Djúpavík Village
About Djúpavík Village
Djúpavík is a tiny village on the fjord Reykjarfjörður in Strandir, the remote eastern coast of the Westfjords, built around the shell of a huge 1930s herring factory. A handful of houses, a small hotel and the old factory sit on a narrow strip of shore below steep cliffs, with a waterfall dropping down the slope behind them.
The factory started processing herring in 1935 and was one of the largest concrete buildings in Iceland at the time. When the herring disappeared from these waters, production wound down, and the factory closed for good in 1954. The village emptied out until 1985, when new owners began restoring the buildings and turned part of the complex into a hotel.
Today the factory is the main reason to come. Its silos, machinery halls and the rusting hull of an old ship in the harbor make it one of the most striking industrial ruins in the country, and the hotel can tell you about guided tours inside.
Getting to Djúpavík takes commitment. From Hólmavík, Route 643 runs about 70 kilometers north, much of it on narrow gravel that winds around the fjords, and the drive takes about two hours. Reykjavík is roughly five and a half hours away, so most people stay at least one night.
June to early September is the best time to visit Djúpavík, when the road is in its best condition and the long evenings light up the fjord. Winter service on Route 643 is limited, and the road can be closed by snow, so check the road conditions map before setting out. If you continue north, the geothermal pool at Krossneslaug is about an hour's drive away.
Good to know
Where is Djúpavík?
Djúpavík is on the fjord Reykjarfjörður in Strandir, on the eastern side of the Westfjords. It is about 70 kilometers north of Hólmavík on Route 643.
What is the old factory in Djúpavík?
It is a herring processing factory that opened in 1935 and closed in 1954 after the herring catch collapsed. Part of the complex has since been restored and is used by the village hotel.
How do you get to Djúpavík?
Drive north from Hólmavík on Route 643, a narrow and mostly gravel road along the Strandir coast. Allow about two hours for the 70-kilometer drive.
Is the road to Djúpavík open in winter?
Route 643 gets limited winter service and can be closed by snow, so Djúpavík is mainly a summer destination. Check the road conditions map before you go.
Is Djúpavík worth visiting?
Yes, if you like remote places and industrial history. The abandoned factory, the fjord and the quiet make it one of the most memorable stops in the Westfjords.
How long should you stay in Djúpavík?
Most visitors stay at least one night because of the long drive in and out. A few hours is enough to see the factory and walk around the village.
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