Fáskrúðsfjörður – French heritage and nature

Fáskrúðsfjörður tells the story of Iceland’s French fishing history: the town was the most important base for French schooner fishermen in Iceland. Museums, bilingual street names and nearby destinations lend a stay a variety of character, from cultural history to hiking. Which of these aspects interests you most may also shape your choice of holiday apartment for your stay.

Explore French fishing history

The Frakkar á Íslandsmiðum Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from May 15 to September 30. From October 1 to May 14, visits are possible by appointment. These seasonal opening hours are useful to know if you want to make a museum visit the focus of your stay: visits from October to mid-May need to be arranged in advance.

The French Museum is housed in the Doctor’s House and the French Hospital. Its main exhibition is in a tunnel connecting the two buildings, which were built by French fishermen around 1900. The history and heritage of French seafarers in Iceland are presented there using state-of-the-art multimedia technology. This puts not only the buildings but also the seafarers’ history in the spotlight. If you are especially interested in cultural history, you can weigh these insights against Fáskrúðsfjörður’s hiking and nature destinations when choosing where to spend your holiday.

Icelandic and French connections are also reflected in the town itself: all the streets in Fáskrúðsfjörður have both Icelandic and French names. The harbour offers another maritime experience. Next to the Fransmenn á Íslandi Museum is a small wooden pier with an 8-metre berth for recreational boats. In good weather, the pier can also be used for fishing and outdoor activities.

Hiking destinations and scenery nearby

East of the settlement, a pleasant hiking trail leads uphill along the Gilsá from Vattarnesvegur. If you would rather have a striking mountain as your destination, Sandfell lies between Stöðvarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður. The rhyolite mountain is 743 metres high; the best access is from the south side of Fáskrúðsfjörður.

Nearby, Skrúður is an island in Fáskrúðsfjörður surrounded by high cliffs. The island has a large cave that occasionally served as a shelter for seafarers. Hafnarnesviti lighthouse can also be reached by hiking. Further afield is the Kolfreyjustaður rectory, dating from 1878, where you can see numerous old artefacts.

Your stay and the character of the town

At the upper edge of town, Fáskrúðsfjörður campsite is set beside a small pond. It has showers, electricity, toilets and a waste disposal point for motorhomes. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can instead choose based on whether you want to focus your stay on French fishing heritage, local history or nearby hiking destinations.

Discover more places

If you would like to explore more destinations afterwards: Djúpivogur, Hoffell, Brekka, Neskaupstadur, Breiðdalsvík, þÓrshöfn, Kleppur and Eskifjorður.

For the main travel overview: Austurland.