Iceland is the most extraordinary urbex destination in the Northern Hemisphere — a sub-Arctic volcanic island where abandonment mechanisms unavailable anywhere else in Europe create a derelict landscape of astonishing visual drama. The Garðar BA 64, Iceland's oldest steel ship, has been rusting on a Westfjords black sand beach since 1981. Djúpavík's herring factory was one of the world's largest when built in 1934 and was abandoned after the herring stock collapsed in 1954. Selatangar's medieval fishing camp ruins sit on the active Reykjanes volcanic lava field. The Keflavík NATO base was handed over by the US military on September 30th 2006. Discover the 5 best abandoned places in Iceland, selected from our Iceland Urbex Map — 50+ verified GPS locations.
Why Iceland Is the Most Extraordinary Urbex Destination in Europe
Iceland's dereliction is produced by forces available nowhere else: herring stock collapse emptying factory towns overnight, volcanic eruption burying neighbourhoods under lava, the rural exodus from turf farms in the 1940s–60s and the Cold War NATO departure of 2006. The sub-Arctic light and volcanic landscape make every ruin visually exceptional.
1. Garðar BA 64 – Patreksfjörður, Westfjords — Oldest Steel Ship in Iceland, Built Scotland 1912, Beached 1981, Rusting Hull on Black Sand Beach, Westfjords Fjord Setting (Known Location)
Launched the same year the Titanic met its fate, the Garðar BA 64 was completed in Norway in 1912 as a state-of-the-art whaling vessel with a steam engine and traditional sails. Its hull was specially reinforced to break through icy Southern seas. After decades in service to multiple owners and later converted for herring fishing off Iceland, it was finally deemed unsafe in 1981 and run aground in Patreksfjörður — the oldest steel ship in Iceland, now a rusting hulk on a black sand beach.
🔗 Sources: Atlas Obscura – Garðar BA 64 | Facts.net – 37 Facts About Abandoned Iceland
2. Selatangar – Reykjanes Peninsula — Medieval Fishing Camp Ruins, 18th–19th Century Stone Shelters, Active Volcanic Lava Field, Atlantic Coast, Freely Accessible (Known Location)
Selatangar has its own fair share of folklore — this particular outlet was haunted by a mythological being called Tanga-Tómas. The remains of the huts used for hanging and drying fish can be accessed via Route 42, then Route 427. The ruins of the stone shelters, storage rooms and sleeping quarters are spread across an unforgiving stretch of Reykjanes lava field on the Atlantic coast — one of the most atmospheric derelict sites in Iceland. The Reykjanes Peninsula has been experiencing renewed volcanic activity since 2021.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Iceland →
3. Djúpavík Herring Factory – Westfjords — Built 1934, One of the World's Largest Herring Plants, Closed 1954, Village Abandoned 1968, Rusting Fjord Hulk
The remote Icelandic village of Djúpavík began to flourish in 1917. In 1934 a second much larger herring processing plant was constructed and people began to flock to the once-empty village. With fish stocks so low, the owners were forced to close the plant in 1954. When it became clear that the fishing industry in this area was over, residents began to leave Djúpavík. Given its isolated location, this Icelandic village was entirely abandoned in 1968 and virtually forgotten once again. The massive corrugated iron factory hulk remains on the fjord shore — one of Iceland's most dramatic industrial ruins. All GPS in our Iceland Urbex Map.
4. Keflavík NATO Base (Ásbrú) – Keflavík — US Military 1941–2006, Cold War Naval Air Station, Last Soldiers Left September 30th 2006, Derelict Barracks and Hangars (On Our Map Only)
The USA government decided to abandon the base in steps in 2006, and by autumn the evacuation was realized. On September 30th 2006, the last remaining soldiers left the base, and it along with all its property was handed over to the Icelandic government. This marked the end of the presence of armed forces in Iceland. The former Naval Air Station Keflavik — known as Ásbrú — retains Cold War-era barracks, hangars and infrastructure in various states of dereliction adjacent to the international airport. GPS in our Iceland Urbex Map.
5. Abandoned Turf Farmhouse – Ring Road South Coast — Viking-Era Building Tradition, Rural Exodus 1940s–60s, Moss-Covered, Vatnajökull Glacier Backdrop (Carte Urbex Exclusive)
Iceland's traditional turf farmhouses represent one of the most distinctive building traditions in Europe — volcanic stone walls insulated with living turf and roofed with grass, unchanged from the Viking settlement in the 9th century until the 20th century. The rural exodus of the 1940s–60s left hundreds of these turf structures abandoned across Iceland, now being consumed by the very moss and turf that was once their building material. The Ring Road South Coast corridor — between Vík and Höfn — concentrates the finest turf farm ruins framed by Vatnajökull glacier and black sand. Mapped exclusively in our Iceland Urbex Map.
Safety Tips
- Garðar BA 64 tides: accessible at low tide only — always check local tide tables before walking onto the Patreksfjörður beach
- Reykjanes volcanic activity: Selatangar is near the active Reykjanes eruption zone — always check vedur.is for current volcanic activity and access restrictions before visiting
- Westfjords weather: Djúpavík is at the end of a long remote road — always check road.is and carry emergency supplies including sleeping bag, food and water for a 24-hour delay
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your GPS location; in remote Iceland, a phone injury without signal can be life-threatening
❓ FAQ
What is the best abandoned place in Iceland?
The Garðar BA 64 at Patreksfjörður — Iceland's oldest steel ship, built in 1912, beached in 1981 on a black sand Westfjords beach, freely accessible at low tide. For industrial scale, Djúpavík's 1934 herring factory — one of the world's largest when built, abandoned when herring stocks collapsed in 1954. For ease of access from Reykjavík, Selatangar medieval fishing camp ruins on the Reykjanes lava field.
Does Iceland have abandoned places?
Iceland has one of the richest abandoned place landscapes in Europe — hundreds of turf farmhouses, herring factories, beached ships, Cold War military installations and medieval fishing villages in various states of dereliction across the island. Our Iceland Urbex Map documents 50+ verified sites with GPS, access ratings and vehicle requirements.
How do I get to the Garðar BA 64?
By car via the Westfjords — approximately 3 hours from Ísafjörður or 6 hours from Reykjavík. The ship is visible from the Patreksfjörður road and accessible on foot from the beach. A 4WD is recommended in winter; the road is paved but narrow and remote. Check road.is before departing.
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