Discovering the Beauty of Iceland’s Fjords

Iceland is known for its incredible views (but what can you expect from a country that’s intriguingly called the Land of Fire and Ice?). Iceland’s fjords play a significant part in the incredible scenes awaiting visitors to the island.

This article will dive into the details of our most famous fjords by region so you can add these incredible places to your Iceland trip itinerary. So, let’s begin learning all about the fjords in Iceland.

What is a Fjord?

In short, Fjords are inlets to the sea. They are usually narrow, deep, with steep cliffs, and tend to run very far inland. Most fjords are the result of glaciation. This is a period that a glacier is moving (whether it is due to glaciers retreating or advancing). As it makes its way across the earth, it carves a path into its surface. This path looks like what we know as canyons or valleys that fill with water reaching all the way to the ocean.

Fjords are usually the deepest inland, where the glacier was the largest, and then becomes increasingly shallower, with the mouth of the fjord where it runs into the ocean being the shallowest. This shallow part makes for calm waters and great natural harbors. In essence, fjords are the spots where the earth was worn down by glacial activity, running from far inland to where it finally meets the ocean.

What Does the Word Fjord Mean?

The word fjord is actually a Norwegian word that is now internationally used. Fjord originates from the Norse word, fjordr, which was derived from pre-historic Indo-European prtus, a combination of por or per, which loosely translates to “pass,” “go,” or “to put over on the other side.”

The word, “fjord,” therefore, essentially means “where one fares through” and has the same origins as the English words “fare” (as in to travel) and “ferry” (to take from one place to another).

Where are the Fjords in Iceland?

Iceland has roughly 109 fjords. Most of them can be found in the Westfjords and the Eastfjords of the country, although one can also find a few in the north and around the capital region. The following are some of our most famous fjords in Iceland per region:

Fjords in the Westfjords of Iceland

Altafjördur

Being one of many stunning fjords along Road 61, Alftafjördur has an interesting history as it used to have a whaling station in the late 1800s. It was built by two Norwegians and operated until whaling became illegal in Iceland in 1915.

Isafjardardjup

Boasting as one of the largest fjords in the Westfjords, Isafjardardjup is the fjord that has fjords. This fjord is so large that it contains at least 10 smaller fjords within it, making it the crown jewel of fjords in the Westfjords. It also holds the capital of the area, Isafjordur, which sits at the mouth of the fjord.

Skutulsfjördur

The home of the capital of the Westfjords is Skutulsfjördur. This small fjord is the first to branch off from the larger Isafjardardjup in the northwestern part of the Westfjords. On the opposite side of Isafjördur, you can see the local “troll seats” that are popular hiking trails.

Arnafjördur

Boasting a diverse landscape and stunning mountains, Arnarfjördur is one of the most popular fjords to visit in the Westfjords if you’re not around Isafjördur. In one of the bays of the fjords, you’ll find the river that takes you to the famous Dynjandi Waterfall.

Breidafjördur

Literally translated to “the wide fjord,” Breidafjördur is more a sub-section of the North Atlantic than a fjord in the traditional sense. It is roughly 50 kilometers wide and contains a myriad of small islands that are considered too many to count.

Dyrafjördur

This is the classic of the classics when it comes to fjords in Iceland. Long and narrow, with incredibly high and steep mountains at the mouth and stunning valleys further in. Dyrafjördur is a multi-stop area if you want to get a good picture of the “Westfjord Alps”.

Fjords in the Eastfjords of Iceland

Lodmundarfjördur

If you’re looking for a deep, stunning, and secluded fjord in the eastern part of the country, this is the place to go. Since 1973, this fjord has been completely uninhabited and is now part of the popular Víknaslódir hiking trail.

Seydisfjördur

Seydisfjördur is the cultural fjord of Eastern Iceland. It has a town with the same name at the bottom of the fjord, just east of Egilsstadir, and the stunning Gullfoss Waterfall. It’s the perfect little detour from Ring Road 1.

Mjölfjördur

“Off the beaten path” is an understatement when it comes to this hidden gem in Eastern Iceland. The tiny village, Brekkuthorp, at the mouth of this fjord, is only accessible by car for four months a year since the road snows over. The rest of the year, the only access is via a scheduled boat from Nordfjördur.

