Stodvarfjordur and Petra's Stone Collection

A tiny Eastfjords village, home to Petra's stone collection, one of Iceland's most visited private museums.

Last reviewed March 3, 2026By the Iceland.org travel deskEditorial policy
Population
~200
Eastfjords • Stone collection
Stodvarfjordur is tiny, but it draws visitors from around the world to Petra's Stone Collection, the life's work of Petra Sveinsdóttir, who spent 70 years gathering minerals, crystals, and stones from across Iceland. The collection fills her house and garden with thousands of specimens.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03

Petra passed away in 2012 at age 103, but her family continues to maintain the collection and welcome visitors.

Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.

Region
Eastfjords

640 km from Reykjavik

Population
~200

Small village, big attraction

Known for
Petra's Stones

70 years of mineral collecting

Top Attractions in Stodvarfjordur

Petra's Stone Collection

Thousands of minerals in house and garden

The Fish Factory

International artist residency center

Stodvarfjordur Harbor

Quiet fishing harbor

Coastal Hiking

Scenic trails along the fjord

Mineral Hunting

The area is rich in zeolites and crystals

Mountain Views

Steep peaks surround the fjord

How to Get to Stodvarfjordur

From Egilsstadir: 70 km (1 hour) via Route 96.

From Reykjavik: Fly to Egilsstadir, then drive. Or 7-7.5 hours by car via Route 1.

Ring Road access: Just off Route 1, so it is an easy stop for Ring Road travelers.

Best Time to Visit Stodvarfjordur

Summer: Petra's Stone Collection is open (May-September). Best weather for exploring the garden.

Winter: Collection has limited hours. Check ahead before visiting. Roads are maintained.

Planning help

Stodvarfjordur FAQs

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

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