Isafjordur

Ísafjörður is the largest settlement in the Westfjords and the region’s cultural and service hub, sitting on a narrow spit of land that juts into the fjord of the same name, hemmed in on both sides by 700-metre mountain walls. Despite a population of only around 2,600, the town punches well above its weight with a lively arts scene, excellent restaurants, a well-curated maritime museum, and a ski area that makes use of the steep slopes right above town.

The old quarter along Aðalstræti preserves some of Iceland’s finest 18th- and 19th-century timber merchant buildings, and the Westfjords Heritage Museum (Byggðasafn Vestfjarða) inside two historic warehouse buildings is one of the best regional museums in the country. From the harbour, boat trips run to the remote Hornstrandir nature reserve during summer, and daily flights and ferries connect Ísafjörður to Reykjavík and neighbouring fjords.

Ísafjörður is accessible by domestic flight from Reykjavík in about 45 minutes, or by a dramatic day-long drive through the Westfjords. Snow can close mountain passes in winter; the tunnel system linking several fjords keeps the town reachable year-round. Skiing at Seljalandsdalur is typically possible from December to April.