Puffins and Elves: The Culture and Wildlife of Borgarfjörður Eystri
- Elí Þór Vídó Gunnarsson
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
In East Iceland, there’s a place where puffins perch on sea cliffs, legends walk among the rocks, and a tiny fishing village holds centuries of story. That place is Borgarfjörður Eystri—one of our favorite stops, and one of the most unforgettable corners of the country.
We don’t just bring guests here for the views (though they’re spectacular). We bring them because this place connects something deeper: nature, history, and belief. It’s a place where people slow down, look closer, and leave with a different kind of memory.
The Puffins of Hafnarhólmi
Every summer, thousands of puffins return to Hafnarhólmi, a tiny islet near the harbor, just outside town. And every summer—between May and mid-August—we return too, often with guests who’ve waited years to see these birds up close.
And you can get close here. There’s a protected boardwalk that winds right into puffin territory. No crowds. No zoom lens required. Just you, the wind, and dozens of orange-beaked birds bobbing their heads or peering from their burrows.
For many travelers, this moment is more than a photo—it’s something they’ve dreamed of. We’ve seen guests tear up. We’ve heard them whisper, “I never thought I’d get this close.”
For me, puffins have always been special. My first memories of them aren’t from Borgarfjörður, but from Vestmannaeyjar, where my family is from. As a child, we’d help rescue baby puffins (“lundi”) who had wandered into town instead of out to sea. Armed with flashlights and boxes, we’d search for them at night, and in the morning, we’d release them back to the ocean.
That’s stayed with me. And every time I bring someone to Hafnarhólmi, I feel a bit of that same joy.
The Elves Who Live in the Hills
But Borgarfjörður Eystri isn’t only about birds.
It’s also known as the land of the elves—specifically, home to one of Iceland’s most important elf “queens.” Her home is said to be in a large rock outcrop right in the center of the village. And whether you believe the stories or not, most people feel something different here.
The landscapes around Borgarfjörður are steeped in folklore. Hills are said to hold hidden people. Valleys hum with silence. And even today, locals treat these places with a quiet kind of respect.
Now, do I believe in elves?
Yes. I do.
I also believe we can’t pick and choose which stories to take seriously and which to ignore. Folklore is part of our heritage, and whether it’s true or not isn’t always the point. I even have an elf lady said to live near my own home—and let’s just say, I keep her in mind when I pass by.
Where Culture and Nature Meet
Borgarfjörður Eystri is a rare place where wildlife and myth live side by side.
In the morning, you might watch puffins at the harbor. In the afternoon, you might hike into the hills and pass a spot where saga heroes once walked—or where someone might still whisper about the hidden people.
And through it all, the community here is what brings it to life. The locals are kind, ready to help, and always proud to share their corner of Iceland. We’ve made friends here. We’ve returned again and again. And each time, we find something new.
Why We Love Bringing Guests Here
While Stuðlagil Canyon may be our most popular tour, Borgarfjörður Eystri is the one that stays with people. It’s slower. Quieter. More personal. It’s where we see travelers reconnect—with nature, with Icelandic culture, and often with themselves.
We run regular tours to Borgarfjörður Eystri from late spring through August, during the puffin season. In winter, this area becomes quiet and remote—and the puffins head out to sea. But in summer, the cliffs and culture come alive, and it’s one of the most rewarding places we know.
Ready to explore the wild and the mythical? See our summer tours or contact us to plan a private day in Borgarfjörður Eystri.