A Guide to Seydisfjordur in Iceland
Our Seydisfjordur travel guide includes tips on the best things to see and do, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Only a thirty-minute drive from the Ring Road and the prosperous transportation hub Egilsstadir lies one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, Seydisfjordur.
The town is located in the fjord, so we are not exaggerating when we say that the surrounding scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
We could write essays about the town's location beauty, but even the journey there is an experience on its own.
The mountainous pass between Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur is accountable for two things.
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.
Secondly, Seydisfjordur feels quite remote, especially when you take into account that the road ends here.
Less than 700 inhabitants live in Seydisfjordur (Seyðisfjörður), but the town is no longer a hidden gem that no one knows about.
In fact, the town gets busy, especially in the summer season.
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.
Our travel guide includes what to expect from visiting Seydisfjordur and tips on the best things to see and do while there.
We also share practical information that will help you get the most out of the trip to this town nestled between Mt. Bjolfur and Mt. Strandartindur.
Is Seydisfjordur Worth Visiting?
At first, we were not sure whether it was worth visiting Seydisfjordur.
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.
Another reason was that our Iceland itinerary was packed.
We knew that Seydisfjordur is home to one of the most Instagrammable spots in Iceland.
Since we are not that active on social media, this was not the reason to put the town on our list.
Eventually, we decided to give it a go, and it turned out to be a great decision.
When we returned, we were delighted that we decided to incorporate Seydisfjordur in our East Fjords itinerary, which you should definitely check out too.
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.
Yes, visiting Seydisfjordur is a detour off the Ring Road.
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.
Best Things to See and Do in Seydisfjordur
Expect to find the typical tourist list of the best things to see and do here.
Seydisfjordur is famous for its vibrant atmosphere, colorful wooden buildings, cafes, handicrafts, mountainous scenery, and hard-to-beat location.
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.
Seydisfjordur sits in a fjord, and you've probably guessed already that 'fjordur' means fjord in the Icelandic language.
Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that fishing and hunting were the primary sources of living here back in the day.
We believe it is quite easy to spend a peaceful couple of hours or even a full day in Seydisfjordur.
At the end of the day, you might even realize that you actually did not see and do much here.
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.
Without any further ado, here's our pick of activities and things to see and do in Seydisfjordur.
Scenic Drive to Seydisfjordur
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.
We have to admit that Road 93 was one of our favorite scenic drives in Iceland.
Iceland is a famous road trip destination.
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.
From Egilsstadir, we abruptly climbed to the mountain pass. Before we reached the highest point on this route, we had emerged into a snowy wonderland that we had not expected to find here.
We traveled to Iceland at the end of June, which is the summer season.
Once we climbed high enough, the scenery suddenly changed, and it looked like we were visiting Iceland in the winter.
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.
We just wished this drive never ended.
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.
We just couldn't get enough of the views.
After a while, we returned to the car and continued the descent to the valley along the Fjadrara River.
After driving to Seydisfjordur, we can say that journey was the destination.
What is the best part?
The chances are that you will drive this road twice in case you still want to return to the Ring Road and don't want to settle down in Seydisfjordur.
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.
Blue Church
Another site you cannot miss in Seydisfjordur is the iconic Blue Church (Seyðisfjarðarkirkja). The town is tiny, so you do not have to worry you will miss it.
The main road led us directly to a small parking lot right next to the church.
We left the car there and covered the rest of the distance on foot.
The Blue Church used to stand at Dvergasteinn farm until 1882, and then it was moved to Vestdalseyri. It stood on the hill, but a huge storm destroyed it in 1894.
The church was rebuilt in a different location, but even this was not the end of its journey.
Finally, it was moved to Seydisfjordur in 1920. Quite a fascinating history for such a little church.
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.
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.
Otherwise, you will need some patience as it's the most popular place in Seydisfjordur.
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.
If you happen to be in the town when the church is open (opening hours vary), do not hesitate and go inside.
Explore Seydisfjordur
Even if you plan on traveling further and do not plan on spending the night in Seydisfjordur, you should allow yourself some time to walk around the village.
Once you have taken enough photos of the church, walk around the lake, head to the harbor, enjoy the superb views, and admire the traditional architecture.
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 a very small village, so you'll need approximately thirty to sixty minutes to walk around the tourist area.
However, there are plenty of hiking trails near Seydisfjordur in case you hear the calling of the wild.
Hiking
The only thing we regretted during our two-week trip around Iceland was we did not have enough time for hiking.
Iceland is all about nature, and the possibilities are endless pretty much anywhere you go. Seydisfjordur is no exception.
If your schedule allows it, check out the hiking trails in the village's surroundings.
You can visit Tvisongur, a place that unites nature and culture.
Another possibility is to hike along the river to the Vestdalsfossar Cascade, and the real adventurers can climb the highest mountain in the area, Bjolfur.
When looking at the mountains around you, you can notice avalanche protection walls almost everywhere.
Seydisfjordur indeed needs protection as avalanches often occur, especially in winter and spring. It is also one of the reasons why the village sits only on one side of the fjord.
