Reykjavík Grapevine - 25.08.2017, Síða 54

How to get there:
Route One North then Route 60

The northernmost village in the
Westfjords, Bolungarvík, is a fish-
ing village that is home to 900
residents. Despite the small pop-
ulation, the town stands true to
the adage of quality over quantity.
With lots to do and plenty to see,
it is a six-hour drive from Reyk-
javík. The settlement of Bolun-
garvík is unique to Iceland in that
it was founded by a woman named
Þuríður Sundafyllir rather than
by some renowned male Viking.
Boasting a rich history and cozy
community, Bolungarvík will
certainly be a highlight on your
travels around Iceland. And for
Reykjavík locals who want a break
from city life, it is also a perfect
destination.
Accommodation
Bolungarvík offers two choices for
overnight stay— camping or
sleeping in a guesthouse. For
camping, there is a site that offers
all the essentials, such as washing
facilities and electricity. In addi-
tion, the campground is located
near the river Holsár, not far from
the public swimming pool—talk
about prime location. If you’d
rather not camp, the alternative is
a stay at Einarshús, a guesthouse
and restaurant. Though there are
only two options for staying over-
night in Bolungarvík, sometimes
less is more.
Eat
Einarshús: With a great mix of lo-
cals and tourists, the aforemen-
tioned Einarshús has a warm and
relaxed feel. Its history is just as
lively as its service. Built in 1904,
the restaurant displays its saga
through old photographs and
family trees that decorate the
walls. Although the menu is basic,
the staff is always accommodat-
ing and willing to invent original
dishes for you. Good food is some-
times accompanied by live accor-
dion or guitar music, played by the
owner, as well as singing done by
the staff, which creates a memo-
rable experience.
See
Bolafjall: The most popular attrac-
tion in Bolungarvík, Bolafjall
mountain offers a stunning view
over Ísafjarðardjúp, Jökulfirðir and
even up to Greenland...if the weath-
er permits. To get to the mountain
you drive up the road leading to the
old Latrar Air Station, which is
home to the remains of some U.S.
military facilities. The road is open
from the middle of June to Septem-
ber, so plan accordingly.
Skálavík: Until the 1960s, people
use to live in Skálavík, a creek west-
wards of Bolungarvík. Since then
it has been uninhabited. However,
don’t let that keep you away—it’s a
great spot to walk along the black
sand beach or enjoy the view on top
of the mountain. On hotter days a
swim into the river should never
be a missed opportunity.
Ósvör Maritime Museum: Ósvör
is a replica of a 19th century Icelan-
dic fishing station. On display you
can see a crew hut with tools and
equipment used for fishing, a row-
ing boat, a fish drying area and a
drying hut. A curator in a tradi-
tional fisherman outfit welcomes
guests so you get a true oceanic
experience.
Shop
Drymla Local Handicrafts: Coor-
dinated by local women, Drymla
began in 1933 as a place where they
could engage in conversation while
drinking tea and knitting. Today,
you can purchase unique, one of a
kind hand-crafted goods. In addi-
tion, Drymla also has a workshop
where windows from local houses
are cut and used for art.
Bjarnabúðin: Established in 1927,
this shop adheres to its vintage
style but offers new products on its
shelves. You can purchase clothing,
food, books and much more. “Ev-
erything but alcohol," says the
owner behind the counter.
Swim and sauna
Bolungarvík pool: A pool complex
that consists of two outdoor hot
tubs, a kiddie pool and a waterslide.
Inside there is a swimming pool
and steam rooms, making this one
of the town’s biggest recreation
areas. So don’t forget to pack your
swimwear! Even if you do, it's ok,
they’ve got you covered. Towels and
swimsuits can be rented.
There’s so much more to Iceland than the airport.
Look for your next adventures online. They’re hiding in plain sight.
airicelandconnect.com
Adventure awaits
Distance from
Reykjavík:
460 km
54 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 15 — 2017
Bolungarvík
Town Guide
Sauna, Family Trees, and Maritime Museums
Words: Jenna Mohammed
Photos: Art Bicnick
Car provided by:
/reykjavikvikingcampers
Einarshús
Einarshús Restaurant
Road to Bolafjall
Ósvör
In a hot tub
Drymla Handicrafts