Region
Eastfjords
640 km from Reykjavik
Stodvarfjordur and Petra's Stone Collection
A tiny Eastfjords village, home to Petra's stone collection, a museum in her former home and garden.
Population
~200
Eastfjords • Stone collection
Quick Answer
Stodvarfjordur, a small Eastfjords village, is home to Petra's Stone Collection, thousands of minerals and crystals gathered locally for more than 60 years.
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 more than 60 years gathering minerals, crystals, and stones from across Iceland. The collection fills her house and garden with thousands of specimens.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Petra passed away in 2012 at age 103, but her family continues to maintain the collection and welcome visitors.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~200
Small village, big attraction
Known for
Petra's Stones
A lifetime of 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 Displays
Study local specimens at Petra’s collection
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: Route 1 passes through Stöðvarfjörður; the museum is at Fjarðarbraut 21.
Best Time to Visit Stodvarfjordur
Summer: Petra's Stone Collection posts a May 1–October 15 season, daily 09:00–17:00. The garden is part of the visit.
Winter: The posted regular season ends October 15. Contact the museum for any visit outside that season; do not assume winter opening.
Petra’s house, garden and café
Petra’s Stone Collection occupies Sunnuhlíð, the home where Petra lived, and its garden. The museum also displays other things she collected, including shells and preserved birds. It is a collector’s home with several kinds of exhibits, rather than a display of rocks alone.
When checked on September 10, 2026, the museum listed daily opening from May 1 to October 15, 09:00–17:00. Adult admission was 2,200 ISK, with free entry for children 14 and younger. Ordinary visits did not require advance booking during opening hours; larger groups were asked to contact the museum.
Kaffi Sunnó serves coffee roasted locally by Kvörn, with bread and pastries supplied by Stöðvarfjörður’s Brauðdagar. You can eat in the sunroom or garden. That offers a specific food stop to pair with the collection without assuming a separate town café will be open.
Planning help
Stodvarfjordur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Stodvarfjordur?
Stodvarfjordur has approximately 200 residents and is one of the smaller Eastfjords villages.
What is Petra's Stone Collection?
Petra's Stone Collection is a private museum with thousands of minerals, crystals, and stones collected for more than 60 years by local resident Petra Sveinsdóttir. The collection occupies her former home and garden.
How far is Stodvarfjordur from Reykjavik?
Stodvarfjordur is about 640 km from Reykjavik (7-7.5 hours driving) via Route 1.
What kinds of stones are in Petra's collection?
The collection includes zeolites, jasper, agate, quartz, and many other minerals found in Iceland, plus stones from around the world. The garden is filled with larger specimens.
What else is in Stodvarfjordur?
Besides Petra's collection, the village has a small harbor, hiking trails, and easy access to the Eastfjords coastline.
Why are there so many minerals in East Iceland?
The Eastfjords have ancient volcanic rocks containing zeolite minerals, which makes the region a place to study those minerals in collections.
Are there artists in Stodvarfjordur?
Yes, like many Eastfjords villages, Stodvarfjordur attracts artists. The Fish Factory creative center hosts international artist residencies.
What services does Stodvarfjordur have?
Very limited. Petra's Stone Collection and the Fish Factory are the main attractions. Stock up on supplies in Faskrudsfjordur or Djupivogur.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.