Seydisfjordur with Kids: A Calm East Fjords Base for Families

Iceland's prettiest fjord village is small, steep and quiet — which is exactly why it works with children, if you plan the drive and the days around their pace.

Why Seydisfjordur suits families in the first place

Seydisfjordur sits at the end of Route 93, a 27-kilometre road that climbs from Egilsstalar over a mountain pass and then drops through a series of switchbacks into the fjord. The village itself is compact enough that children can walk from the blue church to the harbour in ten minutes, and traffic is light. There is a small pool and sports hall by the school, a playground near the campsite, and short walks along the lagoon where the Fjardara river meets the sea. Nothing requires a ticket or a queue.

The trade-off is scale. Seydisfjordur has roughly seven hundred residents and a handful of places to eat, so families should think of it as a base rather than a resort. Book a guesthouse or small hotel with a kitchenette or access to a shared kitchen; the nearest supermarket is in Egilsstaðir, and the village shop keeps limited hours. Arrive with breakfast supplies and snacks. Summer visitors should reserve accommodation well ahead for July and August, when the ferry from Denmark brings passengers and the village fills quickly.

Getting there and settling in without stress

Route 93 is paved and generally open year-round, but the pass at the top can be foggy, windy or icy, and in winter it closes during storms. Drivers should check road conditions at the Egilsstaðir end before setting out. From Egilsstaðir the drive takes about twenty-five to thirty minutes. From Akureyri, allow four to five hours; from Reykjavik, a full long day of driving, so most families break the journey. The Smyril Line ferry docks in the harbour, which makes the village a natural first or last stop on an east coast loop.

Once parked, families rarely need the car. The walk to the harbour, the old Norwegian-style wooden houses along Nordurgata and the waterfall behind the town are all within easy reach of a five-year-old's legs, though the path up to the waterfall is steep and slippery in rain. Keep children close at the harbour edge and on the rocky shoreline. Evenings are quiet, so bring card games or books; there is no cinema or amusement arcade, and that is the appeal.

How to fill two or three days

Day one: the village and the water. Walk the lagoon path, look for birds, visit the blue church, and swim at the local pool, which has a small warm section for younger children. Day two: drive back over the pass to Egilsstaðir for the supermarket, the East Iceland Heritage Museum and the forest at Hallormsstaðaskógur, about forty minutes further along Route 931. The forest has marked trails, picnic tables and gentle ground for small legs. Day three, in good weather: the short drive to Borgarfjordur Eystri, around seventy kilometres and roughly an hour and a quarter, for puffins at Hafnarholmi between May and mid-August.

Skip the temptation to day-trip to Dettifoss or Snaefell with young children; both are long drives from here. Also skip the highland tracks — they need a proper four-wheel drive and are not a family outing. Best months are June to August for daylight and open roads, with late May and September offering quieter streets and lower demand. Families with toddlers should prioritise the village and the forest, and treat anything beyond an hour's drive as optional.

What to book and what to expect from the weather

I would book a guesthouse in the village centre rather than out along the fjord road — being able to walk to the harbour and the playground matters more than a view. Look for places with family rooms and either a kitchenette or shared kitchen, and confirm parking, since the streets are narrow. Summer rates in the East Fjords typically run higher than in Reykjavik's suburbs, and July is the peak. If you are arriving by ferry, a single night is not enough; two or three lets you settle and still use the village as a base.

Weather changes fast even in July. Pack waterproof jackets and trousers, warm layers and sturdy shoes for everyone, and expect wind at the harbour. Midges are not usually a problem here, but flies can be noticeable near the lagoon on still days. Fuel up in Egilsstaðir before the pass, carry water and snacks, and keep a charged phone. If the pass closes, stay put and enjoy a slow day — the village is small, but it is a genuinely pleasant place to be stranded.

Questions, answered

Is Seydisfjordur worth visiting with young children?

Yes, if you treat it as a quiet base rather than a destination packed with attractions. The compact centre, harbour, lagoon path and local pool suit young children, and drives to Egilsstaðir and Hallormsstaðaskógur are short enough for a day out.

How long should a family stay in Seydisfjordur?

Two or three nights works well. One night is rushed, especially after the ferry or the drive over the pass. Three nights allows a village day, a forest and museum day in Egilsstaðir, and a weather-dependent trip to Borgarfjordur Eystri for puffins.

When is the best time to visit Seydisfjordur with kids?

June to August gives the longest daylight, open mountain roads and puffins at Borgarfjordur Eystri. Late May and September are quieter and often cheaper, but weather is less predictable. Winter travel is possible, yet the Route 93 pass can close during storms, so plans need to stay flexible.

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