When are you Travelling?
Highlights
Dynjandi
Simply enthralling; The Westfjords’ favourite front-page model for decades, and is never short of breathtaking. The biggest and widest part of the waterfall is the one that gets all the attention and the photos, even though there are impressive, albeit smaller, waterfalls further down the river.To enjoy, follow this simple step-by-step manual. 1. S…
Read more
Látrabjarg
One of Europes biggest bird cliffs, a home to birds in unfathomable numbers. This westernmost point of Iceland is really a line of several cliffs, 14 kilometres long and up to 441 m high. And it’s as steep as it gets, dizzyingly so. Safe from foxes, the birds are fearless, and provide stunning photographic opportunities from close range. Bird photo…
Read more
Árneshreppur
Iceland’s least populous; the municipality of Árneshreppur has only 50 inhabitants. The road connecting the region to the rest of Iceland can be closed for weeks during winter, leaving transport by air the only option. Hikers on their way to Hornstrandir can take the boat from Árneshreppur, and there they find a museum, a café and accommodation. On…
Read more
Rauðasandur
Rauðasandur (Red Sand) is precisely that: a beach with endless red sand. Well, not endless but 10 km is a lot. The magnificent hues of the sand differ with daylight and weather, and the beach is the biggest pearl in a string of coves with sand ranging in colours from white through yellow through red to black, and in coarseness from very fine to sol…
Read more
Hornstrandir
This territory of the Arctic fox has been uninhabited since the 1950s. As isolated as it was then, it attracts the casual half-day visitors and serious gore-tex hikers alike. Its main attractions are three. First, the bird cliffs surrounding the bay of Hornvík, are a magnet of gigantic proportions. On the eastern side of the bay the cliff reaches a…
Read more
Outstanding Bolafjall
The most popular visiting point in Bolungarvík is the viewing platform on top of Bolafjall Mountain. The place offers a staggering view over Ísafjarðardjúp, Jökulfirðir and some people say all the way to Greenland. To get to Outstanding Bolafjall you have to drive up the road from Bolungarvík the way to the radar station on the top. The station was…
Read more
Djúpavík
Traveling along road #643 through the Árneshreppur municipality is one of the most scenic drives you could ever take. Besides the breathtaking nature, you are bound to be captivated by the tiny settlements that greet you on the way. The historical village of Djúpavík dates back to 1917, when a herring factory was established in this small creek by …
Read more
Valagil
Valagil is a spectacular ravine, complete with mighty waterfall and made from layers upon layers of ancient lava. You will find Valagil at the landward end of Álftafjörður, not too far from Súðavík. There is a marked footpath to the ravine from the road. Some say the ravine is named after the falcons (valur is Icelandic for falcon) which reported u…
Read more
![](/static/sitemap/sm/889d0e1f03c6df0c80dc2b6917b0f17e-20150708-img_2780.jpg)
Whale Watching
Around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the hump-backed whale, dolphins and a few others. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages.
Read more
Events
Towns
Árneshreppur
Iceland’s least populous; the municipality of Árneshreppur has only 50 inhabitants. The road connecting the region to the rest of Iceland can be close
Bíldudalur
Bíldudalur is nested by the fjord Arnarfjörður, a location which is not only beautiful but also responsible for Bíldudalur’s reputation as the “good-
Bolungarvík
Bolungarvík is the northernmost village in the Westfjords, situated on an eponymous cove.The village has been a fishing port since settlement, so natu
Djúpavík
Traveling along road #643 through the Árneshreppur municipality is one of the most scenic drives you could ever take. Besides the breathtaking nature,
Drangsnes
Drangsnes is a fishing village, pure and simple. Conveniently located near the fishing grounds, it thrives in its minimalistic ways. In fact, the entr
Flatey
Breiðafjörður is the second biggest fjord in Iceland as it stretches 70 km where it is widest. Where the fjord gets more shallow there are almost unco
Flateyri
Flateyri has been a trading post since 1792 and saw its heyday in the 19th century when it was home to a fleet of decked vessels and the base for shar
Hnífsdalur
Hnífsdalur is a small village between Ísafjörður and Bolungarvík. It has some 200 inhabitants, many of whom seek work in Ísafjörður, only 4 km away. T
Hólmavík
Get off the ring road - and let the trolls guide you
The Strandir area, with its small towns, rich history, and impressive landscape is the perfect c
Ísafjörður
Rooted in a rich history as a trading post since the 16th century, Ísafjörður has evolved from its humble beginnings into the vibrant heart of the Wes
Norðurfjörður
Norðurfjörður is a part of Árneshreppur the least populous municipality in Iceland, with only 53 inhabitants. It stretches over a wide area, though, c
Patreksfjörður
Patreksfjörður is the biggest town in the southern part of the Westfjords, with a population of around 780. Early in the 20th century, Patreksfjörður
Reykhólar
If you are interested in bird-watching, the small village of Reykhólar is the perfect hub. The sea closest to shore is very shallow and with a high ti
Suðureyri
Suðureyri is a fine example of an Icelandic fishing village. The village only began to form in the early 20th century, growing rapidly with the mechan
Súðavík
The small and friendly fishing village of Súðavík, 20 kilometres from Ísafjörður. Since 1995, when an avalanche destroyed a big part of the village, i
Tálknafjörður
Tálknafjörður is a friendly village in the southern part of the Westfjords, with a population of approximately 300. For centuries, most of the locals
Þingeyri
VISIT THINGEYRI -EVENT CALENDAR
This summer, Thingeyri and Dyrafjordur fjord are home to many events, services and activities every day of the week.
Travel Blog
-
Slow Travel Westfjords: A 7-Day Itinerary for Summer Exploration
Slow travel is about savoring the journey, immersing deeply in local culture, and appreciating every moment. It prioritizes quality over quantity, allowing travelers to explore at a leisurely pace, forging meaningful connections with people and places along the way. It's the art of traveling mindfully and authentically. How about considering this slow travel self-drive summer itinerary for exploring the Westfjords? -
Slow Travel in the Westfjords
Ever felt like you needed a vacation after your vacation? That's where slow travel comes in. It's not about racing from one tourist spot to another, trying to cram in as much as possible. Nope, slow travel is all about taking your time, soaking up the local vibes, and truly experiencing a place in all its glory. One thing we often hear from travelers who’ve been to the Westfjords, is that they wished they had stayed longer. -
Hiking Suggestions
Planning a summer getaway to the Westfjords? While there are plenty of ways to explore the region, nothing beats immersing yourself in nature on foot. Whether you're an avid hiker or just starting out, there are trails to match every fitness level. You can opt for a guided hike to delve deeper into the area's history and culture or set out on your own adventure. Here are some hike suggestions suitable for almost anyone. Just remember to wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and pack a bottle of water for the journey. Here are a few options, ranging from guided hikes to self-guided excursions, for you to consider. -
The Sheep Farming Museum
The Sheep Farming Museum is a museum and a cultural center, located in Strandir near Hólmavík. “Why is there a whole museum dedicated to sheep farming?” - one might ask. First of all, we have a lot of sheep’s! If you’re visiting in summertime, you can be sure of seeing them roaming around. Be careful if you are doing a self-drive trip, the sheep’s like to cross the road.
Welcome to Our Quick Westfjords Survey!
We're on a mission to make the Westfjords even better and we need your insights. Just a few moments of your time can make a big difference. Your feedback helps guide improvements and preserve the Westfjords' unique charm. Ready to help shape the future of our beautiful region? Click the link below to start the survey. Thank you for contributing to a better Westfjords for everyone!