Life in an Icelandic south coast fishing village in the old days could be very harsh. The weather was capricious and the sea unforgiving. The boats were open oar boats and designed for use in the South Iceland fishing hamlets where natural harbours were generally bad and unprotected. Although the fishermen did not have long to go the journey back and landing in bad weather took its toll and many lost their lives at sea or trying to ride the waves to safety on the coast when the weather went bad. The maritime museum has a fine collection of artefacts related to the age of open boat fishing. The largest and most remarkable item on exhibition is an open fishing boat named Farsæll (the successful one) built in 1915.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Tungata 59
Phone: +354 483 1165,
The oldest building in the village, Húsið ("The House"), dates from 1765 and is the oldest preserved timber dwelling house in Iceland. At first the home of Danish and Icelandic merchants in Eyrarbakki and their staff. Now a folk museum.
Updated Aug 15, 2003
Address: Village centre.
Phone: +354 483 1504
Website: http://www.south.is/husid/Welcome.asp
Bakkabrim is a family run café in a small wooden hut by the sea in Eyrarbakki. Emphasis on local and organic produce. Serves light lunch, cakes, snacks and quality fresh-ground espresso. All coffee and tea is fair-trade and organic. Very eco-friendly, all take-away packaging is bio-degradable (even the lids and cutlery are made of maize-starch!)
The surroundings are amazing, open sea, beautiful coastline full of bird-life. You can buy a pic-nic basket (comes with lunch/cakes + thermos with coffee/tea + blanket) to go and explore.
Ideal for bird-watching.
Favorite Dish: Try the famous blueberry cake!
Written May 1, 2011
Address: Eyrarbakki harbour
Phone: (+354)8472370
Website: www.bakkabrim.is
The house was built in 1880 for the primary school, which had been established in the community in 1852. In 1913 it became a family owned guesthouse and later on assumed other roles. In 1995 it was refurbished and turned into a cafý/restaurant. Lefolii is the family name of a Danish merchant once powerful in the village.
Favorite Dish: They specialize in seafood with interesting lobster dishes. The "fruit of the sea" soup is excellent.
Updated Aug 15, 2003
Address: Býýarstýgur.
Phone: +354 483 3330
Website: http://www.raudahusid.is
Favorite thing: The old houses built around the turn of the last century are still there in this charming little village. One is the church built in 1890. Its altarpiece was painted by Queen Louise of Denmark, wife if King Christian IX, great-great-grandfather of Queen Margaret II of Denmark, Queen Elisabeth II of England and King Harold V of Norway.
Written Nov 22, 2002
Comments