Hellissandur and Rif are part of the municipality Snæfellsbær along with Ólafsvík, Arnarstapi and Hellnar. The distance between the towns is only about 2 km and population is about 550 people. Snæfellsbær is located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. 

Like other towns in this area Hellissandur used to be major fishing centre and today the village has experienced growth in tourism. Rif used to be one the most important commercial ports on Snæfellsnes until the conditions for the harbor changed and where not good anymore.

At the Maritime Museum at Hellissandur are examples of the old turf houses that Icelanders used to live in back in the days. The oldest existing rowboat in Iceland can also be found there, from the year 1826. The area around the villages is perfect for bird-watching and it is one of the largest arctic tern nesting area in Iceland.

Directions

The drive from Reykjavík to Hellissandur is about 2 hours and 40 minutes (196 km). Take Ring Road nr. 1 towards the town Borgarnes. Drive through Borgarnes and take road nr. 54 towards the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Drive for about 1 hour and 20 minutes on road nr. 54 and then turn left on road nr. 574 and from there it is about 15 minutes to Hellissandur and 13 minutes to Rif.

The Maritime Museum in Hellissandur Iceland
The beautiful Ingjaldsholskirkja church in the town Hellissandur Iceland
The beach near Hellissandur in West Iceland
Old turf house in Hellissandur in West Iceland
The Maritime Museum in Hellissandur Iceland
The beautiful Ingjaldsholskirkja church in the town Hellissandur Iceland
The beach near Hellissandur in West Iceland
Old turf house in Hellissandur in West Iceland

The Maritime Museum in Hellissandur Iceland

The beautiful Ingjaldsholskirkja church in the town Hellissandur Iceland

The beach near Hellissandur in West Iceland

Old turf house in Hellissandur in West Iceland