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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. The waterfall and its surroundings were protected as …
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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. The puffin…
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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…
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Rauðasandur
Rauðasandur (Red Sand) is precisely that: a beach with endless red sand. Well, not endless but 10 km is a lot.The striking tones of the sand shift with the light and weather, making each visit a unique experience. 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 …
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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…
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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 up to the radat sation situated at the summit of Bolafja…
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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 …
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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…
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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.
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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-w
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
Hólmavík is a small fishing town nested by the large Steingrímsfjördur fjord. It is the largest town in the region and the perfect place to take a bre
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
Þingeyri is a small village situated on a spit of land in one of Iceland's most scenic fjords, Dýrafjörður. Like in most other seaside villages in Ice
Travel Blog
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Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Westfjords of Iceland: A Unique Experience
The Westfjords of Iceland offer a one-of-a-kind experience for those seeking an unforgettable way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. With its stunning landscapes, unique traditions, and cozy, intimate atmosphere, the region provides the perfect backdrop for ringing in the new year. From festive dinners to lively bonfires and spectacular fireworks displays, the Westfjords’ celebrations offer a blend of Icelandic culture and breathtaking natural beauty that you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s why you should plan your visit to this magical corner of Iceland for an unforgettable New Year’s celebration. -
Christmas is approaching!
December is finally here! All around the Westfjords you can see how the Christmas spirit has taken over. Even though the darkness is all around us during this month (approx. only 3 hours of daylight), the region challenges it with an abundance of Christmas lights everywhere. The houses are decorated with colorful lights on the outside and inside as well. In Iceland, the festive season of Christmas, also known as Yuletide, takes centre stage as one of the most significant holiday of the year. -
What's happening in December
December in the Westfjords is filled with festive charm, offering a variety of events to enjoy the holiday season. Whether you're a local or just visiting, there's something special for everyone to experience. -
Harðfiskur: A taste of Icelandic Tradition
When you think of Icelandic food, a few iconic dishes come to mind—like the infamous hákarl (fermented shark) and creamy skyr. But there's another Icelandic classic that locals love just as much: harðfiskur, or dried fish. When driving around the Westfjords you might spot fish racks and sheds. That is where the Harðfiskur is being made. This simple, protein-packed snack has been part of Icelandic culture for centuries, and it’s more than just a quick bite; it’s a delicious piece of Iceland’s history. Let’s dive into the story of harðfiskur—how it’s made, why Icelanders can’t get enough of it, and the best ways to enjoy it!
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