Eskifjordur (Eskifjörður) Village
Eskifjordur (Eskifjörður) Village
Eskifjordur began to develop when Norwegians started fishing herring off the east coast in 1870.
The herring boom of the 1960s and 1970s brought further prosperity and many seasonal workers flocked to process the fish.
More recently it initiated the ‘Meet the Locals’ programme, offering visitors walks guided by locals, meals with local families and other community-based activities.
The village is strung along the shore of a tight little fjord and enjoys striking views of the 985m peak Holmatindur. At Holmanes at the foot of the mountain, you'll find a nature reserve with abundant birdlife.
In the village, visit the Maritime Museum and Randulfssjohus, a restaurant in a historic building that has remained unchanged since 1890.
Here you can taste a menu of Icelandic delicacies including locally produced dried fish and the infamous rotten shark, an acquired taste!
The new village church doubles as an arts center and concert hall, while an interesting mineral collection is open to visitors at the private home of Soren and Sigurborg (Steinasafn Sorens on Sigurborgar).
Outside of town, you’ll find the Helgustadir Iceland Spar Mine, where some of the largest ever crystals were excavated, many now on show all over the world.
Iceland spar, also known as calcite, was used in optical instruments and a recent theory suggests it may have helped the Vikings to navigate. To reach the mine, head south out of town for around 8km on road 954, Helgustadavegur.
Please keep in mind that it is prohibited to take souvenirs or remove any stones or rocks from the site.
In summer, confident drivers with a high-clearance 4WD vehicle can continue on a track to Vodlavik, a beautiful deserted bay, whose inhabitants left their farms behind when they moved to the towns. Please check locally for advice on the route, which is only passable in high summer.