The mighty Westfjords is the most remote region in Iceland, due to its isolation and difficulty to reach, it makes this part of the country much less visited.
The nature and culture are practically untouched here in the Westfjords. Exploring this part of the country is nothing short of amazing, its super dramatic and jaw dropping to say the least.
Towering mountains and endless Fjords, the landscape couldn’t get any more stunning. You can feel the magic in the air in this part of the country, around every corner you’ll discover endless beauty and raw nature at its finest.
Its hands down one of our favourite places to explore and being the least touristy makes it even better in our books. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in pure nature then the Westfjords are calling!
Best Time to Visit the Westfjords
The best time to visit these rugged lands would be between May-September, during the winter the Westfjords can become inaccessible and cut ofF from the rest of the country.
If you visit during summer, the midnight sun will be in full swing and it’s more easy to reach those hidden gems which are scattered all over this region.
With 24 hours of daylight, this opens up the opportunity to explore in the evenings and to make the most of that midnight energy, it’s truly a unique experience that every explorer should have on their bucket list.
The best time to visit these rugged lands would be between May-September, during the winter the Westfjords can become inaccessible and cut of from the rest of the country.
If you visit during summer, the midnight sun will be in full swing and it’s more easy to reach those hidden gems which are scattered all over this region.
With 24hours of daylight, this opens up the opportunity to explore in the evenings and to make the most of that midnight energy, it’s truly a unique experience that every explorer should have on their bucket list.
September could be a good option and you’ll still have enough daylight to make the most of your days, enjoy the transitioning colours of the landscape and you might even spot some northern lights if the sky is clear!
Weather and Climate
You may have already heard that Icelands weather is very temperamental and that you should prepare for all seasons, this piece of advice is invaluable as preparation is key to insuring your safety.
I kid you not, the weather is the craziest we have ever experienced!
The Winter season in the Westfjords is from December-March but do bare in mind that winter storms can occur even earlier, so be sure to check the weather forecast on Vedur.is and the road conditions on Umferdin.is.
How to Get to the Westfjords
By Air
Flying is the quickest way to get to the Westfjords, the flight from Reykjavik takes less than an hour and there are 3 airports in the Westfjords to choose from;
- Ísafjörður: This flight is by Iceland Air, please visit the website for more information.
- Bíldadalur: This flight is by Norlandair, please visit the website for more information.
- Gjögur: This flight is by Norlandair, please visit the website for more information.
By Car
A road trip around the Westfjords has got to be the best way to take in all the beautiful scenery, with endless fjords and dramatic cliffs, it certainly makes for an epic road trip!
The best time of year to do this would be between late spring and Autumn. It’s not recommend to venture by car to the Westfjords during winter, unless you are an experienced winter driver. The conditions are harsh and dangerous, many roads can be closed.
You can rent cars from Reykjavik with Europecar, Hertz, or perhaps you fancy a camper van adventure, check out Go Camper!
We did a trip around the Westfjords in our Suburu Legacy, we made a little bed in the back and hit the road. Having a camper van would be much more spacious and comfortable, it’s a great way to save on accommodation.
By Bus & Ferry
Public buses run from Reykjavik to Stykkisholmur and from here you can hop on the Ferry Baldur to Brjánslækur which also stops at Flatley, a nature reserve island! From brjánslækur you can grab a bus to Ísafjörður. These routes aren’t the quickest, but it would certainly be an adventure.
Where to Stay
There’s many places to stay in the Westfjords, some of the main towns are Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður and Hólmavík.
You’ll find different priced hotels and hostels to suit all budgets. Alternatively Airbnb is always a good option, to have access to your own kitchen and save on eating out. Check out our Airbnb Hacks to save even more money!
Things to See and Do
The great thing about the Westfjords, while other parts of Iceland are brimming with tourists, so many places in the Westfjords are quiet and almost untouched. It’s the raw and unfiltered version of Iceland. Adventures await you, lets look at what you can see and do:
Dynjandi Waterfall
Dynjandi Waterfall is one of the lesser known waterfalls in Iceland, however it’s one of our favourites and should definitely be on your list when visiting the Westfjords.
Dynjandi has different tiers giving it a grand, fan like appearance, the tiers all form into one giant waterfall, you can feel the power of mother nature here.
Its name translates to thundering in Icelandic, a name fitting for the powerful sound of cascading water.
Rauðisandur Beach
Rauðisandur Beach is a unique and striking beach to explore, its known for it’s red sand, in contrast to Iceland’s usual black volcanic sand. The red sand is made up from crushed shells and volcanic minerals, how cool is that!
The beach stretches over 6 miles (10 km), making it one of Iceland’s longest beaches, Its location is rather remote, making it a perfect place for some solitude.
So take a stroll along the beach and admire the surroundings of rugged cliffs and mountains. It’s an absolute must on your trip to the Westfjords!
Ísafjörður
Small and charming Ísafjörður, is the largest town in the Westfjords. Like much of Iceland, the town used to rely heavily on Fishing, but now tourism plays a bigger role. The town has a rich history that dates back to the 18th Century.
Be sure to check out the Westfjords Heritage Museum, you can learn more about the Icelandic culture and what life used to be like living in the Westfjords.
There are some cool festivals that take place in Ísafjörður, including the Airwaves Music Festival and the annual Folk Music Festival.
The surrounding landscapes are stunning with the back drop of mountains, fjords and glaciers. Offering many outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing and whale watching!
Látrabjarg
Látrabjarg is one of the most westernmost points in Europe, these towering cliffs rise 440 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. They stretch for 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) along the coastline.
These majestic cliffs are famous for being a bird watchers paradise, home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland, with tens of thousands of Puffins nesting here during the breeding season, which is late April to early August.
The puffins usually build their nests onto the cliffs, you’ll get the chance to see them flying to catch food from the ocean. Látrabjarg is a protected area for bird conservation, making sure these animals can keep growing in numbers.
Fun Fact– Did you know baby puffins are called Pufflings!
Drangsnes Hot Tubs
Found in the small town of Drangsnes, which is known for remoter charm and rugged beauty. These hot tubs are a great way to experience Iceland’s geothermal activity and take in the beautiful landscape.
The tubs are located basically on the shore, you get that fresh sea breeze while soaking your bones in perfectly heated water. Soothing your body and mind from all the fun adventures you’ve been having.
Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
This museum is dedicated to all things magic and witches, you’ll get a chance to learn all about Iceland’s witch history. Discover the myths and legends of spells and sorcery and the witch hunts in the 16th and 17t century. Learn how all these events impacted Iceland.
One of the main features in the museum is the “völur” or “sorcery staves”, magical symbols used in various forms of Icelandic folk magic. The staves are often inscribed with runes that are believed to have magical powers.