Westfjords Insights
Take the road less travelled around the Wild Westfjords
If you’re looking for an adventure off the beaten track and away from the tourist crowds, then the Westfjords region is made for you.
Less visited than the south and the ring road, the winding fjords and towering mountains offer something for everyone – some of the best hiking trails in Iceland, active adventures, wildlife and birds watching, discovering local cuisine and culture and more…
Here we’d like to share with you different ideas and recommendations for your trip, tell you stories of our offbeat escapes, and inspire you to come and travel with us!
On exciting turf: the turf roofed houses in the Westfjords
The architecture of a region tells multiple stories on a singular platform: stories of survival and ingenuity, of making the most of the raw materials available in that geography and
Of Collectors’ items & curious memories: The museums of the Westfjords
To think of museums simply as places to see collections of old items is to miss the point. Museums are much more than that, especially the ones in the Westfjords.
The sounds of the fjords
The music of Iceland is a famously celebrated mix of every genre you can imagine – with emphasis on folk and pop, as well as classical and contemporary music. Among
Roll call of flavour: A taste of the Westfjords
They say the best way to get to know a place is to eat it. The distinctive taste of the fruit, the warmth of traditional sweets and the aroma of
Hornstrandir: where homes became history
When descendants of the original residents set up temporary homes every summer on Hornstrandir, there’s something to be said for roots. You learn, with time, that they indeed run deep.
Beaches in every hue
The beaches of the Westfjords tell their own story. Majestic, unexplored and different, it’s time you got acquainted with them. Sure, they aren’t the Bahamas or Hawaii, but the beaches
Drinking in the Westfjords
The bars of the Westfjords are the perfect place not just to eat and drink but also to bond with the locals, experience the culture and get a feel for
Cruising the Westfjords
While most visitors visit the Westfjords on a road trip, there is something to be said for the timelessness of ocean travel. Visitors arriving by sea have arguably the most
A tasty twist
Alright then: chances are you have a vague idea about Iceland’s ‘crazy’ food culture that features some of the seemingly freakiest food on the planet. Allow us to stop you
A bounty of blossoms
The ‘land of fire and ice’ doesn’t sound particularly rosy, perhaps, but there are few more lovely sights than an Icelandic meadow or valley in spring and summer. The volcanic
Strandir: The coasts of sorcery and scenery
Strandir (simply ‘Coasts’ in English) comprises the eastern edge of the Westfjords peninsula and boasts of beaches strewn with driftwood. There are seals and Arctic foxes, waterfalls, hot springs, and
Honeymoon in the Westfjords
With a week or two in hand, and a newly minted spouse on your arm, surely it’s time to head to Iceland, and specifically the Westfjords, for the honeymoon of
The Westfjords winds of romance: a proposal to remember
There are a million ways to pop the question to the love of your life. One way is to frequent the usual romantic capitals of the world; maybe London, Paris,
Forage for treats
The gorgeous Icelandic landscapes are more than just hiking, biking and swimming: they’re also delicious, if you know where to look. Grab a bucket or basket to hold your treasures
The horse with five gaits
In solitary splendour the Icelandic horse has thrived and flourished since the first settlers brought their horses with them to Iceland over a thousand years ago. The unique Icelandic breed
Made in the Westfjords ❤️
The Westfjords region is pure and clean partly thanks to the fact that it does not have large-scale industry. This doesn’t mean there’s nothing being made here, though. Far from
Best local experiences in the Westfjords
It’s one thing to visit the Westjords, another to delve deep into the essence of this remote, but individualistic region. If it’s the latter you wish to do, here are
Stories of a culture: the folklore of the Westfjords
Among the very first parts of Iceland colonised by the early Norse settlers, the Westfjords’ folklore is echoes wise old people in a new land. It marks the close relationship
Puffins: the ‘clowns of the sea’
Atlantic puffin pairs mate for life and share parental responsibilities. Small, sturdy and utterly unmistakeable, the Atlantic (a.k.a. common) puffin is a member of the auk family of sea birds
Isafjordur at a glance
Ísafjörður (often adapted as Isafjordur in other languages) is the name of the largest town and de-facto capital of the Westfjords region. The name loosely translates to “Iced fjord” because
Sporting events of the Westfjords
Apart from the endless opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping, there are specific sporting events that have become indispensable parts of the Westfjords calendar. The Fossavatan Ski Marathon The
A big world for little ones: Westfjords with kids
Like most parents, chances are you’re lamenting that your kids don’t do enough things outdoors; whether for want of time, opportunity, or interest. If this is among your chief quibbles,
The Wild Westfjords at a glance
The stunning and mysterious Westfjords region is a large peninsula in northwest Iceland. It is one of the country’s administrative districts, with infrastructure including a regional police commissioner, court service,
Snow time is Show time in the Westfjords
Listen up, all ye inhabitants of warmer climes! Winters in the Westfjords are calling and you have a chance to experience what true blue, freezing cold looks, sounds and feels
The call of the wild
Given the unique topography and climate, the wildlife of the Westfjords is of great interest to most visitors. Diverse species of birds, seals, whales, dolphins, and the Arctic fox are
The Arctic Fox: A solid saga of survival
This little creature is to Iceland what the Bengal tiger is to India and the kangaroo to Australia: synonymous with the local country and fully resonant with its topography. The
Chasing the puffin party
The Atlantic puffin holds pride-of-place in Iceland, but especially in the Westfjords, that is able to boast of the largest sea bird cliffs and prettiest islands from where you can
Pools of joy: The hot springs of Westfjords
“A spring of naturally hot water, typically heated by subterranean volcanic activity.” That’s what the dictionary says. All good so far, except there’s no definition to adequately explain how much
Svalvogar: encircling the dream
Svalvogar is the dream road that promises to take your breath away with its sheer beauty and natural bounties. Its rugged charm is not for everybody. For those with an
Peak the Westfjords
The often-demanding routes to the top of the region’s tallest mountains are best undertaken with the help of a guide. The Westfjords is already a beautiful and remote region, but
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