The small village of Talknafjordur stands on the north side of the fjord of the same name in the far northwest corner of Iceland. If you hire a car in Talknafjordur, you'll find that a road journey to Reykjavik would involve a scenic but lengthy 24-mile trip. This Westfjords region has relied on fishing for centuries and now the biggest tourist attraction is sea angling. Other memorable features of the area include the Látrabjarg, Europe's biggest bird cliff - and there are plenty of stunning beaches, waterfalls, mountains and fjords to explore too.
Visitors who hire a car in Talknafjordur will soon find the village's impressive modern open-air swimming pool. This, and some of the local fish farms, are heated by natural hot spring water rising near the head of the fjord. The pool has slides and hot tubs, and is surrounded by extraordinary mountain views. There's a campsite here too. Wander through the village streets and note the fishing artefacts used to decorate everyone's gardens. Leaving the village, ancient riding trails in the foothills have become a network of footpaths for visitors. Head for the Pollurinn tubs, a bathing spot at the source of the hot springs. The water can be muddy and unfiltered, but the views are breathtaking.
