Region
North Iceland
75 km from Akureyri via tunnels
Siglufjordur: The Herring Era Museum Town
Iceland's herring capital: a colorful town with an award-winning museum and folk music traditions in a once-booming fishing port.
Population
~1,300
North Iceland • Herring history
Quick Answer
Siglufjordur, a North Iceland town of about 1,300, held 10,000 during the herring boom. The award-winning Herring Era Museum documents those years.
Siglufjordur was once Iceland's richest town, filled with thousands of workers during the herring boom. Today it's a quiet, colorful place at the end of a fjord, with a museum explaining the herring industry and good restaurants.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
The route through Olafsfjordur uses tunnels; check current road conditions before departure.
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Official sources to check
Population
~1,300
Once 10,000 during herring era
Known for
Herring Era Museum
Award-winning industrial museum
Top Attractions in Siglufjordur
Herring Era Museum
Three buildings of herring history
Folk Music Festival
Traditional music in early July
Colorful Town Center
Photogenic historic buildings
Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool with mountain views
Backcountry Skiing
Growing ski touring destination
Restaurants
Excellent seafood and dining
How to Get to Siglufjordur
From Akureyri: 1 hour via Route 82 and the Héðinsfjörður tunnels through Olafsfjordur.
Arctic Coast Way: Siglufjordur is a highlight of this scenic coastal route.
Best Time to Visit Siglufjordur
July: Folk Music Festival and best weather.
Winter: Skiing season with Northern Lights, but check road conditions.
Three museum buildings tell different parts of the herring story
The Herring Era Museum is more useful to plan as three linked subjects than as a single collection of fishing equipment. Róaldsbrakki is the 1907 Norwegian salting station, including the seasonal women workers’ living quarters. Grána explains processing fish into oil and meal. The Boathouse recreates a mid-century harbor. The municipal port guide describes all three, giving you a way to connect work, home life and the waterfront you see outside.
The regional visitor listing, checked September 10, 2026, gives May and September hours of 13:00–17:00, June–August 10:00–17:00, and winter visits by arrangement. Confirm a winter booking with the museum at safn@sild.is. The operator website could not be read in this update, so no current admission price or live salting-demonstration schedule is claimed here.
Planning help
Siglufjordur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Siglufjordur?
Siglufjordur has approximately 1,300 residents today, though it once had 10,000 during the herring boom.
What is the Herring Era Museum?
Award-winning museum telling the story of Iceland's herring fishing boom (1903-1968), when Siglufjordur was Iceland's most prosperous town.
How do you reach Siglufjordur?
The route from Akureyri passes through Olafsfjordur and the Hedinsfjordur tunnels. Check current road conditions and allow extra time for stops and weather.
How far is Siglufjordur from Akureyri?
Siglufjordur is about 75 km from Akureyri, approximately 1 hour via the Héðinsfjörður tunnels.
Is Siglufjordur known for music?
Yes, the annual Folk Music Festival in early July brings traditional Icelandic music to the town's historic center.
Is there skiing near Siglufjordur?
Yes, Siglufjordur has become a backcountry skiing destination, with heli-skiing and mountain touring in the surrounding peaks.
What is Siglufjordur like?
A colorful town with well-preserved historic buildings, good restaurants, and a strong sense of community despite its small size.
What services does Siglufjordur have?
Hotels, restaurants, museum, swimming pool, and basic services. Grocery options are limited; larger shops are in Akureyri.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.