Westfjords

Peninsula · 🇮🇸 Iceland

Population 7,379

Area 9,133 km²

Time zone Atlantic/Reykjavik

Official website www.westfjords.is

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Featured Lists

Megan McCormick / CC BY-SA 3.0

Westfjords Must-Sees

The Westfjords are defined by the massive Látrabjarg bird cliffs, the westernmost point of Iceland, and the 100-meter-tall tiered Dynjandi waterfall. Visitors can explore the 1912 Garðar BA 64 shipwreck and the unique golden-red sands of Rauðasandur beach. Cultural landmarks include the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in Hólmavík and the 1930s Djúpavík herring factory ruins. This remote region features deep glacial fjords like Skutulsfjörður and Álftafjörður, shaped by ancient volcanic activity and maritime history.

20 places

Bromr / CC BY-SA 3.0

Iceland's Natural Wonders

Iceland's Westfjords region contains some of the island's most remote geological features. This selection includes Látrabjarg, Europe's largest bird cliff and Iceland's westernmost point, and Dynjandi, a massive tiered waterfall. Geothermal activity is represented by the coastal hot tubs at Drangsnes and the historic Gvendarlaug pool. These sites showcase the rugged coastline, dramatic fjords, and volcanic heat that define the oldest part of Iceland's landscape.

7 places

Thomas Dreyer / CC-BY-SA

Icelandic Christian Heritage

The Westfjords of Iceland host a collection of remote churches that reflect the region's spiritual history and architectural evolution. From the sturdy stone walls of Þingeyrarkirkja, hand-built in the 1860s, to the traditional wooden structures of the late 19th century, these sites served as vital community hubs in isolated fjords. This list spans historic parishes like Vatnsfjörður, modern landmarks in Hólmavík, and tiny rural chapels that have withstood the harsh North Atlantic climate for generations.

36 places

Camping and Hut Destinations

This collection covers diverse overnight options across Iceland's Westfjords, from fully-equipped caravan sites in Ísafjörður and Patreksfjörður to remote backcountry spots in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Many sites offer proximity to unique landmarks like the Látrabjarg bird cliffs, the red sands of Rauðasandur, and the geothermal pools of the Strandir coast. Facilities range from basic emergency shelters and alpine huts to sites with sanitary dump stations and Wi-Fi.

33 places

Evgeniy Metyolkin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Icelandic Coastal Wonders

The Westfjords coastline features diverse geological formations, from the 14-kilometer-long Látrabjarg bird cliffs to the distinctive red and golden sands of Rauðasandur. This remote region includes Europe's westernmost point at Bjargtangaviti and the rugged Svalvogar peninsula. Coastal landmarks like the Kerling rock stack and the light-colored sands of Hvítsandar illustrate the area's varied maritime environment, shaped by the North Atlantic.

6 places