The Westfjord Heritage Museum is situated at the tip of the small spit on which the town of Ísafjörður is located. The museum building is one of four 18th century houses that have been renovated and are now amongst the town’s biggest tourist attritions. The town of Ísafjörður was established and based on the fishing industry; therefore it is only natural that the museum focuses mainly on maritime history. In the museum itself, as well as in the area around it, you will find all kinds of fishing- and fish production equipment, everything from fish hooks to a ship. There is also a part of a big accordion collection.

After a tour around the museum and its surroundings, you can relax at the Tar House and enjoy some light refreshments.

Location – Towerhouse in  Neðstakaupstaður on Ísafjörður
Tel: (+354)456-3293, (+354) 456-3299
Mobile: (+354) 896-3291
byggdasafn@isafjordur.is
www.nedsti.is

Open weekdays:
June 10 - 17
July – August 10 - 18

Weekends:
June 13 - 17
July - August: 10 - 17

Admission fee (ISK):
Adults 500
Seniors 300
Free for children

Boat tour:
Adults 1000
Free for children

Other places of interest in the area Onundarfjordur ,  Naustahvilft ,  Tungudalur ,  Arnarnes ,  Osvor Museum ,  Natural History Museum ,  International Doll Museum ,  Isafjordur Cultural House - The Old Hospital

Location: Holmavik
Tel: (+354) 451-3525
galdrasyning@holmavik.is
www.galdrasyning.is

Open all year.
Summer hours:
June 1 - August 15: 10:00-18:00
August 16 - August 31: 12:00 -18:00

Other places of interest in the area Sheepfarming Museum ,  Sorcery and Wichcraft ,  Drangsnes Hot Pots

The museum consists of a replica of a 19th century double fishing booth, salt-shed, fish drying platform and a fish drying shed. It also has on display the fishing boat Ölver that represents the type of boats that were used for fishing at earlier times. The museum gives a realistic picture of the accommodation offered to fishermen of the 19th century, during the harsh winter fishing seasons. Dressed in the traditional protective clothing, made of skin, the curator guides visitors around the museum, offering a unique glimpse of a long gone past. The museum is located beside the road into Bolungarvík on the east side of the bay.

Tel.:  (+354) 892-5744, (+354) 892-1616, (+354) 456-7505.
osvor@nave.is
www.osvor.is

Opening hours:
15. May – 15 June: 10-17.
15 June – 30. August: 9-18.
1. September -  30 September 10 – 15 

Also by appointment.
Other places of interest in the area Bolafjall and Skalavik ,  Isafjordur Maritime Museum ,  Isafjordur Cultural House - The Old Hospital

The Folk Museum at Hnjótur was opened in June 1983. There you will find many remarkable items from old times, demonstrating means of occupation and survival, on land as well as sea, through the ages. Some of these are related to gathering of eggs in Látrabjarg, and there is a special section displaying the rescue of seamen in great danger. In the museum there are a few boats as well and equipment for whale-hunting. At Hnjótur there is also an Aviation Museum displaying remarkable items related to the history of flying in Iceland. No one traveling in the south region of the Westfjords should miss the opportunity to visit the Folk Museum at Hnjótur. In the museum you will also find a nice café.

Tel: (+354) 456 1511
museum@hnjotur.is
www.hnjotur.is
Open: May 25 - September 15, daily 10-18. At other seasons open upon request, tel. (+354) 456 1569 or (+354)896 5363.
Other places of interest in the area Latrabjarg ,  Raudasandur ,  Latravik (Latrabjarg) ,  Breidavik ,  Kollsvik ,  Haenuvik ,  Orlygshofn

The house contains the Town and District Library, District Archives, Art Collection and Photo Collection.
Open weekdays 1 pm - 7 pm, Saturdays 1 pm - 4 pm, closed on Sundays.
Normaly there are smal exhibitions of photos or documents in the library and paintings in the exhibition room. 
In the library the reading room is a hot spot for internet access and there are 9 open computers for public use. 
 
