If you want more information on visiting Borgarfjordur and seeing puffins, you've come to the right place. 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. The town is located in the fjord, so we are not exaggerating when we say that the surrounding scenery is absolutely breathtaking. She also makes jewels from weird and unusual materials, like horse's hair, fish bones and seaweeds. If what you have been reading has inspired you to spend one or more days in Seydisfjordur, there's plenty of options when it comes to places to stay. You'll get astonished by the amount of forgotten objects you'll see. Connected by one mountain road, Seydisfjordur is a remote treasure. The huge MS Norrna is no mere ferry but rather a large cruise ship, with all comforts on board: restaurants, cinema, shops and even a hot hub! For a bargain go there for lunch. Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. Hehe damn, I got the place name wrong , Pfff you can actually remember the name of Icelandic places? One of the reasons was that we planned our trip to Iceland rather spontaneously and did not have much time to gather all the information about every single must-see place and top attraction in the country. Photos (9) Directions. Required fields are marked *. Hard 4 (12) Seyisfjrur, Eastern, Iceland. They looked like cartoons, with big heads, sad eyes, and oversized beaks stuffed with fish. A simple hat or umbrella will keep you safe. I feel so lucky to see it. Seydisfjordur, in the Eastern Fjords, is one of the most picturesque villages in Iceland, as well as one of the country's main cruise ports. We could see it later more closely when we took awhale watching tour in Husavik, during which a flock of puffins followed us for a while and dived frequently. * South Coast In winter season Stafdalur Ski Area is open on Fjardarheidi heath, located 9km on the road to Egilsstair. Right after the parking area, if you're visiting early summer, be careful of the arctic ferns! Promise! $ This wonderful private nature reserve showcases incredible flora, fauna, and settlement history. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. Well sheltered from the ocean, the islet is one of the best places for viewing puffins in Iceland. And when all seems quiet, from October to December, LungA people in Seydisfjordur take care of an international school. And leaving the main road to visit Seyisfjrur will both enchant you and leave you with a number of happy memories. The highest (1085m) is the majestic and monumental Bjlfur. One can clearly recognise the Scandinavian style in the many wood buildings still existing in the village. From April to October the town is full with travellers, well catered by hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, two Youth Hostels and a fully serviced campsite. Part 6 of the My Iceland Project. Firstly, the drive is incredibly scenic, and the way itself is actually one of the best reasons that should persuade you to visit this former fishing village. Seydisfjordur is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, colorful wooden buildings, cafes, handicrafts, mountainous scenery, and hard-to-beat location. 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. It is good to know that the Borgarfjordur puffin site is quite small, so be respectful to other visitors and puffins, of course. From Egilsstadir, we abruptly climbed to the mountain pass. The village is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, whales, and puffins. Thanks to its coloring - white head, black back and wings, white belly - and especially wonderfully colored flat-sided beak, this bird is very attractive for all enthusiastic birdwatchers, photographers, and also regular travelers who enjoy nature in its very best. Seydisfjordur Puffins, Elves & more A tour to remote Borgarfjordur Eystri, one of the best places in Iceland to see the much-loved Atlantic Puffin. There are also other Art Galleries in town for local talents, and my favourite is Galler Vigds. culture, heritage and hospitality in East Iceland. The first part of the drive is a flat, mostly unpaved road, and you have the views on the right-hand side; this is where the mountains and plains with horses are. 89 helpful votes. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. If you travel in a campervan as we did, the cheapest place to stay in Borgarfjordur is the campsite. We've hand-selected the three best hotels in Seydisfjordur for every budget and every type of traveler. These noisy white little birds have large colonies in the area, and you can expect them to dive from the sky to bite your headand it hurts! That's why there are quite many nice hotels in the town, at least when we take into account the size of the town. support@getlocal.is. The main road led us directly to a small parking lot right next to the church. As we make our way to the town, we will stop at some of the most picturesque spots, including hidden waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints. I've been very lucky to have spent the summer of 2017 living and working in Seyisfjrur, on Iceland's North East Coast. We saw puffins in Iceland!!! Though, most of thewaterfalls in Icelandare, to be honest. 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. The area here is completely devoted to wildlife, with seals, whales, reindeers and 47 species of birds. There are icelandic sweaters, and many sorts of decoration objects such as: candles, mirrors, statues and paintings. 1, Pickup and dropoff from the port Seyisfjrur, on the far east coast of Iceland, was a ghost town. It's more pub style, serving big burgers with vegetarian choices, grilled meat and fish and an interesting choice of local and international beers, both draught and bottled. Another great alternative is Viator. It is either in the morning between 7 AM and 10 AM and then in the afternoon, between 6 PM and 10 PM. The church was rebuilt in a different location, but even this was not the end of its journey. It's a great place to hang out with friends and family, featuring board games, art books, a record collection and of course free wifi. