Faxaflói in Iceland is more of a bay than a fjord.

The capital of the island, Reykjavík, is situated at its shore. If the weather is clear, it is possibe to see the peninsula of Akranes in the north-east and even the Snæfellsjökull at a distance of about 120 km.

Flaxaflói has always contributed to the nourishment of the people living at its shore. In former times, fishermen went out in small boats to get fish near the shore. Today the ships are much bigger, but have to go farther out to sea if they wish to catch fish.

At the northeastern part of the Faxaflói, the Kollafjörður, there is the small island Viðey. It has been inhabited since 1943 but a former settlement has been proven from the 10th century onwards. During the 12th century a chapel had been constructed, a monastery was founded there in 1225, existing till the final assertion of reformation by the end of the 16th century. The island and the remains of the settlement can be visited by taking a ferry from Reykjavík harbour.

See also: Fjords of Iceland