Seyðisfjörður’s Rainbow Street: A Must-See Stop in East Iceland

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The Rainbow Street in Seyðisfjörður might just be the most photographed street in all of Iceland—and it’s easy to see why.

This colorful cobblestone road, painted in bright rainbow stripes, leads straight to the town’s iconic Blue Church with a stunning mountain backdrop that looks like something out of a postcard.

Here is everything you need to know about this must-see stop that is off of Ring Road.

Visiting Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland

I visited Seyðisfjörður after an unforgettable morning in Borgarfjörður Eystri, where we watched puffins hop along the cliffs just inches from our feet.

Watching the puffins in the beautiful town of Borgarfjörður Eystri
Watching the puffins in the beautiful town of Borgarfjörður Eystri

On our way back to the Ring Road, we spotted a sign for Seyðisfjörður and decided to take the detour—we’d heard about the colorful street and its iconic church and figured we had just enough time to squeeze it in.

The winding drive into town was steep and misty, but as soon as the rainbow road came into view, we knew we’d made the right call.

The Rainbow Street in Seyðisfjörður

Rainbow Street started in 2015 when locals came together to paint the road leading to the Blue Church in bold rainbow stripes.

What began as a grassroots project to support the LGBTQ+ community has since become a beloved symbol of joy, creativity, and inclusion.

A closer look at the bright, hand-painted stones that make Rainbow Street such a joy to walk.

Every summer, the street is repainted with fresh color, often with help from both residents and visitors.

The Blue Church

We parked just outside the center and walked into town, following the curve of the fjord until we reached the start of Rainbow Street.

It was already packed with tourists, cameras in hand, all trying to capture that perfect shot of the rainbow leading up to the Blue Church.

rainbow street seyðisfjörður with blue church in background, iceland
The famous Rainbow Street in Seyðisfjörður with the Blue Church at the end

Fortunately, the light morning rain had cleared out some of the crowd, and the soft, moody sky made the colors on the road pop even more.

We waited patiently, sneaking in photos whenever the path cleared for a few seconds at a time.

Admire The Street Art

But honestly, it wasn’t just the rainbow road that caught my eye. As I wandered along the street, I noticed the buildings themselves—bright, quirky, and covered in murals and hand-painted details.

Some had art installations outside or small shops tucked inside with local crafts and vintage pieces.

painted buildings with street art along rainbow street seyðisfjörður iceland
The buildings along Rainbow Street are just as eye-catching, filled with murals, quirky details, and local art.

It felt like walking through an open-air gallery, and I couldn’t help but take my time soaking it all in.

Rainbow Street may be the main attraction, but the creativity of Seyðisfjörður is just as magical.

What to Do in Seyðisfjörður

After walking the rainbow path, take some time to explore:

How to Get to Seyðisfjörður

Follow Route 1 (Ring Road) to central Egilsstaðir, then take Route 93 (Seyðisfjarðarvegur) for 27 km east to Seyðisfjörður.

Duration: The drive takes about 20–25 minutes, covering a scenic mountain pass at ~600 m elevation

Explore More of Iceland

This was just one of many of our stops during our trip around Ring Road!

For all of my stops, read Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: 41 Stops, Optional Add-Ons + Map.

We started our trip at the iconic Silica Hotel Iceland Review: My Stay Near the Blue Lagoon.

Before heading north and doing the Diamond Circle. Here is my Diamond Circle Iceland Itinerary: Top Things to See & Do (2025).

Before visiting Seyðisfjörður, we explored more of East Iceland. Borgarfjörður Eystri: The Best Place to See Puffins in Iceland!

Read all of my Iceland Travel Guides!

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