Grundarfjordur, Iceland

Grundarfjörður is a small town on the northwest coast of Iceland with a population just under 900 people focused on fishing and fish processing.  It has also recently become a center for tourism due to the allure of the landscape around the town.  Nearby Kifkjufell is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountains in Iceland and the town is also used as a base to explore the Berserkjahraun lava fields.

Our ship pulls into the harbor and we walk on the paths around the edge of town to admire the waterfalls and other scenery.

Fish processing plants

Maps of the town

Directions to places far away

Our ship at the dock

Town gas station

Trail around the town

Town geothermal power plant

Ski slope

Colorful building

As we loop around the edge of town to the other side, we run across many waterfalls and much beautiful scenery.

Waterfalls

Looking back at town

Scenery outside town

Soon we come to the waterfalls at the base of Kirkjufell Mountain , a popular tourist spot with a large parking lot.  Wow!

Kirkjufell Waterfalls

Leaving the falls, we stroll back into town, admire some of the art decorating the buildings, and work our way back to the port to watch fishing boats arrive and unload.

Art around the city

Fishing vessels in port

Unloading

Picnic areas near the port

Another great small Icelandic town, focused on fishing (and, now, tourism)

Ísafjörður, Iceland

Ísafjörður, meaing "fjord of ices" is the largest settlement in Iceland's peninsula of Vestfirðir and was originally settled in the 9th century.  In the 16th century, the town became a trading post for foreign merchants, was the birthplace of the Icelandic shrimp industry, and became home to the largest saltfish exporter in the country.  The town also contains the oldest collection of timber frame houses in Iceland.

We approach through the Skutulsfjordur fjord.

Approaching the town

Pilot boat comes out to meet us

We walk into the port and immediately come on the museum, with lots of artifacts from the years of fishing at the port.  After the museum, we walk through the port into the town, past fishing vessels and people (bundled up) heading out whale watchnig.

Left over from fishing

Current fishing

Whale watching

Timber frame houses

The harbor

We pass through the town and onto a path up into the hills beyond the town, giving us great views of the harbor and the landscape.

Path up into the hills

Looking back at town

The trail continues around town

We descend back into town and wander back to the port, past the colorful wooden frame houses.

Wooden houses (and shops)

Fishing boat in back yard

As with all the Icelandic towns we've visited, there is the occastional sculpture and colorful artwork throughout the town.

Art in the town

As our ship leaves the port, we pass close by fish farms and depart this quiet fishing village.

Fish farms