Iceland, Puffin in flight

Getty Images/RooM RF

Hafnarhólmi

Top choice in East Iceland


Five kilometres past the wee church is the photogenic small-boat harbour and islet of Hafnarhólmi, home to a large puffin colony. A staircase and viewing platforms allow you to get close to these cute, clumsy creatures (and other seabirds). The puffins arrive by mid-April and are gone by early to mid-August, but other species (including kittiwakes, fulmars and common eiders) may linger longer.

In summer's peak, from the islet you can enjoy midnight sun viewings in the company of puffins and with an evocative soundtrack of bird calls. There's also a viewing hide built here (500kr), but we found better viewing spots outside – still, it may come in handy for photographers in bad weather.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby East Iceland attractions

1. Lindarbakki

1.95 MILES

You can’t miss the village’s hairiest and most photogenic house: bright-red Lindarbakki (1899) is completely cocooned by whiskery green grass, with only a…

2. Bakkagerðiskirkja

1.95 MILES

Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885–1972), Iceland’s best-known artist, was brought up nearby and took much of his inspiration from Borgarfjörður Eystri and…

3. Álfaborg

2.04 MILES

Álfaborg (Elf Rock), the small mound and nature reserve near the campsite, is the ‘borg’ that gave Borgarfjörður Eystri its name. Some locals believe that…

4. Njarðvíkurskriður

3.17 MILES

A habitual site of accidents in ancient times, Njarðvíkurskriður is a dangerous scree slope on Rte 94 near Njarðvík on the way into Borgarfjörður Eystri…

5. Tvisöngur

20.1 MILES

A favourite walk takes explorers from a parking area south of Tækniminjasafn Austurlands about 15 or 20 minutes uphill to the 'sound sculpture' Tvísöngur,…

6. Tækniminjasafn Austurlands

20.21 MILES

For insight into the town’s fishing and telecommunications history, stop by this worthwhile technical museum. It’s housed in two buildings on Hafnargata:…

7. Skaftfell – Center for Visual Art

20.66 MILES

It's well worth a look in this gallery space above the Skaftfell Bistro. Skaftfell is a visual art centre with a focus on contemporary art, and it stages…

8. Avalanche Monument

20.77 MILES

The monument near the church dates from the 1996 avalanche, and is made from twisted girders from the factory demolished by the event. The girders were…