The Westfjords are Iceland’s most remote region - a massive peninsula of fjords in the far northwest that requires specific effort to reach and rewards that effort generously. Flat fjord-head farmland, switchback roads over mountain passes, the greatest concentration of sea cliffs in Europe at Látrabjarg, and the largest national park in Iceland (Hornstrandir) are all here. Accommodation is sparser than anywhere else in Iceland, distances between services are significant, and roads are sometimes gravel and steep - but the Westfjords consistently rank among the most memorable experiences in the country for travellers who make the trip.
This guide covers the key bases across the Westfjords by area, with specific accommodation options and prices.
Getting to the Westfjords
By air: Air Iceland Connect operates multiple daily flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RVK) to Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ), with journey times of around 45 minutes. This is the fastest and most reliable way to reach the Westfjords. Seats are limited - book well ahead for summer travel.
By car from Reykjavík: Approximately 450km to Ísafjörður, 5–6 hours in good conditions. The route passes through Borgarnes and then up the scenic Dalir peninsula before entering the Westfjords via the Bjarnafjarðarháls pass. Car hire in Iceland is essential for exploring beyond Ísafjörður town - book well ahead, as Westfjords rental stock is limited.
By ferry + car: The Baldur ferry runs from Stykkishólmur (Snæfellsnes) to Flatey island and Brjánslækur in the southern Westfjords, from approximately May to mid-September. Journey time around 2.5 hours. This connects the Snæfellsnes circuit directly to the Westfjords without backtracking via Reykjavík. Check seatours.is for the current seasonal schedule.
Ísafjörður: The Main Base
Ísafjörður (population around 2,600) is the capital of the Westfjords and the natural base for exploring the northern fjords. It has the airport, the main supermarket (Krónan), a hospital, and a good selection of restaurants. The old town centre on the Eyri spit - wooden houses preserved from the 18th and 19th centuries - is one of the most characterful town centres in Iceland.
Hótel Ísafjörður is the main hotel, with doubles running approximately ISK 30,000–48,000 in summer. The hotel is central, has a restaurant, and the staff are well-informed about Westfjord logistics. It fills consistently in July and August - book at least 6–8 weeks ahead. For airport-to-hotel transfers, GetTransfer covers Ísafjörður routes with fixed pricing.
Gistiheimilið Gamla Gistiheimilið (“Old Guesthouse”) and similar properties in the preserved old town centre offer rooms from approximately ISK 22,000–32,000. These tend to have more character than the hotel at a lower price.
Ísafjörður Hostel / Guesthouse Snjoland: Budget options with dorm beds from approximately ISK 6,500 and private rooms from ISK 19,000–24,000.
Camping: Ísafjörður Campsite charges approximately ISK 1,800–2,000 per person per night, open late May through early September.
Flateyri and Súðavík
Flateyri (35km south of Ísafjörður) is a small village on Önundarfjörður with a handful of guesthouses. Guesthouse Vör and similar properties offer rooms from approximately ISK 18,000–26,000. The village is quieter than Ísafjörður and suits travellers wanting a local fjord atmosphere over town facilities.
Súðavík is home to the Arctic Fox Centre (Melrakkasetur), Iceland’s only arctic fox rescue and research facility. The centre is open daily in summer (entry approximately ISK 2,000). Accommodation in the village is very limited - Ísafjörður makes a better base for this area.
Patreksfjörður: Gateway to Látrabjarg
Patreksfjörður is the main town in the southern Westfjords with a population of around 700. It sits 220km from Ísafjörður by road - a full-day drive given the fjord geometry. Most travellers access it via the ferry from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur (35km south) rather than driving from Ísafjörður.
Fosshotel Westfjords at Brjánslækur, right at the ferry dock, offers rooms from approximately ISK 28,000–42,000. Practical for ferry arrivals but isolated otherwise.
Fosshotel Latrabjarg near the cliff bases offers rooms in a dramatic setting from approximately ISK 35,000–52,000 in summer. This is the most convenient base for the Látrabjarg cliffs (the largest seabird cliff in Europe, with nesting puffins, razorbills, and gannets visible from June through August).
Guesthouses in Patreksfjörður town offer rooms from approximately ISK 20,000–28,000 and are the practical budget base for the southern Westfjords.
Rauðisandur: The red-sand beach 20km from Patreksfjörður. There is no accommodation at the beach itself; Patreksfjörður or one of the farm guesthouses on the approach road are the nearest stays.
Hólmavík: Eastern Gateway
Hólmavík on Steingrímsfjörður is typically the first stop for travellers entering the Westfjords from the east on Route 60. The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft (Galdrasyning) here is small but genuinely unusual - entry approximately ISK 1,800.
Guesthouse Hólmavík and Hótel Laugarhóll (12km from Hólmavík at a geothermal pool) offer accommodation from approximately ISK 22,000–35,000. Laugarhóll is the most distinctive stay in this area - the outdoor geothermal pool is excellent.
Rural Westfjords Stays
Heydalur Country Hotel - One of the best-situated properties in the Westfjords, in the remote Mjóifjörður valley on the east coast of the region. The hotel has its own geothermal pool, horses, and direct access to hiking trails. Access requires a mountain road passable in summer; winter access can be limited. The restaurant serves local lamb and fish. Doubles run approximately ISK 28,000–38,000 per night as of 2026.
Drangsnes Guesthouse - A small guesthouse in the village of Drangsnes on the Strandir coast. Three free outdoor hot pots sit on the shore steps from the front door. The village has around 70 residents - eating options are extremely limited and self-catering is sensible. Doubles run approximately ISK 20,000–28,000 per night as of 2026. Suits travellers on the Strandir coast or arriving from the south via Hólmavík.
Hornstrandir: The Far North
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the very north of the Westfjords is accessible only by boat from Ísafjörður (ferry approximately ISK 6,000–9,000 per person return). There are no roads and no permanent residents. Basic mountain huts operated by the Touring Club of Iceland (Ferðafélag Íslands) are the main accommodation in the reserve. Pre-booking is required and spaces fill well in advance - check fi.is for current availability. Sleeping bag required; no bedding provided. This is wilderness territory requiring self-sufficient camping experience, proper navigation, and an understanding that rescue services are distant.
The Hornstrandir ferry from Ísafjörður runs from approximately June through August. Check westfjords.is for current schedules.
For more on the full Westfjords circuit, see our Westfjords travel guide.