Borðeyri
Tiny historic trading village on Hrútafjörður with the restored 1862 Riis Hús and strong emigration-era history.
About
About Borðeyri
Tiny historic trading village on Hrútafjörður with the restored 1862 Riis Hús and strong emigration-era history.
Discover a quiet coastal village that once played an outsized role in North Icelandic trade and emigration.
Tours Near Borðeyri
Northern Lights & GeoSea Geothermal Baths Tour (From Akureyri)
Imagine Iceland Travel · 5 hours
Private Northern Lights & GeoSea Geothermal Baths Tour (from Akureyri)
Imagine Iceland Travel · 5 hours
Dettifoss Waterfall, Ásbyrgi and Lake Mývatn - Shore Excursion from Húsavík
BusTravel Iceland · 5 hours 30 minutes
(RS) Northern Lights Classic Tour from Akureyri
Imagine Iceland Travel · 2 hours 30 minutes
Photos
Gallery
Background
History & Background
Borðeyri became an authorised trading place in 1845 and developed into an important 19th-century harbour. The village handled significant exports of live sheep, and many Icelanders emigrating to North America departed from Borðeyri. Merchant Richard P. Riis played a major role in its development; Riis Hús was built in 1862.
Borðeyri sits on the western shore of Hrútafjörður and is today one of the smallest villages in Iceland. Its quiet appearance hides an important commercial past. The settlement became an authorised trading place in 1845 and developed into a major harbour for the surrounding region during the 19th century. Borðeyri was especially important for the export of live sheep and as a departure point for Icelanders emigrating to North America. Merchant Richard P. Riis was one of the key figures in the village's trading history, and the restored Riis Hús, built in 1862, remains one of the oldest surviving buildings around Húnaflói. The village is best experienced as a short historical and scenic stop rather than a large attraction. Its shoreline, old buildings and position on Hrútafjörður give useful context to the development of trade and transport in northwest Iceland before modern road connections.
Did You Know?
Borðeyri was one of the major export harbours of northern Iceland in the 19th century and many emigrants left for North America from here.
Culture
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Spjótsmýri
Spjótsmýri is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Grettis saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Þóroddsstaðir
Þóroddsstaðir is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss, Grettis saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Location
Location
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