Recreation

The Westfjords often enjoy extremely good weather by Icelandic standards and on calm days the town of Ísafjörður is sheltered from cool breezes from the ocean.

There are plenty of recreational possibilities, among them The Maritime Exhibit in Neðstikaupstaður, and many houses in the old town have been refurbished and the streets carry the atmosphere of days gone by. The harbour is a constant attraction and the possibilities for interesting walks are numerous. There are 4 swimming pools in the community and a nine hole golf course in Tungudalur. You can rent a bike and cycle around to enjoy the scenery.

However, the surroundings of Ísafjörður are what draw just as many to Ísafjörður than the town itself. With 5 villages nicely spread in every direction from the town, the possibilities of having a great time increase. Furthermore, pearls of natural beauty are out of towns but within reach, Hornstrandir nature reserve, Dynjandi waterfall and Vigur island being obvious examples.

For more information about organized tours see vesturferdir.is.

Summer:

In summer there is a variety of long or short sightseeing tours to choose from. Throughout the year adventures await those that wander along the coastline. Kayaking is becoming more and more popular in the Westfjords and the quiet sheltered fjords are an ideal venue for this sport. Boat tours, scenic drives in and out the deep and narrow fjords and hiking in valleys and bays are popular choices of visitors in summer time.

Winter:

In winter there is a thriving cultural life in Ísafjörður with concerts and art exhibitions. The attractions of untouched nature are ever present and especially remarkable on starry winter night with the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. Even when people in other parts of Iceland complain of lack of snow there is usually plenty of snow in the ski resorts of Ísafjörður and the high mountains offer good shelter from the winds. Gliding down floodlit banks is a marvellous experience. A week-long ski festival around Easter is an annual event with all slopes full of skiers, the town full of people, and a variety of events to choose from.

We recommend specially 7 newly released hiking maps covering the whole peninsula.

Spring:

Springtime is possibly the most beautiful season in the Westfjords. Snow sports are still a major recreation during the bright spring evenings when the flora starts to appear from under its white winter cover. The plateau on top of the majestic mountains offers a thrilling landscape for snow-cats and arctic trucks. And bird lovers will find Skutulsfjörður teeming with life.

Fall:

The birch clad hillsides and valleys enjoy a fling of riotous colours in the autumn. It is the perfect time for hiking, kayaking, biking, or picking berries and mushrooms.