Flatey is a beautiful island in North Iceland and a very special place to visit. You have the feeling time stops here or even goes back in history. Many residents in Húsavík have houses on Flatey, which though uninhabited since 1968, was once a lively village with a church, a schoolhouse, and a lighthouse. Residents slowly left once electricity began to arrive on the mainland but still visit during the summer time. Spread flat, the island is rich in bird fauna, with over 30 different types of bird to watch, including among others Arctic Tern and the Puffins.

To visit the island, you'll need to book one of the ferries or boats leaving from Húsavík.

QUICK NOTES:

• What it is: A flat island in Skjálfandi Bay, North Iceland.

• Best season: Summer.

• Best time of day: Whenever the boat trips are available.

• Nice to know: You need to book a boat/ferry in advance from Húsavík. For a close up look at some puffins, walk to the lighthouse and crawl towards the cliffs there - if you're careful you should get super close!