Location: Eyrartun, Isafjordur
http://safn.isafjordur.is
bokasafn@isafjordur.is
Tel.: (+ 354) 450-8220
Other places of interest in the area Trostansfjordur ,  Naustahvilft ,  Tungudalur ,  Arnarnes ,  Osvor Museum ,  Natural History Museum ,  Isafjordur Maritime Museum

Hrafnseyri in Arnarfjörður is the birthplace of national hero Jón Siguðsson. This spot has become a popular attraction for visitors, with it’s museum dedicated to Sigurðsson’s memory, a remake of his childhood home and the old Hrafnseyri curch.  Visitors from overseas receive a booklet with an introduction to Jón Sigurðsson, free of charge.  Light meals (soup and bread) and refreshments are served on the location.

Opening hours:
1. June – 1. September
at 10:00 – 20:00 (every day)

Curator: 456-8260 og 845-5518
Burstabær:  896-8107
hrafnseyri@hrafnseyri.is
www.hrafnseyri.is

Other places of interest in the area Arnarfjordur ,  Ketildalir and Selardalur ,  Dynjandi ,  Kaldbakur ,  Svalvogar

The museum is dedicated to the naturalist and former headmaster in Bolungarvík Steinn Emilsson. The museum was founded in 1998 and exhibits in its 300m2 main hall the tools used and minerals collected by the former headmaster. It also boasts of one of the largest collection in Iceland of stuffed birds, land and sea mammals, amongst them a polar bear. The museum store offers both souvenirs and guidebooks in connection with the natural history of the Westfjords.

Location: Vitastigur 3, 415 Bolungarvik.
Tel:  (+354) 456-7507, (+354) 456-7005., 
nagr@nave.is,  
www.natturugripasafn.is

Opening hours: 9-12 and 13-17.
Weekends: 15. June – 15 August: 13-17 or by appointment.

Other places of interest in the area Bolafjall and Skalavik ,  Isafjordur Maritime Museum ,  Isafjordur Cultural House - The Old Hospital

The old Blacksmith's Workshop was founded by Gudmundur J Sigurdsson in 1913, but Gudmundur came back to Thingeyri in 1903 after learning the trade in Denmark. The machine shop was one of the first if its kind in Iceland and leading in the development in the trade.

Today the museum includes all the old machines and blacksmith operation are still in their almost original state. This is a living museum, where visitors can experience the old machine shop as time has stood still. An amazing atmosphere for all ages.

Other places of interest in the area Arnarfjordur ,  Dynjandi ,  Kaldbakur ,  Svalvogar ,  Dyrafjordur ,  Ingjaldssandur

Location: Kluka, Bjarnarfjordur
Tel: (+354) 451-3524
galdrasyning@holmavik.is
www.galdrasyning.is

Open:
June 15 - June 30: 12:00 -18:00
July 1 - August 15: 10:00 -18:00
August 16 - August 31: 12:00 -18:00

Other places of interest in the area Bjarnarfjordur ,  Djupavik exhibition ,  Kort, museum and craft ,  Sorcery and Wichcraft ,  Drangsnes Hot Pots

The Breiðafjörður Boat Museum has during the last years collected more than twenty old boats from the Breiðafjörður area and saved most of them from destruction. Some are kept in the condition as time has left them, others are being repaired and still others have been or are being completely rebuilt. This mission is going on and therefore the museum is a living workshop as well as a showplace. The primus motor is Aðalsteinn Valdimarsson, an aging boatbuilder raised in the islands of Breiðafjörður, who is at work in the museum almost every day. You can visit him there although there are no specific opening hours. The Breiðafjörður Boat Museum is located in the same building as the Tourist Information and the Hlunnindasýningin, a few hundred meters before entering the village of Reykhólar. Because of limited facilities, however, many of the boats are kept elsewhere.

Tel. (+354) 434 7830
hlunnindi@reykholar.is
www.reykholar.is/batasafn
Open by agreement. Other places of interest in the area Vadalfjoll ,  Breidafjordur ,  Hlunnindasyning ,  Bird life and good areas for birdwatching

Hlunnindasýningin is a museum dedicated to the gifts of Nature in the Breiðafjörður area and their utilization, especially in the past. The birds provided eggs and meat and the precious eiderdown used in duvets and pillows. The seals provided meat and skin. Here you can learn about the treatment of these goods as practiced for centuries and even up to the present day. The Breiðafjörður area is unique as even in the hardest times and worst famines in Iceland the people here never starved, thanks to the abundant gifts of Nature. In the museum you can see many of the birds that were utilized, and, as a contrast, the gigantic white-tailed eagle. The museum is in the same building as the Tourist Information, a few hundred meters before entering the village of Reykhólar.

