Discover Seyðisfjörður

Seyðisfjörður combines a historic townscape with art, music and trails into the surrounding landscape. You can get to know the town on a stroll, visit exhibitions or plan longer activities. So when choosing your holiday apartment, what matters most is which experiences you want to make the focus of your trip.

Getting there and the historic townscape

The Smyril Line ferry service to Seyðisfjörður runs from Hirtshals in northern Denmark via the Faroe Islands to East Iceland. A stopover in the Faroe Islands is possible.

The town stands out for its particularly well-preserved collection of historic wooden houses. Another well-known feature is Rainbow Street, which ends in front of the blue town church. The street and church offer a concrete glimpse of the townscape without the need for a long hike. Anyone interested in architectural history will also find a remarkable detail at the Seyðisfjörður Swimming Hall: it was built in 1948 and designed by Gudjón Samúelsson, the state architect.

Art, history and music

The Skaftfell Center for Visual Art hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year. It also has an international artist residency programme and an arts education programme. Its offerings therefore bring together exhibitions, artistic practice and education. In Harbour Garden, the Technical Museum of East Iceland presents the open-air exhibition “Working Women,” about the history of women in Seyðisfjörður around 1900.

A smaller museum, Geirahús, is run by Skaftfell and can be visited by appointment. This condition is important when planning: arrange your visit in advance. The Blue Church Summer Concert series takes place in Seyðisfjörður every summer and is considered one of the major cultural events in East Iceland. These offer different ways to engage with local history and culture: exhibitions, a museum visit by appointment and summer music.

Walks and active days

Fossastígur is an easy walking trail from the centre towards the Fjarðarsel valley. Along the Fjarðará River, you can see some of the most impressive of its 25 waterfalls. If you want variety in your days, you can combine this trail with the town’s cultural offerings.

For a longer hike, Fjallkonustígur takes 3.5 hours to cover 6 km to Vestdalur Lake and the cave of the “Mountain Maid.” The hike is listed as suitable from June to September. The distance, stated duration and season give you specific points to consider when planning your trip. The Vestdalur route was once used to transport mail and goods between Seyðisfjörður and other towns in East Iceland; this historical use sets it apart as a subject from today’s walking and hiking options.

The Seven Summits Challenge involves climbing seven peaks around the fjord of Seyðisfjörður. Eastfjords Adventures, based in Seyðisfjörður, offers hiking and snowshoeing tours. Hagavöllur is a 9-hole golf course on the edge of Seyðisfjörður. These activities appeal to different interests, from a round of golf and guided tours to the challenge of climbing several peaks. The Seyðisfjörður Swimming Hall adds an indoor option, with hot tubs and a sauna.

More destinations

You can also discover these destinations: Brunnholl, Hámundarstaðir, Höfn Í Hornafirði, Breiðdalsvík, Brekka, Neskaupstadur, Vallanes and Stöðvarfjörður.

For the regional travel overview: Austurland.