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Saurbæjarkirkja turf church

North IcelandTurf churchFree entryKey needed
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Saurbæjarkirkja
Saurbæjarkirkja
SAURBÆJARKIRKJA IN SHORT

Saurbæjarkirkja is an original turf church built in 1858 in the Eyjafjörður valley, about 25 to 30 km south of Akureyri in North Iceland. It is one of only six turf churches left in Iceland and the largest of them. The church is usually locked, so you need to get the key from a nearby farm or museum. Allow 20 to 30 minutes.

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About Saurbæjarkirkja

Saurbæjarkirkja looks like a small grass-roofed farm building, with thick turf and stone walls and a timber front. Inside, it is a proper church, panelled in wood and warm in feel, with seating for about 60 people. Bells hang from the front gable instead of a tower.

The church was built in 1858 by the carpenter Ólafur Briem, who had learned his trade in Copenhagen, for Reverend Einar Thorlacius. Turf was the main building material for churches in Iceland until the mid-19th century, when timber and later cement took over, and very few turf churches survive. This is the largest of the six. A concrete cellar was added in 1960, and the church was rebuilt in 2003. It has belonged to the National Museum of Iceland since 1962 and is a protected building.

It stands in the inner part of Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, on the right-hand side of Route 821 as you drive south from Akureyri, in wide green farmland. It is best seen as part of a day trip from Akureyri along with other sights in the valley.

Quick facts

Built1858, by the carpenter Ólafur Briem for Reverend Einar Thorlacius
MaterialsTurf, stone and timber
CapacityNearly 60 people
RenovatedConcrete cellar added 1960; rebuilt 2003
RegionInner Eyjafjörður, North Iceland
From AkureyriAbout 25 to 30 km south
From ReykjavíkAbout 410 km, around 5 hours by car
RoadRoute 821 (west side of the valley), on the right driving south
GPS65.4472, -18.2106
EntryFree, but the key must be collected
Time needed20–30 minutes
ProtectedNational Museum of Iceland, since 1962

One of six

For centuries most churches in Iceland were built of turf, wood and stone, because there was little timber. When imported wood and cement became available in the 19th century, the old turf churches were replaced or fell into ruin.

Only six original turf churches remain in the country. Saurbæjarkirkja is the largest, and the others include Hofskirkja in the south and Grafarkirkja and Víðimýrarkirkja in the north.

Saurbær has been a church site since early in Iceland's history. A religious house was founded here around the year 1200, though few sources about it survive, and the earlier churches on the site were dedicated to St Nicholas and St Cecilia.

Turf churches have no bell tower. The bells usually hang on the front gable, as they do here, and some turf churches also have a lychgate at the entrance to the churchyard.

How to get to Saurbæjarkirkja

By carFrom Akureyri, take Route 821 south along the west side of the Eyjafjörður valley for 25 to 30 km. You pass the church at Grund on the way, and Saurbæjarkirkja is on the right-hand side of the road, above the museum Smámunasafnið. The road is paved and open all year.
From ReykjavíkThe church is about 410 km from Reykjavík, around 5 hours' drive on the Ring Road to Akureyri and then south on Route 821. You can also fly to Akureyri and rent a car there, which makes the church a short half-day outing.
Getting the keyThe church is normally locked. The long-standing arrangement is that in summer you get the key from the museum Smámunasafnið just below the church, or from the family at the neighbouring farm. Ask politely and return it. The arrangement can change, and you may not be able to get inside on the day you visit, so treat the interior as a bonus.
By public transportThere is no regular public transport to the church, so you need a car.
ParkingThere is space to park by the church at no charge.

Best time to visit Saurbæjarkirkja

Summer (June–August)The easiest time to visit, as the key is available at the museum and the surrounding area is green.
Winter (October–April)You can still see the outside of the church, but you may have difficulty getting the key. Roads can be icy.

Safety and practical tips

  • Get the key first. Without it you can only see the outside.
  • Walk lightly inside and treat the building gently. It is an old, worn and fragile structure that has to last.
  • Combine the visit with Laufás and Grafarkirkja turf churches for a turf church tour.
  • Do not climb on the roof or walls, and stay on the paths.
  • Check opening times of the museum before you go, as it has seasonal hours.
  • On a fine summer day the churchyard and the meadows around it are a peaceful place to sit for a while. Bring a book or a picnic.
  • Look up at the front gable to see the bells, which hang outside because turf churches have no tower.

Facilities and accessibility

There are no facilities at the church itself. The museum nearby may have toilets and a café in summer, and Akureyri has full services.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

AkureyriAkureyriNorth Iceland's main town, about 25 to 30 km north
SmámunasafniðMuseum of everyday objects just below the church
GrundarkirkjaHistoric church at Grund, on the way from Akureyri
LaufásLaufásTurf farm museum on the east side of EyjafjörðurGrafarkirkjaGrafarkirkjaOne of the oldest turf churches in Iceland, in SkagafjörðurGlaumbærGlaumbærPreserved turf farm in SkagafjörðurGoðafossGoðafossWaterfall on the Ring Road east of Akureyri

Where to stay near Saurbæjarkirkja

Akureyri is the best base, with a wide choice of hotels, guesthouses and restaurants. There are also farm stays in the Eyjafjörður valley.

Saurbæjarkirkja FAQ

How old is Saurbæjarkirkja?

It was built in 1858 by the carpenter Ólafur Briem.

Is Saurbæjarkirkja open to visitors?

It is usually locked. In summer you can get the key from the museum Smámunasafn or from the farm family nearby.

How far is it from Akureyri?

About 25 to 30 km south, on Route 821 in inner Eyjafjörður.

How many turf churches are left in Iceland?

Six original turf churches survive, and Saurbæjarkirkja is the largest.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, entry is free, but the key must be collected.

Where is Saurbæjarkirkja?

In inner Eyjafjörður in North Iceland, on the right-hand side of Route 821 about 25 to 30 km south of Akureyri and about 410 km from Reykjavík.

More places in North Iceland