As with any serious mission, you'll need a special map, available at the information centre. Even though Borgarfjordur Eystri in East Fjords is quite a remote spot and a detour off the well-traveled Ring Road, it is one of the best places to see puffins in Iceland.. And in our opinion, Borgarfjordur Eystri is definitely worth the trip. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. During the days of the Festival there's free entry to The Technical Museum of East Iceland, established in 1984. Nordic's menu uses local ingredients as lamb and cod but with a modern twist, playing with traditional dishes from italian, french, spanish and british cuisine. The road to see the puffin colonies on the east coast of Iceland is a winding mountain drive. However, there are plenty of hiking trails near Seydisfjordur in case you hear the calling of the wild. This wonderful private nature reserve showcases incredible flora, fauna, and settlement history. So it is good to know there is a wooden observation shack for photographers (you can sit here quietly and open windows for better photos) where you can hide for a while. When looking at the mountains around you, you can notice avalanche protection walls almost everywhere. 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. The designated boardwalks lead through the puffins' colony, yet they are still far enough to avoid disturbance and not to destroy vegetation. Views of the mystical Lake Lagarfljot. Seyisfjrur, on the far east coast of Iceland, was a ghost town. Icelands third largest lake, it is rumoured to be home to a lake monster, the Lagarfljotsormur (or lake worm). A beautiful tour to one of Icelands most scenic and remote fjords with breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls and a WWII shipwreck. For a bargain go there for lunch. Part 3 of our Road Trip along Iceland's Ring Road brought us to the town of Egilsstadir. The sea was lapping below. 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. While puffins look like miniature versions of penguins with colorful beaks, the sound they make doesn't resemble any other animal. Drive slowly and carefully as there are no barriers along the way. The first settler was Bjlfur, who gave the name to the highest of the mountains surrounding the fjord. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. The road gets more exciting once the path turns right and you start climbing to the mountain pass. The islandViguris the largest of three islands in the fjord, and a good place to see puffins. At the end of the road ahead of the town are a picturesque little harbour and the Hafnarholmi hill. As we've already mentioned, the site is quite small, but there were so many puffins that we spent there approximately two hours. Despite there only being around 300 houses in Seyisfjrur, finding a place to stay is simple and easy. An unsettling thought. Thankfully, the inside of the cafe was warm. The hill is believed be the home of the Elf Queen and she enjoys panoramic views over the town and fjord. A staircase beside the bar leads to first floor, where there the Art Gallery is located. You can visit Seydisfjordur year-round, but the conditions from late autumn to early spring are more challenging. The best way to get to get to Borgarfjordur Eystri is by car as it allows you to stop as often as you want. Similar to the road toSeydisfjordur, the route to Borgarfjordur is so scenic that we recommend you drive it even outside the birdwatching season. A top three location for spotting puffins in Iceland. The clouds were misbehaving here, lying lower than usual. Alfaborg, the home of the elf queen Of all the places I've visited in Iceland, this small village with its 700 inhabitants will always have a special place in my heart. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. We parked the car at the designate area and followed the path to the nesting site. All around there are sightseeing points to observe the birds and wildlife. One can clearly recognise the Scandinavian style in the many wood buildings still existing in the village. 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). Top Things to Do in Seydisfjordur, Iceland Places to Visit in Seydisfjordur Ways to tour Seydisfjordur Book these experiences for a close-up look at Seydisfjordur. A top three location for spotting puffins in Iceland. A low fog had settled on the streets, whiting out the backdrop and limiting visibility to just the few houses around us. Therefore, the town is a great place to buy an authentic souvenirs for your family or yourself. Nestled between Mt. I slowed down and gripped the wheel a little bit tighter. A winding road surrounded by steep mountains, this route was used as one of the filming locations for the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Atlantic puffins are famously monogamous. Or you can use the simple trick, that I tried myself, to collect a lupin flower and wave it above your head! Seydisfjordur indeed needs protection as avalanches often occur, especially in winter and spring. This is probably the easiest and safest place to watch puffins in Iceland. Long gone are days when locals made a living out of fishing. This is one of those places where having a proper telephoto lens will make a big difference. Located in Vatnajkull National Park, Dettifoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. I warmed my hands on my coffee cup and looked out the window. This is quite an impressive number, which makes the village one of the most accessible and safest spots to see puffins in Iceland. About 10 after 1 PM we headed back to Seydisfjordur. Seydisfjordur (Seyisfjrur) is a small township in the East of Iceland located on the southern tip of a fjord of the same name. Somewhere skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.. And there's no one here. They looked like cartoons, with big heads, sad eyes, and oversized beaks stuffed with fish. The