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 10 min to complete. Vikings tales, mountains, waterfalls, whales, puffins, bohemian vibes, art festivals and tasty food. Thanks to its small size, you should be able to see all of its main places of interest: The most convenient way to get to Seydisfjorduris by rental car. Admire the unique and colorful Norwegian-style homes in Seydisfjordur. At the southern end of the fjord, 17km from Seyisfjrur, flourishes the natural reserve of Sklanes. Otherwise, you will need some patience as it's the most popular place in Seydisfjordur. 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. Please send us a line at icelandmag@365.is. Graves dating back as early as the the 8th century have been discovered in the area and also the burnt ruins of a staf church built in the 10th century. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. At the peak of the summer season there is a very special event in Seydisfjordur. 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. As the name suggest, this two hour walk will take you along the river Fjardarsel, crossing small rivers and forests in the search of waterfalls. We were back on the ship at 4:30pm. The area's flowering plants may be the most beautiful and diverse in Iceland.Other selling points include puffin watching, legends about hidden elves, and . Our travel guide includes what to expect from visiting Seydisfjordur and tips on the best things to see and do while there. We wanted to drive to Bakkageri, to see wild puffins. Proudly made in Reykjavk City. The Viking Mars was in port and moored to the cruise terminal. Volunteers fly from all over the world and give their contributions towards the decorating, planning, cooking and even.cleaning! Here you pay extra for the remoteness and privilege to stay in one of Iceland's most picturesque towns. Whatever your budget you can find the perfect spot for you. This mid-valley hike starts and ends in Seydisfjordur. An unsettling thought. Its actually such a big deal over here that we tend to refer to it exclusively as The South Coast. 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. Dimmuborgir, near Lake Myvatn, is an areaof lava fields, volcanic caves and rock formations that can be explored by signposted hiking trails. The more important reason why to stop here is that Gufufoss is so beautiful. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. One of the things to know about Iceland is that it's a very expensive country - see our Iceland Travel Budget. Hosting has been a passion for locals throughout the years and is visible through the wide selection of accommodation. Large puffin colonies on the island of Hafnarhlmi, and the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the birds. A top three location for spotting puffins in Iceland. At the top of the mountain pass, the clouds had completely enveloped the world the snowy roadside, the other cars, the road itself everything was gone. Text about each place below the map, clockwise from Kollafjrur bay, West Iceland. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. It was cold, mid 40s, but the predicted rain was yet to materialize. Travel in the summer season and see puffins, or arrive a bit later, in the autumn or winter, and spot the Northern Lights. Camping | If you plan on camping in Iceland, you will find campsites in Seydisfjordur or Egilsstadir. The steamy Gufufoss waterfall On the other side is the harbor, and when you continue straight, you'll get to a viewing platform with another view of a cliff and hundreds of birds flying around. We would return here later for lunch after viewing the Puffins. Drive slowly. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Egilsstadir is the youngest town in Iceland, established in 1947. Mind to wear proper hiking boots and to bring sticks, because some parts are a little difficult. Icelands third largest lake, it is rumoured to be home to a lake monster, the Lagarfljotsormur (or lake worm). Save. 2. If you happen to be in the town when the church is open (opening hours vary), do not hesitate and go inside. 110 The road from Seydisfjordur offers some of the best views of the lake and the Fljotsdalur valley. Articles & Photography by Lucie Hermankova and Martin Tychtl, what to see and do, travel guide, top attraction, europe, Southeast Iceland, what to see and do, travel guide, top attraction, europe, Golden Circle Iceland, Hafaldan HI Hostel - Old Hospital Building, A Complete Guide to Iceland's South Coast, 21 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Iceland, A Guide to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland. We arrived at Hafnarholmi hill around 11:15. We traveled to Iceland at the end of June, which is the summer season. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. The main reason probably was that Iceland is so scenic that all puffin colonies were located at beautiful spots. by using our unique promo code: "laidbacktrip". 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. Seyisfjrur is the heart of culture, heritage and hospitality in East Iceland. Two islands,Akureyand Lunday are homes to tens of thousands of puffins. screen printing, crafting tools for agriculture, printing analogue photographs in a dark room. Once ashore, there was a little confusion over the meeting spot. His wingspan is around 47-65 cm. Age 8+. We saw some people hiking to the top, but we took a pass. The way was steep and winding, and it was cold enough that the snow at altitude didnt melt. Due to the boardwalk, capturing puffins is very easy as you will get as close to them as possible. At the end of the day, you might even realize that you actually did not see and do much here. In Seyisfjrur there is also an indoor swimming pool, with sauna and two hot hubs, a public library, a pharmacy and a supermarket, plus several art crafts shops selling all colours and sizes of Icelandic traditional wool sweaters and local design's items. We could not be happier with our choice, as watching puffins in their natural habitat was one of our favorite activities in the Land of Ice and Fire. Your cart is empty Skalanes is also a research point, with scientists and students from all over the world living and working there to study geology, wildlife and ecosystems. 