Region
Westfjords
230 km from Reykjavik
Holmavik, Strandir
Gateway to the remote Strandir coast and home to one of Iceland's most unusual museums, the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft.
Population
~375
Westfjords • Strandir gateway
Quick Answer
Holmavik, the main town of the Strandir coast, houses the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, with its infamous necropants. About 230 km from Reykjavik.
Holmavik is the gateway to the Strandir coast, one of Iceland's most remote regions. The town is best known for its Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, which covers the 17th century witch trials, necropants included. Beyond the museum, Holmavik gives access to natural hot springs and long stretches of isolated coastline.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Holmavik is the most accessible Westfjords town from Reykjavik. Check museum hours before visiting.
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Official sources to check
Population
~375
Strandir coast hub
Known for
Witchcraft Museum
Dark Icelandic folklore
Top Attractions in Holmavik
Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft
Dark folklore and necropants exhibit
Drangsnes Hot Pots
Free oceanside natural hot springs
Strandir Coast
Remote coastline with natural hot springs
Holmavik Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool in town
Grimsey Island
Bird-watching trips from Drangsnes
Museum Garden
Harbor-side outdoor space beside the sorcery museum
How to Get to Holmavik
From Reykjavik: 3 hours drive via Route 68, the shortest route to the Westfjords and fully paved.
From Isafjordur: About 3 hours drive via Route 61 through the mountains.
Day trip option: Holmavik is feasible as a day trip from Reykjavik, though staying overnight leaves time for the Strandir coast.
Best Time to Visit Holmavik
Summer (June-August): Longer days for a museum visit and Strandir exploration. Check road access before continuing along the coast.
Winter: Northern Lights and quiet museum visits, but check hours. Check conditions before using the exposed hot pots at Drangsnes.
Decide whether the sorcery exhibition suits your group
The museum’s visitor information describes a zombie figure that can frighten young children. It also distinguishes access by floor: the main exhibition floor and restaurant have wheelchair access, while the second floor does not. Ask about current access before visiting if stairs would limit what you can see.
The restaurant can be visited without paying for the exhibition. That gives a group a way to split its visit if some people want the folklore displays and others prefer a meal. Both the operator and regional tourism listing describe seasonal museum hours, with later opening in winter. Confirm the exact time directly: different pages on the operator’s site currently disagree about morning and weekend opening.
Planning help
Holmavik FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Holmavik?
Holmavik has approximately 375 residents and is the main service center for the Strandir coast.
What does Holmavik mean?
Holmavik means 'Islet Bay' in Icelandic, referring to the small islands in the bay where the town sits.
How far is Holmavik from Reykjavik?
Holmavik is about 230 km from Reykjavik (3 hours driving) via Route 68. It is the most accessible town in the Westfjords.
What is the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft?
The museum documents 17th century witchcraft persecution in Iceland, including the necropants and other dark folklore. It is one of Iceland's most unusual museums.
What are necropants?
Necropants (nábrók) are legendary pants made from human skin, believed to bring wealth. A replica is displayed at the Sorcery Museum.
What is the Strandir coast?
Strandir is the remote eastern coast of the Westfjords, known for its hot springs and isolation. Holmavik is its gateway.
What is in Drangsnes?
Drangsnes, 30 km from Holmavik, has free natural hot pots by the ocean and views to the island of Grimsey (not the Arctic Circle one).
What services does Holmavik have?
Holmavik has the Sorcery Museum, a supermarket, an N1 gas station, restaurants, hotels, and a swimming pool. It is the hub for the Strandir coast.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.