big part of the road is unpaved but without holes, and there is ongoing construction to improve road conditions. Your email address will not be published. Keep your eyes open for Icelandic sheep and puffins in Seydisfjordur. When the breeding season comes, puffins seek places such as Borgarfjordur, where they find protection on the cliffs covered with grass above the sea. Iceland is of course renowned for them, but here you can see, one after another, the grand amount of 25 waterfalls! It remains a divers' wreck at the bottom of the fjord. We head east on a scenic road across a . A staircase, viewing platform and wooden walkways make it easy to get closer to birds whilst remaining safe. From late May to July the famous puffins also migrate here in large colonies to build their nests. Translated as steam waterfall, Gufufoss resembles the famous Skogafoss waterfall on the South Coast, but with far fewer crowds. You will find it behind the Blue Church mentioned in an above section, and with the outside walls painted with cartoons you cannot miss it! Bakkageri was on the sea, on the other side of a mountain range. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Between 12 and 3pm there's usually a 2 for 1 deal, a good one to try whatever you like without worrying about the bill! The street is also lined with many bars and cafes, and it is one of the liveliest parts of Seydisfjordur, where people like to chill out after a tiring day on the road. Vigds puts in shapes of trees, crows and elves a dark and gothic tone with black humor. There are many activities available for both nature and adventure lovers in the fjord. We left the car there and covered the rest of the distance on foot. LungA also schedules workshops, some of them for children, to learn and experiment with different forms of creativity. We arrived in Borgarfjordur after 9 PM, and the timing possibly could not be better because of the number of birds and the soft light. This website is property of Civitatis Tours SL. Egilsstadir is the youngest town in Iceland, established in 1947. She also shared a little bad news and said that all the Puffins were gone as they tend to migrate in mid-August. Read more. 7,5 Hours, $ 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. You need 4 x 100 ISK in coins to take a shower, but a lady at the front desk offered us change automatically. Welcome to Borgarfjrur eystri. Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. As we make our way to the town, we will stop at some of the most picturesque spots, including hidden waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints. She fell in love with Iceland a few years ago - of course through music! Our bus was a 20-passenger minibus. The road from Seydisfjordur offers some of the best views of the lake and the Fljotsdalur valley. Its goal is to nurture and exhibit visual art, the main emphasis being on contemporary art. The location of this nesting site is absolutely fabulous. Here you can find various restaurants and shops with local goods. 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. Three of us took over the back row with 4 seats which gave us a little more room. The drive should take you around 30 minutes, but heads up. During the nesting season, Borgarfjordur is home to about 10 000 pairs of puffins. Skaftfell was founded in 1998 by a group of art enthusiasts, and it's dedicated to the memory of the Swiss artist Dieter Roth who lived and worked in Seydisfjordur during the last decade of his life. 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. Improve this listing Similar Experiences Wildlife, scenery and cave exploring tour! In Seyisfjrur you will find hostels, hotels, guesthouses as well as a camping ground and caravan site. See all Wildlife, scenery and cave exploring tour! We start the tour by driving over the mountain pass to Egilsstadir. The most famous one is The Waterfall Lane, which starts nearby the swimming pool. Viking was moored alongside the cruise terminal, and she had her own tour buses meeting her passengers. Its also possible that Artic Shorex filled their tour with passengers from both ships. Required fields are marked *. The musical connection goes further though as inside there is a pipe organ. Up to half of the entire puffin population in Iceland nests in the islands. At the tourist information point you can book tours and find maps for local hiking trails. Another great alternative is Viator. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The area is popular for its outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking. History of Seydisfjordur That's why the best time to visit Seydisfjordur might be during the shoulder season, either April and May or September and October. We arrived at Hafnarholmi hill around 11:15. The harbor is very photogenic, so snap a few photos before you excitedly run to see the puffins. Tvisongur is on the mountainside in front of the old fish factory on Hafnargata, where there are clear signs showing the direction. We anchored about 1 mile offshore. Apart from puffins, there are various other seabirds including kittiwakes, fulmars and eiders. In fact, many of the picturesque wooden buildings in the village have their origins in those golden years, and some were even brought disassembled over from Norway itself. Last year there were boys from Poland and two energetic and very creative girls from South Africa in charge of building from second-hand materials the set for the festival, enclosing a working yellow lighthouse. As the puffins are only in the village for the summer months, and typically arrive back from feeding in the ocean in the evening (7-10pm), if you plan for an early arrival to the . 