Bolungarvík

Bolungarvík is a remote fishing village nestled in the northwest corner of Iceland’s Westfjords region. Lying around 14 km (9 mi) from the regional capital of Ísafjörður, this village serves up maritime history and quaint rural charm.

Legend goes that Bolungarvík, Iceland was settled in the 10th century by Þuríður Sundafyllir and her brother Þjóðólfur. A permanent outpost wasn’t established until the 17th century though, when it was prized by fishermen for its abundant waters.

The star attraction of the village is Ósvör Maritime Museum. It brings to life the history of the area’s fishing grounds and their impact on life on land.

At this outdoor museum, you can see a replica 19th-century Icelandic fishing hut. If you make an appointment, you can be led around the museum by a guide dressed as a  fisherman from the era.

The Bolafjall mountain, accessible by gravel road from the village, is home to a radar station and clifftop viewing platform. Here you can drink in panoramic views of the North Atlantic and uninhabited Hornstrandir region.

You can get to Bolungarvík via road 61, which hugs the coastline most of the way from Hólmavík, some 236 km (146 mi) southeast. You’re better off visiting in summer, as heavy snow can make the village tricky to reach in winter.