EiríksstaðirEiríksstaðir at a Glance
About Eiríksstaðir
Eiríksstaðir is an archaeological site in western Iceland identified with a Norse-age farmstead and interpreted in connection with the historical figure Eiríkr. The site includes visible remains and a reconstructed longhouse intended to illustrate Viking Age domestic architecture.
The reconstructed longhouse provides a clear sense of Viking Age building scale and interior layout, and interpretive displays at the visitor area summarise the archaeological evidence. The visible footprint and reconstructed elements allow visitors to see turf-wall construction and the arrangement of farm buildings.
Excavations uncovered turf longhouse remains and associated features dating to the Viking Age, which researchers have linked to a homestead named in the medieval sources. The interpretation presented at the site focuses on rural farm life in the 10th and 11th centuries rather than later historical periods.
The site sits in the western region of Iceland, within the broader area of the country’s western settlement zone and accessible from nearby regional roads. It is some distance from Iceland’s major towns and is typically visited from regional centers in West Iceland.
- Dating of remains: Archaeological remains at the site date to the Viking Age, commonly associated with the 10th and 11th centuries, and are interpreted as a farmhouse footprint rather than a single monumental building.
- Visitor facilities: A reconstruction and on-site interpretation are provided to show how a turf longhouse and associated buildings would have appeared; the site is seasonal and facilities are concentrated at the presentation area.
What to See#
- Reconstructed longhouse: A reconstructed turf longhouse built on the archaeological footprint, visible at the site and intended to show the layout and scale of a Viking Age farmhouse.
- Visitor area and displays: The visitor area and interpretive displays that explain the archaeological finds and the site’s identification with the historical figure Eiríkr (Erik) are located beside the excavation area.
Weather & Climate near Eiríksstaðir
Eiríksstaðir's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 12°C. Moderate rainfall (762 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 0° | -9° | 76 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.4h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 0° | -9° | 76 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 0° | -8° | 83 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | -2° - 3° | -5° | 54 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 15.0h |
| May | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 39 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 18.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 41 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 21.3h |
| July | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 7° | 46 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 19.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 7° | 64 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.3h |
| September | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 63 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 77 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 70 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.7h |
| December | Poor | -5° - 1° | -8° | 73 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 2.8h |