110 The area is famous for hiking and surrounded by a great deal of myth. It is also a period when the town attracts crowds and prices are high. There is one thing you should know. They might not have a bank or a hospital but theyll have a swimming pool! Unless you arrive and leave the town by boat, you will need to tackle the wonderful stretch of the road between Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur by car. The highest chance to enjoy sunny weather in Seydisfjordur is during the summer, usually from June to August. To fully understand why this day was the best, check back tomorrow for my recap of Seydisfjordur. In Seyisfjrur you will find hostels, hotels, guesthouses as well as a camping ground and caravan site. , Yeah they were cool! It had been like this on the drive to Seyisfjrur, too. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. Iceland is of course renowned for them, but here you can see, one after another, the grand amount of 25 waterfalls! Seydisfjordur South Mountain Wall Hike. All rights reserved. When we reached the pass and started the descent to the other side of the valley, we pulled the car over and went for a short walk, following the sheep trail. See some of the most incredible natural scenery in the world, with beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and volcanoes. If you answered that these were all highlights of the east of Iceland then you would be right! We really love our swimming pools band we have strict rules you need to know about! Tvisongur is on the mountainside in front of the old fish factory on Hafnargata, where there are clear signs showing the direction. Get a 5% discount on As the name suggests, it is located in an old hospital building. Borgarfjrur eystri - CAPITAL of the Puffins Puffin Paradise Borgarfjordur Eystri is one of the best places in the world to see Puffins. 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. Just outside of town are the Tvisongur song sculptures where you can experiment with sounds and unleash your inner singer. Firstly, you need to figure out whether you want to stay in Seydisfjordur overnight or not. Seydisfjordur is also home to an annual culture festival called LungA, which takes place every July. 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. Reykjavik (Post #16), Grundarfjrur canceled but Pinnacle Gala is a hit (Post #17), The Outdoor Museum in Nanortalik (Post #19), Sailing the Labrador Sea Westbound (Post #20), Puffins, Whales & Hockey? The history of Seyisfjrur dates back to the Vikings age. Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you. You might have noticed when you travel around Iceland that almost every town, no matter how big or small has a swimming pool. . Singer Jamila was the featured entertainer on the World Stage. Long gone are days when locals made a living out of fishing. This is probably the easiest and safest place to watch puffins in Iceland. Welcome to our Village. 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 hill is believed be the home of the Elf Queen and she enjoys panoramic views over the town and fjord. There is also a Mountain Lodge where you can sleep overnight. The price for Borgarfjordur Campground is 1200 ISK per person, plus 400 ISK per hot shower. After lunch, we walked over to the red-painted Lindarbakki turf-roofed house and peered into the windows. Moreover, the midnight sun on the way back made for spectacular views of the whole fjord. 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. 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. 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. The road from Seydisfjordur offers some of the best views of the lake and the Fljotsdalur valley. Only a thirty-minute drive from theRing Roadand the prosperous transportation hub Egilsstadir lies one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, Seydisfjordur. Loading your cart Therefore, we've put together the top places to see puffins in Iceland that are well-accessible. The most famous one is The Waterfall Lane, which starts nearby the swimming pool. The way there was route 94, a long, gravelly, spine-shaking off road highway. You can experience a Norwegian town without leaving Iceland! As Egilsstadir is Iceland's transport hub, you should not have a problem getting to your next destination from here. By the way, the otherworldly scenery was one of the reasons that back in the 1850s attracted the first settlers to come and live in this area. Secondly, Seydisfjordur feels quite remote, especially when you take into account that the road ends here. Several of the foot-high birds stood guard, turning their distinctive red, cream and black beaks to inspect everything that moved. About 10 after 1 PM we headed back to Seydisfjordur. Seyisfjrur, on the far east coast of Iceland, was a ghost town. Iceland is all about nature, and the possibilities are endless pretty much anywhere you go. Egilsstadir is not only a good starting point for puffins but also for visiting a picturesque Seydisfjordur town and Hengifoss Waterfall. We continue north crossing another mountain pass to Borgarfjordur Eystri, best known as the home of elves and puffins. Just east of Seydisfjordur is the remote farm of Skalanes. The view of Seyisfjrur as you are driving down the road from Egilsstair is definitely unforgettable. This is one of those places where having a proper telephoto lens will make a big difference. The road is paved, and a 2WD car is absolutely fine for this type of road. It is one of Iceland 's supreme hiking areas with magnificent colorful mountains, beautiful rocks and rare stones.. When you see a 90% chance of rain all day, it usually doesnt bode well for a nice day. Seydisfjordur is a great place to explore the natural beauty of Iceland and experience the unique culture of the region. And in our opinion, Borgarfjordur Eystri is definitely worth the trip. less. A beautiful tour to one of Icelands most scenic and remote fjords with breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls and a WWII shipwreck. 