ÓLAFSFJÖRÐUR IN SHORTÓlafsfjörður is a small fishing town of around 800 people on the Tröllaskagi peninsula in North Iceland, reached by tunnel from Dalvík or Siglufjörður. It is roughly 400–430 km from Reykjavík, depending on the route, and roughly 45 minutes from Akureyri. There is no entry fee; it's a place to stop, walk the harbour and enjoy fjord views rather than a single sight.
About Ólafsfjörður
Ólafsfjörður sits at the mouth of its own narrow fjord on the Tröllaskagi peninsula, with steep mountains rising straight from the water on both sides. Like many North Iceland towns, it grew up around herring fishing in the early-to-mid 20th century, and fishing is still the backbone of the local economy, alongside a growing amount of tourism.
The town is linked to its neighbours by two tunnels: a 3.5 km tunnel to Dalvík, open since 1991, and the newer Héðinsfjörður tunnels to Siglufjörður, which opened in 2010 and connect the two towns of Fjallabyggð municipality. A lake behind the town, Ólafsfjarðarvatn, mirrors the houses and the surrounding mountains on a calm day.
The lake is unusual: fresh water lies on top of salt water, so both freshwater and sea fish live in it. It is a good short walk from the harbour and one of the things that sets Ólafsfjörður apart from its neighbours.
Ólafsfjörður is one of three small fishing towns on the outer part of Tröllaskagi, along with Dalvík and Siglufjörður. It is the quietest of the three, and people here are keen on sport: there are clubs for skiing, golf, riding and more, which is why a town this size has a ski lift and a golf course.
Quick facts
RegionNorth Iceland, Tröllaskagi peninsula
MunicipalityFjallabyggð (with Siglufjörður)
PopulationAbout 800
From ReykjavíkRoughly 400–430 km depending on the route, around 5–5.5 hours by car
From AkureyriAbout 60 km, around 45 minutes, via the Múlagöng tunnel
To SiglufjörðurAbout 17 km through the Héðinsfjörður tunnels (11 km of tunnel, opened 2010)
To DalvíkAbout 18 km through the single-lane Múlagöng tunnel (3.5 km)
EntryFree
Opening hoursAccessible all year; road and tunnels stay open, subject to winter conditions
A village built on herring
Like many villages on the Icelandic coast, Ólafsfjörður began to form at the end of the 19th century and grew mostly in the middle of the 20th. Herring was the reason: the fishery brought a boom in both people and money, here as in Siglufjörður next door.
The tunnel to Dalvík in 1991 and the Héðinsfjörður tunnels in 2010 made the town far easier to reach, especially in winter. Fishing is still the main industry, with tourism growing beside it.
How to get to Ólafsfjörður
By car from AkureyriTake Route 82 north along Eyjafjörður to Dalvík, then through the 3.5 km Múlagöng tunnel into Ólafsfjörður. It is about 60 km and 45 minutes.
By car from ReykjavíkFollow the Ring Road (Route 1) north through Borgarnes and Blönduós. You can either carry on towards Akureyri and turn north onto Route 82 through Dalvík, or leave the Ring Road in Skagafjörður and take Route 76 through Hofsós and Siglufjörður, then the Héðinsfjörður tunnels. Both take around 5 to 5.5 hours without stops.
By air and rental carThe quickest way from Reykjavík is a domestic flight to Akureyri, then a rental car for the last 60 km.
By public transportStrætó bus route 78 runs between Akureyri and Siglufjörður via Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður, and route 57 links Akureyri with Reykjavík. Timetables differ between summer and winter, so check straeto.is before you travel.
The tunnels are open all year, but mountain roads elsewhere on Tröllaskagi can close in winter storms, so check road.is before driving in the colder months.
What to do in Ólafsfjörður
Ólafsfjörður is a good base for exploring Tröllaskagi's fjords and mountains.
Harbour and lakeWalk the small fishing harbour and the shoreline of the lake beside the town for fjord and mountain views.
SkiingThe Tindaöxl ski lift above the town offers alpine skiing in winter, one of several small ski areas on Tröllaskagi.
Swimming poolA heated outdoor pool with a water slide is open year-round, a good stop on a cold day.
Golf, riding and hikingIn summer the town has a golf course, horse riding and walking routes into the valleys and up the mountainsides around the fjord.
Snowmobiling and winter sportsTröllaskagi gets a lot of snow. Besides the lift, winter here means cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the mountains behind the town.
Places to visit around Ólafsfjörður
With the tunnels, the neighbouring towns are only minutes away, which makes Ólafsfjörður a workable base for a weekend in North Iceland.
SiglufjörðurAbout 17 km through the Héðinsfjörður tunnels. The northernmost town on the mainland, known for the Herring Era Museum, a folk music museum and a folk music festival each July. It has the widest choice of places to eat and stay on this side of the peninsula.
HéðinsfjörðurBetween the two tunnels the road comes out briefly into Héðinsfjörður, a fjord with no inhabitants. There is a lay-by where you can stop and look.
DalvíkAbout 18 km through the Múlagöng tunnel. A fishing town with ski slopes above it and whale watching boats that go out on Eyjafjörður, where several whale species are seen.
AkureyriThe main town of the north, about 60 km away, with the widest range of accommodation, restaurants and activities, and a starting point for the Diamond Circle.
Best time to visit Ólafsfjörður
SummerLong daylight and easier driving conditions make this the simplest time to explore the fjord and surrounding trails.
WinterThe ski lift opens and the fjord town takes on a quiet, snowy character, but roads outside the tunnels can be affected by weather.
Safety and practical tips
- Check road.is before driving on to or from Ólafsfjörður in winter; mountain passes on Tröllaskagi can close.
- The tunnels to Dalvík and Siglufjörður are single carriageway in places with passing bays, so drive carefully and use headlights.
- Combine a visit with Siglufjörður's Herring Era Museum, a short drive through the Héðinsfjörður tunnels.
Facilities and accessibility
The town has a petrol station, a supermarket, a swimming pool, cafés and a small harbour. Fuller services are available in Akureyri.
Nearby places worth a stop
Where to stay near Ólafsfjörður
There are guesthouses and small hotels in Ólafsfjörður itself, or you can base yourself in Akureyri and visit as a day trip.
Ólafsfjörður FAQ
How do you get to Ólafsfjörður?
By road from Akureyri via Dalvík and the Múlagöng tunnel, or from Siglufjörður through the Héðinsfjörður tunnels.
Is there an entry fee?
No, Ólafsfjörður is a working town, free to visit and explore.
What is there to do?
Walk the harbour and lakeshore, visit the swimming pool, or ski at the small Tindaöxl lift in winter.
How far is it from Akureyri?
About 60 km, around 45 minutes by car through the tunnel.
How far is Ólafsfjörður from Reykjavík?
Roughly 400–430 km depending on the route, around 5 to 5.5 hours by car. Flying to Akureyri and driving the last 60 km is the fastest option.
How far is Ólafsfjörður from Siglufjörður and Dalvík?
About 17 km to Siglufjörður through the Héðinsfjörður tunnels and about 18 km to Dalvík through the Múlagöng tunnel.
What is special about the lake at Ólafsfjörður?
Fresh water lies on top of salt water in Ólafsfjarðarvatn, so freshwater and sea fish live in the same lake.
Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
