Reykjavík Grapevine - 27.07.2018, Page 54

Travel
The best of Icelandic produce
with a nod to Japan and South
America. Modern Icelandic
flavours, share plates and award
winning cocktails.
Sushi Social
Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík
Tel. 568 6600 • sushisocial.is
Our kitchen is open
17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.
17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.
SOCIALIZE
WITH THE
LOCALS
ICELANDIC
SEAFOOD
makes world’s best sushi
Iceland’s easternmost town of
Neskaupstaður is known to many
for the Eistnaflug metal festival,
but it’s a charming place to visit
all year round. With a new road
tunnel running from nearby
Eskifjörður, it’s easier to reach
than ever, and you’ll be rewarded
with a picturesque, slow-paced
area with plenty to see and do.
Stay:
Hildibrand Hotel
One of the main buildings in
town is the Hildibrand Hotel.
There are hotel rooms on offer,
but you can also take one of the
plushly appointed two-bedroom
apartments, with comfortable
furnishings, a fully equipped
kitchen, and a balcony looking
out over the fjord. The hotel also
has a bar and restaurant called
Kaupfélagsbarinn, housed in
the town’s old co-op shop, which
serves locally-sourced lamb and
seafood dishes.
Swim: Sundlaug
Norðfjarðar
This small swimming spot is
one of the best in East Iceland,
with modern facilities, perfect
hot pots, a pleasant sauna, and
a view that can’t be beat. After
basking, swimming, and steam-
ing yourself with a view of the
vast mountains on the other side
of Norðfjörður, all the tension
will be gone from your body and
mind—and if you present a key
from Hildibrand Hotel, the swim
will be on the house.
Visit: Neskaupstaður
Museum
It might not look like much from
the outside, but the town mu-
seum is well worth a visit. On the
ground floor, there are exhibi-
tions by local artists; the first
floor houses a sprawling collec-
tion of antique tools and machin-
ery. But the star of the show is
the top floor, which features an
interactive display of taxidermied
wildlife, from birds to seals to sea
creatures and mammals, set up
in a vivid diorama that includes
recordings of all the birds’ calls.
On the other side of the room
there’s an impressive mineral
collection with bright and gleam-
ing crystals, stones and geodes,
all found in the surrounding
area.
Trip: Norðfjörður
Boat Tour
Just outside the museum you’ll
find a pier with the Gerpir NK
120 bobbing in the harbour.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays it’s possible to take a
2-3 hour spin around the fjord in
this restored oak-hulled vessel.
You’ll get views over the rug-
ged cliffs of East Iceland, pass
close to abandoned settlements,
and see all sorts of wildlife
along the way, including the
possibility of whale sightings
at certain times of the year.
Eat: Beituskúrinn
Bait Shack
This seaside diner is a recent
addition to the town. Run by the
same family behind the Hil-
dibrand, it’s a cosy wooden
restaurant with various options,
specialising in local seafood. The
sizzling fish pan comes with
various cuts of freshly caught
fish, all pulled straight out of of
the waters of Norðfjörður and
cooked to perfection.
Hike:
Easter Cave
At the edge of the village you’ll
find a nature preserve, with an
easy 15-minute hiking trail lead-
ing to Páskahellir, or the Easter
Cave. There are wooden steps
down to the cave, which has dra-
matic basalt and lava rock forma-
tions—local lore attaches various
legends to the cave, including
tales about selkies, and a special
view of the dancing sun at Easter
time.
Neskaupstaður
Crystals, caves & seafood in the far East
Words: John Rogers Photos: Timothée Lambrecq
Distance from Reykjavík: 712km
How to get there: Go to Egilsstaðir, Route 1 South & Route 92
Car provided by: hertz.is
Acommodation provided by: hildibrandhotel.com