Plizio Visual Lab
Vigur
ℹ️Practical info — Vigur
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Vigur is only accessible by boat from Ísafjörður; book your tour well in advance.
- Stick to the designated paths to protect the nesting eider ducks and puffins.
- Beware of aggressive Arctic terns during the breeding season; carry a stick pointing upwards to deter them.
- Bring warm, waterproof clothing as the weather on the island changes rapidly.
- The island is small and takes only about an hour to walk around.
🍽 Food
Try this traditional pie in the island's only cafe.
Often served as part of a light Icelandic meal on guided tours.
Warm up with a cup of coffee in the historic farmhouse cafe.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy premium down collected sustainably on the island, available at the local shop.
Send a card from Europe's smallest post office located on the island.
Sit by Iceland's only preserved windmill for a peaceful view.
Watch seals and seabirds in silence away from the main buildings.
Water temperature…
Vigur is a small, photogenic island located in the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord within Iceland's Westfjords, renowned for its diverse birdlife and beautifully preserved historical structures. The island has been privately owned for generations and operates as a sustainable farm where the harvesting of eiderdown is a primary tradition. One of the island's most iconic features is its windmill, built around 1840, which stands as the only surviving windmill of its kind in all of Iceland. Additionally, Vigur is home to the country's smallest post office, operating out of a historic timber building. Each summer, the island hosts thousands of nesting puffins, eider ducks, and Arctic terns, making it a premier destination for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts. The historical buildings, including the Viktoria House dating back to 1860, have been meticulously maintained to preserve the 19th-century atmosphere. Accessible by boat from the town of Ísafjörður, Vigur provides visitors a unique opportunity to witness traditional Icelandic island life and exceptional natural beauty.
- Location: Iceland
- Nearby: Ísafjörður (14 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -3 | -3 | -3 | -1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | -1 | -2 |
| Rain mm | 145 | 129 | 124 | 106 | 87 | 65 | 83 | 104 | 140 | 137 | 128 | 158 |
Geography
Facts
- The windmill on Vigur was built in 1840 and is the only one remaining in Iceland.
- Vigur is home to the smallest post office in the country, which is still operational.
- Approximately 3,500 pairs of eider ducks nest on the island every summer.
- The historic Viktoria House was constructed in the year 1860.
- The island is approximately 2 kilometers long and 400 meters wide.
- The same family has owned and farmed the island for over 170 years.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Vigur (1)
Frequently asked questions
How do you reach Vigur island?
Which birds can be seen there?
What is the special structure on Vigur?
Is there a cafe?
Can you stay overnight on the island?
Vigur: where is it located?
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Vigur: why is it worth visiting?
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