Seydisfjordur is also home to an annual culture festival called LungA, which takes place every July. You can visit Seydisfjordur year-round, but the conditions from late autumn to early spring are more challenging. The brief stop at Gufufoss waterfall allows for beautiful views over Seydisfjordur. Even though seeing puffins in Borgarfjordur is completely free, you can donate some money if you want to support this site. There are also other Art Galleries in town for local talents, and my favourite is Galler Vigds. It's a 3 hours hike but not difficult at all. 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. Cruises to Seydisfjordur, Iceland | Royal Caribbean Cruises Gufa means steam, and once you get closer to the water, you will understand that the name is very fitting. One was dead ahead. Enjoy this 2.0-mile out-and-back trail near Seyisfjrur, Eastern. An island and archipelago of approximately 5,000 people, and the largest puffin colony in Iceland. 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! Borgarfjordur puffin nesting site can get pretty windy, and the conditions can be quite harsh when it rains. Cruise port - Seydisfjordur Forum - Tripadvisor Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. Moreover, the midnight sun on the way back made for spectacular views of the whole fjord. 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 apartments at top floor are for artists in residency. 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. Do you have a question or want something customised? 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. At ground floor a delicious bistro, serving international dishes like pizza and soups reinvented with local ingredients like blueberries and reindeer's meat. You need 4 x 100 ISK in coins to take a shower, but a lady at the front desk offered us change automatically. Required fields are marked *. 13 Day Cruises from 18,478.89 per adult Idfjoll Raid Adventure Tours from 1,66,310.00 per adult Their nachos with fresh creamy local cheese are tasty and perfect. Here you pay extra for the remoteness and privilege to stay in one of Iceland's most picturesque towns. This place is BEAUTIFUL. 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. When you see a 90% chance of rain all day, it usually doesnt bode well for a nice day. The female usually lays a single egg and keeps it warm (together with a male partner) for the next 42 days. It is also a period when the town attracts crowds and prices are high. Drive slowly. To fully understand why this day was the best, check back tomorrow for my recap of Seydisfjordur. We saw puffins in Iceland!!! Egilsstair also has a local airport with frequent flights from Reykjavik, offering a quick and easy way to explore both the east as well as the north. The way there was route 94, a long, gravelly, spine-shaking off road highway. That's why there are quite many nice hotels in the town, at least when we take into account the size of the town. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We recommend a boat trip from town Stykkishlmur to islands rishlmur and Steinaklettar. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. Best Places to See Puffins in Iceland LAIDBACK TRIP At the southern end of the fjord, 17km from Seyisfjrur, flourishes the natural reserve of Sklanes. The drive should take you around 30 minutes, but heads up. But they were great. Our travel guide includes tips on photographing puffins, how to visit Borgarfjordur fjord, how to get there, and where to stay. Mind to wear proper hiking boots and to bring sticks, because some parts are a little difficult. So we already know the best season to see puffins, but what is the best time of the day to watch puffins at Borgarfjordur Eystri? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with the absolute best RIB-safari tour in Iceland! On other side of the street there is Kaffi Lra - El Grill Bar, another good place to hang out. 10,5 Hours, $ At the end of the day, you might even realize that you actually did not see and do much here. It is pretty interesting that the distinctive orange bill appears only during the nesting season, and later in the year, the color fades to dull shades. Seydisfjordur, Iceland Shore Excursions | Norwegian Cruise Line 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. The history of Seyisfjrur dates back to the Vikings age. Monica fell in love with music as teenager, and has been writing for magazines and blogs europewide. It's also one of the best places to see wild reindeer in Iceland. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Others flapped past in short bursts of flight, their short wings beating furiously as they circled their nests. It was really cool despite of the big detour in a super dangerous mountain road! Puffins, Elves & more - Private Tour - Wild Westfjords 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. 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. From this point, you must descend everything you've just ascended. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We arrived at Hafnarholmi hill around 11:15. Gardens are decorated with strange and sometimes funny statues while creatures made up from woods, iron or recycled materials roam free. They shared their home with noisy seagulls, screeching and complaining noisily in their cliffside nests. Dimmuborgir, near Lake Myvatn, is an areaof lava fields, volcanic caves and rock formations that can be explored by signposted hiking trails. 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. Firstly, you need to figure out whether you want to stay in Seydisfjordur overnight or not. All rights reserved. We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. 