5 Places to See in Iceland’s West Fjords

After my first visit to Iceland in 2015, I couldn’t help but regret choosing not to visit the West Fjords of Iceland. The more I saw photos of it, the more I longed to return to the country and experience the magic of Iceland’s remote western arm.

In 2019, I returned to Iceland, this time with my family, and the west fjords were top on the list to visit. They did not disappoint. 

What to Know Before Visiting the Iceland West Fjords

Before writing down everything on the list on eagerly planning your trip, it’s important to know that the Iceland West Fjords are no evening drive. If you visit, you should plan to give yourself a minimum of two days, with three days preferred. Iceland is a small country, but many of the roads located in the west fjords are dirt, and few bridges exist to shorten driving distances are each fjord. 

From the moment you turn off the ring road to head northwest, it will take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to reach the town of Isafjodur. There are a handful of small towns/villages on the way, but never let yourself get too low on gas, especially if heading inland toward other attractions. There is also a ferry that crosses the Bjerdha Fjord if coming from the south.

Best Things to See in Iceland's West Fjords  

1. Dynjandi Waterfall 

No matter your direction to Iceland’s west fjords, Dynjandi Waterfall will be quite a trek inland. In total, there are seven tiers to the waterfall, with the top being 100 meters tall. Even with the immense size and water flow, it’s possible to walk right to the base of the falls and experience its true magnitude. 

2. Latrar Air Station 

Location at the very edge of Iceland’s west fjords, the Latrar Air Station requires a bumpy dirt road up hundreds of meters to a flat plateau that overlooks the most remote wilderness in all of Iceland. From here, you are just a handful miles south of the Arctic Circle. The cliff’s edge from the plateau drops thousands of feet directing into the Atlantic Ocean, so don’t get too close to the edge! 

3. Hrafnseyri

Perhaps the cutest and most authentic Icelandic cafe and church located en route to Dynjandi from Isafjodur. If you are lucky enough to visit when it’s open, it provides the best one of the prettiest places in the world to enjoy a heavenly slice of chocolate cake. The cafe also serves coffee and other baked goods for travelers passing by on the remote dirt road. 

4. Isafjodur 

Isafjodur is the biggest town in Iceland’s west fjords and provides the perfect location to relax and reset between adventures. Even though it is the ‘biggest town’ in the west fjords, the population is only 2,736. This region of Iceland gets far fewer tourists than those along the ring road, so when you arrive don’t expect endless options for dining, eating, and shopping. For the most part, even at the peak of summer, it is a sleepy fishing village. However, it is a great place to experience the midnight sun during the summer and grab a delicious cup of coffee from Heimabyggo.

5. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve 

If looking for a unique adventure in Iceland’s west fjords, book a tour and boat ride over to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. This is the more remote area in the country and cannot be accessed via road. The area is excellent for hiking, photography, wildlife watching (puffins, arctic fox, etc.), and exploring. According to Guide of Iceland, the reserve has no roads, permanent structures, or shops. Instead, it is a pristine piece of remote wilderness perfect for those looking to explore the off-the-beaten path. 

Important note: this area is inaccessible in the winter.

How Long Should You Plan to Stay in Iceland's West Fjords?

You could easily spend one week in Iceland's West Fjords. However, the average time travelers spend in Iceland is 7-13 days. Here is my recommendation for the number of days to stay in the West Fjords based on your trip duration:

7-9 Days: 2 nights in Iceland's West Fjords

10-13 Day: 3 nights in Iceland's West Fjords