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? Read more:5 Things you need to know about Puffins. - or to go by bike. It's also one of the best places to see wild reindeer in Iceland. One of the landmarks of Seyisfjrur is The Blue Church / Blakirkja. Our travel guide includes what to expect from visiting Seydisfjordur and tips on the best things to see and do while there. House walls are all in different colours, many of which feature drawings and naf paintings. Only a short boat-ride from the city center. 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. Inside the space you'll find all the most incredible objects, all made by Vigds Helga Jnsdttir and her husband Sigurur Hauksson. Iceland is a famous road trip destination. It is newly refurbished, and guests can choose from dormitories and private rooms. Every summer, a bus runs between Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur, but you should check out the timetable before you go. 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. Seydisfjordur is a remote village that you visit intentionally as the road from Egilsstadir ends here. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another way to get to Seydisfjordur is on a cruise around Iceland. Your cart is empty The town stretches along the south side of the fjord, but along the shoreline, you can find access to the sea, rocky beaches, a puffin colony and ruins of former activity. The only thing we regretted during our two-week trip around Iceland was we did not have enough time for hiking. The day of our visit was sunny, yet we could feel the cold winds blowing out of the sea, so make sure you dress in layers even if you do not plan on walking for hours. Seydisfjordur is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, colorful wooden buildings, cafes, handicrafts, mountainous scenery, and hard-to-beat location. Join Pete and Judy on 2023 Grand World Voyage onboard the ms Zuiderdam, Subscribe to the Blog and Newsletter HERE, jQuery(function($){$(".divibooster_year").text(new Date().getFullYear());}); by The Inside Cabin All rights reserved. This is a private tour. Do you have a question or want something customised? $ Just outside of town are the Tvisongur song sculptures where you can experiment with sounds and unleash your inner singer. Volunteers fly from all over the world and give their contributions towards the decorating, planning, cooking and even.cleaning! One of the main attractions in town is the Blue Church and Rainbow street. Our travel guide includes tips on photographing puffins, how to visit Borgarfjordur fjord, how to get there, and where to stay. 9,5 Hours, $ If you answered that these were all highlights of the east of Iceland then you would be right! Warmer seasons offer some spectacular options for avid hikers! This hotel is modernly decorated, and the location could not be better. Upon arriving in Egilsstair, I am greeted by Magnfrur lf Ptursdttir, better known as Magga, who promises to take me on a tour to discover elves, puffins and perhaps even some reindeer that are hiding in the area. Inglfshfi South of rfajkull glacier, Reynisfjall near Vk Mrdal, and Dyrhlaey (also en route to Vk) are puffin colonies on the South Coast. Don't worry, we won't spam you. Loading your cart 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. But the truth is puffins spend most of the time during the day hunting out on the sea, and those birds who protect their eggs are usually hidden in the nest. Seydisfjordur South Mountain Wall Hike. When abroad she badly misses harfiskur, srmjlk and hot tubs! 13 Day Cruises from 18,478.89 per adult Idfjoll Raid Adventure Tours from 1,66,310.00 per adult Wandering around the streets it's like walking in a surrealist painting. Due to the boardwalk, capturing puffins is very easy as you will get as close to them as possible. I could only see one or two road markings in front of me. 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. It was a crazy day of driving but it was all in the name of adventure! Only a thirty-minute drive from theRing Roadand the prosperous transportation hub Egilsstadir lies one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, Seydisfjordur. 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 really love our swimming pools band we have strict rules you need to know about! 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. Large puffin colonies on the island of Hafnarhlmi, and the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the birds. The Viking Mars was in port and moored to the cruise terminal. Puffins are even more common, and you can expect to see hundreds of them nesting among the huge colony of seabirds at Sklene cliff. LungA Art Festival which in 2018 will be from 12th to 22nd of July - transforms the village into a stage for a wide selection of artistic expression. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that fishing and hunting were the primary sources of living here back in the day. * Borgarfjrur Eystri, East Iceland Adult from: $ 449.00 USD; It is also a good opportunity to see the route from a different perspective, especially if the weather is not cooperating on the way there. Proudly made in Reykjavk City. It is either in the morning between 7 AM and 10 AM and then in the afternoon, between 6 PM and 10 PM. You can visit Tvisongur, a place that unites nature and culture. It was really cool despite of the big detour in a super dangerous mountain road! We would return here later for lunch after viewing the Puffins. It had been a hell of a drive getting in obscured by fog, the mountain road had been almost invisible. The history of Seyisfjrur dates back to the Vikings age. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. The cliffs, the other cars, it had been almost impossible to see the dangers. Carefully designated boardwalks in Hafnarholmi Marina (often nicknamed Puffin Marina) and the location are perfect for birdwatching. Do you have a question or want something customised?Send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 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 .
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