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. 1 day. During the nesting season, Borgarfjordur is home to about 10 000 pairs of puffins. The road is winding, and if the weather is clear, amazing views start to open up. Once we climbed high enough, the scenery suddenly changed, and it looked like we were visiting Iceland in the winter. 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 . Mid-range | Blabjorg Guesthouse - Wonderful, newly refurbished guesthouse offers equipped kitchen, and there are even a sauna and hot tub. Viking was moored alongside the cruise terminal, and she had her own tour buses meeting her passengers. This is a private tour. Up to half of the entire puffin population in Iceland nests in the islands. 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. Gufufoss Waterfall was our final stop and we spent about 10 minutes here before moving on. Make a donation to help me to keep producing great hand-drawn content. We were back on the ship at 4:30pm. Connected by one mountain road, Seydisfjordur is a remote treasure. On one side, there are puffins which from time to time fly out to the sea and then return with fish in their beaks. We shared a steaming hot cheese and ham pizza, and hot soup. Since we are not that active on social media, this was not the reason to put the town on our list. Just east of Seydisfjordur is the remote farm of Skalanes. As Egilsstadir is Iceland's transport hub, you should not have a problem getting to your next destination from here. His wingspan is around 47-65 cm. $ The small towns center is known for its many original early 19th-century timber houses and picturesque setting around the lagoon. 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. In the lucky event you have more time my advice is to walk from Seyisfjrur that's what I did! So when planning your trip and creating your perfect Iceland itinerary, you must solve a dilemma. During the summer is great to dine on the tables outside, smiling at people and enjoying the sun. The only thing we regretted during our two-week trip around Iceland was we did not have enough time for hiking. She fell in love with Iceland a few years ago - of course through music! Artists whose applications are accepted can live for a small fee in studios where they can use all available equipment and tools. Otherwise, you will need some patience as it's the most popular place in Seydisfjordur. On Google Maps, you can find the birdwatching spot under several names, such as Hafnarholmi Marina or Borgarfjardarhofn. Warmer seasons offer some spectacular options for avid hikers! 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. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! We passed through it, just a few seconds of whiteness, and then we commenced the mountain climb. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. However, there are plenty of hiking trails near Seydisfjordur in case you hear the calling of the wild. You will see art and handicrafts in almost every garden and virtually every house when you walk around. That's why the best time to visit Seydisfjordur might be during the shoulder season, either April and May or September and October. Egilsstadir | Hotel Valaskjalf - Egilsstadir can easily be your base for visiting some of the stunning places in Iceland and starting off point for exploring East Fjords or the Northern part of the country. Home of 100 people and 1000 elves. We also offer a group tour Puffins & Elves. And there's no one here. I went to one in an abandoned fish warehouse early September 2017. This wonderful private nature reserve showcases incredible flora, fauna, and settlement history. Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. Another great alternative is Viator. It, too, was mostly hidden by fog. Even if you spend a few hours there, the sense of freedom and true wilderness won't disappoint. It led towards a mountain range. This is probably the easiest and safest place to watch puffins in Iceland. Blue Lagoon in Iceland: Everything You Need to KnowJokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: The Iceberg Lake in Southeast IcelandGolden Circle, Iceland: Self-Drive Travel Guide. 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. We have to admit that Road 93 was one of our favorite scenic drives in Iceland. Another site you cannot miss in Seydisfjordur is the iconic Blue Church (Seyisfjararkirkja). Less than 700 inhabitants live in Seydisfjordur (Seyisfjrur), but the town is no longer a hidden gem that no one knows about. Seydisfjordur indeed needs protection as avalanches often occur, especially in winter and spring. Don't forget to bring a rain jacket to stay dry and a down jacket to keep your body warm, even in the summer. Get a 5% discount on It is a low intensity hike, where you also get the opportunity to see Iceland's oldest operational power plant called Fjardarselsvirkjun. 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. For a bargain go there for lunch. The southern coast of Iceland is by far one of the most popular destinations that Iceland has to offer. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. From Iceland Exploring Borgarfjrur Eystri: Where Elves And Puffins Despite being difficult to access, it's well worth a visit. We knew that Seydisfjordur is home to one of the most Instagrammable spots in Iceland. A low fog had settled on the streets, whiting out the backdrop and limiting visibility to just the few houses around us. Seydisfjordur - Fjarar: 19 Reviews, Map - Eastern, Iceland | AllTrails A few minutes later we made another brief stop at the home of Icelandic painter Johannes Sveinsson Kjarval. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. It's also expensive, but it is worth to try their Nordic Restaurant and their sushi bar, where they serve fresh local fish japanese style. We arrived back in Seydisfjordur around 3 PM. Here you can find more information on camping in Iceland. There are workshops and demonstration for blacksmithing, knife-making, metal casting. One of the things to know about Iceland is that it's a very expensive country - see our Iceland Travel Budget. At first, we were not sure whether it was worth visiting Seydisfjordur. From late May to July the famous puffins also migrate here in large colonies to build their nests. From time to time, we retraced our steps to find a new group of puffins and observed their hunting and nesting habits. Getting to Seydisfjordur by car or campervan is the easiest and most rewarding way to enjoy your trip. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. A winding road surrounded by steep mountains, this route was used as one of the filming locations for the Secret Life of Walter Mitty. She also makes jewels from weird and unusual materials, like horse's hair, fish bones and seaweeds. Wandering around the streets it's like walking in a surrealist painting. It is one of Iceland 's supreme hiking areas with magnificent colorful mountains, beautiful rocks and rare stones.. The road gets more exciting once the path turns right and you start climbing to the mountain pass. A top three location for spotting puffins in Iceland. Private Puffin and Elves from East Iceland - Iceland Highlights Spend a day exploring the stunning southern coastline of Iceland on our South Coast Tour from Reykjavik. She also shared a little bad news and said that all the Puffins were gone as they tend to migrate in mid-August. 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. Dont miss out on the biggest music festival of the year: Iceland Airwaves 2018, A classic tour of the Golden Circle. Inside the space you'll find all the most incredible objects, all made by Vigds Helga Jnsdttir and her husband Sigurur Hauksson. * Fskrsfjrur, East Iceland Here's the list of the best hotel options in Borgarfjordur Eystri for all types of travelers. 110 Though, most of thewaterfalls in Icelandare, to be honest. Welcome to Borgarfjrur eystri. I slowed down and gripped the wheel a little bit tighter. They looked like cartoons, with big heads, sad eyes, and oversized beaks stuffed with fish. And I can only praise the grilled cod, stuffed aubergine and the tuscan-style basket of bread served with herbs and olive oil. 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 pretty Lindarbakki red turf roofed house 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. This is one of those places where having a proper telephoto lens will make a big difference. 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. The goal is to climb, in 24 hours, all the seven mountains surrounding the town and fjord. It was cold, mid 40s, but the predicted rain was yet to materialize. You might have noticed when you travel around Iceland that almost every town, no matter how big or small has a swimming pool. 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. $ When the conditions are icy and snowy, it is essential to have 4WD and snow chains in the car trunk. Age 8+. From Egilsstadir, we abruptly climbed to the mountain pass. Seydisfjordur is no exception. So, later on, we had to buy an extra memory card for a camera inAkureyri. However, it is still possible to drive from or to Egilsstadir in case there is no hotel available. The designated boardwalks lead through the puffins' colony, yet they are still far enough to avoid disturbance and not to destroy vegetation. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. House walls are all in different colours, many of which feature drawings and naf paintings. Foll. Inglfshfi South of rfajkull glacier, Reynisfjall near Vk Mrdal, and Dyrhlaey (also en route to Vk) are puffin colonies on the South Coast. Seydisfjordur Village - Guided Tour East Iceland | Iceland Travel puffins | Borgarfjrur eystri Ltrabjarg bird-cliff in the Westfjords of Iceland is the largest seabird cliff in Iceland and one of Europe's biggest seabird cliffs. 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. We would return here later for lunch after viewing the Puffins. We could write essays about the town's location beauty, but even the journey there is an experience on its own. When the breeding season comes, puffins seek places such as Borgarfjordur, where they find protection on the cliffs covered with grass above the sea. by using our unique promo code: "laidbacktrip". When looking at the mountains around you, you can notice avalanche protection walls almost everywhere. And leaving the main road to visit Seyisfjrur will both enchant you and leave you with a number of happy memories. While plenty of puffins will be super close, you might still consider bringing binoculars to observe their hunting habits, if you're not a photo enthusiast. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. We recommend you make a reservation well in advance because the puffin season coincides with the high season in Iceland. $ 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. Here you can find various restaurants and shops with local goods. Exploring Borgarfjrur Eystri: Where Elves And Puffins Play Hide And Seek. A three hour whale watching adventure departing from the old harbour in downtown Reykjavik. 