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Back to Hellissandur

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Voykit pocket guide · Iceland

Hellissandur

Go for 1–2 hours on a Snæfellsnes drive: see the radio tower, walk the harbour, then continue to Arnarstapi or Stykkishólmur.

Hellissandur is a tiny fishing village at the tip of Snæfellsnes, home to the 412 m radio tower (Western Europe's tallest structure) and a maritime museum. Most travellers pass through in under two hours on the way to Snæfellsjökull National Park. One night works if you want a quiet base for the park.

ReykjavíkAkureyriArnarstapiBlue LagoonBorgarnesEgilsstaðirEyrarbakkiFosshollHafnarfjörðurHellaHöfnHúsavíkHveragerðiÍsafjörðurHellissandur50 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Iceland
Best months
Jun–Aug
Avoid
Nov–Mar (short days, road closures possible)
Stay
0–1 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
ISK
Money
Currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK, kr). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including remote petrol stations and toilets. About 145 ISK to €1 — check.
Daily spend
Budget kr 8,000–12,000 excl. bed · Mid kr 15,000–25,000 excl. bed · High kr 30,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
EEA roaming applies: EU/EEA SIMs work at home prices.
Emergency
Police, fire, ambulance 112 · Non-urgent doctor 1700
Plugs
Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin.
Tipping
Restaurant: Not expected.; Tour guide: Optional; ISK 1,000–3,000 for an excellent guide.; Taxi: Nothing.
Water
Cold tap water is excellent; hot tap water is geothermal and smells of sulphur — do not drink it.
Toilets
Few on long drives; petrol stations and paid toilets (ISK 200–500) at sites.

Get in

By air

KEF · Keflavík International Airport
About 2.5–3 h drive via Route 54 and 574

Typical fares

Keflavík Airport → Hellissandur by rental car
about kr 15,000–25,000 per day for a small car (check)
Petrol (gas) per litre
about kr 300 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

The village is walkable. A car is essential to reach it and explore the peninsula.

See and do

Known for

  • Hellissandur longwave radio tower (412 m)
  • Maritime museum (rowing boats, turf roofs)
  • Historic fishing village (16th century)

Day trips

WhereHowTime
ArnarstapiDrive south on Road 574, about 20 minAbout 20 min
StykkishólmurDrive east on Road 54, about 45 minAbout 45 min
Snæfellsjökull National ParkDrive south on Road 574, about 10 min to the northern entranceAbout 10 min
BorgarnesDrive east on Road 54, about 1.5 hAbout 1.5 h

Sleep

Hellissandur village centre
Hotel Hellissandur is the main option; open year-round with a restaurant.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHallóha-loh
Thank youTakktahk
How much?Hvað kostar?kvath koh-star
Where is the toilet?Hvar er salernið?kvar er sah-ler-nith
Can I pay by card?Get ég borgað með korti?get eh bor-gath meth kor-ti

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake, first names; avoid: Using titles or surnames — there usually is no family name
  • Pools: Shower naked first, keep the hot pot conversational; avoid: Swimwear in the showers
  • Driving: Pull into lay-bys for photos, dip lights on single-lane bridges; avoid: Stopping on the road
  • Nature: Stay on paths, carry litter out; avoid: Stone stacks, walking on moss
  • Conversation: Ask about books, music, weather and the elves with good humour; avoid: Lecturing on whaling

Scams and watch-outs

  • Road 574 (Utnesvegur) south of Hellissandur is unpaved for a stretch; check conditions in winter.
  • Services are limited: fill up fuel and groceries in Borgarnes or Ólafsvík.
  • The radio tower is not open to the public; view from the road.

Very safe; standard Iceland precautions: weather can change fast, check road.is for closures, and stay on marked paths near cliffs.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Hellissandur yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Hellissandur longwave radio tower (412 m)
  • Maritime museum (rowing boats, turf roofs)
  • Historic fishing village (16th century)

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Hellissandur

Til þessa heimilis, takk

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police, fire, ambulance112
  • Non-urgent doctor1700

Card is accepted almost everywhere; cash rarely needed.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/hellissandur). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.