Siglufjördur is a unique town. One of the most beautiful town locations in Iceland, it is the second northernmost town in the country after Raufarhöfn. Just over half a century ago, Siglufjördur was almost the second largest town in the country after the capital, for much of the year, during the herring season in the mid-20th century. Thousands came from everywhere to make their fortune, and many did well, in a town that created great value and cultural wealth, as many notable people have their roots there. Today, the is considerably less hustle and bustle at the wharf, but now Siglufjördur is a charming town with about 1200 inhabitants, and part of Fjallabyggd, a municipality that extends over the northern tip of Tröllaskagi peninsula. Siglufjördur, the uninhabited Hédinsfjördur, and then Ólafsfjördur with about 750 inhabitants are the other parts of the municipality. Siglufjördur boasts the best ski area in the country, the second-best museum in the country Siglufjörður—the Herring Era Museum, and the third-best midnight sun in the summer, after Raufarhöfn and Þórshöfn in North-Þingeyjarsýsla region. From the capital, it is exactly 400 km to Siglufjördur, and from Akureyri, it is only an hour’s drive along the western side of Eyjafjördur to not the second-best, but by far the best fish and chips in Iceland.
Siglufjörður 26/01/2024 – A7RIV, RX1RII : FE 1.8/135mm GM. FE 2.8/100mm GM, 2.0/35mm Z, FE 1.2/50mm GM – Photos & text: Páll Stefánsson