113 Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you. Seydisfjordur, Iceland In The Footsteps of the Elves Excursion Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. These cute birds are also fast, reaching speeds of 80kmh (50mph). May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Located in Vatnajkull National Park, Dettifoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. We have opted for visiting Iceland in the summer, therefore, for birdwatching. Nestled between Mt. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. 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. Enough to fill your camera's space and wonder where on Earth there could be more. Sometimes forgetting that many countries do in fact also have their own south coasts. We continue north crossing another mountain pass to Borgarfjordur Eystri, best known as the home of elves and puffins. 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 Blue Church used to stand at Dvergasteinn farm until 1882, and then it was moved to Vestdalseyri. The location of this nesting site is absolutely fabulous. Promise! 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? My Iceland #6: Puffins + Mountains - Seyisfjrur - YouTube It should go without saying that it is forbidden to touch the birds or feed them. We rented a campervan, and could not be happier with this choice as we could stop anywhere we wanted. 88 * Breiafjrur 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. 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. Large puffin colonies on the island of Hafnarhlmi, and the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the birds. But no worries. Views of the mystical Lake Lagarfljot. They're not crazy and evil, but they have nests they want to protect. All rights reserved. This mid-valley hike starts and ends in Seydisfjordur. 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. Just a short drive from the town is Gufufoss Waterfall, another gorgeous waterfall you should not miss. Carefully designated boardwalks in Hafnarholmi Marina (often nicknamed Puffin Marina) and the location are perfect for birdwatching. All throughout the year it schedules temporary exhibitions focusing on visual contemporary arts. The first settler was Bjlfur, who gave the name to the highest of the mountains surrounding the fjord. I warmed my hands on my coffee cup and looked out the window. An unsettling thought. The musical connection goes further though as inside there is a pipe organ. I feel so lucky to see it. Homepage of Borgarfjordur eystri, east Iceland The last weekend of July is the date for The Blacksmith Festival, organised by The Technical Museum of East Iceland on Hafnargata. 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. Apart from puffins, there are various other seabirds including kittiwakes, fulmars and eiders. Borgarfjordur Eystri. Borgarfjrur eystri - CAPITAL of the Puffins Puffin Paradise Borgarfjordur Eystri is one of the best places in the world to see Puffins. Seydisfjordur, Iceland. The road is paved, and a 2WD car is absolutely fine for this type of road. culture, heritage and hospitality in East Iceland. 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. The sea was lapping below. Keep your eyes open for Icelandic sheep and puffins in Seydisfjordur. A simple hat or umbrella will keep you safe. Once you reach the pass, there is a new viewing platform where you can take a break. And turf roofed houses, the home Husavik Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall We found the puffins nesting and fishing at the end of a small peninsula, high atop an outcrop of sea rocks. 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. Re: Cruise port. We've hand-selected the three best hotels in Seydisfjordur for every budget and every type of traveler. Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. by using our unique promo code: "laidbacktrip". There is also a shop, where you can find souvenirs, art books and prints. You can also consider using a camera such as Canon EOS R6 with a bird-eye autofocus function to capture the best images possible. The harbor is very photogenic, so snap a few photos before you excitedly run to see the puffins. 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. Availability 4. Yes, visiting Seydisfjordur is a detour off the Ring Road. All this on Rnargata, the tiny street leading to Blue Church paved with stones painted in rainbow colours. If I were to imagine a heaven on Earth, I couldn't imagine a different place than this. The Atlantic Puffin is not a rare species, but it's still one of the most stunning and beautiful birds in the world. During the nesting season, between April and August, there should be at least one bus per day connecting Egilsstadir and Borgarfjordur Eystri if you do not have your own transport. Of course there's the fun side, with music, dancing, and home-made food served at the old pier in the harbour for affordable prices. Therefore, your chances of seeing puffins here are very high because birds have everything they like - grassy areas and slopes above cliffs very close to the water. The church was rebuilt in a different location, but even this was not the end of its journey. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. Part 3 of our Road Trip along Iceland's Ring Road brought us to the town of Egilsstadir. The mountains in the east of Iceland were rocky and jagged, and were layered with snowcaps on their highest peaks.
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seydisfjordur puffins