How many hotels are there in Ísafjörður?

Ísafjörður has very limited accommodation — roughly 4–5 guesthouses, one larger hotel, and a hostel. In total, we estimate fewer than 200 beds in the town itself. This makes advance booking essential, particularly in June, July, and August when hiking season peaks.

Should I book accommodation in Ísafjörður far in advance?

Yes — book 2–3 months ahead for July and August. The Westfjords attract serious hikers heading for Hornstrandir, kayakers, and travellers making the Dynjandi waterfall circuit. Total bed inventory in Ísafjörður is low, and once the larger guesthouses fill, options evaporate quickly.

Is there a campsite in or near Ísafjörður?

There is a small campsite at the edge of Ísafjörður, typically open from June to August. Pitches cost approximately ISK 1,500–2,000 per person per night as of 2026. Facilities are basic. Campers should note that Westfjords weather is wetter and windier than the south, so a quality tent and sleeping bag rating are non-negotiable.

What's the best hotel in Ísafjörður?

Hotel Ísafjörður is the main hotel in town and the most reliable option for comfort. It's centrally located, has en-suite rooms, and includes breakfast. Doubles run approximately ISK 30,000–42,000 per night as of 2026, high season. Book directly through their website for the best rate.

Can I reach Ísafjörður without a car?

Yes — Icelandair flies to Ísafjörður from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, with flights taking approximately 40 minutes. The Westfjords are difficult to explore extensively without a car, but the town of Ísafjörður itself is walkable, and day trips to Dynjandi and Vigur Island can be done via organised tours departing from town.

Where to Stay in Ísafjörður | The Icelandic Guide

Ísafjörður is the Westfjords’ largest town — population around 2,600 — and the only settlement in the region with a meaningful selection of places to stay. Even so, “meaningful” is relative. Total accommodation capacity is limited, the town fills up in peak hiking season, and your best options require planning well ahead. If you arrive in July without a booking, you may find yourself camping by necessity rather than choice.

That said, Ísafjörður has a genuine character that larger Icelandic towns don’t. The old timber warehouses by the harbour, the 18th-century wooden houses, the fjord pressing in close on all sides — it’s one of the most atmospheric places to sleep in Iceland.

Hotel Ísafjörður

Hotel Ísafjörður is the only full-service hotel in town and the safest booking for those who prioritise comfort. It sits in the town centre within easy walking distance of restaurants, the harbour, and the ferry terminal. Rooms are well-appointed with private bathrooms; standard doubles run approximately ISK 30,000–42,000 per night as of 2026, rising in July. Breakfast is typically included and is a solid spread of eggs, skyr, bread, and cold cuts.

The hotel also has a restaurant open to non-guests — useful given that dining options in Ísafjörður are limited. Book the hotel directly through its website for the best rate and cancellation flexibility.

Guesthouse Edinborg

Edinborg occupies a historic timber building in the heart of old Ísafjörður. It’s one of the most atmospheric guesthouses in the Westfjords — rooms are in converted historic structures with original features — but atmospheric doesn’t always mean spacious. Rooms are compact and comfortable rather than luxurious. Doubles with shared bathroom cost approximately ISK 20,000–25,000 per night as of 2026; en-suite rooms (where available) run ISK 28,000–35,000. The guesthouse has a small common area and self-catering kitchen. Book well ahead — it fills fast.

Litlibær Turf House

Not in Ísafjörður itself but 30 km south along the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord, Litlibær is a restored turf farmhouse turned guesthouse. It operates seasonally (typically May to September) and offers an experience unlike anything in town — sleeping in a traditional Icelandic longhouse structure, surrounded by the raw Westfjords landscape. Rooms are basic but the experience is the point. Prices are approximately ISK 15,000–22,000 per person per night as of 2026 depending on room type. A car is essential to reach it.

Ísafjörður Hostel

The Ísafjörður Hostel offers dorm-style accommodation from approximately ISK 6,000–7,500 per night as of 2026, with a limited number of private rooms at approximately ISK 19,000–25,000. It has a communal kitchen, laundry facilities, and the standard hostel social dynamic. It attracts the Hornstrandir hiking crowd — people doing multi-day kayak or hiking expeditions who need a base before and after. Book significantly ahead in July and August; dorm beds go to regular visitors who plan months out.

Campsite at Ísafjörður

The municipal campsite is located at the edge of town near the airport. It’s open approximately June to August. Pitches cost approximately ISK 1,500–2,000 per person per night as of 2026. Facilities include toilets and showers; a small communal kitchen may be available. Westfjords weather is notoriously unpredictable — the region receives more precipitation than the south and east. A four-season tent rated to -5°C is a reasonable minimum even in July.

Staying Further Afield

Several guesthouses and farm stays are scattered throughout the Westfjords on the road between Ísafjörður and Dynjandi waterfall. Accommodation at Flókalundur (where Route 60 meets the fjord) sits roughly 100 km south of Ísafjörður and is useful if you’re making the waterfall loop. It’s a hotel and campsite combined, and it’s considerably easier to book than Ísafjörður itself.

What to Know Before You Book

Book months ahead, not weeks. The Westfjords have a short tourist season and very low bed inventory. Ísafjörður is the only town with a choice of accommodation. In July especially, travellers who haven’t booked arrive to find nothing available within 80 km. This is not an exaggeration.

Self-catering is the norm at most guesthouses. Hotel Ísafjörður includes breakfast; most guesthouses don’t. There’s a Krónan supermarket in town and a smaller grocery near the harbour. Stock up before long excursions — there are no shops between Ísafjörður and Dynjandi.

Arrival by air is easier than it looks. The Ísafjörður Airport is right beside town — the runway ends almost at the fjord. Icelandair Eagle Air flights from Reykjavík take 40 minutes and avoid the 7–8 hour drive around the fjords. If accommodation is the bottleneck, consider flying in and out rather than driving.

For what to do once you’re here, see our Ísafjörður things to do guide. For day trip planning including Dynjandi and Vigur Island, see day trips from Ísafjörður.

Get travel insurance for Iceland — policies covering glacier hikes, F-road driving, and volcanic disruption.

Pre-book Keflavík airport transfers — Flybus and private options for the 45-minute route to Reykjavík.

Browse Iceland tours — day trips, activity bookings, and multi-day packages across the country in one place.

Where to Stay in Ísafjörður: Hotels, Guesthouses & Tips for the Westfjords