13 Day Cruises from 18,478.89 per adult Idfjoll Raid Adventure Tours from 1,66,310.00 per adult 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. Would you like to know what we did do at Borgarfjordur for two hours? Still, it's an experience you hardly get anywhere else nowadays, so we are not afraid to call this town in East Iceland a calm oasis in a hectic world. And I can only praise the grilled cod, stuffed aubergine and the tuscan-style basket of bread served with herbs and olive oil. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! Parking in Seydisfjordur is plentiful and free of charge. Once you're there, you are likely to need to get on a boat to get close to the birds, but if observing from far is your thing, the numbers of puffin will work in your favour. Have you had an experience related to the contents of this article? Blue Lagoon in Iceland: Everything You Need to KnowJokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: The Iceberg Lake in Southeast IcelandGolden Circle, Iceland: Self-Drive Travel Guide. The seas and winds were calm so tendering was easy and fast. The islandViguris the largest of three islands in the fjord, and a good place to see puffins. Items in your cart Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. The first settler was Bjlfur, who gave the name to the highest of the mountains surrounding the fjord. Eat, drink, buy stuff and be merry. Still, the puffins are for sure the highlight of this area. And btw, it was Borgarfjordur Eystri!!! The puffin population of Iceland is flying back to shore. * Fskrsfjrur, East Iceland Seydisfjordur is a harbor for boats from Denmark or Faroe Islands, the same as for cruise ships. 13 Day Cruises from $224.01 per adult Vk Baths admission 129 from $47.04 per adult Full Day Stulagil Canyon and Vk Baths Guided Tour 3 Full-day Tours from $162.00 per adult Seydisfjordur is a remote village that you visit intentionally as the road from Egilsstadir ends here. Don't worry, we won't spam you. When the conditions are icy and snowy, it is essential to have 4WD and snow chains in the car trunk. Watch on This is the entrance to the Puffin viewing area Puffin burrows While most of the Puffins have departed, there were about a dozen floating in the water below. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. Inglfshfi South of rfajkull glacier, Reynisfjall near Vk Mrdal, and Dyrhlaey (also en route to Vk) are puffin colonies on the South Coast. When the breeding season comes, puffins seek places such as Borgarfjordur, where they find protection on the cliffs covered with grass above the sea. The best thing about LungA is that it is a community festival. A few minutes later we made another brief stop at the home of Icelandic painter Johannes Sveinsson Kjarval. This one is more a gathering and a meeting place for professionals interested in traditional jobs and skills. We also offer a group tour Puffins & Elves. Expect to find the typical tourist list of the best things to see and do here. We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. View Derrick_Sketchess profile on Instagram, Vatnajkull glacier lakes Fjallsrln andJkulsrln, Hverir geothermal area an alien landscape that cant bemissed, Things about Iceland that will inspire you to go StickyMangoRice, Iceland Ring Road the ultimate 2 week road trip StickyMangoRice, Renting a SADcar in Iceland My Experience Driving A Second-Hand Car Around Route 1 StickyMangoRice. We recommend a boat trip from town Stykkishlmur to islands rishlmur and Steinaklettar. Once you reach the coastline, it is only a short drive to Borgarfjordur Eystri. You can visit Seydisfjordur year-round, but the conditions from late autumn to early spring are more challenging. Seydisfjordur is a very small village, so you'll need approximately thirty to sixty minutes to walk around the tourist area. We recommend you book a room with a balcony overlooking the fjord if available. A low fog had settled on the streets, whiting out the backdrop and limiting visibility to just the few houses around us. Duration 2 hrs . Even if you spend a few hours there, the sense of freedom and true wilderness won't disappoint. Welcome to Borgarfjrur eystri. 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. We start the tour by driving over the mountain pass to Egilsstadir. St. Johns (Post #22), France in the North Atlantic St. Pierre (Post #23), The Invasion of the Towel Animals (Post #24), The Mountain and The Mansion Bar Harbor (Post #26), Itinerary, Menus, When & Where and Entertainers, Puffins and Elves -Seydisfjordur (Post #14). Sometimes forgetting that many countries do in fact also have their own south coasts. Therefore, the town is a great place to buy an authentic souvenirs for your family or yourself. * Westman Islands The area is a breeding ground for black-legged kittiwakes, a coastal bird that nests on steep cliffs. There is a grocery store at the end of the street and we browsed the aisles and bought some chocolate. It had been a hell of a drive getting in obscured by fog, the mountain road had been almost invisible.

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