Port information & tips for Flatey
Flatey is an idyllic jewel in Iceland's Breiðafjörður and enchants visitors as one of the most charming islands in the North Atlantic. The virtually car-free island impresses with its untouched nature and beautifully restored colorful wooden houses from the 19th century, which create a peaceful atmosphere like something from another time. Cultural highlights include the historic Flateyjarkirkja with its fascinating murals by Baltasar Samper as well as the charming old library building Flateyjarbaukur, while the diverse birdlife invites discovery. Expedition and cruise ships mostly use the small pier at Flateyjarhöfn, from which the picturesque village center can be easily reached in just a few minutes' walk thanks to the island's compact size.
Flatey is a unique, car-free island in the vast Breiðafjörður Bay, which is mainly accessible to guests from the DACH region by ferry from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. While Flatey itself is usually a port of call for expedition cruises, arrival takes place at the ferry terminal in Stykkishólmur, the gateway to the island.
Airplane
The nearest international airport for your journey is Keflavik (KEF), located approximately 215 to 229 kilometers from Stykkishólmur. The driving time from Keflavik Airport to Stykkishólmur is about 2 hours and 49 minutes to 3 hours and 20 minutes by car. There is no direct bus connection; public transport requires several transfers and takes significantly longer. Given the distance, an overnight stay in Reykjavík or Stykkishólmur is recommended before the ferry crossing.
Car & Rental Car
From Reykjavík, you can easily reach Stykkishólmur via the Ring Road (Route 1) and then Route 54, followed by Route 58. The driving distance from Reykjavík is around 175 kilometers with a travel time of about 2 hours and 14 minutes to 2 hours and 35 minutes. Managed parking spaces are available in the harbor area of Stykkishólmur: short-term parking (Zone P1) costs 500 ISK per hour for the first two hours and 200 ISK for each additional hour, while long-term parking (Zone P2) costs 1,500 ISK per day for the first seven days and 1,000 ISK per day thereafter. Please note that cars are not allowed on Flatey; your vehicle must therefore remain in Stykkishólmur.
Ferry to Flatey
The island of Flatey is exclusively accessible via the Baldur ferry, which departs from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The crossing from Stykkishólmur to Flatey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The ferry operates about six times a week, with the frequency increasing during the high season. Booking the ferry passage in advance is recommended to ensure availability. On Flatey itself, there is only a small pier for landing.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as berthing and departure times can change at short notice.
Flatey is a unique, car-free island in the vast Breiðafjörður Bay, which is mainly accessible to guests from the DACH region by ferry from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. While Flatey itself is usually a port of call for expedition cruises, arrival takes place at the ferry terminal in Stykkishólmur, the gateway to the island.
Airplane
The nearest international airport for your journey is Keflavik (KEF), located approximately 215 to 229 kilometers from Stykkishólmur. The driving time from Keflavik Airport to Stykkishólmur is about 2 hours and 49 minutes to 3 hours and 20 minutes by car. There is no direct bus connection; public transport requires several transfers and takes significantly longer. Given the distance, an overnight stay in Reykjavík or Stykkishólmur is recommended before the ferry crossing.
Car & Rental Car
From Reykjavík, you can easily reach Stykkishólmur via the Ring Road (Route 1) and then Route 54, followed by Route 58. The driving distance from Reykjavík is around 175 kilometers with a travel time of about 2 hours and 14 minutes to 2 hours and 35 minutes. Managed parking spaces are available in the harbor area of Stykkishólmur: short-term parking (Zone P1) costs 500 ISK per hour for the first two hours and 200 ISK for each additional hour, while long-term parking (Zone P2) costs 1,500 ISK per day for the first seven days and 1,000 ISK per day thereafter. Please note that cars are not allowed on Flatey; your vehicle must therefore remain in Stykkishólmur.
Ferry to Flatey
The island of Flatey is exclusively accessible via the Baldur ferry, which departs from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The crossing from Stykkishólmur to Flatey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The ferry operates about six times a week, with the frequency increasing during the high season. Booking the ferry passage in advance is recommended to ensure availability. On Flatey itself, there is only a small pier for landing.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as berthing and departure times can change at short notice.
The idyllic island of Flatey welcomes you with an almost car-free tranquility, so that you can easily reach all the sights directly from the port.
On foot
The entire island is ideal for exploring on foot and the picturesque village center is only about 5 to 10 minutes away from the pier. Thanks to the flat nature of the paths, you can enjoy a relaxed walk amidst untouched nature and historic architecture.
Ferry Baldur
The ferry Baldur is the central connection to the mainland and takes you easily to Stykkishólmur or Brjánslækur. During the crossing, you will also experience fantastic views of the countless small islands of the Breiðafjörður fjord.
Tender service
On many cruises, arrival takes place using the ship's own tender boats, which take you directly to the small pier in the heart of the island. From this central point, you can start your discovery tour through the charming settlement immediately and without waiting times.
To fully savor the magical atmosphere of the car-free island of Flatey, it is recommended to use the day for a decelerated stroll between the historic buildings and the species-rich birdlife directly on the shore.
The historic village center
The charming, colorful wooden houses from the 19th century form a picturesque backdrop and, thanks to their careful preservation, convey an authentic feeling for the former life in the Icelandic Westfjords.
Flateyjarkirkja and the library
In the small island church, the artistic murals by the painter Baltasar Samper are fascinating; additionally, the island is home to the oldest library in Iceland, making it a perfect destination for cultural discoveries in the immediate vicinity of the harbor.
The coastal paths and birdlife
The flat hiking trails along the coast offer first-class opportunities for observing puffins and eider ducks, while at the same time, visitors enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges thanks to the exposed location in Breiðafjörður.
Historic Village Center and Flateyjarkirkja
The charming historic village center of Flatey, with the iconic Flateyjarkirkja, is easily accessible on foot from the pier in just a few minutes and offers a fascinating journey back in time to 19th-century Iceland. The colorful, lovingly restored wooden houses and the unique murals in the small church create an incomparable atmosphere, perfect for a slow-paced shore excursion. Thanks to the inviting Hotel Flatey, you can also enjoy excellent local specialties and refreshing drinks in a stylish ambiance with a direct view of the idyllic bay. Ideally, visit the sights in the morning to experience the complete tranquility of the island before the day trippers arrive, and plan your return to the ship about sixty minutes before departure to end your stay in a completely relaxed manner.
Returning to the ship on the peaceful island of Flatey is incredibly straightforward, as distances are short and navigation is very easy thanks to the island's manageable size.
On Foot
From the historic village center with its colorful houses, you can walk back to the pier in less than ten minutes via the paved main path. The route takes you directly past the prominent Hotel Flatey and remains easy to follow at all times thanks to the clear visibility of the harbor and the flat landscape.
Ferry and Tender Boats
As cruise ships anchor in the bay off the island, tender boats will bring you safely back on board from the central pier. If you have taken an excursion with the island ferry Baldur, you will arrive at the same harbor area and immediately find the connection to your ship thanks to short distances and clear signage.
Orientation at the Pier
The harbor area is the island's central meeting point and can be reached safely and relaxed due to the car-free zone. Simply plan for a few minutes of buffer time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere at the pier once more before departure and to be at the marked meeting point for the boats on time.
