The sun dips behind the clouds as I head back south to Egilsstadir and then east to camp in Seydisfjordur. Because they tend to nest on rocky cliffs close to water, seeing puffins in their natural habitat is sometimes tricky. One of Iceland's existing law even protects birds during the breeding season, because they were in the past hunted for eggs and meat. Despite there only being around 300 houses in Seyisfjrur, finding a place to stay is simple and easy. The puffin is a rather small bird, around 26-29 cm long and weights around 450-500g. Yes, visiting Seydisfjordur is a detour off the Ring Road. This hotel is modernly decorated, and the location could not be better. 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. The observation platform will afford you an excellent view of nesting puffins, fulmars and kittiwakes; the latter being loud gulls named for their nasal "ki-ti-waak" callnotes. Another easy and short hike is the one to reach Tvsongur, a sound sculpture built in 2012 by German artist Lukas Khne. Once ashore, there was a little confusion over the meeting spot. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Even if you spend a few hours there, the sense of freedom and true wilderness won't disappoint. Egilsstadir | Gistihusid - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir - Egilsstadir is not the most picturesque town in Iceland, but it is a tourist hub with an excellent location. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. Moreover, the midnight sun on the way back made for spectacular views of the whole fjord. Seydisfjordur is also home to an annual culture festival called LungA, which takes place every July. This mid-valley hike starts and ends in Seydisfjordur. 1 day. . 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. Still, few sights compare to Hafnarhlmi, a birdwatcher's paradise. 13 Day Cruises from $224.01 per adult Vk Baths admission 129 from $47.04 per adult Full Day Stulagil Canyon and Vk Baths Guided Tour 3 Full-day Tours from $162.00 per adult There is however, another way to reach Seyisfjrur (WEB cam). Therefore, we've put together the top places to see puffins in Iceland that are well-accessible. When looking at the mountains around you, you can notice avalanche protection walls almost everywhere. For more information on this topic, read our guide on what to pack for Iceland. Connected by one mountain road, Seydisfjordur is a remote treasure. Around 8:30, the clearly marked Artic Shorex buses started to arrive and one of the guides on the first bus said we were in the correct spot. Only you can answer this question. We could not be happier with our choice, as watching puffins in their natural habitat was one of our favorite activities in the Land of Ice and Fire. Well sheltered from the ocean, the islet is one of the best places for viewing puffins in Iceland. Only 700 people inhabit this quirky destination in the Eastfjords, home to a technology museum, an arts center, Atlantic puffins, reindeer, eider ducks and the popular LungA festival. The nesting season of puffins in Iceland lasts from mid-April to mid-August, so to increase your chances to see those wonderful birds, plan your visit between May and the beginning of August. Its easy to access and many breathtaking sights to see. The road to Borgarfjordur is paved in places, while some sections are still unpaved. 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. We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. At ground floor a delicious bistro, serving international dishes like pizza and soups reinvented with local ingredients like blueberries and reindeer's meat. About 10 after 1 PM we headed back to Seydisfjordur. Artists whose applications are accepted can live for a small fee in studios where they can use all available equipment and tools. 100% refund if your ship does not dock We really love our swimming pools band we have strict rules you need to know about! Just outside of town are the Tvisongur song sculptures where you can experiment with sounds and unleash your inner singer. The only thing we regretted during our two-week trip around Iceland was we did not have enough time for hiking. Protect Puffins; 360 VR tour; slenska; Search. From this point, you must descend everything you've just ascended. The road is winding, and if the weather is clear, amazing views start to open up. less. If I were to imagine a heaven on Earth, I couldn't imagine a different place than this. We just couldn't get enough of the views. There is also a shop, where you can find souvenirs, art books and prints. Getting to Seydisfjordur by car or campervan is the easiest and most rewarding way to enjoy your trip. 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. We arrived at Hafnarholmi hill around 11:15. Do you want to know more about this subject? Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to see both phenomena at the same time because puffins' bill loses its trademark orange color outside the nesting season, but more about it later. During the days of the Festival there's free entry to The Technical Museum of East Iceland, established in 1984. If you want more information on visiting Borgarfjordur and seeing puffins, you've come to the right place. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. 