Iceland has one of the most distinctive abandoned house landscapes in the world — a sub-Arctic volcanic island where the traditional turf farmhouse, the early 20th-century corrugated-iron cottage, and the mid-century concrete rural dwelling have all been progressively abandoned since the 1940s as Iceland's rural population concentrated in Reykjavík at a rate faster than almost any other country in Europe. The result is hundreds of abandoned domestic structures scattered across Iceland's Ring Road corridor, highland valleys, and remote fjords — each uniquely framed by glacier, lava field, Arctic moss, or Atlantic ocean backdrop. Discover the 5 best abandoned houses in Iceland, selected from our Iceland Urbex Map — 50+ verified GPS locations.
Why Iceland Has Europe's Most Distinctive Abandoned House Landscape
No European country urbanized as rapidly as Iceland in the 20th century — from 80% rural in 1900 to over 90% urban today. The abandoned farmhouses left behind are framed by glacier, moss, and lava in combinations unavailable anywhere else, creating the most visually extraordinary domestic dereliction in the Northern Hemisphere.
1. Abandoned Turf Farmhouse – Ring Road Corridor — Traditional Icelandic Construction, Viking-Era Building Tradition, Moss-Covered Ruin, Glacier or Lava Field Backdrop (Known Location)
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, a building method unchanged from the Viking settlement of Iceland in the 9th century until the 20th century. The rural exodus of the 1940s–60s left hundreds of these turf structures abandoned across Iceland. Today they are being consumed by the very moss and turf that was once their building material — the volcanic stone walls and timber door frames returning to the landscape at a rate unique to the sub-Arctic Icelandic climate.
🔗 Sources: Facts.net – Abandoned Iceland | Atlas Obscura – Abandoned Iceland
2. Abandoned Corrugated Iron Farmhouse – Iceland Rural — Early 20th Century, Imported Norwegian Kit, Icelandic Corrugated Iron Tradition, Fjord or Lava Setting (Known Location)
The corrugated iron (bárujárn) farmhouse is Iceland's most distinctive architectural vernacular after the turf house — imported from Norway and Denmark in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these brightly-colored or rusted iron-clad houses replaced turf construction as Iceland modernized. Hundreds of corrugated iron farmhouses from the 1900s–1940s were abandoned in the rural exodus of the mid-20th century and now stand in various states of dereliction across Iceland's fjords and Ring Road — the corrugated iron oxidized to deep rust orange, the painted colors faded to gray, and the Icelandic landscape visible through broken windows. All GPS in our Iceland Urbex Map.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Iceland →
3. Abandoned Highland Farmstead – Icelandic Interior — Remote Highlands, Viking-Age Settlement, Abandoned 20th Century, Moss and Arctic Vegetation, 4WD Required
Iceland's highland interior — the Sprengisandur, Kjölur, and Landmannalaugar corridors — contains dozens of abandoned highland farmsteads at elevations between 300 and 700m: farms that were settled in the Viking age and progressively abandoned as Iceland's climate deteriorated through the Little Ice Age and the rural exodus accelerated in the 20th century. The highland setting — volcanic desert, steam vents, glacier caps visible on the horizon — creates an abandoned farmstead landscape with no equivalent in Europe. Accessible by 4WD via the highland F-roads in summer only. All GPS in our Iceland Urbex Map.
4. Abandoned Westfjords Farmhouse – Westfjords Remote Coast — 1920s–1940s Corrugated Iron, Westfjords Fjord Backdrop, Extreme Isolation, Abandoned Due to Remoteness (On Our Map Only)
The Westfjords — Iceland's most remote region, a peninsula of dramatic fjords accessible from the rest of Iceland by a single mountain road — concentrated the highest density of agricultural abandonment in Iceland: farmhouses abandoned not because of the rural exodus to Reykjavík but because even Iceland's standards of remoteness had limits. Several 1920s–40s corrugated iron farmhouses in the Westfjords stand in complete dereliction with fjord views of extraordinary drama — the Westfjords light in summer and winter creates the finest photography conditions in Iceland for derelict structures. GPS in our Iceland Urbex Map.
5. Abandoned East Iceland Farmhouse – East Fjords — 20th-Century Concrete or Iron Farmhouse, East Fjords Setting, Lake or River Valley Backdrop, Rural Exodus Dereliction (Carte Urbex Exclusive)
The East Fjords of Iceland — between Höfn and Seyðisfjörður — contain numerous 20th-century concrete and iron farmhouses abandoned in the rural exodus of the 1950s–70s: properties whose owners moved to the fishing towns of Egilsstaðir, Höfn, or Akureyri and never returned. The East Fjords setting — dramatic narrow fjords, waterfalls, and the proximity of Vatnajökull National Park — creates an abandoned house experience of unusual visual richness. Mapped exclusively in our Iceland Urbex Map.
❓ FAQ
Where are the best abandoned houses in Iceland?
The South Coast Ring Road corridor between Vík and Höfn — abandoned turf and corrugated iron farmhouses framed by Vatnajökull glacier and black sand beaches. The Westfjords for the most dramatic fjord-backdrop settings. Our Iceland Urbex Map covers 50+ verified sites with GPS, access ratings, and vehicle requirements.
What are Iceland's turf farmhouses?
The traditional Icelandic building form — volcanic stone walls insulated with living turf and roofed with grass — unchanged from the Viking settlement in the 9th century until the 20th century. Iceland's rapid urbanization from the 1940s left hundreds in dereliction. The best surviving example is Glaumbær in Skagafjörður (managed heritage site); the best derelict examples are scattered along the Ring Road South Coast and in the Westfjords.
Can I enter abandoned houses in Iceland?
Most abandoned farmhouses in Iceland are on private farmland. Many stand in open landscape without visible fencing — approach respectfully, never cause damage, and leave immediately if the landowner is present. Iceland's heritage law protects registered historic structures. Our Iceland Urbex Map flags private property and protected sites for each location.
Safety Tips
- Turf roof collapse: never walk onto or under any remaining turf roof section — the load-bearing capacity is entirely unpredictable after decades of moss and water accumulation
- Icelandic weather: always check vedur.is before departing any remote site — Iceland's weather changes with extreme speed; always carry emergency kit including thermal layer, waterproof, and emergency food
- Highland F-roads: highland farmsteads require a 4WD with high clearance — F-roads are closed until June at minimum; check road.is for current conditions
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person; in remote Iceland a twisted ankle can become life-threatening without GPS and communication
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