Best of Vesturbyggð

Vesturbyggð Essentials

Vesturbyggð encompasses the southern Westfjords, characterized by the Látrabjarg bird cliffs, Europe's westernmost point. The region features the unique red and golden sands of Rauðasandur and the Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve. Cultural sites include the Sea Monster Museum in Bíldudalur and Samúel Jónsson’s folk art in Selárdalur. Geothermal bathing is available at Hellulaug and Reykjafjarðarlaug, while the Garðar BA 64 shipwreck provides a glimpse into Iceland's 20th-century maritime history.

Vesturbyggð Essentials — Map

Megan McCormick / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Látrabjarg Cliffs

Látrabjarg is a promontory in the Westfjords of Iceland, and the westernmost point in Iceland.

Pietro Valocchi / CC BY 3.0

B

Garðar BA 64

Iceland's oldest steel ship, built in Norway in 1912 and beached in Skápadalur in 1981.

Evgeniy Metyolkin / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Rauðasandur

A ten-kilometer coastline featuring red and golden sands, a rarity in Iceland's volcanic landscape.

D

Hellulaug

A natural stone-lined geothermal pool on the shore of Vatnsfjörður, maintaining a temperature of approximately 38°C.

E

Reykjafjarðarlaug

A site featuring a man-made swimming pool and a natural hot spring pool located on the edge of the fjord.

F

Sea Monster Museum

Multimedia exhibits in Bíldudalur documenting local folklore and historical sightings of sea creatures in Arnarfjörður.

G

Samúel Jónsson museum

A collection of naive art sculptures and a colorful chapel built by artist Samúel Jónsson in remote Selárdalur.

Berserkur / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Vatnsfjörður

Vatnsfjörður is a nature reserve located north-west of Breiðafjörður on the Hjarðarnes coast of northwestern Iceland.

I

Fossfjordur Waterfall

A stream that plunges over a basalt cliff into the Fossfjörður arm of Arnarfjörður.

MartinaR79 / CC-BY-SA

J

Bjargtangaviti

A square concrete lighthouse marking the westernmost point of Iceland atop the Látrabjarg bird cliffs.

K

Hnjótur

A regional folk and maritime museum featuring a collection of old boats and aircraft, including a Douglas C-117.

Other Lists

Lakes and Natural Waters Historic Churches Natural Wonders of the Westfjords Coastal Gems of the Westfjords