Matkaopas: Brjánslækurin satama

Brjanslaekur port is a single-pier harbor and ferry terminal in Northwest Iceland, from where the ferry Baldur to Stykkisholmur and Flatey island departs. 

Tourists can visit the stunning destination as part of multi-day tours in the Westfjords, which also takes visitors to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. From the peninsula, Brjanslaekur ferry port can be reached on two-hour Baldur ferry rides.

This epic three-week road trip involves a trip via this port, as does this shorter eight-day road trip focused on West Iceland.

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Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Gordon Leggett. No edits made.

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The Town of Brjanslaekur Port 

Brjanslaekur port, Brjánslækur in the Icelandic language, is located at the mouth of the Vatnsfjordur bay. It may be a small village, but the area is home to many beautiful attractions. It includes a natural protected area, caves, churches, and the ruins of early settlers in Iceland.

Like the rest of Iceland, the area is full of astonishingly picturesque views, sweeping and shrub-covered hills, and deep fjords of West Iceland. With Brjanslaekur as a base, visitors can explore on foot or rent a car or a bike. 

The best time of year to visit the place is the summer, as more tourist attractions are open to the public. Ferries do not run in midwinter.

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Gordon Leggett. No edits made.

What to Do and See in Brjanslaekur Port

The Icelandic Westfjords have few inhabitants, and there are huge distances between most towns. But the region is full of untouched landscapes and jaw-dropping waterfalls, with a remarkable history.

Brjanslaekur follows this trend and is not to be missed, whether you’re joining self-drive tours or Westfjords guided tours. Moreover, the Icelandic port has a significant part in the history of the land of fire and ice.

The hamlet is home to a ferry slip, an old shellfish factory, and the protected ruins of Flokatoftir. These ruins were home to Hrafna-Floki Vilgerdarsson, the settler who gave Iceland its name back in the ninth century. 

Hrafna-Floki was one of the first people to live in Iceland. He stumbled across the island after following a raven some centuries ago. Soon after, he settled in Brjanslaekur, where he lived for just one winter. Today, tourists can visit what some say are the ruins of his home near the port. 

Only two miles (four kilometers) west of Brjanslaekur, travelers will find Surtar­brands­gil, a protected area home to fossilized plants and tree trunks over 12 million years old. 

At this lignite canyon, scientists found ancient traces of various plant species. Some of these samples suggest that the Icelandic climate 12 million years ago was the same as the climate of the Mediterranean today.

Apart from the historical significance, the port town is also an important hub in the Westfjords, especially for travelers. Brjanslaekur port has a variety of modern buildings, such as hotels that can host all kinds of visitors, from solo backpackers to families and tour groups. 

Brjanslaekur also boasts a quaint swimming pool with a view over the sea, including a nearby natural hot spring in Flokalundur. To complete the experience in the area, travelers may also visit its museum and enjoy bike rentals.

Getting to Brjanslaekur Port 

There are a few ways travelers can reach the port, including car rentals, ferries, and airplanes.

For tourists traveling via self-drive tours, Brjanslaekur port is 210 miles (337 kilometers) away from Reykjavik by road. The only road towards the port town is Route 62, which connects Brjanslaekur to Flokalundur, the nearest village. 

On the other hand, it is also possible to reach the port if you’re coming from the nearest urban village of Patreksfjordur, 35 miles (56 kilometers) away. 

If you want a faster travel time, the quickest option is to take a flight from Reykjavik Airport to Bildudalur Airport. Travel time to the Westfjords airport takes less than an hour. From the airport, the driving distance to Brjanslaekur port covers 26 miles (42 kilometers).

The most popular way to reach the ferry port is via a ferry ride from Stykkisholmur. The journey lasts around two hours. From the ferry, travelers can soak in the beauty of the Icelandic Westfjords, whether this is the fantastic rocky landscapes or the wildlife.

The ferry departs from the Stykkisholmur ferry terminal, north of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, twice a day during summer. However, these trips are more limited over winter. Either way, you can take your car on the ferry, which is perfect for a self-drive tour. 

What to Do and See in Stykkisholmur and Flately Island 

The port of Brjanslaekur connects Stykkisholmur town and Flatey island. These two destinations, like the ferry port, offer great Icelandic attractions worth visiting.

Stykkisholmur is a village on the northern shore Snaefellsnes peninsula, known for its natural harbor. This harbor was why the town already had a trading post as early as the 1550s. 

As an early settlement, notable works of Icelandic literature feature the town, particularly in the famous Laxdaela Saga. The town is also a cultural hub with unique hotels and museums. It is also the home of Iceland’s oldest weather station.

The ferry between Stykkisholmur and Brjanslaekur passes through the stunning Flatey island. Flately island lies between Stykkisholmur and Brjanslaekur in the Breidafjordur bay. The island is only open to tourists during the summer. 

Visitors can stay in one of the village’s quaint guesthouses or hotels during the summer holiday in Iceland. The island has no cars but plenty of Icelandic wildlife and hiking trails. Though it is small and somewhat isolated, the island is worth visiting. 

Once finished soaking in the beautiful birdlife, visitors can unwind in the local bar or see the island’s church.

Flatey island is the perfect place to pause and look around, especially for tourists and locals en route to the equally phenomenal Brjanslaekur and Stykkisholmur.

Stunning Natural Beauty in the Icelandic Westfjords

Brjanslaekur is in the south of the Westfjords of Iceland. This region of over 14 million years is home to Iceland’s best attractions. These scenic spots may not be as popular as their counterparts near the capital, such as Blue Lagoon or the Golden Circle, but their natural beauty is mesmerizing.

Breidafjordur Bay

The Breidafjordur fjord is a hidden gem and one of the less-visited parts of Iceland, probably because the area is some distance from many of the best-known tourist locations in the country. However, the thriving wildlife in this nature reserve is just one of the many reasons it’s a remarkable place.

This stunning Breidafjordur bay is home to native Icelandic wildlife. The bay of 78 miles (125 kilometers) is home to over 50 species of birds and plenty of seals. The nesting birds here include the black guillemot and white-tailed eagle. 

Besides the rich birdlife, breathtaking views of towering mountains and glaciers surround the fjord. To the south of the bay is the Snaefellsnes peninsula, where you can find Mount Kirkjufell and the mighty Snaefellsjokull glacier.

Vatnsfjordur fjord, the bay where you can find the Brjanslaekur port, lies on the northern shore of the vast Breidafjordur fjord.

Isafjordur 

The town of Isafjordur is the capital of the Westfjords, home to the largest settlement in the region of nearly 3000 residents.

Like the rest of the fjords in Iceland, Isafjordur is rich in flora and fauna. Eider ducks and puffins are familiar sights in the area. If you’re up for some adventure in Isafjordur,  there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails in Westfjords where you might see the majestic arctic foxes.

As the region’s commercial and tourism hub, Isafjordur boasts many hotels, restaurants, and shops. Before returning to Reykjavik from Brjanslaekur port, you may take a trip to the town for all these great amenities.

Brjanslaekur Ferry Port in the Icelandic Westfjords

Brjanslaekur’s unique natural beauty and diversity of activities make it a perfect stop for tours around Iceland. The town has something for everyone, whether avid hikers or history buffs. It’s easily accessible, making it a great base to travel to the other highlights of the Westfjords of Iceland.

Less visited than other parts of Iceland, Brjanslaekur is a place yet to be explored by most visitors to the island. 

The untouched beauty of the nature of Iceland is unlike any other place in the world. This small town in the Westfjords solidifies Iceland’s claim as one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet.