Gamlabúð Visitor Center

A Merchant's House on the Eastern Shore

Gamlabúð stands at the heart of Djúpivogur, a small fishing village tucked into the sheltered shores of Berufjordur in East Iceland. The timber building, constructed in 1790 as a Danish merchant's store, is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the region. Its thick walls and low ceilings speak of a time when trade with Denmark was the lifeline of remote Icelandic coastal communities.

Today, the building has been carefully restored and serves as Djúpivogur's visitor centre, cultural hub, and café. It is a pleasant place to pause, learn about local history, and plan your exploration of the area.

Inside the Building

The ground floor combines visitor information with exhibits on the history of Djúpivogur and the broader Berufjordur area. Displays cover the fishing industry, the Danish trade period, and the natural environment. The building itself is part of the exhibition — the original timber construction, the merchant's storage layout, and the architectural details tell their own story.

Upstairs, a gallery space hosts rotating art exhibitions throughout the year. The shows range from local Icelandic artists to international works, and the intimate scale of the space suits the contemplative atmosphere of this quiet corner of Iceland.

Djúpivogur Village

Djúpivogur is one of those Icelandic villages that rewards visitors who take the time to stop rather than driving through. The harbour is picturesque, with fishing boats moored against a backdrop of steep mountains reflected in calm water. Along the harbourside, the Eggin í Gleðivík sculpture installation — 34 large granite eggs representing local bird species — creates an engaging walking route.

The village has a small supermarket, fuel station, and a few places to eat. It is a practical stop for Ring Road drivers, roughly halfway between Hofn and Egilsstadir, and a considerably more interesting break than a petrol station sandwich.

Papey Island

From Djúpivogur harbour, summer boat trips visit Papey — a small uninhabited island about 10 kilometres offshore. The island was home to Irish monks (papar) before the Norse settlement, and later housed a small farming community that was abandoned in 1966. Today, it hosts one of Iceland's largest puffin colonies, a tiny wooden church, and a lighthouse. The boat trip takes about 45 minutes each way.

Getting There

Djúpivogur is on Route 1 in East Iceland, approximately 100 kilometres west of Egilsstadir and 100 kilometres east of Hofn. Gamlabúð is on the main road through the village, beside the harbour. It is impossible to miss in a village of 450 people.