Gufufoss Waterfall
We think it is impossible to travel around Iceland and not see at least one incredibly beautiful waterfall per day.
Just a short drive from the town is Gufufoss Waterfall, another gorgeous waterfall you should not miss.
First of all, the Gufufoss is only a few meters from the parking lot, which is just off the main road.
So visiting it does not require any effort. The more important reason why to stop here is that Gufufoss is so beautiful.
Though, most of the waterfalls in Iceland are, to be honest.
Gufa means steam, and once you get closer to the water, you will understand that the name is very fitting.
The parking is less than 4 kilometers from Seydisfjordur. It's unmarked and tiny (it's just a pull-off area), and we have to admit that we missed it on the way down. Drive slowly.
Moreover, Seydisfjordur sits in the valley, and when it rains, many new waterfalls appear and flow down the steep walls.
Art & Handicrafts
As we've already mentioned, Seydisfjordur is one of Iceland's cultural centers boasting a vibrant atmosphere.
You do not have to go far to figure out that this place has a lot to offer.
You will see art and handicrafts in almost every garden and virtually every house when you walk around. Therefore, the town is a great place to buy an authentic souvenirs for your family or yourself.
Seydisfjordur is also home to an annual culture festival called LungA, which takes place every July.
By the way, on Road 93 connecting Egilsstasir with Seydisfjordur, we saw an unusual exhibition showcasing TVs with mountains as a background.
Where to Stay in Seydisfjordur
Firstly, you need to figure out whether you want to stay in Seydisfjordur overnight or not. Only you can answer this question.
If your response is positive, you should start looking for the best hotel in Seydisfjordur.
Long gone are days when locals made a living out of fishing. Nowadays, the main source of income is tourism.
That's why there are quite many nice hotels in the town, at least when we take into account the size of the town.
As pretty much everywhere in Iceland, the hotels in Seydisfjordur are not exactly cheap.
Here you pay extra for the remoteness and privilege to stay in one of Iceland's most picturesque towns.
We've hand-selected the three best hotels in Seydisfjordur for every budget and every type of traveler.
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.
Budget | Hafaldan HI Hostel - Old Hospital Building - This place is one of the nicest hostels we've ever seen. As the name suggests, it is located in an old hospital building. It is newly refurbished, and guests can choose from dormitories and private rooms.
Mid-range | Hotel Aldan - The Post Office - This hotel offers a central location, clean and nicely decorated rooms, and a wonderful atmosphere.
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. We recommend you book a room with a balcony overlooking the fjord if available.
Egilsstadir | Gistihusid - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir - Egilsstadir is not the most picturesque town in Iceland, but it is a tourist hub with an excellent location. This hotel is modernly decorated and offers everything you will need after a long and tiring day on the road.
Camping | If you plan on camping in Iceland, you will find campsites in Seydisfjordur or Egilsstadir.
How to Get to Seydisfjordur
Seydisfjordur is a remote village that you visit intentionally as the road from Egilsstadir ends here. There are three ways to get to Seydisfjordur.
The easiest way to get there is by car, but you can even opt for a bus or boat.
Car
Getting to Seydisfjordur by car or campervan is the easiest and most rewarding way to enjoy your trip.
We rented a campervan, and could not be happier with this choice as we could stop anywhere we wanted. That is one of the things we appreciated here the most.
Seydisfjordur is only 27 kilometers off Ring Road. The drive should take you around 30 minutes, but heads up.
You'll stop a lot, so allocate at least an hour each way.
You can rent a car here.
Parking
Parking in Seydisfjordur is plentiful and free of charge.
Public Transport
Every summer, a bus runs between Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur, but you should check out the timetable before you go.
This option might be a perfect alternative for those who travel around Iceland on a budget, especially if you don't mind combining it with hitchhiking.
As Egilsstadir is Iceland's transport hub, you should not have a problem getting to your next destination from here.
Ferry
Seydisfjordur is a harbor for boats from Denmark or Faroe Islands, the same as for cruise ships.
Therefore, it is possible to visit the town even without a car.
When is the Best Time to Visit Seydisfjordur
You can visit Seydisfjordur year-round, but the conditions from late autumn to early spring are more challenging.
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.
There is no need to have 4WD in the summer. The road is paved, and a 2WD car is absolutely fine for this type of road.
You should rent a 4WD car in the winter, although that applies for the entire Iceland trip, not just Seydisfjordur.
Also, have snow chains ready because the road is potentially dangerous when the conditions are icy.
The highest chance to enjoy sunny weather in Seydisfjordur is during the summer, usually from June to August.
It is also a period when the town attracts crowds and prices are high.
That's why the best time to visit Seydisfjordur might be during the shoulder season, either April and May or September and October.
Here you can find more information on the best time to visit Iceland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
Don't forget to bring a rain jacket to stay dry and a down jacket to keep your body warm, even in the summer.
Regular walking shoes should be more than fine for walking around the town, but we would wear hiking boots for most outdoor adventures.
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.
For more information on this topic, read our guide on what to pack for Iceland.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
