Ólafsvík Travel Guide

Olafsvik is a fishing town of just over a 1000 people, located on the west side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. 

Visit this fishing town while on a tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. 

Photo above from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Ermstrur. No changes made.

Economy and services

Olafsvik has a good natural harbour and it has a thriving fishing industry. Other main sources of the economy are commerce and services. Accomodation can be had in the town, at Hotel Olafsvik, sleeping bag accommodation is available at the Lysuholl Community Center, and camping grounds are open from June through August.

Cultural attractions

The Pakkhus at Olafsvik is a regional museum and a center for culture and art. It is open in the summer. The building is an old trading store, built in 1844. The first floor has a handicrafts store and a coffee shop and on the upper floor guests can get to experience the feel of a 19th century home and the life of seafarers and farmers in former times. The exhibition 'Krambudarloftid' bears witness to Icelandic trade history. The museum also functions as an information center for travelers. The town also features a small maritime museum, located by the harbour.

A short drive from Olafsvik is the 412 m high Gufuskalar radio mast, the highest structure in Iceland, and for a time the highest in Western Europe.

Natural attractions

There are many opportunities available for travelers in the area, such as birdwatching, hiking and exploring the sandy beaches. Near to the town is a pleasant waterfall called Baejarfoss, well worth visitng. Furthermore, though, Olafsvik lies right next to Snaefellsjokull National Park. At the park you can see many fascinating attractions. These include 'The Singing Cave' of Songhellir, the beautiful Djupalonssandur beach by the village Arnarstapi, with its amazing lava formations, the Saxholl volcano crater, the magnificent Londrangar lava rocks and more.