It is either in the morning between 7 AM and 10 AM and then in the afternoon, between 6 PM and 10 PM. It draped low in front of the mountains, so low as if swallowing the road ahead. We parked the car at the designate area and followed the path to the nesting site. Part 3 of our Road Trip along Iceland's Ring Road brought us to the town of Egilsstadir. Enjoy a relaxing visit to the natural hot springs, known as the Secret Lagoon after seeing some of Icelands most famous sights. From late May to July the famous puffins also migrate here in large colonies to build their nests. The highest (1085m) is the majestic and monumental Bjlfur. It is right in the middle of the village, only a couple of kilometers from the nesting place, and it has everything you need a shared kitchen, toilets, and showers. There was a rest stop on this road with a small hut with a vending machine inside and a guest book for visitors to sign. Their nachos with fresh creamy local cheese are tasty and perfect. The last weekend of July is the date for The Blacksmith Festival, organised by The Technical Museum of East Iceland on Hafnargata. Just outside of town are the Tvisongur song sculptures where you can experiment with sounds and unleash your inner singer. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. You can visit Seydisfjordur year-round, but the conditions from late autumn to early spring are more challenging. The island of Skrur is home to the biggest cave on the East Coast of Iceland, as well as a popular puffin colony. We found the puffins nesting and fishing at the end of a small peninsula, high atop an outcrop of sea rocks. The ideal plan when visit Seydisfjordur is to take a leisurely stroll through its picturesque streets and admire the surrounding mountains and fjord. Home of 100 people and 1000 elves. And when all seems quiet, from October to December, LungA people in Seydisfjordur take care of an international school. One was dead ahead. Only a short boat-ride from the city center. Vigds puts in shapes of trees, crows and elves a dark and gothic tone with black humor. We have to admit that Road 93 was one of our favorite scenic drives in Iceland. Finally, it was moved to Seydisfjordur in 1920. Oh well, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but we hoped that a few Puffins might still be in the area. Only you can answer this question. A winding road surrounded by steep mountains, this route was used as one of the filming locations for the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The view of Seyisfjrur as you are driving down the road from Egilsstair is definitely unforgettable. Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you. Alfaborg hill, believed to be the home of the Elf Queen, was nearby. She performed a wide variety of songs from current hits to opera. Bjlfur (1085m) and Strandartindur (1010m) this tranquil town has a relaxed atmosphere and offers a range of cultural and outdoor activities, unique dining experiences and various shops for families and explorers to enjoy. The total population is around 14 million, and the largest colony lives on Iceland's Westman Island. There is one thing you should know. Yes, visiting Seydisfjordur is a detour off the Ring Road. The mountains in the east of Iceland were rocky and jagged, and were layered with snowcaps on their highest peaks. Located in the remote northeast corner of Iceland, the newly built harbor of Hafnarholmi lies just a few miles north of Borgarfjodur Eystri (aka Bakkagerdi). Seyisfjrur, on the far east coast of Iceland, was a ghost town. Other than being a stop for cruises departing during the summer bound for America & Greenland, all year round the port is connected once a week to Denmark by Smyril Line. Well sheltered from the ocean, the islet is one of the best places for viewing puffins in Iceland. 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. Whale watching is always a solid option and in the May of 2017 I was lucky enough to see whales jumping right in front of my room's window, only 1 km from the town centre! The area is popular for its outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Your cart is empty There is a free parking at Borgarfjordur Eystri right next to the harbor where you can leave your car and walk a few hundred meters to the nesting site. 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. 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. Don't count on taxis, This is a town with a population of around 700. 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. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with the absolute best RIB-safari tour in Iceland! Well, the weather was pleasant, so watching the birds was quite entertaining, and the time just flew by. It's not a coincidence that artists from all over the world are moving to this very special place to work at their projects. Starting from: Seydisfjordur, Eskifjordur Guiding language: English Season: All year Duration: 4-5 hours Max: 6 pax A tour to remote Borgarfjordur Eystri, the land of puffins and elves, where you will visit the home of the Elf Queen, the puffin hill and take an optional hike in a rhyolite gorge! We rented a campervan, and could not be happier with this choice as we could stop anywhere we wanted. I drove with headlights and hazard lights. By the way, on Road 93 connecting Egilsstasir with Seydisfjordur, we saw an unusual exhibition showcasing TVs with mountains as a background. 113 Would you like to know what we did do at Borgarfjordur for two hours? Here you can find more information on the best time to visit Iceland. 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. It is newly refurbished, and guests can choose from dormitories and private rooms. Sometimes Heima also organises special events to showcase the work in progress of artists in residencies. Up to half of the entire puffin population in Iceland nests in the islands. We anchored about 1 mile offshore. Photos (9) Directions. Mid-range | Hotel Aldan - The Post Office - This hotel offers a central location, clean and nicely decorated rooms, and a wonderful atmosphere. The puffin population of Iceland is flying back to shore. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. Large puffin colonies on the island of Hafnarhlmi, and the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the birds. The goal is to climb, in 24 hours, all the seven mountains surrounding the town and fjord. All around there are sightseeing points to observe the birds and wildlife. The area is a breeding ground for black-legged kittiwakes, a coastal bird that nests on steep cliffs. 98 reviews. Bjlfur (1085m) and Strandartindur (1010m) this tranquil town has a relaxed atmosphere and offers a range of cultural and outdoor activities, unique dining experiences and various shops for families and explorers to enjoy. Improve this listing Similar Experiences Wildlife, scenery and cave exploring tour! The nesting season of puffins in Iceland lasts from mid-April to mid-August, so to increase your chances to see those wonderful birds, plan your visit between May and the beginning of August. However, it is still possible to drive from or to Egilsstadir in case there is no hotel available. Still, few sights compare to Hafnarhlmi, a birdwatcher's paradise. The mountainous pass between Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur is accountable for two things. Singer Jamila was the featured entertainer on the World Stage. When you see a 90% chance of rain all day, it usually doesnt bode well for a nice day. Old phones and typewriters, the very first computers, cinema projectors, and even an old medical studio. They might not have a bank or a hospital but theyll have a swimming pool! As we've already mentioned, the site is quite small, but there were so many puffins that we spent there approximately two hours. The price for Borgarfjordur Campground is 1200 ISK per person, plus 400 ISK per hot shower. Welcome to our Village. 13 Day Cruises from 18,478.89 per adult Idfjoll Raid Adventure Tours from 1,66,310.00 per adult Iceland is a famous road trip destination. We continue north crossing another mountain pass to Borgarfjordur Eystri, best known as the home of elves and puffins. Therefore, we've put together the top places to see puffins in Iceland that are well-accessible. I've been very lucky to have spent the summer of 2017 living and working in Seyisfjrur, on Iceland's North East Coast. If you . Spending 10 hrs of quality time in Seydisfjordur is extremely difficult , Maybe one of reasons tour prices are so high- they have a captive audience. We recommend a boat trip from town Stykkishlmur to islands rishlmur and Steinaklettar. Required fields are marked *. Bjolfur and Mt. The Blue Church was actually moved several times, from Dvergasteinn farm to the hill overlooking Vestdalseyri, and many times was damaged or destroyed by fire, before finding its final home in 1920. It had been a hell of a drive getting in obscured by fog, the mountain road had been almost invisible. It was cold, mid 40s, but the predicted rain was yet to materialize. We start the tour by driving over the mountain pass to Egilsstadir. haha. Monica fell in love with music as teenager, and has been writing for magazines and blogs europewide. 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. What makes the puffin special is the colourful, flat-sided beak. Seyisfjrur is the heart of From Egilsstadir, we abruptly climbed to the mountain pass. 