Reykhólar: Boating Tradition, Cultural Heritage and Birdlife

Reykhólar brings together maritime history, memorial sites and nature watching. Exhibitions on boating and coastal traditions show how residents traditionally used the resources of Breiðafjörður. A monument and a church preserve connections to Jón Thoroddsen; the landscape is home to a diverse birdlife. There are also opportunities for exercise and relaxation.

Boats and Coastal Resources

The Báta- og hlunnindasýningin in Reykhólar is dedicated to eider ducks and provides information about old clinker-built boats in the Breiðafjörður style. The basement houses the machinery collection of Þórhallur Matthíasson from Litlabær in Skötufjörður. The exhibition therefore features both traditional boats and their regional design, as well as a separate machinery collection.

The Boat and Gift-of-Nature Museum explains how residents traditionally used Breiðafjörður’s rich natural resources. The practices presented include egg gathering, bird hunting, harvesting eiderdown, using seaweed and seal hunting for subsistence. The examples range from making use of various coastal resources to providing for everyday needs.

In the workshop of the Boat and Gift-of-Nature Museum in Reykhólar, you can see wooden boats with a unique Nordic design and handcrafted features adapted to the region’s seafaring traditions. The museum shop offers local products, baked goods, coffee, tea, books and souvenirs; the selection may vary. The Reykhólar District Information Office is in the same building as the boat and natural resources exhibition and Bátakaffi.

Local History and Jón Thoroddsen

The monument to the poet Jón Thoroddsen stands on Reykhólar’s old settlement hill, on the slope between Reykhólakirkja and the Barmahlíð nursing home. Thoroddsen was born in Reykhólar in 1818. The monument’s location connects his memory with a specific site in the settlement’s history.

Reykhólakirkja also preserves special historical connections. The church contains the gravestone of the district governor Magnús Arason (1599–1655). It also houses an altarpiece by Lövener dating from 1834. Jón Thoroddsen bought the painting in Denmark for the church at his mother’s request. The painting thus connects the story of a particular work of art with Thoroddsen’s family and the church.

Birdlife and Activities

The shallow coastal waters, tidal flats, wetlands, marshes and cliffs around Reykhólar provide habitats for diverse birdlife. Reykhólar is considered a starting point for birdwatching. For nature enthusiasts, both the birdlife and the coast’s different habitats are attractions.

Other options include Grettislaug swimming pool, named after Grettir the Strong, and a Roundscope and disc golf course near Hellishólar in Reykhólar. There are numerous scenic hiking trails in the surrounding area. These activities are in different locations: the golf course is in the village near Hellishólar, while the trails are in the nearby area.

The seaweed baths in Reykhólar draw on centuries-old local traditions. Seaweed, coastal resources and geothermal water were used for relaxation and foot baths. Check in advance whether a visit is possible. Boat trips to the islands of Breiðafjörður are also available from Reykhólar; check dates and departures for your travel dates.

Plan Your Visit

The seasonal schedule for the Boat and Gift-of-Nature Museum provides for daily opening from 1 June to 30 August, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; in winter, visits are by appointment. Please confirm opening hours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Prestbakki, Flateyri, Ísafjörður, Staður, Thingeyri, Hagi, Patreksfjördur, Breiðavík.

For the overall travel overview: Westfjords.