but Borgarfjordur, specifically Hafnarholmi Marina, was undoubtedly the best. Carefully designated boardwalks in Hafnarholmi Marina (often nicknamed Puffin Marina) and the location are perfect for birdwatching. The more important reason why to stop here is that Gufufoss is so beautiful. During the summer is great to dine on the tables outside, smiling at people and enjoying the sun. We arrived at Hafnarholmi hill around 11:15. Its also possible that Artic Shorex filled their tour with passengers from both ships. Around 8:30, the clearly marked Artic Shorex buses started to arrive and one of the guides on the first bus said we were in the correct spot. This wonderful private nature reserve showcases incredible flora, fauna, and settlement history. The town is tiny, so you do not have to worry you will miss it. If you happen to be in the town when the church is open (opening hours vary), do not hesitate and go inside. Driving on the Ring Road, you justhave to turn off on Route 93 at Egilsstadir and enjoy thebeautiful, winding road for about half an hour. It is pretty interesting that the distinctive orange bill appears only during the nesting season, and later in the year, the color fades to dull shades. Because they tend to nest on rocky cliffs close to water, seeing puffins in their natural habitat is sometimes tricky. It, too, was mostly hidden by fog. The cliffs, the other cars, it had been almost impossible to see the dangers. 88 The only thing we regretted during our two-week trip around Iceland was we did not have enough time for hiking. haha. We start the tour by driving over the mountain pass to Egilsstadir. Whales spend the winter in the fjord, when water is warmer there, then move to open sea for the summer. Up to half of the entire puffin population in Iceland nests in the islands. Many boats stop here during the summer months, and the townserves as a gateway to Iceland for many tourists. Nestled between Mt. Moreover, Seydisfjordur sits in the valley, and when it rains, many new waterfalls appear and flow down the steep walls. As the name suggests, it is located in an old hospital building. Egilsstadir is the youngest town in Iceland, established in 1947. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. And leaving the main road to visit Seyisfjrur will both enchant you and leave you with a number of happy memories. Icelands third largest lake, it is rumoured to be home to a lake monster, the Lagarfljotsormur (or lake worm). See some of the most incredible natural scenery in the world, with beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and volcanoes. Located in Vatnajkull National Park, Dettifoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. And I can only praise the grilled cod, stuffed aubergine and the tuscan-style basket of bread served with herbs and olive oil. Our good weather streak was looking like it might end this morning when I checked out the forecast on my phone. Other activities that you can book include boat trips, kayak tours, rent a bicycle, or for a real challenge try paragliding. At the end of the road ahead of the town are a picturesque little harbour and the Hafnarholmi hill. Nestled between dramatic mountains and one of Iceland's most beautiful fjords is Seydisfjordur, a tiny but beautiful town that embodies traditional Icelandic style. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The route to Seydisfjordur is the best example and answer to your burning question about why Iceland is best explored by rental car or campervan. 110 Sklanes is accessible only by foot, jeep or by mountain bike, because there are rivers to cross to reach the research and information centre at the very heart of the park. There is however, another way to reach Seyisfjrur (WEB cam). We recommend you book a room with a balcony overlooking the fjord if available. This option might be a perfect alternative for those who travel aroundIceland on a budget, especially if you don't mind combining it with hitchhiking. Re: Cruise port. It is also one of the reasons why the village sits only on one side of the fjord. However, it is still possible to drive from or to Egilsstadir in case there is no hotel available. Seydisfjordur is a harbor for boats from Denmark or Faroe Islands, the same as for cruise ships. About 10,000 pairs of puffins nest every summer in Borgarfjrur. We wanted to drive to Bakkageri, to see wild puffins. * Westman Islands
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