Eskifjördur

The tiny fjord of Eskifjördur sits as an appendix to the larger Reydarfjördur. Short and narrow, you can enjoy the classic steep mountainsides on your way in and the mandatory stunning valley at the very end. This whole fjord is a perfect collection of all that is Eastern Iceland.

Reydarfjördur

This is the widest, and longest fjord in Eastern Iceland as well as the industrial center of the area. The large aluminum smelting plant has taken over as the main employer after the whaling stations and fisheries along the coast were discontinued.

Faskrudsfjördur

This stunning fjord in Eastern Iceland has an unusual connection with mainland Europe, as it used to be the main point of contact with French fishermen, mainly from Gravelines. The town, Budir, established in the fjord, even has its street signs in French.

Stodvarfjördur

This little giant in the southern parts of Eastern Iceland is known to have the only of the “fjord towns” in the east that Ring Road 1 passes straight through. This is also home to a very rare phenomenon: the sea geyser Saxa!

Berufjördur

A literal must on a Ring Road 1 road trip, as the road wraps around the coastline of this 20-kilometer-deep fjord. This breathtaking piece of nature is exactly what you would picture when thinking of “the scenic route,” as you will be driving snuggly between the towering mountains and the restless North Atlantic.

Hamarsfjördur

Shielded from the unyielding barrage of turbulent waves from the North Atlantic, this chubby little fjord is protected by a group of islands on a large and shallow black sand reef. This holds the largest island in Eastern Iceland and a stone labyrinth on the northern side of the inlet.

Alftafjördur

This calm fjord is wide enough to have several islands in it. It is “cut off” from the ocean by a long barrier of black sand that lies just under the surface. Even though it doesn’t have any natural stops along the way, the lagoon-like fjord provides a great view along Ring Road 1.

Fjords in the North of Iceland

Eyjafjördur

Being the longest fjord in Iceland and the gateway from the sea to Akureyri, this mountain corridor is as stunning as it is long. The large island Hrísey lies in the mouth of the fjord, and the easy road access on the western side of the fjord makes it easy to experience the breathtaking scenery.

Skagafjördur

Skagafjördur is an idyllic fjord with an abundance of agricultural activity. It sits in the county with the same name, seemingly overrun with farm animals, and is the only county in Iceland where horses outnumber people! The people in the area are well known for their beautiful singing.

Hedinsfjördur

This is one of the small and deserted fjords that can be found around Iceland. Sitting quietly in the northern part of the Tröllskagi peninsula, Hedinsfjördur is only home to a few abandoned buildings and a lake rich with fish.

Siglufjördur

This fjord has an incredibly colorful town that just happens to be the northernmost town in Iceland and is famous for its prolific fishing industry. The area also has one of the country’s best ski areas, including both cross-country and ski slopes.

Olafsfjördur

At the mouth of the mighty Eyjafjördur lies a short, stout, and modest fjord connected to a town with the same name and a lake filled to the brim with fish. The area around the fjord stays true to the Tröllskagi magic of stunning nature and breathtaking hiking trails.

Fjords in the Capital Region of Iceland

Hvalfjördur

Even though the name might hint otherwise, there haven’t been any whale sightings in this fjord in modern times. The fjord is home to many things, including an old WWII Allied naval base, a car tunnel that’s 165 meters below sea level, and the only whaling station in Iceland.

Borgarfjördur

This is one of the first areas to be settled in Iceland during the settlement era and is a place of tradition. The area is well-known for the unusually treacherous waters and the town of Borgarnes, which is a popular stop along Ring Road 1.

Discover the Iceland Fjords on Your Road Trip Through the Country

As you can see from the detailed outlines above, the Iceland fjords are scattered throughout the country, and the only way you’ll get to experience most of them is by road-tripping through the country.

You can see many of the abovementioned fjords if you take on the Ring Road, Diamond Circle, or Westfjords Way routes here on the island. For the ultimate comfort, convenience, and affordability, rent a campervan in Reykjavik upon arrival in the country and simply add another unique aspect to what is already a once-in-a-lifetime journey.