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. The town is tiny, so you do not have to worry you will miss it. It's also one of the best places to see wild reindeer in Iceland. I warmed my hands on my coffee cup and looked out the window. Somewhere near the top of the range, I noticed the sheer drop alongside the road. For more information on this topic, read our guide on what to pack for Iceland. We think it is impossible to travel around Iceland and not see at least one incredibly beautiful waterfall per day. You should rent a 4WD car in the winter, although that applies for the entire Iceland trip, not just Seydisfjordur. The main road to reach the fjord is the one from Egilsstair, the town that's the crossroad of the North East. Another great alternative is Viator. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. When we returned, we were delighted that we decided to incorporate Seydisfjordur in ourEast Fjords itinerary, which you should definitely check out too. Landmannalaugar, The geothermal paradise tourists never hear about, The South Coast of Iceland - the ultimate guide. The Blue church was open for visitors when we arrived, but we learned it was closed for most of the morning. Items in your cart In 2017 there were 3000 people for the final night, with groups of friends travelling from Reykjavik to enjoy music and dancing under the bright clear sky of the Icelandic midnight sun. * Breiafjrur A stunning bay in the West of Iceland between Snfellsnes peninsula and the Westfjords, with countless islands and skerries of all sizes and very diverse birdlife. $ 110 The road from Seydisfjordur offers some of the best views of the lake and the Fljotsdalur valley. Explore the area from above, discover new destinations and hikes. We knew that Puffins go hunting to the sea, but they're also exceptional divers, something we would not have guessed. When on top you'll find the 5 concrete domes of Tvisongur, the smallest being 2 meters tall, the tallest being 4 meters tall. The road to see the puffin colonies on the east coast of Iceland is a winding mountain drive. Photo/Vilhelm Gunnarsson. culture, heritage and hospitality in East Iceland. One of Iceland's existing law even protects birds during the breeding season, because they were in the past hunted for eggs and meat. At the tourist information point you can book tours and find maps for local hiking trails. Similar to the road toSeydisfjordur, the route to Borgarfjordur is so scenic that we recommend you drive it even outside the birdwatching season. If you answered that these were all highlights of the east of Iceland then you would be right! The drive should take you around 30 minutes, but heads up. * Borgarfjrur Eystri, East Iceland We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. A flight of wooden stairs led us uphill, and already here, we could see the first puffins sitting in the grass in front of their burrows. Each dome has its own resonance that corresponds to a tone in the Icelandic musical tradition of five-tone harmony and you can experiment with it using your voice. Dimmuborgir, near Lake Myvatn, is an areaof lava fields, volcanic caves and rock formations that can be explored by signposted hiking trails. These birds can be found in North Atlantic, and you can watch them not only in Iceland but also in Greenland, Faroe Island, or Norway, just to name a few locations. We arrived back in Seydisfjordur around 3 PM. For colder days, ask for a table in the back room, with view on the bay. Here's the list of the best hotel options in Borgarfjordur Eystri for all types of travelers. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. We also made tea at the parking lot to fill up a water bottle to enjoy a hot beverage while staying warm and enjoying the wonderful summer evening in Iceland. by using our unique promo code: "laidbacktrip". It remains a divers' wreck at the bottom of the fjord. Protect Puffins; 360 VR tour; slenska; Search. Hard 4 (12) Seyisfjrur, Eastern, Iceland. Borgarfjordur Eystri is a charming fishing village situated on a grassy valley along a short wide fjord of the same name. This is a private tour. Getting to Seydisfjordur by car or campervan is the easiest and most rewarding way to enjoy your trip. One of the main attractions in town is the Blue Church and Rainbow street. Gufa means steam, and once you get closer to the water, you will understand that the name is very fitting. The rustic Alfa Cafe is an interesting place to taste some local specialities like their waffles and fish soup. The most famous one is The Waterfall Lane, which starts nearby the swimming pool. There is also a Mountain Lodge where you can sleep overnight. Nestled between dramatic mountains and one of Iceland's most beautiful fjords isSeydisfjordur, a tiny but beautiful town that embodies traditional Icelandic style. All this on Rnargata, the tiny street leading to Blue Church paved with stones painted in rainbow colours. 