Quick Facts: Port: Bakkargerdi (Bakkagerði) | Country: Iceland | Terminal: Bakkagerði Harbour (small pier/quay) | Docking (small vessels; larger ships may anchor and tender) | Distance to village center: less than 5-minute walk | Time zone: UTC+0 (Iceland does not observe daylight saving time)
Bakkargerdi — officially spelled Bakkagerði — is the tiny capital of the Borgarfjörður Eystri fjord in East Iceland, a destination so remote and so jaw-droppingly wild that most cruisers arrive with very little idea what to expect. The single most important planning tip: this is not a “hop off and browse shops” port — it’s a nature port, and your entire day should be built around the outdoors, especially puffins (May–August) and the surrounding mountains.
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Port & Terminal Information
The harbour at Bakkagerði is a working fishing quay, not a purpose-built cruise terminal. There is no grand terminal building — just a compact pier at the edge of the village, which you can orient yourself to via Google Maps.
Larger expedition vessels may anchor in the fjord and tender passengers ashore, which can add 15–20 minutes each way to your planning. Confirm your ship’s docking method before arriving. There are no ATMs, no luggage storage, no Wi-Fi hotspot, and no tourist information kiosk at the pier itself — the village is genuinely tiny (population roughly 100), so bring cash and download offline maps before you arrive.
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Getting to the City
The “city” is Bakkagerði itself, and the pier drops you practically in the middle of it.
- On Foot — Everything in the village is within a 5–10 minute walk of the pier: the guesthouse, the café, the small church, and the famous puffin colony at Hafnarhólmi. No transport needed for most of the day.
- Bus/Metro — There is no scheduled bus service to or within Bakkagerði. The village is connected to the Ring Road via Route 94, roughly 70 km from Egilsstaðir. No local bus option exists.
- Taxi — No taxi rank at the pier. Pre-arrange with your ship or local guesthouses if you need a vehicle. A private transfer from Egilsstaðir (the nearest town) runs approximately ISK 25,000–35,000 (USD 175–250) each way.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — Does not operate here.
- Rental Car/Scooter — Not available in the village itself. If your ship arrives via Seyðisfjörður and you’re busing across, you could pre-arrange a rental from Egilsstaðir — but this requires significant advance planning.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Strongly worth considering here. The roads to surrounding valleys and waterfalls are F-road adjacent and can be rough; a guided tour handles logistics seamlessly. Browse Viator tours for Bakkargerdi or check GetYourGuide for current availability.
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Top Things to Do in Bakkargerdi, Iceland, Borgarfjörður Eystri
Bakkagerði punches well above its size when it comes to natural wonders — here’s how to spend every minute well.
Must-See
1. Hafnarhólmi Puffin Colony (Free) — One of Iceland’s most accessible Atlantic puffin viewing areas, with a boardwalk and observation platforms built right over the nesting burrows. Puffins are present May through mid-August; outside those months the platforms are empty. A guided puffin tour from Seyðisfjörður on Viator 🎟 Book: Borgarfjörður Eystri Puffin Tour from Seyðisfjörður Port pairs the colony with local context beautifully. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
2. Álfaborg (“Elf Rock”) (Free) — A prominent rocky outcrop just outside the village, traditionally regarded as the home of Iceland’s “hidden people” (huldufólk). A short trail circles it with sweeping fjord views. 30–45 minutes.
3. Bakkagerðiskirkja Church (Free) — A tiny, brightly-painted village church famous for its altarpiece by local artist Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval. It’s often unlocked during cruise calls. 15–20 minutes.
Beaches & Nature
4. Brúnavík Beach (Free) — A remote black-sand beach accessible via a 2-hour hike each way from the village; wild, completely undeveloped, and surrounded by dramatic peaks. Full day commitment — only attempt with hiking boots and if your ship schedule allows 7+ hours ashore.
