Grundarfjörður is a growing community on the fjord Breiðafjörður near the midpoint of the northern coast of Snæfellsness peninsula in the west of Iceland. It is situated between a mountain range and the sea. The nearby mountain Kirkjufell forms a small peninsula.
Though Grundarfjörður is not the most well-known town in Snæfellsnes, the mountain Kirkjufell is certainly one of the most famous mountains in Iceland, if not the world. It is not unusual for photographers from all over the world to travel to Grundarfjörður to photograph this unique landmark which has starred in a number of films, for example The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
The town received the right to do commerce in 1786. Around 1800, French merchants came to Iceland and lived in Grundarfjörður, where they constructed a church and a hospital of their own. Fishing is the chief industry in Grundarfjörður, half of the town’s working population being employed in this sector, although other services and industry are growing as well. The town is considered unusually beautiful and well-kept and has received several awards for its neat appearance.
