Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Reykjarfjörður
Tucked beneath a looming rock wall and an enormous waterfall at Reykjarfjörður, and ap-
proached by way of incredible mountain roads and fjord views, is the strangely enchanting
factory at
Djúpavík
. Once a thriving centre for herring processing, the area was all but
abandoned when the plant closed in 1950. The deserted factory (which has since been re-
claimed) and a beached trawler dominate this hamlet of quaint dorms and houses, and cre-
ate a magical, memorable mood on this enormous, remote, deep fjord.
Sleeping
Hótel Djúpavík
INN
( 451 4037;
www.djupavik.com
;
d in inn/cottage with shared bathroom Ikr12,500/11,800; )
This charming inn, decorated with antiques and set in the herring factory's former women's
dormitory block, is warmly welcoming from the moment you step into its bustling ground
floor restaurant (mains Ikr1800 to Ikr4000). The understated charm spreads from the main
inn to the sprinkling of guesthouse cottages (some with sleeping bag accommodation
Ikr3800), with kitchens. It's set on one of the most stunning bays in Iceland. Hotel book-
ings essential in summer.
It's worth taking a
tour of the abandoned factory
(Ikr1000) with the friendly hotel
staff. Part is used by the owner as a workshop, part is marvellously and photogenically de-
funct, and part has been turned into the summertime
Steypa photography exhibition
(
www.claus-in-iceland.com
; Jun-Aug)
. Look for the factory in Sigur Rós' 2007 concert video
Heima
.
Norðurfjörður & Around
North of Djúpavík, there are two interesting churches at
Árnes
- one is a traditional
wooden structure, and the other (virtually across the street) is dramatically futuristic. The
10am-6pm Jun-Aug)
, has displays on fishing, and farming, and sells handicrafts.
