Olafsviti Lighthouse stands on the coast of Patreksfjörður, in the Westfjords of Iceland. It is a roadside landmark rather than a visitor site: nothing is built up around it, and there is no toilet, water or information board anywhere near. What people drive out for is the view over the fjord towards the far shore. The road is maintained but runs along cliffs, so the approach is a real part of the trip. Come in clear weather; fog removes the view completely.
Olafsviti Lighthouse
Local name: Ólafsviti
The ground around the lighthouse is private. One visitor drove close to an hour of cliff road to get here and had to turn back.
- Accessibility
- There is no parking at the lighthouse and no footpath to it, so the site cannot be reached with a wheelchair or with limited mobility.
- Parking
- No parking at the lighthouse. Drivers stop further down the road; the nearest mapped car park is about 3.1 km away.
- Transport
- No bus stop within 5 km — access is by car only.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
- Address
- 451 Hnjótur (Örlygshöfn), Iceland
What makes it special
The fjord is the reason to come. Olafsviti stands on the coast of Patreksfjörður, and from the road the water opens out towards the far shore. The lighthouse gives that view a subject.
The drive counts as much as the arrival. The road out is kept in good order, but it runs along cliffs and takes attention rather than speed. Come on a clear day. Fog shuts the place down completely — the fjord goes, and the lighthouse with it.
Good to know
- No path: no footpath leads to the lighthouse, and there is nowhere to park at the tower itself.
- Private land: one visitor found the ground around the lighthouse was private property and could not go in.
- No facilities: no toilets, drinking water or information board within 5 km.
- Cash only: a self-service stall with jam and knitted goods stands along the road out here, and it takes no cards.
- Fog: the view is the whole point of the trip, and fog removes it.
Getting there
No bus serves the lighthouse, so the trip is by car. The road out is well maintained, but it runs along cliffs and needs concentration for its whole length. You cannot park at the lighthouse. Drivers leave the car further down the road, and from there no walking path leads to the tower. Plan on looking at Olafsviti from a distance rather than walking up to it.
Best time to visit
Better: a clear day, when the far shore of Patreksfjörður is visible from the road.
Avoid: fog.
The view is what the drive buys you, and fog takes it away entirely. One visitor arrived in cloud and spent the stop searching for the lighthouse instead of looking at it.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Olafsviti Lighthouse on the map
The road out to the lighthouse runs along cliffs. Drive it at a speed that lets you stop, and pull over fully before you look at the fjord.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you walk up to the lighthouse?
There is no walking path to it. One visitor also found the ground around the lighthouse was private property and could not enter.Where do you park?
Not at the lighthouse — stopping there is not possible. Drivers leave the car further down the road; the nearest mapped car park is about 3.1 km away.Is there a bus?
No. No bus stop is mapped within 5 km of the lighthouse. The only way here is by car.What is the road like?
Maintained, but it runs along cliffs and takes concentration. Allow more time than the distance suggests.Are there toilets or drinking water?
None within 5 km, and no information board either. Bring what you need with you.