Location
Breiðafjörður
Situated in the island-rich Breiðafjörður bay between Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords.
Flatey Island: Car-Free Village in Breiðafjörður
A tiny, car-free island in Breiðafjörður bay with colourful restored houses, a rich literary history, and plenty of nesting birds.
Location
Breiðafjörður, West Iceland
Book a Flatey stop on the Baldur route.
Quick Answer
Flatey is a tiny car-free island in Breiðafjörður with restored 19th-century houses and ties to the Flateyjarbók manuscript. Summer ferries stop en route to.
Flatey sits in the island-studded waters of Breiðafjörður, a shallow bay between the Snæfellsnes peninsula and the Westfjords. Once an important trading post and monastic centre, the island is now home to only a handful of year-round residents but comes alive in summer when families return to their restored timber houses. The Flateyjarbók, one of Iceland's most treasured medieval manuscripts, was written here in the 14th century.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Season
Summer Ferry
Baldur calls at Flatey on selected sailings; reserve the stop.
Famous For
Flateyjarbók
One of Iceland's most important medieval manuscripts was written on this island in the 14th century.
What to Expect
Colourful Historic Houses
Restored 19th-century timber houses painted in bright colours line the island's single lane.
Flatey Church
A tiny church featuring murals by the Catalan-Icelandic artist Baltasar Samper, with scenes mixing Christian and Icelandic imagery.
Birdwatching
Arctic terns, eider ducks, black guillemots, and dozens of other species nest on and around the island. Breeding season runs from May to July.
Literary Heritage
The Flateyjarbók, a massive 14th-century manuscript containing Norse kings' sagas, was produced here.
Walking the Island
Flatey is about 2 km long and 1 km wide. You can walk the entire island in a couple of hours, with no cars and no rush.
Breiðafjörður Views
The bay's countless islands, skerries, and bird-rich waters stretch to the horizon, with the Snæfellsjökull glacier visible on clear days.
Getting There
Flatey is a stop on the Baldur ferry, which connects Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula with Brjánslækur in the Westfjords. Check the seasonal timetable and book the specific Flatey stop and onward journey. Stykkishólmur is about 170 km (2.5 hours) from Reykjavík via Route 54. There are no cars on the island, and none are needed.
Best Time to Visit
Summer has more visitor services; the published winter ferry timetable also includes selected island calls. July is peak season with the longest days and warmest weather. Birdwatching is best in June and early July during nesting season. The island is extremely quiet even in summer, so book accommodation far ahead if planning an overnight stay. Check transport and accommodation independently outside summer.
September–December 2026: reserve an actual island stop
Ferjuleiðir’s timetable lists Flatey calls on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from September 1 to December 31, 2026, and requires booking ahead for a stop. Other Baldur departures may cross between the mainland ports without calling at Flatey.
Book both the arrival and the onward or return journey. The winter timetable is evidence that the island is not simply inaccessible after August, but it does not guarantee a sailing in poor weather. Check the dated booking calendar and any service notice before travel.
Planning help
Flatey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
How do I get to Flatey island?
Flatey is a stop on the Baldur ferry route between Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and Brjánslækur in the Westfjords. The current winter timetable includes Flatey on selected days. Reserve the island stop and both legs of your journey.
Can I stay overnight on Flatey?
Yes, but accommodation is very limited. There is a small guesthouse and a few rental options. Booking well in advance is essential, especially for July and August. Many visitors come as a day trip between ferry departures.
What is the Flateyjarbók?
The Flateyjarbók (Book of Flatey) is one of the largest and most important medieval Icelandic manuscripts. Written in the 14th century, it contains sagas of the Norse kings, the Grœnlendinga saga, and other historical texts. It is now preserved at the Árni Magnússon Institute in Reykjavík.
What is there to do on Flatey?
Flatey is about slowing down. Walk among the colourful restored wooden houses, visit the island church with murals by Baltasar Samper, watch the abundant birdlife (including Arctic terns and eider ducks), and enjoy the views over Breiðafjörður bay. There are no cars on the island.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.