The Westfjords

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Humbling winter scenery near Ísafjörður

© Hana Masovic / Eyeem / Getty Images

Overview

The Westfjords is where Iceland’s dramatic landscapes come to a riveting climax and where mass tourism disappears – only about 10% of Iceland's visitors ever see the region. Jagged bird cliffs and broad multihued dream beaches flank the south. Rutted dirt roads snake north along jaw-dropping coastal fjords and over immense central mountains, revealing tiny fishing villages embracing traditional ways of life. In the far north, the Hornstrandir hiking reserve crowns the quiet region, and is home to cairn-marked walking paths revealing bird life, Arctic foxes and ocean vistas. The Strandir coast is less visited still, with an end-of-the-line, mystical feel, geothermal springs and minuscule oceanside hamlets.


Attractions

Must-see attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Explore the wilderness of Iceland's Westfjords with our guide to the region's best things to do.

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Best Time to Visit

If you’re looking for Iceland at its rawest, wildest and emptiest, the Westfjords is most definitely where you’ll find it. Here are the best times to come.

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Activities

15 of the best things to do in Iceland's Westfjords

Nov 18, 2024 • 10 min read

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