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. A low fog had settled on the streets, whiting out the backdrop and limiting visibility to just the few houses around us. With some luck and patience, we spotted a Puffin within 10 feet for about 15 seconds before flying away. Eventually, we decided to give it a go, and it turned out to be a great decision. Even though the architecture and a blueish pastel color are charming, it would probably not be such a recognizable landmark without its trademark rainbow pavement leading down the street to it. Try fishing or kayaking in the long fjord that leads to Seydisfjordur. Here you can find more information on camping in Iceland. Drive slowly and carefully as there are no barriers along the way. All rights reserved. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The long road from Hfn to the ghost town of Seyisfjrur had looked like something from a Jaguar commercial. Carefully designated boardwalks in Hafnarholmi Marina (often nicknamed Puffin Marina) and the location are perfect for birdwatching. The history of Seyisfjrur dates back to the Vikings age. There's a special hideout viewing location near the harbour of the town which allows visitors to view a wide variety of unique bird species native to the area. Borgarfjordur puffin nesting site can get pretty windy, and the conditions can be quite harsh when it rains. Seydisfjordur is only 27 kilometers off Ring Road. All throughout the year it schedules temporary exhibitions focusing on visual contemporary arts. The village is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, whales, and puffins. Dont miss out on the biggest music festival of the year: Iceland Airwaves 2018, A classic tour of the Golden Circle. There is no need to have 4WD in the summer. At ground floor a delicious bistro, serving international dishes like pizza and soups reinvented with local ingredients like blueberries and reindeer's meat. Let us know! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 10 min to complete. The best way to get to get to Borgarfjordur Eystri is by car as it allows you to stop as often as you want. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. She also makes jewels from weird and unusual materials, like horse's hair, fish bones and seaweeds. We knew that Seydisfjordur is home to one of the most Instagrammable spots in Iceland. Seydisfjordur is a remote village that you visit intentionally as the road from Egilsstadir ends here. From Egilsstadir, you need to follow road number 94 that will take you to Borgarfjordur Eystri, and it ends right in the marina, which is the best spot for seeing puffins. 9,5 Hours, $ Secondly, Seydisfjordur feels quite remote, especially when you take into account that the road ends here. An unsettling thought. Here you can find various restaurants and shops with local goods. 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. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that fishing and hunting were the primary sources of living here back in the day. For bird lovers, the stunningly beautiful coastal cliffs are home to a mind-boggling array of seabirds, including eider ducks and Iceland 's famous puffins. 7,5 Hours. One of the landmarks of Seyisfjrur is The Blue Church / Blakirkja. Skaftfell building is a grand old house from 1907, that's on Austurvegur, on the back of the gas station on Hafnargata. Icelands third largest lake, it is rumoured to be home to a lake monster, the Lagarfljotsormur (or lake worm). HOME OF THE ATLANTIC PUFFIN. It, too, was mostly hidden by fog. * Breiafjrur Egilsstadir is the youngest town in Iceland, established in 1947. So when should you arrive in Borgarfjordur to see puffins? The road is paved, and a 2WD car is absolutely fine for this type of road. The puffin is a rather small bird, around 26-29 cm long and weights around 450-500g. Embark on a mystical journey to the land of puffins and elves in Borgarfjordur Eystri, where nature and magic come together in harmony. We could write essays about the town's location beauty, but even the journey there is an experience on its own. This hotel is modernly decorated, and the location could not be better. Inside the space you'll find all the most incredible objects, all made by Vigds Helga Jnsdttir and her husband Sigurur Hauksson. It stood on the hill, but a huge storm destroyed it in 1894. Young students from different countries arrive in town to live together for 12 weeks, developing art projects and learning new skills. A great option is the stunning Innra-Hvannagil gorge, unique due to its rhyolite colours. We believe it is quite easy to spend a peaceful couple of hours or even a full day in Seydisfjordur.
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