Small Towns Nearby
The quaint fishing villages in Iceland are incredible. The people in Iceland are really kind, and you'll meet a lot of them exploring these little communities. In the past few years, there have been some inconsiderate tourists, so make sure that you're polite and respectful.
Maybe they'll tell you some tall tales about elves, or invite you in for some smoked salmon. I had a local invite me (and 10 other people) over for drinks New Year's Eve, but that's another story.
Here's all my favorite small towns to explore.
Stykkishólmur
A few hours North of Reykjavik, Stykkishólmur is a sleepy, adorable little town. I took a bus up there to catch the morning ferry to the West Fjords or Flatley Island. It was a really enjoyable ride, despite the fact I lost my favorite knit cap somewhere along the way.
When I arrived, I was blown away. The small town was what every small town strives to be - quiet, romantic, secluded. I stayed at a super cozy hostel, and pigged out on lobster bisque.
Despite the size of Stykkishólmur, there's a lot to do there. Make sure to check out the nearby Helgafell for hiking, visit the volcano museum or snap an incredible photo at Súgandisey Cliff.
You know, like this:
While you're there, grab a bowl of lobster bisque at Sjávarpakkhúsið. It's incredibly rich and delicious. I'd highly recommend making time for a nap afterwards.
I wasn't there for a long-term stay, so I crashed at Harbour Hostel. The rooms are immaculate and pristine, with thick sheets and blankets. The common areas are also extremely clean and kept after. I was fortunate enough to get a free night there in exchange for a review on this blog.
Hafnarfjordur
Hafnarfjörður is a gorgeous port town near Reykjavik. Via bus, you can get here in about 45 minutes. It's close to the city, quiet and gives you a really good idea of how most people in Iceland actually live. I spent a few days there exploring, and pigged out on lobster bisque...(you'll do that more than once here.)
There's a lot of neat naturey things to do in Hafnarfjörður, such as visit Lake Kleifarvatn, hike at Heiðmörk, explore the Reykjanesfólkvanguror hot springs, or visit Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach.
For people looking for magic, Hellisgerði apparently is home to elves and dwarves. It's a favorite of local residents. If you're not into nature, and don't feel like chasing mythical creatures, there's still an array of cool activities to check out in Hafnarfjörður, or Town in the Lava.
Attend The Annual Viking Festival
The Viking Festival has been going on for over ten years, and occurs the second weekend of June. Visitors can check out handmade items and hear fun stories about Iceland's history. When the festival isn't on, there's a Viking Village to explore. Local highlight Fjörukráin as a top restaurant in the village to dine at.
Visit The Museum Of Design And Applied Art
Icelanders have serious style. If you have an hour or two kill in Hafnarfjörður, The Museum Of Design And Applied Art could be a cool place to check out. The museum is actually located between Hafnarfjörður and Reykjavik, and offers temporary exhibitions of Icelandic artwork.
Dalvík
Dalvik is a small, small town, but it's definitely worth going to. Especially if you're already up near Akureyri or Mývatn. There's plenty to see, and you can get an idea of how many Icelandic people actually live, outside of the urban areas.
It's a great spot for nature and nordic history, and a hub for accessing some of the more remote areas of Iceland. From festivals to ferries, if you're seeking an authentic experience here, Dalvik is wonderful. So rent a car, head to Akureyri (there's no way you're going to skip it if you're up North anyway), and check out "valley bay" and it's many activities.
The Annual Fish Festival
If you go in August, head to Dalvik for the annual fish festival, or Fiskidagurinn mikli. Everything is free, and the fish is absolutely delicious, fresh, and in mass quantities.
The entire town gathers to celebrate, and it's an awesome opportunity for people watching. There's also often concerts happening during the festival. When I was there, there was a children's choir that performed.
Skiing at Böggvisstaðafjall
In the winter months, there's skiing. Visit Böggvisstaðafjall, often called the best ski resort in Iceland. It's only a half hour from Dalvik, and offers a lot of different skiing tracks for people of all skill sets and ages.
Whale Watching
For people interested in spotting one of nature's gentlest creatures, there's a lot of whale watching in North Iceland. Check out one of the many Dalvik whale tours, which run for a few hours in certain seasons, and cost around 9,900 ISK (about $100 USD.)
Blönduós
Blönduós is about three hours north of Reykjavik, I have a soft spot for it because I have some friends there. It's right next to the ocean, and you literally can feel the winds coming in from the North Pole. There's a ton of places to hike and explore.
However, it's also very small. Like very very small. For many, it's just a pit stop on their way to the Westfjords or Akureyri. But it's a treasure for individuals who really want to explore the day to day life of Icelanders.
There's a lot to see there, despite the small size, including:
Mountains to climb
I had so much fun climbing mountains in Iceland. There's a lot of fun little ones outside of Blönduós. If you want to hike and wander, this is a great place to do it. Don't forget to be safe and check out which hiking trails are the best, rather than eyeballing it. There's a lot of natural hazards in Iceland, and tourists are notorious for getting themselves hurt.
A geothermal swimming pool
Icelanders love geothermal pools, that's not a secret. It's hard to find a town that doesn't have at least one. The one in Blönduós is great because the water is so hot, and the air is usually pretty cold. When I went, it was freezing out... winds coming in right from the North Pole and whatnot. Brrr. It was amazing to sink into the warm water and relax.
Hrútey is an island, located within in the river Blanda. You get there via a free pedestrian bridge. It's an awesome place to pick berries, hike, and see local Icelandic nature. Head to the local grocery store, grab some snacks, and head over to the island for a lazy afternoon.
Arnastapi
Arnastapi is a beautiful, secluded town in Western Iceland. So flippin' gorgeous. There's not much there but nature, but that's kind of the magic of it. If you want to grab some awesome pictures and check out local nature wonders, Arnastapi is the spot.
After you're done marveling at all of the views, check out a few things around town before heading out:
The Bárður Statue
This statue is one of the must sees in Arnastapi. Bárður was rumored to be half ogre, half human, and his saga, Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss, is absolutely fascinating. The statue itself is HUGE, just a giant rock formation with a little rock head.
Soups and Snacks at Snjofell
There aren't many options for food in Arnastapi, but this restaurant is still very very good. I had asparagus soup while I was there, and it was made perfectly. It's a nice quiet spot to recollect yourself before heading back on the road, either back to Reykjavik or up North. They also have a guesthouse if you want to stay over.
Grab a Guided Tour
With a guided tour, you'll see nature and even hear an epic ghost story. Despite how safe Iceland is, it's still a very old country with a rich, and sometimes twisted history. Local guides are great for getting more context about the region, and Arnastapi is a stop on many guided tours in the area.
Coffee at Fjöruhúsið Café
One of the only cafes in the area, Fjöruhúsið is another spot to sit and relax before getting back on the road, or taking a tour. They offer soups, jams, waffles, and awesome views of the town.