Hellissandur
Hellissandur is a village on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. The village is considered one of the first fishing villages on Iceland, existing already in the 16th century, when people elsewhere mostly lived on agriculture. Fishing and fish processing are still the primary sources of income for most people, although also tourism has become important. The village Rif, 3 km away, is often regarded part of the same village. Together they have a population of about 500.
Get in
Road 54 leads by the coast of the peninsula, starting at the Ring Road in Borgarnes some 150 km away. The other end connects to road 60, Vestfjarðavegur, leading northward to the West Fjords. When the road from Borgarnes hits the northern coast, turn left to road 574, Utnesvegur, which leads around the tip of the peninsula. This road leads to Ólafsvik, Rif and Hellisandur before it enters Snæfellsjökull National Park.
See
- The tallest construction in Western Europe, a 412 meter high guyed radio tower for longwave broadcasting, is situated here.
- The maritime museum, focusing on rowing boats, but also displaying marine engines and turf roof houses.
Eat
The Hotel Hellissandur is one of the few places to eat in Hellissandur. A small convenience store is also there, but the major city is Ólafsvík.
Sleep
- Hotel Hellissandur. Open year-round and has a restaurant.
Go next
- The northern entrance to Snæfellsjökull National Park is just outside the village. Driving the Utnesvegur road south and west around the Peninsula from Hellissandur is unpaved for a considerable distance.