Best of Breidafjordur

Breiðafjörður Essentials

Breiðafjörður is a sprawling bay characterized by thousands of small islands and rich biodiversity. This list highlights the iconic Kirkjufell mountain and the historic village on Flatey Island, accessible via the Baldur ferry. Explore the regional history at Stykkishólmur’s Norwegian House, climb the sacred Helgafell for its legendary wishes, or visit the Vatnsfjörður nature reserve. The area is a hub for maritime travel and geothermal bathing, offering insights into Iceland's volcanic geology and coastal heritage.

Breiðafjörður Essentials — Map

A

Kirkjufell

Distinctive 463-meter peak known for its symmetrical shape and layers of volcanic rock formed by glacial erosion.

B

Flatey

Largest island in the bay, home to a preserved 19th-century village. It features the oldest library in Iceland and a church with murals depicting local life.

gailhampshire / CC BY 2.0

C

Stykkishólmur

Ferry Baldur crosses Breidafjördur Bay daily from Stykkisholmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula to Brjanslaekur in the north.

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Helgafell

Helgafell may refer to:

E

Súgandisey

Basalt hill overlooking Stykkishólmur harbor, connected to the mainland by a causeway. A red lighthouse sits at the top, offering views across the islands.

Berserkur / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Vatnsfjörður

Vatnsfjörður is a nature reserve located north-west of Breiðafjörður on the Hjarðarnes coast of northwestern Iceland.

G

Seatours

Tour operator providing bird-watching cruises and seafood excursions where scallops and sea urchins are harvested from the seabed for immediate tasting.

Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Álftafjörður

Scenic fjord on the northern Snæfellsnes Peninsula, named for the large numbers of swans that gather in its waters.

I

Norwegian House

The Snæfellsnes Regional Museum, housed in a timber building from 1832. Exhibits display period furniture, local artifacts, and the history of Stykkishólmur.

J

Sundlaugin Birkimel

Geothermal facility in the Westfjords featuring a traditional outdoor swimming pool and a natural stone hot tub located on the beach.

Other Lists

Natural Wonders Historic Churches