Flatey Island: A Step into Iceland's Storybook

Out in Breiðafjörður Bay, between the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Flatey offers a glimpse into a quieter, simpler Iceland. The tiny village, with its lovingly preserved houses in bright colors, lines a dusty path that winds through the settlement like a thread through a patchwork quilt.

Where Time Slows Down

Take your time here, and make sure you take it all in. As you leave the last of the houses behind, the path narrows, twisting toward the open fields where Arctic terns wheel and dive overhead, claiming the summer skies. Here, the island belongs as much to the birds as it does to the handful of people who stay through the winter — just two families keeping watch until the warmth returns and more residents and a few lucky visitors.

Backdrop of Movies

In many ways, Flatey feels like the kind of place that only exists in movies. And in a way, it does. The island has played backdrop to several Icelandic films, including "Ungfrúið góða og húsið" (The Honour of the House), adapted from the short story by Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness, and "Brúðguminn" (White Night Wedding), directed by Baltasar Kormákur. If you step into the island's small church, you'll find another connection: the striking, unconventional altarpiece painted by Baltasar's father — a hidden gem worth seeking out.

Leave the World Behind

Getting to Flatey is simple during summer: ferries from Stykkishólmur and Brjánslækur run twice daily, and a smaller passenger boat also connects from Reykhólar. No matter which way you arrive, the moment you step off the boat, you'll feel it — that sense of stepping not just onto an island, but into a story.