Tel: (+354) 434 7830
hlunnindi@reykholar.is
www.reykholar.is/hlunnindi
Open 11-18 from June 20 to August 10, or by agreement.
Aðgangseyrir kr. 500 nema fyrir börn og aldraða.
Fee ISK 500, children and seniors excepted.

 

Other places of interest in the area Vadalfjoll ,  Breidafjordur ,  Flatey ,  Skaleyjar ,  Breidafjordur Boat Museum

Litlibær is a little farm house that was originally built in 1894, and was occupied until 1969.

On the farm there are many stone walls, big and thick, and one of them is built in a circle, and was used as a shelter for sheep. That wall is much older than other stone walls on the farm.

The farmes lived by farming and fishing as on many other farms by the sea.

In 1999 the National Museum owned the farm and started restoring it. When it´s complete, a standing exhibition about the farmers life will be set up there.

Often a large number of seals are at the shore just north of the farm.

Location – Skötufjörður in Ísafjarðardjúp

Tel: Hvítanes farm (+354) 456-4809, (+354) 894 4809

Opening hours:
By appointment with the farmer of Hvítanes.

Admission fee:
Free donation

Other places of interest in the area Drangajokull and Kaldalon ,  Vatnsfjordur by Isafjardardjup ,  Raggagaradur ,  Heydalur ,  Horgshlid

Samúel Jónsson´s outstanding naive sculptures and buildings in Selárdalur valley in Arnarfjordur had been rapidly decaying when a society for it´s restoration was founded in 1998. This society is a non-profit organization and has had collaboration with the German sculptor Gerhard König and some others to work on the restoration during the past years in cooperation with the landowner, the ministry of agriculture. Groups of volunteers from Germany have been working together with Gerhard König during the past summers. In the summer of 2008 the plan is to pull down Samúel´s living house in order to build there a new house with a similar front that can serve as a guesthouse for artists and scholars. It´s planned to have the museum ready in 2009.

Tel.: 896-8520 (Ólafur Hannibalsson)
olafur@sogumidlun.is (Ólafur Engilbertsson)
www.sogumidlun.is/index.php?m=&id=M_SAMUEL
Other places of interest in the area Arnarfjordur ,  Ketildalir and Selardalur ,  Melodies of the past ,  Reykjarfjordur by fjord Arnarfjordur

The Sheep Farming Museum is a lively and vibrant museum, in community centre Sævangur by road nr. 61, 12 km. south of Hólmavík. It’s about Icelandic sheep farming, has a cozy coffeehouse with traditional Icelandic coffe, a store with unique arts and crafts and a small inside playground for the youngest. One of the main attractions are the foster lambs who are in the museums care during the summer, guests can feed them with a milk from a bottle. A visit to the Sheep Farming Museum is an entertaining experience for the whole family.

Location: By fjord Steingrímsfjörður, close to Holmavik
Tel.: (+354) 451-3324, (+354) 661-2009
saudfjarsetur@strandir.is
www.strandir.is/saudfjarsetur

Summer Opening Hours: Every day 10:00-18:00
Winter Opening Hours: On request

Other places of interest in the area Museum of Witchcraft ,  Drangsnes Hot Pots

Other places of interest in the area Drangajokull and Kaldalon ,  Litlibaer farm ,  Heydalur ,  Horgshlid ,  Nauteyri ,  Laugaland

The Djupavik Exhibition of the old herring factory displays the story of Elisa Stefansson and his quest to build one of the largest herring factories in Europe in Djupavik in 1935. Before the Herring factory there was only a small farm in Djupavik with one small family. After only one year it was filled with people and life.

The bay off the shores of Djupavik where filled with herring and the factory was booming. The herring catch diminish over time and by 1944 the stocks had decreased to much and the factory slowly shut down and was finally closed in 1954.

