Ólafsfjördur: Tindaöxl, the lake and Pálshús

When choosing a hotel in Ólafsfjördur, the focus of your planned trip can help guide you: Tindaöxl is associated with winter sports, Ólafsfjarðarvatn combines distinctive natural features with seasonal activities, and Pálshús brings together museum exhibits and the history of the town. The travel ideas below can help you consider these different sides as you plan.

Culture and history at Pálshús

Pálshús is a living museum in Ólafsfjörður, with four permanent exhibitions and an art hall. It is one of the oldest houses in the town; the oldest part of the building was constructed in 1892. The building’s history and the exhibitions offer different points of interest: one tells the story of the house’s long history, while the others explore a range of topics.

Pálshús also houses the Ólafsfjörður Natural History Museum and showcases Iceland’s birdlife. The exhibition “Flugþrá” explores the human desire to fly. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider natural history, art and the history of the building as distinct cultural interests.

Winter activities around Tindaöxl and the lake

The Tindaöxl ski area is a specific point of reference for winter sports in Ólafsfjörður. It has a ski lift and slalom runs; the 650-metre Doppelmayr platter lift provides a more specific point of reference for the ski area. Cross-country skiing is another winter activity in town: trails are laid out across almost the entire town. These two types of skiing have different focuses, so when planning you can distinguish between the ski area with its lift and slalom runs and the widely distributed cross-country trails.

Ólafsfjarðarvatn is also part of the picture of local activities in winter. Ice fishing takes place there, and when the weather is suitable, people also skate on the lake. The weather qualification is important for this second activity. Compared with the skiing options at Tindaöxl or around town, the lake offers two different winter activities.

Ólafsfjarðarvatn: nature and seasonal activities

Ólafsfjarðarvatn is listed in Iceland’s nature conservation register because of its layers of fresh and salt water and, in places, warm-water layers. This unusual composition gives the lake its own distinctive natural character. There is also a diverse birdlife in and around Ólafsfjörður and by the lake. Iceland’s birdlife is also featured at Pálshús—as an exhibition topic alongside observing birds in the landscape.

Windsurfing and boating are also described as activities on the lake. Motorboat traffic is not permitted on Ólafsfjarðarvatn. In winter, ice fishing and, when the weather is suitable, skating are also available. The lake activities mentioned therefore differ both by season and by type; do not plan winter activities as if they were independent of the weather.

Golf and other points of reference

Skeggjabrekkuvöllur is a 9-hole golf course with a par of 66, located at the entrance to Skeggjabrekkudalur in Ólafsfjörður. If golf is an important part of your trip planning, it is advisable to confirm the course details in advance, as specifications can change over time. This gives you a specific basis for planning without conflating the course with the winter sports options.

The tunnel connections are also useful for getting your bearings in the region: the 11-kilometre Héðinsfjörður tunnels connect Ólafsfjörður with Siglufjörður and opened in 2010. The 3.5-kilometre, single-lane Múli tunnel connects Ólafsfjörður with Dalvík on Eyjafjörður. The two routes have different endpoints; the tunnel measurements given describe their lengths, not travel times.

Nearby attractions include Ólafsfjörður Beach, a black sand beach reached from the northern end of town in the direction of Kleifar. The Ólafsfjörður Tourist Information Centre is located in the Fjallabyggð library. If you plan to visit, check the opening hours in advance.

Plan your trip around the interests that matter to you, and take the seasonal conditions mentioned above into account.

Discover more destinations: Hauganes, Einarsstaðir, Siglufjörður, Sauðárkrókur, Kópasker, Hrisey, Myvatn, Akureyri

Go to the regional travel overview: Nordurland Eystra.