The Rainbow Street
Residents first painted the rainbow onto the street, Norðurgata, in the summer of 2016, and they repaint it every summer. Every summer the Blue Church also hosts a summer concert series, one of the major cultural events in East Iceland.
Art, sound and old wooden houses
Tvísöngur, by artist Lukas Kühne, mixes concrete, nature and sound in five large domes, each designed to resonate at different harmonies as the wind rushes through the openings. Skaftfell, a centre for contemporary visual art, was founded in 1998 in memory of artist Dieter Roth, and many of his books and prints are on display there.
The colourful, Norwegian-style wooden houses date from the early 20th century, and the fjord was an important trading centre from the 19th century thanks to its natural harbour. The Technical Museum of East Iceland, in the Old Mechanical Shop, tells the history of Búðareyri, the part of town hit by a major landslide in December 2020.
Getting there
By road, you come from Egilsstaðir up and over the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass, then zig-zag down to the town; Gufufoss waterfall, named after the steam it gives off, lies right next to the mountain road (road 93) and is easy to reach. The Smyril Line ferry Norröna sails weekly between Denmark and Seyðisfjörður with a stop in the Faroe Islands; sailing dates vary by season.
Day trips from the town include the Seydisfjordur Day Trip: Puffins, Reindeer & Eastfjords and the Studlagil Canyon & Fardagafoss Guided Tour from Seydisfjordur.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Seyðisfjörður?
Walking trails to Tvísöngur, along the Fjarðará river or high into the hills to waterfalls, plus kayaking or sea-angling and sightseeing on a local fishing boat.
What should you know before driving there outside summer?
Snow, ice, strong winds and temporary road closures are common in Iceland outside summer, so check road conditions before setting out.
