Streitishvarf Lighthouse

A Lighthouse at the Edge

Streitishvarf lighthouse stands on the dramatic eastern coastline of Iceland, south of Djúpivogur, where dark cliffs meet the North Atlantic. It is not the tallest lighthouse, not the oldest, and not the most historically significant. What it is, however, is beautifully remote. Getting there requires a drive along a rough coastal track through landscape that few tourists ever see, and the reward is a clifftop viewpoint with nothing between you and the open ocean.

The Drive

The journey to the lighthouse is half the experience. From Djúpivogur, a gravel road winds east along the coast, following the contours of the shoreline. On one side, steep mountainsides rise above you. On the other, the sea stretches out toward the horizon. The road passes rocky coves, small headlands, and sections where the cliffs drop sharply to the water below.

The road surface varies — some sections are smooth gravel, others are potholed and rutted. A high-clearance vehicle makes the drive more comfortable, though careful driving in a regular car may be possible in dry summer conditions. Allow about 30 minutes for the 20-kilometre drive.

The Lighthouse

The lighthouse itself is a typical Icelandic coastal light — a modest concrete tower painted in the standard orange and white stripes, standing on a grassy headland above sheer cliffs. It is still operational, guiding vessels through the waters of the East Icelandic coast, and is not open to visitors.

The real attraction is the location. From the lighthouse grounds, you look out over Berufjordur fjord, along the jagged coastline, and across the open sea. On a clear day, the mountains of the Eastfjords stand in sharp relief against the sky. In rough weather, waves crash against the cliffs below with impressive force.

Seabirds and Solitude

The cliffs around the lighthouse host nesting seabirds during the summer months. Fulmars ride the updrafts along the cliff edge, kittiwakes crowd the ledges, and guillemots dive from the rocks into the sea below. The birdlife adds movement and sound to what is otherwise a place of profound quietness.

This is not a destination for crowds. On most days, you are likely to have the lighthouse entirely to yourself — a rare luxury in modern Iceland.

Getting There

From Djúpivogur (which is on Route 1 between Hofn and Egilsstadir), follow the gravel coastal road east toward Streitishvarf. The drive is about 20 km and takes roughly 30 minutes. Return the same way. There are no facilities at the lighthouse — bring water and anything else you might need.