<p><strong>Önundarfjörður is a particularly pretty fjord, even by <span id="urn:local-text-annotation-o6akyin61x0k0aaxrel96kegwqsfun08" class="textannotation disambiguated wl-place">Westfjords</span> standards. This is partly due the sweeping golden-sand beach and dune system called Holtsfjara, which curls out into the fjord.</strong></p>
<p>Because of the white sandy beach, Önundarfjörður might feel a bit like Spain for a couple of days each summer on calm and sunny days.  The rest of the time it&#8217;s usually quite windy, but Önundarfjörður still makes a nice place to take a walk. The dunes are a protected eider duck nesting area, so always keep an eye out for the birds, especially during nesting time in May.</p>
<p>Flateyri is a small but beautiful village which rests in the fjord and is more than worth the stop.</p>
<h2>Sand Castle Competition</h2>
<p>Every year locals head to the beach for a popular sand castle competition, and it&#8217;s not just the children who are ambitious to win some of the great prizes. The adults are often very likely to arrive early to set up their &#8220;camp&#8221; and start creating some amazing sand structures.</p>
<h2>Önundarfjörður in the Sagas</h2>
<p>Steep mountains line the fjord on both sides, and to get there travellers must drive across high heaths and through mountain passes. However, the beauty of the fjord is worth it. At the bottom of the fjord is the mountain Hestfjall, which is 702 metres (2,303 feet) high. According to <em>Gíslasaga</em>, an Icelandic Saga that takes place in the <span id="urn:local-text-annotation-xyezygb1umkg3olx2wu5i9nrh4i8r9b0" class="textannotation disambiguated wl-place">Westfjords</span>, Vésteinn Vésteinsson, the blood brother of the main character Gísli, lived on a farm near Hestfjall.  Önundarfjörður fjord&#8217;s name derives from it&#8217;s first settler, Önundur Víkingsson, who is mentioned in the <em>Icelandic Book of Settlements</em> (<em>Landnáamssaga</em>).</p>
<h2>Where is Önundarfjörður fjord?</h2>
<p>Önundarfjörður is located about half an hour drive from Ísafjörður.</p>


Önundarfjörður Fjord

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