A Guide to Isafjordur in Iceland
Isafjordur (Ísafjörður) is a little town in Isafjardjardjup Bay in Westfjords, Iceland, and a perfect base for exploring the area. Read our travel guide on the best things to do in Isafjordur, including tips on how to get there, when to go, and where to stay.
Have you ever heard of Isafjordur in Iceland? We have a hunch that you haven't, but it does not mean this place does not have anything to offer for every traveler.
Isafjordur is located in a remote bay in Westfjords, and it comes with challenges.
For example, it takes time to get there. In winter, you might not be able to get here at all.
In summer, you will need a day to get there from Reykjavik.
However, traveling around this isolated region showed some of the finest Icelandic scenery, and we can only recommend you include this town in your travel itinerary.
So here's everything you should know before visiting Isafjordur.
Why Visit Isafjordur
Why is Isafjordur so special, and why do we believe it's worth visiting?
Even though it certainly does not feel that way, Isafjordur is technically the largest town in the Westfjords.
Like most regions and places in Iceland, Isafjordur has an incredible setting.
It's located at the head of the fjord and surrounded by the astonishing scenery so typical for the Westfjords.
The setting is truly remarkable, and this is the main reason you should consider visiting Isafjordur.
It is not the city life, even though the town has a good atmosphere and is very picturesque. The bay, mountains, fauna, and flora make this place outstanding.
We know that most travelers follow the classic Ring Road itinerary that is doable in seven to ten days.
Only a fraction of all visitors to Iceland make it to Westfjords and, by extension, to Isafjordur.
Therefore, it's a perfect location to escape the crowds.
If you have two days for Westfjords to spare, make sure you include this remarkable place in your itinerary.
One day is, in our opinion, not enough, so the minimum amount of time you should allow yourself is at least two days.
If you are not sure how you can pull it off, then check out our personally tried and tested 2-week Iceland itinerary.
This town and its surroundings are very visual, so we recommend it to every avid photographer and nature lover out there.
Here's the list of tips on what to see and do in Isafjordur and its surroundings.
Best Things to Do in Isafjordur
Isafjordur overlooking Isafjardjardjup bay is home to 2600 inhabitants, and the tourist infrastructure is here pretty good.
From hotels and restaurants to grocery and souvenir stores, you'll find everything you might need here.
Most importantly, Isafjordur offers plenty of things to do.
It does not matter whether you have only a couple of hours for Isafjordur or several days. There will always be an activity that you will enjoy.
Isafjordur
According to the medieval Icelandic Book of Settlement, Isafjordur's history reaches back to the 9th century.
Then, Isafjordur was an important trading post for foreign merchants in the 16th century.
The town later became a fishing town, and this trend continued to the end of the 20th century when tourism slowly took over the rule. It's been the case until the present day.
What can you expect from visiting Isafjordur?
We think that every person will find something extraordinary here.
It can be a unique location offering great views from the town's promenade, friendly locals, modern restaurants, Isafjordur Maritime Museum, or the charming harbor.
It was the traditional architecture contrasting with the mountains in the background for us.
We loved wandering around the colorful houses that we found exceptionally cute and photo-worthy.
In the mid-summer, the atmosphere in this town was very relaxed, and we enjoyed every second in Isafjordur.
By the way, if you like the Isafjordur, then you might also enjoy Seydisfjordur in the East Fjords.
If you're planning to explore the Westfjords, Isafjordur might be the right place to take a break or even spend the night.
Dynjandi Waterfall
If there's one place that you should not miss when exploring the Westfojrds, it is the Dynjandi Waterfall.
Yes, it takes an hour and a half to get to the waterfall by car, but the drive is very scenic, and the falls are worth the time and effort.
Dynjandi is the most famous and best waterfall in Westfjords and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
It is technically a cascade that consists of several smaller waterfalls of different shapes and sizes.
The most beautiful one is the upper cascade which resembles a bridal veil because it is wider at the bottom than at the top.
We consider Dynjandi to be the best half-day trip from Isafjordur.
Even though you can see the waterfall from the road or the parking lot, make sure to walk the narrow path to the trail's end to get the best views.
Tours
It would be a shame to be in Isafjordur and not to take a boat trip.
It will allow you to see the bay and majestic mountains around you from a different perspective.
The bay is home to birds, puffins, fish, seals, and even whales, so your time at sea might get even better.
One of the most popular trips is the one to Vigur Island, an island that is famous for bird watching.
Still, you might have already taken a whale-watching tour in Husavik, so boat trips are not what you're currently looking for.
In this case, you can also choose a popular Horseback Riding Tour or Svalvogar 4WD Jeep Tour to get the most out of your Isafjordur trip.
Hiking
If there is one thing we regret about our trip to Iceland, it is that we did not have more time for hiking.
We would need at least an extra week or two to see more trails.
While we enjoyed shorter hikes such as Glymur Waterfall or Reykjadalur Hot Springs, we simply couldn't afford to spend an entire day climbing the nearest mountain.
Unsurprisingly, Isafjordur is a great place to base yourself and explore its surroundings on foot.
The location is perfect, and you do not have to climb high to get views of snow-capped mountains towering over a strikingly blue bay.
The most popular place with plenty of hiking trails is Naustahvilft Valley.
If you arrive in Isafjordur in the winter, hiking might not be exactly the safest thing to do while there.
In that case, you check out Tunguldalur for downhill skiing and Seljalandsdalur for cross-country skiing instead.
