Ísafjörður travel guide

Westfjords, a remote region in the northwest of Iceland, is rich in history and folklore. The first settler in the Westfjords was reportedly a Norwegian Viking, who arrived in the 9th century.

The region was a hub for fishing and trading in the Middle Ages, and the town of Ísafjörður, established in the 16th century, became a significant trading post.

The 19th century saw the rise of the fishing industry in the Westfjords, with many small fishing villages springing up along the coastline.

During World War II, the Allied forces built an airfield in the Westfjords, which served as a crucial strategic point in the North Atlantic.

Despite its remote location, the Westfjords region has maintained its cultural heritage, famously represented in the annual 'Aldrei fór ég suður' music festival. This rich history melded with stunning natural beauty makes the Westfjords a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Ísafjörður, Iceland. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 52 airlines that fly to Iceland. Browse the 2 top-rated tours available to you in Ísafjörður. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Ísafjörður.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Ísafjörður, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Ísafjörður on your vacation in Iceland.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Ísafjörður from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the town of Ísafjörður!

The best time to explore Westfjords, Iceland, is during the summer months of June to August. During this period, the weather is most favorable with mild temperatures ranging around 10-15°C and nearly 24 hours of daylight, ideal for outdoor sightseeing and exploring the region's abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes. This season also coincides with the Midnight Sun, a unique natural phenomenon that allows visitors to engage in activities like bird watching, hiking, and photography well into the night. It's also the season when the Westfjords' roads are most accessible, and the ferries operate regularly, facilitating convenient travel. However, summer is also the peak tourist season, so expect higher crowd levels and consider booking accommodations well in advance. For those interested in winter sports or Northern Lights, late February to March can also be a good time to visit. But keep in mind that daylight hours are minimal and weather conditions can be extreme, impacting travel plans.

An insider tip for visiting the Westfjords in Iceland is to partake in the local tradition of 'taking the waters'. The region is rich in geothermal hot springs, many of which are not widely advertised to tourists. Locals often enjoy these natural spas and consider them a regular part of their routine. Some of these hidden gems are tucked away in secluded spots, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. You can ask the locals for directions to these off-the-beaten-path hot springs. Soaking in the warm waters, you can enjoy the stunning scenery in peace and quiet, away from the usual tourist crowd. This unique and relaxing experience provides an authentic taste of life in the Westfjords and is a must-try for any visitor to the region. Remember to respect the environment and leave no trace. This insider tip promises a singular experience that combines relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion.

There are many reasons to visit the town of Ísafjörður, but a trip to Iceland needs no explanation.

Exploring Iceland, which spans 103,004 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Iceland offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

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Ísafjörður has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the town.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the town of Ísafjörður.

Enrich your travel experience in Ísafjörður by joining tours and activities. Ísafjörður offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the town.

Discover the most popular experiences in Ísafjörður below.

The best and easiest way to visit Ísafjörður is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Iceland.

Booking a vacation package to Ísafjörður means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Ísafjörður to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Ísafjörður is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Ísafjörður, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the town of Ísafjörður.

To get to the town of Ísafjörður the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Iceland can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Ísafjörður by booking flights with any of the 1 airline that offer direct flights to Ísafjörður airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Ísafjörður airport are easyJet, Lufthansa, SAS, Ryanair, and Norwegian International. Go to this page to compare all flights to Ísafjörður.

To reach the town of Ísafjörður, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Ísafjörður airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Ísafjörður, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Ísafjörður airport and Ísafjörður below.

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a town as fantastic as Ísafjörður is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Ísafjörður usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Ísafjörður offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the town allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Ísafjörður and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Ísafjörður planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Iceland can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Ísafjörður. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the town, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Ísafjörður.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Ísafjörður in the next sections.

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Ísafjörður.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Ísafjörður, Iceland, below.

Exploring the Westfjords of Iceland can be an exhilarating experience, made more convenient by a variety of transportation options. The region is well connected by a network of roads, although it is often recommended to use a 4x4 vehicle due to the challenging terrain.

One of the most common ways to get around is by hiring a car, which offers the freedom to explore at your own pace. Car rental services are available in the main towns of Isafjordur and Holmavik. However, it's essential to book in advance, especially during the peak summer season. For those not keen on driving, taxis are available, but it's advisable to arrange them in advance due to the sparse population of the area.

There's also the option of public buses which connect the main towns and some remote areas. The service is reliable, but the frequency is less. For a unique local experience, consider hiring a bicycle or horseback riding to explore the beautiful landscapes of the Westfjords.

The town of Ísafjörður is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Iceland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Iceland has it all.

Iceland is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Iceland that are as magical as the town of Ísafjörður. The most popular travel destinations in Iceland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

A taste of Iceland through a visit to Ísafjörður can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Ísafjörður to another remarkable destination in Iceland.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the town of Ísafjörður to other spectacular locations in Iceland, jump to the last section of this travel guide.