3. Journey to Hvanneyrarskal Valley
If you want a break from town without straying far, Hvanneyrarskal delivers. Perched high above Siglufjordur, this glacial valley is something of a local secret — the kind of place residents keep quietly to themselves while busloads of tourists file past elsewhere. The scenery is genuinely striking, and the approach feels earned without being punishing.
Start from the town center and follow the gravel road toward the avalanche barriers known as Snjoflodagardur. The path climbs through grassy slopes beside small streams, and the fjord opens up behind you the higher you go. Eventually you arrive at the floor of Hvanneyrarskal Valley itself. If you want to follow the exact route, a detailed trail map is available on Wikiloc.
The terrain shifts pleasantly as you walk — rushing streams, wide meadows, and ridges that still hold snow well into summer. Come in June or July and the ground is covered in purple saxifrage, Arctic thyme, and buttercups.
Details of the Hvanneyrarskal Valley Trail:
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Length: Approximately 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) round trip
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Elevation gain: Roughly 490 feet (150 meters)
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Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
Photo: “Skógafoss captured by dawn.” by Lukas Tennie on Unsplash -
Difficulty: Easy to moderate—ideal for hikers of varying fitness levels
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Trail type: An out-and-back route
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Trail conditions: Generally well-maintained paths with some uneven patches; sturdy hiking boots are recommended
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Best season: Late spring through early fall
2. Amble Along Siglufjordur Harbor
A walk along Siglufjordur harbor is one of those simple pleasures that sticks with you. Fishing boats rock in the water, seabirds wheel overhead, and the old painted buildings give the whole scene a warm, unhurried quality. There is nowhere you need to be. Just walk.
The harbor is small and easy to cover on foot. Cafes and craft shops line the edges, and there are benches where you can sit with a coffee and watch the boats. In summer, the daylight lingers well into the evening, making a late stroll here feel almost dreamlike.
1. Discover the Herring Era Museum
The Herring Era Museum is one of Iceland’s best museums, full stop. Spread across five restored buildings, it tells the story of Siglufjordur during the so-called “Herring Gold Rush” of the 1940s — a time when the town hummed with industry and thousands of workers descended on it each season.
Each building handles a different part of the story. One reconstructs a working salting station, tools and barrels still in place, the smell of fish oil faintly in the air. Another holds the actual fishing boats that worked these waters.
Take time in the old bunkhouse where the “herring girls” slept and rested between shifts. It is a quieter, more personal corner of the museum — and somehow more affecting for it. The whole place offers a window into Iceland’s coastal past that you won’t find condensed so well anywhere else in the country.
If you can time your visit for August, the annual Herring Festival brings the museum to life with reenactments — actors in period dress demonstrating the cleaning, salting, and packing of fish just as it was done decades ago.
Getting to Siglufjordur
Siglufjordur sits on Iceland’s northern coast, hemmed in by steep mountains and the Arctic Sea. There is no airport here and no major bus terminal, so a rental car is the practical choice. Pick one up at Keflavik Airport or, if you are already in the north, from one of the rental agencies in Akureyri.
Driving to Siglufjordur
The drive itself is part of the experience. The route passes through the Hedinsfjordur Tunnels, which bore straight through the mountains and emerge above a completely uninhabited fjord — worth the journey alone. Summer roads are straightforward, though winter driving demands more care. Parking in Siglufjordur is plentiful and free.
Driving from Akureyri to Siglufjordur: This picturesque drive takes roughly 1.5 hours. Navigate along Route 1 (the Ring Road) before branching off onto Route 76, which hugs the coast and leads directly to your destination.
Driving from Reykjavik to Siglufjordur: A scenic journey from Reykjavik to Siglufjordur spans about 5 to 6 hours. The most direct route is via the Ring Road (Route 1) heading north, followed by Routes 82 and 76. While it’s a long road to traverse, the breathtaking scenery makes the trip worthwhile, and an overnight stay can provide a welcome respite.
Self-Drive Itineraries Featuring Siglufjordur
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7-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour: This week-long route runs from Reykjavik through Akureyri, Lake Myvatn, and the Golden Circle, taking in geothermal spas, waterfalls, and dramatic winter landscapes.
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1-Week Summer Self-Drive Tour: A broad sweep of Iceland’s varied terrain, from the Gold Circle and South Coast to the Eastfjords and beyond. Glacier lagoons, geothermal areas, and quiet coastal towns fill the days, alongside both famous landmarks and lesser-known spots.
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10-Day Complete Ring Road Tour: Covers Iceland’s best regions, including the Golden Circle, South Coast, and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Black sand beaches, geothermal springs, glacier lagoons, and quieter natural gems all feature.