5. Stórurð (“The Giant Boulders”) (Free) — One of Iceland’s most photogenic hikes: a valley filled with enormous moss-covered boulders, turquoise pools, and snow-capped ridges. The trail is 12 km return and takes 4–6 hours; serious hiking shoes required. 🎟 Book: Puffins and Peaks: Explore the Borgarfjörður Eystri
6. Nattfaravík Cove (Free) — A quiet shoreline just north of the village, ideal for a short walk and seabird spotting without the crowds at Hafnarhólmi. 30 minutes.
Day Trips
7. Gufufoss Waterfall (Free) — A beautiful, relatively accessible waterfall reachable on a guided excursion from Seyðisfjörður; the Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour on Viator 🎟 Book: Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur covers both in 5 hours from USD 214. Allow half a day.
8. Seyðisfjörður (Free to visit) — A stunning fjord town with a famous rainbow street, the Blue Church, and ferry connections to Europe. About 70 km from Bakkagerði by road; best done via a ship excursion or pre-arranged private transfer.
Family Picks
9. Hafnarhólmi Boardwalk (Free) — The puffin colony walkway is totally stroller-friendly and genuinely thrilling for kids — puffins are unafraid of humans and come within 1–2 metres. Arguably the best free wildlife experience in all of Iceland.
10. Rockpooling at the Harbour (Free) — The rocky shoreline beside the pier holds crabs, starfish, and small fish at low tide; pack curiosity and a sense of wonder. 30–45 minutes.
Off the Beaten Track
11. Vatnsskarð Mountain Pass (Free) — The road into the fjord crosses a dramatic mountain pass with panoramic views; even if you simply walk a short distance up from the village side, the perspective over the fjord is extraordinary. 1 hour.
12. Local Art Trail (Free) — Kjarval (Iceland’s most celebrated painter) was born near here, and several small outdoor art installations and plaques reference his legacy around the village. Self-guided, 30 minutes.
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What to Eat & Drink
Iceland’s East Fjords cuisine leans heavily on fresh Arctic char, langoustine, lamb, and skyr — and in a village this small, your options are limited to 1–2 spots, so arrive with low expectations but an open mind. Prices are high by global standards; budget ISK 2,500–4,500 (USD 18–32) for a main course.
- Álfacafé — The village’s main café and only reliable dining option; serves soup, sandwiches, lamb dishes, and coffee. Right in the village center. ISK 1,500–3,500 (USD 11–25).
- Arctic Char — Fresh-caught char from local rivers; order it grilled or pan-fried wherever it appears on the menu. Worth every króna.
- Skyr — Iceland’s thick, protein-rich dairy product; often served with berries at cafés. ISK 800–1,200 (USD 6–9).
- Lamb Soup (Kjötsúpa) — Hearty, warming, and deeply Icelandic. Perfect after a cold morning hike.
- Icelandic Coffee — Coffee culture is strong even here; the café makes excellent espresso drinks.
- Brennivín — Iceland’s signature aquavit, nicknamed “the Black Death.” Try a small measure if you’re curious; available at the café.
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Shopping
Bakkagerði has no dedicated shops or market stalls — this is genuinely Iceland’s wild east, not a tourist retail zone. Your best bet for souvenirs is the café, which typically stocks a small selection of local postcards, Kjarval art prints, and Icelandic wool goods.
Skip any pressure to buy generic Iceland souvenirs here; save that for Reykjavik or Akureyri where the quality and variety are far superior. What’s actually worth buying in the village is anything handmade or locally produced — ask at the café if any local artisans have pieces available, as supply is inconsistent but quality is genuine.
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How to Plan Your Day
- 4 hours ashore: Walk to Hafnarhólmi for puffin watching (1.5 hrs) → Álfaborg rock circuit (45 min) → Bakkagerðiskirkja church (20 min) → lunch at Álfacafé → back to ship. Compact, satisfying, zero transport stress.
- 6–7 hours ashore: Same as above, then add the Vatnsskarð pass walk or Nattfaravík cove stroll, with more leisurely time at the puffin colony at golden hour lighting.
- Full day (8+ hours): Early puffin visit at Hafnarhólmi → tackle the Stórurð hike (4–6 hrs round trip, bring packed lunch and layers) → return to village for coffee and
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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