Cruise port · Iceland · Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic
Seyðisfjörður cruise port guide
Seyðisfjörður is a tiny, artsy town at the end of a long fjord in East Iceland, known for its colorful wooden houses, the pale blue church at the end of a rainbow-painted street and waterfalls tumbling from the surrounding mountains. Ships dock right in town, and tours head over the mountain pass to Egilsstaðir, Hengifoss waterfall and geothermal baths.
- Small-town charm
- Waterfalls
- Art and design
- Photography
Photo: Kasa Fue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Iceland
- Region
- Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Icelandic. English is widely spoken.
- Currency
- Icelandic króna (ISK). Cards are accepted everywhere.
- Best time to visit
- June–August
- Average highs
- 35–53°F through the year
About Seyðisfjörður
With only a few hundred residents, Seyðisfjörður feels like a village, but it has a strong arts scene, a cultural center and cafés out of proportion to its size. Many of its wooden houses were shipped from Norway as kits around 1900, when the town was a busy herring port. The weekly car ferry from Denmark also docks here.
A port day can be as simple as strolling the rainbow street, visiting a gallery and hiking to a waterfall above town. Tours climb the winding Fjarðarheiði pass to the Egilsstaðir area for forests, lakes, waterfalls and the Vök floating geothermal pools. It’s ideal for relaxed travelers, hikers and photographers; it’s small and quiet, with limited shopping and dining.
Where cruise ships dock in Seyðisfjörður
Ships tie up at the ferry and cruise quay in the heart of town; when the berth is occupied, some anchor and tender. Everything in town is a few minutes’ walk. Egilsstaðir is about 17 miles (27 km) away over the mountain pass, roughly 30 minutes by road. Hengifoss is around an hour, and Borgarfjörður eystri’s puffin colony about 1.5 hours. Taxis are few, so book tours or arrange transport in advance. The town itself takes an hour or two.
Best things to do in Seyðisfjörður on a cruise
- 1
Rainbow street and the Blue Church
culture
A rainbow-painted pedestrian street leads to Seyðisfjarðarkirkja, a pale blue wooden church framed by mountains. It’s the town’s most photographed spot. Summer concerts are sometimes held in the church.
- 2
Tvísöngur sound sculpture
culture
A cluster of concrete domes on the hillside above town, designed so that sound resonates in harmony inside them. Reaching it is a short uphill hike with fjord views. Try humming or singing inside.
- 3
Hengifoss waterfall
nature
One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls drops into a gorge striped with red clay layers between basalt. The trail climbs steadily, taking about an hour up, past the smaller Litlanesfoss with its basalt columns. It’s about an hour from town.
- 4
Vök Baths
adventure
Geothermal pools floating on Lake Urriðavatn near Egilsstaðir, with views over the water. A relaxing soak after a waterfall hike; pack a swimsuit and book entry ahead on busy days.
- 5
Waterfalls along the Fjarðarheiði pass
scenery
The road into town passes Gufufoss and other cascades, and hiking trails lead to Fardagafoss. Even a short walk from town reveals streams and waterfalls pouring from the cliffs.
- 6
Borgarfjörður eystri puffins
wildlife
At the small harbor of Borgarfjörður eystri, a viewing platform on the Hafnarhólmi islet puts you close to nesting puffins, usually from spring to late summer. It’s about 1.5 hours away, so it’s a long tour.
- 7
Skaftfell and local galleries
culture
Skaftfell is a contemporary art center with a café-bistro in an old wooden house. Small galleries and craft shops around town sell local art and design.
Seyðisfjörður weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 351 | 352 | 352 | 373 | 436 | 5010 | 5211 | 5311 | 499 | 426 | 383 | 352 |
| Low °F (°C) | 27-3 | 28-2 | 29-2 | 31-1 | 362 | 426 | 468 | 468 | 436 | 373 | 331 | 29-2 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.998 | 3.897 | 3.998 | 2.870 | 2.769 | 3.487 | 4.0101 | 3.793 | 4.7120 | 5.0126 | 4.7120 | 5.3134 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 5 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 4 |
What to eat and drink in Seyðisfjörður
Try fresh fish, Icelandic lamb and skyr at the town’s cafés and restaurants. East Iceland is the only part of the country with wild reindeer, so reindeer burgers sometimes appear on menus. Bars and cafés in town serve local beer. Options are limited, so many passengers eat on board.
Tips for your port day
- Book tours early; few buses and taxis serve the town.
- Dress for cool, wet weather, with sturdy shoes for hiking.
- The mountain pass can be foggy or snowy even in early summer; allow time for the drive back.
- Skip changing money; even the smallest cafés in town take cards.
- Respect residents’ privacy when photographing houses and gardens.
Cruise lines that visit Seyðisfjörður
Often on the same itinerary
Seyðisfjörður cruise FAQs
Can you walk around Seyðisfjörður from the ship?
Yes. Ships dock in town, and the rainbow street, Blue Church and cafés are a few minutes’ walk.
Is Seyðisfjörður a tender port?
Usually not. Ships tie up at the ferry and cruise quay in town, but if the berth is occupied, for example by the weekly car ferry, some anchor and tender instead.
What is Seyðisfjörður known for?
Its colorful wooden houses, the Blue Church at the end of a rainbow-painted street, its arts scene and dramatic fjord setting.
How far is Egilsstaðir from Seyðisfjörður?
About 17 miles (27 km), roughly 30 minutes over the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass.
Can you see puffins from Seyðisfjörður?
Yes, at Borgarfjörður eystri, about 1.5 hours away, usually from spring to late summer. Tours are needed.
Is Seyðisfjörður worth visiting on a cruise?
Yes, for its scenery and charm. It’s small and quiet, so it suits relaxed travelers and hikers more than shoppers.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.