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12-Day Full Ring Road Journey: A full circuit of Iceland, with national parks, glacier lagoons, and the Eastfjords under the midnight sun. The itinerary mixes the iconic with the overlooked for a well-rounded summer trip.
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2-Week Epic Road Trip: Two weeks taking in glacier lagoons, black sand beaches, and remote fjords — the kind of trip where you leave having seen corners of Iceland that most visitors never reach.
Popular Tours to Siglufjordur
Guided tours are a good option if you’d rather let someone else handle the logistics while you focus on the scenery and history of North Iceland. Below are some well-regarded options that include Siglufjordur.
Guided Multi-Day Tours to Siglufjordur
Siglufjordur features as a stop on several multi-day guided tours out of Reykjavik. These typically also take in Akureyri, Lake Myvatn, and the Trollaskagi Peninsula.
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6-Day Summer Ring Road Tour: A guided Ring Road trip combining well-known sights with quieter Eastfjords and North Iceland stops, with options for glacier hiking or ice caving. Accommodation is in country hotels with private bathrooms.
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6-Day Guided Tour from Reykjavik: Takes in Lake Myvatn, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Akureyri, with expert guides and comfortable accommodation throughout.
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Small-Group 7-Day Ring Road Tour with Snaefellsnes Peninsula: A small-group itinerary covering glaciers, volcanic craters, whale watching, and glacier hikes, staying in cozy hotel accommodation.
Day Tours to Siglufjordur
Day tours run conveniently from Akureyri and cover the Trollaskagi Peninsula as well as local museums.
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6-Hour Arctic Coastline and Trollaskagi Tour: Follows the Arctic Coast Way through North Iceland, stopping at Siglufjordur and Olafsfjordur, an old herring factory, and the hot tubs at Hauganes.
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Private 5-Hour Arctic Coastline Tour: A tailored five-hour trip through the fjords and fishing villages, with time at the Herring Era Museum, a stop at Kaldi microbrewery, and scenic driving along the Trollaskagi Peninsula.
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Private Small Group Siglufjordur Tour: A private five-hour tour through four tunnels and into the town, with a local guide covering the history of the herring era and the coastal landscape.
Accommodations in Siglufjordur
Spending at least one night in Siglufjordur is worth it. The town has a handful of boutique hotels and guesthouses that make a solid base for exploring North Iceland at a slower pace.
Where to Stay in Siglufjordur
Choices are limited but the quality is good. A few places stand out:
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Siglo Hotel: Sits right on the harbor with geothermal pools and fjord views. Modern and comfortable, it works well as a base for the area.
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Hotel Siglunes: A boutique option in the center of Siglufjordur with vintage-style rooms, a hot tub, and a Moroccan restaurant that uses Icelandic ingredients. The museums and mountain views are just outside the door.
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Brimnes Cabins: Self-catering cottages in Olafsfjordur with private hot tubs and views across the lake and mountains. Good for families or groups who want some space and quiet.
Camping in Siglufjordur
Siglufjordur has two camping areas: a central site near the harbor, and a quieter dual-site area just outside town made up of Rammalod and Stori boli.
The central campsite at Granugata 24 puts you close to shops, restaurants, and museums, with toilets, showers, electricity, and laundry on site.
Rammalod is a short walk from the center and offers a quieter stay without losing easy access to town. Stori boli, near the avalanche barriers, is the most secluded of the three — good if you want peace and easy access to walking routes.
All camping areas have basic facilities, including toilets and electricity. The central site suits those who want to be close to everything, while Rammalod and Stori boli are better for a quieter stay.
Campsites typically operate seasonally from May 15 to October 15.
Why Siglufjordur Stands Out as a Hidden Gem in North Iceland
Siglufjordur is small, but it punches above its weight. Mountains crowd in from all sides, the fjord glitters below, and the town has a history — and a present — that rewards unhurried attention.
Walking the harbor, heading up into the hills, or spending a few hours in the Herring Era Museum: none of these are dramatic activities on paper, but they have a way of staying with you. Siglufjordur fits naturally into a self-drive itinerary across Iceland, especially for anyone who has grown tired of the more tourist-heavy stops and wants somewhere that feels genuinely lived-in.
The town doesn’t try to dazzle you. That’s largely the point. The pace is slow, the community is tight-knit, and the mix of fishing history and musical heritage gives the place a character you won’t find replicated elsewhere in the north.
If you’re passing through this part of Iceland, a detour to Siglufjordur is worth the time. Most people who stop here end up wishing they’d booked an extra night.
