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Flatey Travel Guide

4.8
29 Google reviews
Type
Islands
Destination
Nature Reserve Flatey, Iceland
Distance from center
46.8 km
High season
Summer
Family-friendly
Yes
Average rating
4.8
Number of reviews
29

Flatey island has many traditional housesFlatey ('Flat Island') is just one of the thousands of islands that dot Breidafjordur, a large bay that splits the Snaefellsnes peninsula from the Westfjords.

Explore this area while on a self drive tour in Iceland.

Visiting the island is truly a step back in time, with visitors gaining insight into the traditions and customs of Icelandic islanders.

Flatey takes its name from the fact that the island doesn't have any hills. It is roughly 2 km (1.2 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide. It is thought that Flatey, like the surrounding islands of Breidafjordur, was formed during the last Ice Age, carved out by an enormous ancient glacier. 

History & Present Day

The altar painting in Flatey church depicts Jesus in a lopapeysa sweaterThe island was once a commercial and cultural centre, boasting prosperous trade routes. Today, Flatey is only inhabited during the summer months with enough people to maintain the community. This season sees Flatey highly populated again with domestic visitors, foreign guests and second homeowners. Still on the island today, guests can visit the smallest, and oldest, library in Iceland (built 1864) and a church built in 1926.

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