© Hana Masovic / Eyeem / Getty Images
The Westfjords
The Westfjords is where Iceland’s dramatic landscapes come to a riveting climax and where mass tourism disappears – only about 10% of Iceland's visitors ever see the region. Jagged bird cliffs and broad multihued dream beaches flank the south. Rutted dirt roads snake north along jaw-dropping coastal fjords and over immense central mountains, revealing tiny fishing villages embracing traditional ways of life. In the far north, the Hornstrandir hiking reserve crowns the quiet region, and is home to cairn-marked walking paths revealing bird life, Arctic foxes and ocean vistas. The Strandir coast is less visited still, with an end-of-the-line, mystical feel, geothermal springs and minuscule oceanside hamlets.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
The Westfjords
Craggy mountains, precarious sea cliffs and plunging waterfalls make up Hornstrandir, one of Europe’s last true wilderness areas, covering some of the…
The Westfjords
Tumbling in a broad sweep over a 100m-rocky scarp at the head of Dynjandivogur bay, Dynjandi is the most dramatic waterfall in the Westfjords. The bumpy…
Ísafjörður
Part of a cluster of historic wooden buildings by the harbour, this museum is in the Turnhús (1784), which was originally a warehouse. It's crammed with…
The Westfjords
The old turf-and-stone fishing shacks of the Ósvör Maritime Museum powerfully evoke a past age. A guide in a typical lambskin fisher’s outfit shows you…
Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft
The Westfjords
The multilingual displays at this award-winning museum brilliantly convey dark, dramatic tales. Unlike the witches of New England's Salem trials, most of…
The Westfjords
At the tip of the Arnarfjörður, local artist Samúel Jónsson lived out his remaining years at a remote farm in Selárdalur, and filled his days by creating…
The Westfjords
Stunning Rauðasandur beach stretches out in shades of pink and red sands on the southern edge of the peninsula. Pounded by surf and backed by a huge azure…
The Westfjords
Crumbling plaster, towering chimneys and vast water tanks ensure Reykjarfjörður's old herring factory is an atmospheric place. The trappings of old…
- placement: fullWidth
- path: destinations/top
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "destination": "The-Westfjords", "region": "Scandinavia", "continent": "Europe", "country": "Iceland" }
Plan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from The Westfjords
Filter by interest:
AstrotourismCapture great photos of Iceland’s Westfjords: expert advice for this photographer’s paradiseJan 10, 2022 • 7 min read
CyclingIn Iceland’s remote Westfjords region, a new bicycle route takes shapeDec 10, 2021 • 9 min read
Festivals & EventsWhy winter is magical in the Westfjords (and other great times to come)Dec 6, 2021 • 9 min read
Wildlife & NatureWhy the Westfjords are the place to escape the crowds in IcelandJan 24, 2020 • 4 min read
Go Beyond
The Westfjords and beyond
- placement: fullWidth
- path: destinations/bottom
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "destination": "The-Westfjords", "region": "Scandinavia", "continent": "Europe", "country": "Iceland" }