Hild's Fisherman Village

A Fishing Heritage on the Atlantic Shore

The Alftanes peninsula juts out into Faxafloi Bay on Iceland's southwestern coast, flanked by the open Atlantic to the west and the sheltered waters of Skerjafjordur to the north. For centuries, the communities along this stretch of coastline depended on the sea for survival. Rowing boats launched from stony beaches each morning, and the catch determined whether families ate well or went hungry. Hild's Fisherman Village stands as a tribute to that way of life, recreating the look and feel of a traditional Icelandic fishing settlement on the very shores where fishermen once worked.

The Village

The cottages at Hild's Fisherman Village are arranged in the manner of a historic fishing outpost, with turf-style roofs and walls built from natural materials that blend into the surrounding landscape. Inside, rooms are furnished with driftwood collected from nearby beaches, a nod to the resourcefulness of coastal Icelanders who used whatever the sea provided. The overall effect is a settlement that feels rooted in its environment rather than imposed upon it. A central turf house, one of the few inhabited examples in the greater Reykjavik area, anchors the site and serves as a living connection to a building tradition that stretches back to the Viking Age.

Walking the Shoreline

A network of trails follows the coastline around the village, offering views across the bay toward Reykjavik's skyline, the flat-topped profile of Mount Esja, and on clear days, the distant outline of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The rocky shore is home to a variety of seabirds, including oystercatchers, eiders, and Arctic terns during the summer breeding season. The walks are level and undemanding, suitable for visitors of all ages, and the absence of heavy traffic on the peninsula gives the area a sense of quiet that belies its proximity to the capital.

Connection to Icelandic Maritime Culture

Iceland's identity has been shaped by the sea for over a thousand years. The earliest Norse settlers fished the waters around Alftanes, and by the medieval period, the peninsula had become a seat of power -- Bessastadir, just a short walk from the village, served as a royal stronghold and later the official residence of Iceland's president. The fishing traditions that sustained communities here endured well into the twentieth century, and Hild's Fisherman Village preserves something of that continuity. Visiting the site alongside nearby Hafnarfjordur, one of Iceland's oldest fishing ports, provides a fuller picture of how coastal life evolved from open rowing boats to modern trawlers.

Practical Information

The village is open throughout the year, though the long daylight hours of summer make the coastal walks particularly rewarding. Winter visitors may be treated to Northern Lights displays, as the low light pollution on the peninsula creates excellent viewing conditions. The site is easily combined with a visit to Bessastadir or the Galgahraun lava field, both within a few minutes' drive. Reykjavik's city centre is roughly 20 minutes away by car, making Hild's Fisherman Village a convenient half-day excursion from the capital.