Here are our top things to do in the Westfjords of Iceland, a remote peninsula known for incredible scenery, bird cliffs, and delicious seafood!
The Westfjords is not part of Iceland’s famous Ring Road, so it’s a little less heavily traveled.
But that doesn't mean it's any less worth your time — quite the opposite, in fact! We had an epic time visiting the bird cliffs (the puffins are adorable!), eating delicious seafood, and savoring the other-worldly scenery.
Here are our top picks for things to do if you visit.
General Tips for Things to Do in the Westfjords
1. You'll almost certainly need a rental car to get around. There’s not much public transportation available here. Four-wheel drive isn’t necessarily required, but I’d probably avoid a low-clearance sedan, especially if you plan to drive out to the bird cliffs at Látrabjarg.
2. The roads here are inaccessible for large parts of the year. Summer is the best time to visit (from late May to early September), but there can still be road closures from late or early winter storms. Check Veður.is for road closures (English translation is available).
3. Don’t be in a hurry. The roads here often turn into one-lane or gravel roads, so give yourself a little extra time in case you’re a nervous driver (or behind a nervous driver).
4. Watch out for sheep crossing the road!
5. Learn about Iceland's road signs. In this area we saw lots of signs indicating: gravel road ahead, no passing, single-lane bridge ahead, road curves sharply, and a few sheep crossing signs. (But really the entire area should have a sheep crossing sign.)
And now, here are our top ten things to do in the Westfjords of Iceland! I'm listing them in counterclockwise order, starting from the eastern side of the region.
1. Go For a Scenic Drive
This was one of the prettiest areas I’ve ever driven through in my entire life. The landscape is incredible; there are sheep and Icelandic horses all around. We also spied lots of swans and even seals!
We also saw a humpback whale swimming through a fjord, which is probably one of our core memories from Iceland.
2. Visit Saltverk
Saltverk is a sea salt factory in the Westfjords that you can tour. Its uses traditional methods and geothermal energy, making it an entirely sustainable process.
If you miss this stop, you can easily pick up their salt at grocery stores across Iceland.
3. Stop at Litlibær for a Snack
About 45 minutes from Saltverk is Litlibær, a historic turf-covered house turned café. The drive here takes you along the edge of the fjords to the tip of a peninsula — one of many in the Westfjords.
We found this stop absolutely charming, and really enjoyed our pastries, coffee and tea.
4. Visit Isafjordur
About an hour from Litlibær, driving up and down more peninsulas, you'll reach Isafjordur.
This unofficial capital of the Westfjords is a small fishing town and cruise ship port. It has some cute shops, cafes and even a brewery (Dokkan Brugghús).
We particularly loved breakfast at Heimabyggð, where we enjoyed some avocado and salmon toast with our coffees.
5. Have a Meal at Tjöruhúsið
While you’re in Isafjordur, spend an evening enjoying freshly caught seafood at Tjöruhúsið.
Make sure to get a reservation, and be aware that this is a group dinner experience, and unlike most restaurants you've ever tried!
6. Visit Hornstrandir
If you’re feeling really adventurous, try visiting Hornstrandir, a nature preserve in the Westfjords that’s only accessible by ferry (usually from Isafjordur).
You can book group tours or ferry rides for self-guided hiking or backpacking with Borea Adventures. Before embarking on a self-guided tour, I highly recommend doing another backpacking trip in Iceland (such as the Laugavegur Trail) to familiarize yourself with hiking in Icelandic weather.
7. Visit Dynjandi Waterfall
Dynjandi is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords.
It’s about an hour drive from Isafjordur, and we thought it was well worth the visit.
8. See a Shipwreck
Stop to see Garðar BA 64, a historic steel fishing vessel that began its service in 1912 and was retired in 1981.
This stop doesn’t need to take long and is right along the road, about an hour from Dynjandi.
9. Visit the Bird Cliffs
Látrabjarg bird cliffs are one hour from the Garðar BA 64 (two hours past Dynjandi). If you go, be prepared for about an hour of driving on narrow gravel and dirt roads.
Once there, you can view the stunning cliff views and all the birds (including puffins!) that nest there. (It was one of my favorite stops.)
10. Visit Hot Springs
The Westfjords doesn’t have as much geothermal activity as some parts of Iceland, but it still has several hot springs — and they tend to be cheaper and much less crowded than the tourist hot spots like the Blue Lagoon.
The ones closest to Dynjandi or Látrabjarg include Pollurinn (which is free) and Krosslaug.
(Back on the eastern side of the region, Gvendarlaug is another option.)
I hope you get a chance to make your own memories in the Westfjords! It really is an extraordinary place.
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