Siglufjörður is Iceland’s northernmost town, hemmed in by the tall peaks of the Troll Peninsula and a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle. It suits travelers who like museums, music and winter skiing in a small harbor town.
Two mountain ridges on the Troll Peninsula separate Siglufjörður from its neighbor Ólafsfjörður. The Héðinsfjarðargöng Tunnel, open since 2010, now connects the two towns. Between them lies a deserted fjord, Héðinsfjörður.
At a glance
- Where: Troll Peninsula, northern Iceland, near the Arctic Circle
- Getting there: Strætó route 78 from Akureyri
- Best weather window: June, the warmest month from January to June, with 8 rainy days.
- Do: Herring Era Museum, Folk Music Center, skiing at Skarðsdalur
- Stay: Sigló Hotel, the Herring House or the campsite
- Festivals: Trilludagar and the Folk Music Festival
Where is Siglufjörður and what is it like?
Siglufjörður sits in northern Iceland on the Troll Peninsula. It is the country’s northernmost town, close to the Arctic Circle.
Steep peaks close in around the town. Over the ridge, the tunnel leads to Ólafsfjörður and to the quiet inlet of Héðinsfjörður, where there is fishing in Héðinsfjarðarvatn and lovely walks.
The Herring Era Museum fills an old herring factory, and that history shapes the town’s story.
What is there to do in Siglufjörður?
Herring Era Museum
The Herring Era Museum is at Snorrabraut 10. It is housed in an old herring factory, a cluster of five buildings, and covers 2,500 square meters of museum space.
It is Iceland’s largest maritime and industrial museum. Expect to spend a good part of a morning or afternoon inside, and it is a natural first stop on a wet day.
Check opening hours before you go.
Folk Music Center and Poetry Center
The Folk Music Center is at Norðurgata 1, in one of the oldest homes in Siglufjörður, a small wooden house in the center of town. It features folk songs, traditional instruments and folk dances.
The Icelandic Poetry Center is at Túngata 5, and Saga-Fotografica is at Vetrarbraut 17.
Music fans should look at the dates of the Folk Music Festival, which attracts performers and attendees from all over. Hours aren’t listed, so check ahead.
Skarðsdalur ski area
Skarðsdalur has three lifts with a total length of 4,921 feet (1,500 meters). The highest lift is 1,739 feet (530 meters) long, with a vertical rise of about 591 feet (180 meters).
The top of the lift is over 2,133 feet (650 meters) above sea level, and the area has flood lighting. That helps with short winter days.
Winter also brings cross-country skiing, slalom, skating and snowmobile riding. International skiers prefer off-piste skiing on the Troll Peninsula, by snow-cat or helicopter.
Héðinsfjörður and Ólafsfjörður
The tunnel is the way into Héðinsfjörður, the deserted fjord between the two towns. The quiet inlet offers fishing in Héðinsfjarðarvatn and lovely walks.
Ólafsfjörður’s swimming pool is just 15 minutes away through the tunnel, a handy outing when the weather turns.
This block suits walkers and anglers. Midnight sails and trips across the Arctic Circle can also be arranged.
Golf, pool and sea angling
Hólsvöllur, the Siglufjörður Golf Club course, has 9 holes and par 70. The town pool is indoor, 10 by 25 meters (about 33 by 82 feet), with a large outdoor tub with massage and a sauna.
Sea angling and river angling in the waters of the Hólsá are both possible. In summer, the black sandy shores call to visitors.
Siglufjörður suits museum lovers, music fans, skiers and anglers. If you want a lively resort scene, it will feel quiet.
Where to stay in Siglufjörður
Sigló Hotel is built into the harbor and has 61 classic rooms, 4 deluxe rooms and 3 suites. It is the larger choice.
The Herring House is a guesthouse with four rooms and two cabins, also listed as apartments. That suits small groups and families.
The campsite offers accommodation on three areas in town. Trilludagar is a popular family festival that makes Siglufjörður buzz with life, so book early if you plan to visit then.
When should you go to Siglufjörður?
From January to June, June is the warmest month, with a high of 50°F (10°C), and it has the fewest rainy days, about eight. Winter highs sit at 38°F (3°C) in January, with lows below freezing, which fits the ski season.
Summer brings the black sandy shores, Trilludagar and the Folk Music Festival. Check festival dates before you book. Pick winter for skiing and June for walking and a drier visit.
What to know before visiting Siglufjörður
According to travel.state.gov, U.S. citizens need no visa for up to 90 days in Iceland for tourism or business.
- Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended.
- Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
- No vaccinations are required.
Booking Siglufjörður for November: what to know
At the Siglufjörður campsite you can now book in advance through Parka. Reserve early if you plan to camp.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/article/a-day-in-siglufjordur/), checked 2026-10-30
- arcticcoastway.is (https://www.arcticcoastway.is/en/destinations/siglufjordur), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/en/experiences/activities/outdoor-activities/golf-courses/siglufjordur-golf-club), checked 2026-10-30
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/en/service/siglufjordur-ski-area), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25
- fjallasyn.is (https://www.fjallasyn.is/straeto), checked 2026-10-30