Fresh Air › Instead of Reykjavik
Ísafjörður
The Westfjords are Iceland's most isolated region and require either a domestic flight or commitment to driving winding single-lane roads across dramatic mountain passes and around deep fjord arms. Ísafjörður is the main town — small, surrounded by mountains, and a genuine base for outdoor exploration. The Dynjandi waterfall, accessible via the main Westfjords road, is one of Iceland's most spectacular and receives a fraction of Gullfoss's visitor numbers. This is where to go if you want Iceland without the other people.
Why visit
The Westfjords are Iceland's most dramatic and isolated region — deep fjords, dramatic mountain roads, the Dynjandi waterfall, and almost no tourists. Extreme hiking for the serious.
Crowd level
The Westfjords are Iceland's least-visited region. Genuinely remote even by Icelandic standards.
Best time
June-July
Getting there
Domestic flights from Reykjavik or a long drive via the Westfjords peninsula (3-4hrs on winding roads from the Ring Road junction).
Tradeoffs
Remote in a real sense. Roads in the Westfjords can be challenging. This is not a casual destination.
Direct comparisons
Layers
Region
At a glance
- Country
- Iceland
- Region
- Westfjords
- Fresh Air Score
- 79/100
- Cost level
- $$$
- Distance from Reykjavik
- 450 km