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. So when planning your trip and creating your perfect Iceland itinerary, you must solve a dilemma. Before we reached the highest point on this route, we had emerged into a snowy wonderland that we had not expected to find here. Explore the scenic surroundings of the mystical Lake Lagarfljot serene forests, panoramic views, offbeat waterfalls and more! Spending 10 hrs of quality time in Seydisfjordur is extremely difficult , Maybe one of reasons tour prices are so high- they have a captive audience. 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. 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. 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. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Proudly made in Reykjavk City. On one of the tables upstairs you can spot a massive book with photos and history for every house of 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. Our travel guide includes tips on photographing puffins, how to visit Borgarfjordur fjord, how to get there, and where to stay. The Blue church was open for visitors when we arrived, but we learned it was closed for most of the morning. Get a 5% discount on 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. We know that many travelers leave after twenty or thirty minutes, so plan your visit according to yourtravel style. Home of 100 people and 1000 elves. 13 Day Cruises from 18,478.89 per adult Idfjoll Raid Adventure Tours from 1,66,310.00 per adult Photo/Vilhelm Gunnarsson. * Westman Islands It is also one of the reasons why the village sits only on one side of the fjord. Seydisfjordur sits in a fjord, and you've probably guessed already that 'fjordur' means fjord in the Icelandic language. 10,5 Hours, $ Many puffin visits require you to get over your seasickness and buckle up for an hour or so on a boat, but quite a few good ones can be reached by car. As Egilsstadir is Iceland's transport hub, you should not have a problem getting to your next destination from here. Learn how your comment data is processed. From Egilsstadir, we abruptly climbed to the mountain pass. There are workshops and demonstration for blacksmithing, knife-making, metal casting. The rustic Alfa Cafe is an interesting place to taste some local specialities like their waffles and fish soup. Print/PDF map. It is one of Iceland 's supreme hiking areas with magnificent colorful mountains, beautiful rocks and rare stones.. Landmannalaugar, The geothermal paradise tourists never hear about, The South Coast of Iceland - the ultimate guide. We saw some people hiking to the top, but we took a pass. One of the country's foremost 20th-century artists painted the altarpiece at a nearby church. You will find it behind the Blue Church mentioned in an above section, and with the outside walls painted with cartoons you cannot miss it! During the summer is great to dine on the tables outside, smiling at people and enjoying the sun. The islandViguris the largest of three islands in the fjord, and a good place to see puffins. Time permitting; we can drive around the town of Seydisfjordur before you need to get back to your ship. This website is property of Civitatis Tours SL. Don't worry, we won't spam you. Between 12 and 3pm there's usually a 2 for 1 deal, a good one to try whatever you like without worrying about the bill! . We were back on the ship at 4:30pm. You can visit Seydisfjordur year-round, but the conditions from late autumn to early spring are more challenging. And in our opinion, Borgarfjordur Eystri is definitely worth the trip. Don't forget to bring a rain jacket to stay dry and a down jacket to keep your body warm, even in the summer. These cute birds are also fast, reaching speeds of 80kmh (50mph). The brief stop at Gufufoss waterfall allows for beautiful views over Seydisfjordur. The more important reason why to stop here is that Gufufoss is so beautiful. Travel in the summer season and see puffins, or arrive a bit later, in the autumn or winter, and spot the Northern Lights. Age 8+. Therefore, you do not need to be worried that there is nothing to do at Borgarfjordur except watch puffins. If you would like something more active, it is possible to include some hiking as part of a private tour. Heima Art Residency is an independent non-profit organisation founded in 2013. This wonderful private nature reserve showcases incredible flora, fauna, and settlement history. They might not have a bank or a hospital but theyll have a swimming pool! I drove with headlights and hazard lights. On other side of the street there is Kaffi Lra - El Grill Bar, another good place to hang out. Young students from different countries arrive in town to live together for 12 weeks, developing art projects and learning new skills. These birds can be found in North Atlantic, and you can watch them not only in Iceland but also in Greenland, Faroe Island, or Norway, just to name a few locations. Please send us a line at icelandmag@365.is. Iceland is of course renowned for them, but here you can see, one after another, the grand amount of 25 waterfalls! It's a great place to hang out with friends and family, featuring board games, art books, a record collection and of course free wifi. The steamy Gufufoss waterfall The road to see the puffin colonies on the east coast of Iceland is a winding mountain drive.
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