Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Þorlákshöfn
In the past, most people came to the fishing town of Þorlákshöfn, 20km south of Hverager-
ði, to catch the ferry to the Vestmannaeyjar. Now the ferry departs from Landeyjahöfn on
the southwest coast near Hvolsvöllur. When it's stormy and the new port fills with sand,
the ferry does leave from here. There's little other reason to come. It is served by
Strætó
(
540 2700;
www.bus.is
)
bus 53 from Reykjavík's Mjódd station (Ikr1050, 45 minutes, two
daily Monday to Friday) and bus 74 from Selfoss (Ikr700, 45 minutes, three daily Monday
to Friday).
Eyrarbakki
pop 496
It's hard to believe, but tiny Eyrarbakki was Iceland's main port and a thriving trading
town well into the 20th century. Farmers from all over the south once rode here to barter
for supplies at the general store - crowds were so huge it could take three days to get
served! Another of Eyrarbakki's claims to fame is that it's the birthplace of Bjarní Her-
jólfsson, who made a great sea voyage in AD 985 and was probably the first European to
see America. Unfortunately, Bjarní turned back and sold his boat to Leifur Eiríksson, who
went on to discover Vinland and ended up with all the glory. Today the town is known for
its prison - the largest in Iceland.
Sights
Húsið á Eyrarbakka
MUSEUM
(House at Eyrarbakki; 483 1504;
www.husid.com
;
Hafnarbrú 3;adult/child incl Sjöminjasafnið á
Eyrarbakka Ikr800/free; 11am-6pm May-Sep)
One of Iceland's oldest houses, built by Danish traders in 1765, Húsið á Eyrarbakka has
glass display cabinets explaining the town's history, rooms restored with original furniture,
and a stuffed bird collection. Keep an eye out for Ólöf Sveinsdóttir's shawl, hat and cuffs,
knitted from her own hair.
