Papey Island
Small island off the East Iceland coast, one of Iceland's oldest inhabited places, with a historic lighthouse and puffin colony.
About
About Papey Island
Small island off the East Iceland coast, one of Iceland's oldest inhabited places, with a historic lighthouse and puffin colony.
Visit one of Iceland's most historically significant and remote islands, home to tens of thousands of puffins.
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Photo Gallery
Background
History & Background
Papey was inhabited for centuries, with the last permanent residents leaving in 1966. The island's name and several local place-names have long been connected with traditions about Christian 'papar' who may have been in Iceland before Norse settlement. A protected archaeological feature known as Papatóft or Papatættur is associated with Írskahóll on eastern Papey; it was protected in 1931, although its exact location is uncertain. Papeyjarkirkja, built in 1807, and the island's later lighthouse are among the clearest surviving landmarks of its human history.
Papey lies off the East Iceland coast near Djúpivogur and is best experienced as one complete island destination rather than as a collection of separate attractions. The island is known for puffins and other seabirds, its long history of habitation, Papeyjarkirkja and the lighthouse. The name Papey has long been linked with traditions about Christian 'papar' who may have been in Iceland before Norse settlement. One of the island's protected archaeological features is known as Papatóft or Papatættur, associated with Írskahóll on eastern Papey. The site was protected in 1931, but the precise location of the feature is uncertain. This archaeological story is therefore best presented within the wider Papey experience instead of as a separate destination.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
Papey's name — often interpreted as 'Monk's Island' — has helped preserve one of East Iceland's most intriguing early-settlement traditions. Historical sources describe Christian men known as papar in Iceland before permanent Norse settlement, and Papey contains place-names associated with that tradition. Papatóft or Papatættur, linked with Írskahóll on the eastern side of the island, is a protected archaeological feature whose exact location is uncertain. Rather than proving a specific pre-Norse settlement on its own, the site forms part of the larger historical story that makes Papey distinctive.
💡 Did You Know?
The old Papey church from 1807 is Iceland's oldest surviving wooden church, still standing on the island.
Local Legend
The Elves of the Eastern Fjords
The steep mountains and narrow fjords of East Iceland are considered one of the most enchanted regions of the country. Local tradition holds that entire communities of elves (álfar) live inside the mountains, with their own towns, churches, and social structures mirroring human society. Fishermen in eastern fjord villages have long reported seeing lights in the mountainsides on dark winter nights — the windows of elf houses, they say. Some families maintain that their ancestors had regular contact with the elf-folk, trading goods and sharing knowledge. The belief is so persistent that construction projects in the region still sometimes account for known elf dwellings.
Explore
Hidden Gems Nearby
✦ Off-Peak Visit
Visit Papey Island during shoulder season (May or September) for a perfect balance of access and solitude.
You'll experience the site without summer crowds while still having good weather and daylight.
✦ Local Flora
Look for the native Icelandic plants growing in the area — Arctic thyme, moss campion, and various lichens.
These resilient plants have adapted to survive harsh conditions and add subtle beauty to the landscape.
✦ Changing Light
Papey Island looks dramatically different depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
Cloud shadows, rain showers, and low-angle sunlight can transform the landscape within minutes — Iceland's famous "four seasons in one day."
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Location
📍 Location
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