Patreksfjörður

Basic Information

A charming village in the Westfjords of Iceland, Patreksfjörður is populated with approximately 650 inhabitants. The meaning of the name Patreksfjörður is “the fjord of St. Patrick”. It is named as such because it was settled by a noble after the conversion of the country to Christianity. This beautiful village is mention in the popular book “The Book of Settlements”. Even though this place is ancient, it did not settle into a village until the beginning of the 20^th century. In the vicinity of this village, you will find fishing grounds. The fishing farms were developed into a trading point when travelers and residents became interested in fish products. At present, the main occupation amongst residents is commercial fishing and fish processing. Even with very few inhabitants, it is the biggest town in the Southern part of Westfjords.

The village has become a focal point for tourists visiting the Westfjords because of famous attractions present nearby Patreksfjörður. It is also equipped with an outstanding swimming pool where travelers relax after a tiring journey. At a short distance from this town, you will find natural hot springs. If you are traveling around the Westfjords then you can plan to stay in this village overnight. It features hotels, guesthouses, restaurants with all the facilities. If you want to book a travel guide or a travel package, it is recommended to do so before you leave for your journey, but we will gladly help you find travel guides that will tell you everything about their beautiful village, Patreksfjörður.

Places To Visit Around Patreksfjörður

While traveling around this peaceful village, you will witness many naturally protected attractions that attract thousands of travelers throughout the year. Visit Látrabjarg that is located at a distance of about 60 kilometers southwards. Situated at the westernmost point of Europe, it is one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs. A favorite attraction for nature and bird lovers, Látrabjarg is a joining of seven cliffs spread in 14-kilometers with a 441 meters height. Látrabjarg is the largest sea-cliff in Iceland. It is one of the heaving bird cliffs in the world. Látrabjarg crowds the highest concentration of seabird in Iceland and entices travelers throughout the world. These cliffs are home to millions of seabirds with fulmar, guillemots, razorbills, and gulls. You can also get a chance to see puffins flying over the cliffs between May and September.

Travel further to see the naturally protected Dynjandi waterfall. Known as ‘the Jewel of the Westfjords’, Dynjandi falls trapezoidal with 30 meters wide brook of water. The burbling sound of water tumbling from a height of 100 meters provides an amazing view. This breath-taking waterfall is the largest in the region. It is particularly admired by nature lovers because of its picturesque location and distinctive formation. You can get a chance to view different species of birds, natural vistas, and astounding coastlines around the waterfall.

If you want to visit the beautiful beaches of Iceland, then explore Rauðisandur. It is a ten-kilometer long beach in the Westfjords, with the golden and red sand. Rauðisandur beach has a reddish hue in certain conditions. The splendid hues of the beach differ with the daylight and the weather. It is a place where giant cliffs rise from the beach to offer awe-inspiring scenery. Located beside Látrabjarg, Rauðisandur beach draws the attention of travelers throughout the year.

How To Reach Patreksfjörður

Located at a distance of around 392 kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland, Patreksfjörður can be reached in 5 hours by own vehicle. If you are starting from Reykjavík, head on to Ring Road 1 towards the north and cross the Borgarnes town. Drive for around half an hour after crossing Borgarnes and take a left turn towards Vestfjarðavegur to drive on route 60. Pass through Búðardalur and Gufudalur while driving on the same route. At Flókalundur, take a left turn to drive on route number 62. Keep driving on this route to reach Patreksfjörður. From Standgata’s turn, it is about 1.8 kilometers. Stop at the natural attractions that will be on your way to make the journey exciting and memorable.