Eyjafjörður

Eyjafjörður is Iceland's longest fjord, stretching approximately 60 km in the north of the country around Akureyri, capital of North Iceland. Framed by snow-capped mountains and agricultural valleys, it concentrates authentic rural life, fishing villages and remarkable marine wildlife. This is where the heartbeat of Northern Iceland lies, far from the crowded circuits of the south.

Practical information at a glance

• Access: Akureyri is accessible by flight from Reykjavík (Akureyri airport) or via Route 1 (Ring Road) from the south or east.
• Recommended duration: 2 to 4 days to explore the fjord and its surroundings.
• Admission: Free access to the fjord and coastal roads; certain sites (museums, farms) have admission fees.
• Clothing: Warm and waterproof clothing year-round; winter gear essential from November to April.

What to see

The fjord unfolds a landscape of contrasts: calm waters reflecting the peaks, isolated farms on the slopes, and coastal villages such as Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður or Grenivík. In summer, fields turn green to the water's edge. In winter, snow covers the mountains and Northern Lights frequently appear above the fjord.

History and context

Eyjafjörður has been inhabited since the Viking settlement era in the 9^th century. Akureyri, founded as a trading post, became the main town in the north. The fjord long lived on cod fishing and maritime trade. Today, agriculture and tourism structure the local economy, without erasing the region's deeply rural character.

Highlights of the visit

Akureyri, the fjord's hub city

Akureyri offers a surprising cultural life for a city of this size: museums, restaurants, botanical gardens among the northernmost in the world. The Lutheran church dominating the city is an unmissable visual landmark of the fjord.

Whale watching

The waters of Eyjafjörður are home to fin whales and white-beaked dolphins. Boat excursions departing from Akureyri or Dalvík allow you to observe these cetaceans, particularly from May to October.

Hrísey Island

Accessible by ferry from Árskógssandur, Hrísey is Iceland's second largest coastal island. Peaceful and car-free, it hosts an important ptarmigan colony and offers easy hiking trails with views over the fjord.

Svarfaðardalur Valley and northern villages

Venturing into the side valleys, you discover active farms, discreet waterfalls and pristine nature. Grenivík, at the head of the fjord, is a departure point for the Látraströnd peninsula.

Photography tips

The raking light of the Arctic summer, between midnight and 3 a.m., bathes the fjord in an exceptional golden hue. In winter, Northern Lights can be photographed from dimly lit shores north of Akureyri. For water reflections, choose calm mornings with no wind in summer.

Location and access

Eyjafjörður extends in the north of Islande, centered on Akureyri. Route 1 runs along the west shore; Route 83 serves the east shore to Grenivík. Regular buses connect Akureyri to fjord villages. Akureyri airport offers daily flights from Reykjavík. Accessibility for people with reduced mobility is good on main roads and in Akureyri, more limited on secondary tracks.

In the vicinity

• Goðafoss — The waterfall of the "gods," about thirty kilometers east of Akureyri, is one of Iceland's most photographed.
• Lake Mývatn — Volcanic lake with lunar landscapes, approximately one hour east, featuring hot springs, craters and migratory birds.
• Húsavík — Iceland's whale watching capital, on the northeast coast, with a museum dedicated to cetaceans.
• Dalvík — Fishing village on the fjord's edge, departure point for ferries to Hrísey and Grímsey.