Things to Do in Ísafjörður: Westfjords Activities and Day Trips

Ísafjörður is the largest town in the Westfjords — a remote region of northwest Iceland that receives a fraction of the tourist traffic of the south coast but offers some of the most dramatic fjord scenery in the country. The town sits on a narrow spit of land flanked by steep mountains on three sides and Ísafjarðardjúp fjord on the fourth. Getting here takes effort — a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik or a 45-minute flight on Eagle Air (eaair.is) — but visitors who make the journey almost universally rate it among their Iceland highlights.

The population is approximately 2,500. Most activities are run by a small number of specialist local operators who know the region in detail.

Westfjords Heritage Museum (Byggðasafn Vestfjarða)

Located in one of the oldest wooden warehouses in Iceland, the Heritage Museum covers the history of fishing communities in the Westfjords from the settlement era to the 20th century. The building itself — a series of timber-frame structures along the harbour — dates back to the 18th century and is worth seeing for its architecture alone.

Entry costs approximately ISK 1,500 adults, ISK 700 children as of 2026. Open daily June to August, reduced hours in the shoulder season. Allow 45–60 minutes. The museum also houses a small café serving coffee and cake, which becomes relevant after a morning of outdoor activity.

The Arctic Fox Centre (Melrakkasetur)

The Arctic Fox Centre is in Súðavík, approximately 30km from Ísafjörður (about 30 minutes by car along the fjord road). It is Iceland’s main research station and exhibition space for the Arctic fox — the only land mammal native to Iceland.

The exhibition explains Arctic fox ecology, behaviour, and the conservation tensions with farmers. Several foxes are kept in outdoor enclosures for observation. Entry costs approximately ISK 1,800 adults, ISK 900 children as of 2026. Open daily in summer. If you are visiting between late April and June, pups are often visible. The drive along Álftafjörður fjord between Ísafjörður and Súðavík is scenic in its own right.

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

Hornstrandir occupies the northernmost peninsula of the Westfjords — a roadless wilderness with dramatic sea cliffs, dense Arctic fox populations, and no permanent human settlement since the 1950s. It is one of the most isolated hiking destinations in Europe.

Access is by boat from Ísafjörður. West Tours (westtours.is) is the primary operator, running day trips to Hornvík bay during the summer season (roughly late June to mid-August) for approximately ISK 18,000–22,000 per person as of 2026, including the ferry. The day trip includes a guided coastal hike with views of Hornbjarg cliff — one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland. Numbers are limited; book several weeks in advance.

Multi-day trekking in Hornstrandir requires camping equipment, navigation experience, and careful planning around boat schedules. West Tours also arranges multi-day packages. The season is short: Hornstrandir is typically inaccessible before early June and after mid-August.

Kayaking in Ísafjarðardjúp

The sheltered waters of Ísafjarðardjúp fjord are well-suited to sea kayaking. The fjord is surrounded by steep mountains and the water is calm in settled weather. Borea Adventures (borea.is) is the main kayaking operator in Ísafjörður, offering guided half-day and full-day tours for approximately ISK 14,000–18,000 per person as of 2026. Equipment provided; no experience necessary for flat-water tours.

Borea also offers multi-day kayaking expeditions into the deeper Westfjords, combining camping and paddling for experienced kayakers. These need advance booking and run from late June to August.

Whale Watching from Ísafjörður

The Westfjords fjords are feeding grounds for minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and occasionally humpback whales. West Tours runs whale watching trips from Ísafjörður harbour, with departures typically in the morning to coincide with feeding activity. Tours cost approximately ISK 10,000–14,000 per person as of 2026 and last 2–3 hours.

Sighting rates are lower than in Húsavík (Iceland’s dedicated whale watching capital in the north), but the fjord setting gives a different character — mountains on both sides rather than open ocean. If sighting is the priority, Húsavík is the more reliable choice. If you are already in the Westfjords, local tours are worth the effort.

Hiking Around Ísafjörður

The mountain directly above the town — accessible by a trail that begins near the town swimming pool — gives views over the fjord system and the surrounding peaks. The hike to Naustahvilft (a bowl-shaped cirque) takes approximately 3–4 hours return and is manageable for fit walkers. The trail can be muddy in early season. No guide required; pick up a map from the tourist information office in town (Aðalstræti 7).

Bolungarvík, 20km northwest of Ísafjörður by road, has a shorter but dramatic coastal walk to the old fishing station at Ósvör, which has been preserved as a small open-air museum. Entry is free; open in summer.

Swimming Pool and Hot Pots

Ísafjörður’s geothermal swimming pool (Sundlaug Ísafjarðar) is on Austurvegur near the town centre. Entry approximately ISK 1,100 adults as of 2026. Two hot pots alongside the pool. Open daily, typically 7:00–21:00. Locals swim here year-round; after a day of hiking or kayaking it is an effective way to warm up.

Practical Notes

Ísafjörður has one main street (Aðalstræti) and a small grid of residential roads. The tourist information office is the best first stop for current conditions, boat schedules, and any last-minute activity bookings. Hotel Ísafjörður and Litlibær guesthouse are the main accommodation options; the town also has a hostel (Flugahúsið). Book accommodation well ahead in July and early August.

Most restaurants close early by city standards. Tjöruhúsið (Neðstakaupstaður 1), located in one of the historic warehouse buildings, is the standout restaurant — fresh fish served family style at shared tables, approximately ISK 5,500–7,500 per person as of 2026. It fills up quickly; arrive early or book.

Fuel is available in Ísafjörður but petrol stations become infrequent once you travel further into the Westfjords.

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See Also

• Ísafjörður city guide — Overview: accommodation, restaurants, and getting there from Reykjavík
• Westfjords travel guide — The full regional guide: Dynjandi waterfall, Látrabjarg bird cliffs, and Hornstrandir
• Westfjords road trip — Driving the full circuit of the Westfjords with distances, fuel stops, and key stops
• Whale watching in Iceland — Comparing Ísafjörður fjord whale watching with the higher-yield trips from Húsavík
• Snæfellsnes vs Westfjords — Choosing between Iceland’s two remote western peninsulas