Arctic Fox Center
Only twenty minutes drive from Isafjordur lies an even smaller town you might consider visiting.
It is Sudavik, home to Arctic Fox Center.
This non-profit research center and exhibition is a place where you can learn more about these fascinating animals native to Iceland.
The best part about this facility is that you can see here foxes in the enclosed area.
We were fortunate enough to spot an arctic fox in Skaftafell National Park, but it was only for a very brief moment, and the fox was gone before we had time to take a photo.
Arctic Fox Center is a great place to visit if you travel in Westfjords with kids or when the weather is not at its best.
Flateyri
Iceland's Westfjords is 99% about nature, so we were glad that we had an opportunity to visit a place connected with local culture and history.
One of those places was Flateyri, where you can find the famous Old Bookstore.
While visiting cute little bookstores is always a welcome change from shopping in big online markets, it's probably not the main reason to visit a remote settlement.
However, this store is actually the oldest ones in the country.
The most exciting thing is that the small store was established in 1914 and is still run by a family member representing its 4th generation.
Half of the building is a bookshop and souvenir shop, while the other half is a museum where you can see how locals used to live at the beginning of the 20th century.
The bookstore is free to visit, but a donation of 500 ISK is appreciated when you visit the merchant quarters.
Flateyri is only 20 minutes drive from Isafjordur, and as usual, the drive is very scenic.
Where to Stay in Isafjordur
Isafjordur is a lovely small town, with plenty of accommodation options as well as restaurants.
Most of the hostels and hotels are located close to the town's center, and as you will most likely travel by car, everything will be within driving distance anyway.
When planning your Iceland travel budget, you should always take into account that prices in this European country are higher than you are probably used to.
So expect even the cheapest hostel to be more expensive here than in an average European town.
It is good to know that it is always better to make your reservation in advance due to limited supply and high rates.
Some of the properties are open only seasonally, so always check out the availability if you plan to travel outside the summer season.
Here's the list of the best hotels you can find in Isafjordur.
Budget | Isafjordur Hostel - This cozy hostel offers a bed in a dormitory or a private room, has a perfect location, a comfortable common room, and a well-equipped kitchen.
Mid-range | Hotel Horn - This modern hotel has a lovely design, and travelers will surely appreciate large rooms. Rich breakfast is served in a hotel that is within walking distance.
Luxury | Tangs - If you are looking for something more unique, this well-rated apartment might fulfill all your dreams. If this apartment is available for your desired dates, you should not hesitate and make the reservation as soon as possible.
How to Get to Isafjordur
Getting to Isafjordur is not difficult, at least in the summer.
Roads are passable approximately between May and October, depending on the snowfall.
During this period, you should not have a problem reaching Isafjordur with your rental car.
Car
For traveling Westfjords in the summer, renting a 2WD car or campervan is enough.
Still, you won't make a mistake by renting a 4WD car as some of the roads are unpaved.
Two main roads lead to Isafjordur.
Road 61 follows the east part of the peninsula, and Road 60 encircles Westfjords and leads to Patreksfjordur.
Patreksfjordur is a small village and another great place where to stay overnight.
Don't forget to visit Latrabjarg Cliffs when in the area.
Road 60 is also more prone to heavy snowfalls, and when this route is blocked, locals and travelers need to drive counterclockwise around the whole Westfjords to reach Isafjordur.
Plane
Another way to reach Isafjordur is by plane, which might be actually the best alternative for travelers arriving in Iceland in the winter or for those of you short on time.
Usually, there are two flights daily from Reykjavik, and the flight takes 40 minutes.
Unless you plan on taking tours from Isafjordur, consider renting a car in the town to be more flexible.
Public Transport
During summer, public transport is also running in the Westfjords, but we do not recommend it for one simple reason.
Isafjordur's surroundings and Westfjords overall are best to be explored on your own with the possibility to make a stop whenever you feel it is worth it.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Isafjordur
Without any doubt, the best time to visit Isafjordur is during the summer, which usually lasts between June and September.
This is also the best time to visit Iceland in general.
During this time, roads are usually clear of snow, temperatures are milder, lupins are in bloom, and even though the cloudless sky is often a miracle here, you can, for sure, expect better conditions.
We traveled around this area at the end of June and really took advantage of the long days.
Weather in the Westfjords can be rough, and snow can arrive early and melt late.
Visiting the area during the shoulder months such as May and October is also possible, but check carefully the weather forecast and the official website, where you can see the current closures of roads.
We are not saying it is not possible to visit Isafjordur in the wintertime, but it is definitely more challenging.
First of all, you must get to Isafjordur, so hopefully, there won't be any heavy snowfall.
Second of all, you need to either fly in or rent a 4x4 car.
If you decide to drive, we really think it is important to be well-equipped and be an experienced driver/traveler.
It's not surprising that it gets freezing cold in this region, but be prepared that the feels-like temperature is much lower due to the strong wind gusts.
Also, in the winter, you can expect limited daylight hours, which is something you must really take into consideration when planning your vacation.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
We'll keep it brief.
Bring a trusty down jacket to keep you warm, a good rain jacket not to get soaked to the bone, and plenty of optimism to have a better trip.
Sturdy walking shoes might come in handy as well.
The weather can be unpredictable in the Westfjords, and it's better to come prepared, especially when visiting such as remote area like this one.
Don't forget a camera to capture all the beauty around you.
We also had a rain poncho and rain pants as we also wore them, for example, in places such as Asbyrgi Canyon or Jokulsarlon Lagoon.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