At the time the factory was the largest concrete building in Iceland and it still stands today as a monument of this great achievement. creachure

The museum of the old herring factory is situated in the old factory and guided tour is available in Hotel Djupavik. More information on www.djupavik.is

Other places of interest in the area Bjarnarfjordur ,  The Sorcerer's Cottage ,  Kort, museum and craft ,  Drangsnes Hot Pots

Other places of interest in the area Onundarfjordur ,  Isafjordur Maritime Museum ,  The Old Bookshop

Trékyllisvík in Strandir is a place of phenomenal nature and varied wildlife. Seals, birds, driftwood, rocks and mountains make their mark on the place. Kört is a little museum located in the middle of Trékyllisvík. There you can find beautiful art and craft items made by local people out of driftwood, stones and textile alongside with tools, clothing and pictures that tell the story of the people's ancestors. Come and enjoy live guidance around the museum, look at the handcraft, get information about the area and sit down with a tasty cup of coffee.

Location: Trekyllisvik in Strandir
Tel.: (+354) 451-4025
arnes2@simnet.is
www.trekyllisvik.is

Open:
June 1 - September 1: Daily 10-18 
September 1 - Júní 1: Upon request

 

Other places of interest in the area Bjarnarfjordur ,  The Sorcerer's Cottage ,  Djupavik exhibition

It is safe to say that many who visit the small village of Bildudalur, get butterflies in their stomach and even their toes when they visit the musical museum „Melodiur Minninganna“ (Melodies of Memories), founded by Mr. Jon Kr. Olafsson a former Icelandic pop-star from the 60´s and 70´s.. The Museum opened on 17th of June, 2000, on the Icelandic national day. The museum portrays a part of the musical history of Iceland .

The museum is dedicated to many of the wonderful artists and musicians that Mr. Olafsson knew and worked with throughout his career.

The museum is mostly based on a display of a record collection on the walls of the museum and other artifacts from this period, which gives the look and feel of the golden age of Icelandic early pop culture.

The museum is located at Reynimelur, Tjarnarbraut 5 in Bildudalur.
Tel: (+354) 456-2186
Open: June 1 - October 1: Weekdays 13-18. Weekends upon request.

Other places of interest in the area Ketildalir and Selardalur ,  Trostansfjordur ,  Reykjarfjordur by fjord Arnarfjordur ,  Samuel's Sculptures in Selardalur

The Snjafjallasetur Heritage Centre was established in Dalbaer Snaefjallaströnd in 2003. It´s aim is to collect and preserve any remains connected to the settlement in the Snaefjallahreppur and Grunnavíkurhreppur parishes by making exhibitions, with conferences, publishing and events. The exhibition Desolated farms and fairy wights in the old Snaefjallahreppur and Grunnavíkurhreppur parishes was opened in 2002. A complimentary book that follows the exhibition is moreover a guide for travelers to the region, walking into the waste land of the Jokulfjords. The book is available in English. The exhibition Kaldalón fjord and composer Kaldalóns was opened in 2004, conmemorating the composers' famous songs connected to the region. Other projects include an exhibition and a conference on the slayings of Basque whalers in the Westfjords in 1615, held in 2006.

Location: Dalbaer, Snaefjallaströnd
Tel.: (+354) 698-7533
snjafjallasetur@snjafjallasetur.is
www.snjafjallasetur.is

Other places of interest in the area Drangajokull and Kaldalon ,  Nauteyri ,  Laugaland

Other places of interest in the area International Doll Museum

In the spring of 2008 the Vatneyri Pirate house in Patreksfjörður opened for the first time. The idea of the Pirate house is based on old stories of pirates that raided the Icelandic shoreline in the 15th and 16th century. In the pirate exhibition these old stories will be displayed in various ways in order to recreate the atmosphere and experience of both the pirates and their victims.
The Pirate House project is a new and exciting project, which is not built over night. It will gradually develop over the next few year, starting with the first section opening summer of 2008 with a Coffee house, Art&Culture shop and first phase of the exhibition. In the spring of 2009 the exhibition will be extended, where the pirates theme will be completed with extensive outdoor activities outside the exhibition.

Location: Vatneyri, Patreksfjordur
Tel.: (+354) 456-1133
www.sjoraeningjahusid.is
Please see the website for information on opening hours.  Other places of interest in the area