Does your trip to Iceland coincide with Easter in March? If you’re looking for a holiday experience like no other, there’s only one place to be — Ísafjörður!
This small town in the Westfjords can be hard to reach at this time of year. But that doesn’t stop people from returning year after year to put on, and attend, Iceland’s best rock festival.
And it’s all for free!
You can make this festival the center point of an unforgettable adventure in the Land of Fire and Ice with our wide range of Iceland tours and day trips.
If you have any questions for us, please feel free to get in touch.
How the Story of Aldrei fór ég suður Began
The story starts with Mugison, a very popular and talented musician from Ísafjörður.
He and his dad, Papamug, were inspired by a compelling thought:
Why don’t we create a rock festival where everybody plays for free, just for fun? And volunteers can help with all the other work. And let’s allow all kinds of people, not just famous musicians, to get on stage and play music.
They proposed their idea to several people, and everyone was up for it.
The first Aldrei fór ég suður festival took place in 2003, and it’s still going strong today!
Easter falls in March or April. If it is the former when you’re in our special country, find out more about what it’s like to visit Iceland in March.
What is Aldrei fór ég suður?
The phrase Aldrei fór ég suður translated into English means, I never went south.
But what that really means is, I never moved to Reykjavik.
This three-day festival is an ongoing party in a small music hall (tiny, actually). But it’s not the only location.
There are concerts and events in every corner of this little town during the festivities. You could party until morning and start again at noon, if you have the stomach for it!
Speaking of stomachs, you can bring your own food and beverages to the festival, so fill your backpack with whatever you need.
But also, just by the music hall, you can warm up with a traditional Icelandic lamb soup and a beer.
I say warm up because it’s going to be cold. Don’t forget your winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.
To make sure you get the most from your festival experience, discover even more about Aldrei fór ég suður before you arrive.
So, ready to party? Let’s take a look at how to get to Isafjordur.
How to Get to Ísafjörður
It’s best to fly to Ísafjörður. If you’re coming from overseas, you’ll arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF).
But you’ll need to make your way to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) for an internal flight to Ísafjörður with Icelandair.
Flights are twice daily (when the weather allows) and take about 40 to 50 minutes.
When the plane descends for landing, it flies very close to one of the mountains, so for those afraid of flying, it’s not a good idea to look out the window at that moment.
You can also rent a car and drive, but conditions can be hard. We do not recommend driving if you are not used to doing so on icy roads with limited views in the middle of the country.
The car must also be well-equipped for winter. It’s about 455 km between Reykjavik and Ísafjörður, so it can take up to six hours to drive there.
There is no bus service to Ísafjörður during winter.
Get the Complete Experience with Our Iceland Tours
If you are brave enough to give Aldrei fór ég suður a go, I salute you! It will be a truly unique experience.
And if you like outdoor activities, pack your skiing gear and enjoy the slopes in the area. Also, bring your bathing suit and take a dip in the local swimming pool.
Don’t forget, you can create even more memories in the place we call home with our Iceland tours and day trips.
For more information about any of our excursions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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