Region
Eastfjords
680 km from Reykjavik
Eskifjordur, Eastfjords
A historic fishing town with a maritime museum, mountain hiking, and Iceland's biggest metal festival.
Population
~1,000
Eastfjords • Maritime heritage
Quick Answer
Eskifjordur, an Eastfjords fishing town of about 1,000 residents, has the East Iceland Maritime Museum, the historic Helgustadir spar mine, and the Holmatindur hike.
Eskifjordur is an old Eastfjords fishing town with good hiking on its doorstep. The East Iceland Maritime Museum records generations who made their living from the sea, and the surrounding mountains hold some of the region's best trails.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Nordfjardargong connects Eskifjordur with Nordfjordur; check current road conditions.
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Official sources to check
Population
~1,000
Historic fishing community
Known for
Maritime Museum
East Iceland fishing heritage
Top Attractions in Eskifjordur
East Iceland Maritime Museum
Fishing heritage and boat collection
Holmatindur
985m peak above the town
Helgustadir Mine
Historic Icelandic spar crystal mine
Gamla bud
The 1816 trading house housing the Maritime Museum
Swimming Pool
Geothermal outdoor pool
Fishing Harbor
Active working harbor
How to Get to Eskifjordur
From Egilsstadir: 45 km (40 minutes) via Route 92.
From Reykjavik: Fly to Egilsstadir, then drive. Or 8 hours by car via Route 1.
Tunnels: Nordfjardargong links Eskifjordur and Nordfjordur toward Neskaupstadur; use that name when checking the route.
Best Time to Visit Eskifjordur
Summer: Long daylight for walking and the regular summer opening season at the Maritime Museum.
Winter: Museum visits are by arrangement from September through May. Check road conditions before driving between towns.
Read the fishing history in the building
The East Iceland Maritime Museum occupies Gamla bud, a trading house built in 1816. It later stored fish and fishing equipment before becoming a museum. Alongside seafaring objects, the collection includes material from trade, crafts and medical practice: useful context for how a fishing town worked beyond the boats themselves.
The municipality also describes an exhibition upstairs at Randulffs Sjohus, with a summer restaurant downstairs. Those are distinct uses within that building; confirm exhibition access rather than assuming a restaurant reservation includes it. The main museum’s listed season is June 1–August 31, daily 13:00–17:00. For September–May, arrange a visit through sofn@fjardabyggd.is or +354 470 9063.
The road authority’s tunnel inventory identifies Nordfjardargong as the 7.9-kilometer connection between Eskifjordur and Nordfjordur, opened November 11, 2017. This is the tunnel to look for when continuing toward Neskaupstadur; older descriptions of an Oddsskard tunnel itinerary confuse the route.
Planning help
Eskifjordur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Eskifjordur?
Eskifjordur has approximately 1,000 residents, a historic fishing town on the Eastfjords coast.
What is the East Iceland Maritime Museum?
This museum in Eskifjordur covers the region's fishing history with historic boats, equipment, and accounts of the fishing industry.
How far is Eskifjordur from Reykjavik?
Eskifjordur is about 680 km from Reykjavik (8 hours driving) via Route 1 and Route 92.
What is Icelandic spar?
Eskifjordur was known for mining Icelandic spar (calcite crystal) used in optical instruments. The Helgustadir mine was internationally known for its crystal quality.
Is there a tunnel to Eskifjordur?
Nordfjardargong connects Eskifjordur with Nordfjordur toward Neskaupstadur. The road authority lists it as 7.9 km long, opened in November 2017.
What hiking is available from Eskifjordur?
Holmatindur mountain (985m) is a demanding hike with wide views. Easier trails follow the coast and valley.
When can I visit the Maritime Museum?
The municipal museum lists daily opening June 1–August 31, 13:00–17:00. September–May visits need advance arrangement at sofn@fjardabyggd.is.
What services does Eskifjordur have?
The town has a supermarket, swimming pool, hotels, restaurants, and the Maritime Museum. It's a compact, walkable community.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.