21 Best Sights in Westfjords, Iceland

Like most communities in Iceland, Drangses has a local hot spring. There are three different tubs on-site of varying temperatures, and they are fantastic—free to the public and each one with a beautiful view of the ocean. Just be sure to follow cultural protocol and shower before entering the water. You won't find large crowds at these hot pots.

One of the most famous waterfalls in the Westfjords, Dynjandi is a 45-minute drive from Þingeyri or Ísafjörður. Some refer to this waterfall as "the bridal veil," given its stairwell formation. It actually comprises seven waterfalls in total, all feeding one another in the most graceful way. Expect a crowd if you go in the middle of the day as this waterfall draws a lot of visitors to the area.

Take a 10-minute boat ride from the Drangses harbor to Grímsey for some serious bird-watching. You can even see puffins here if you come in the right season (usually the warmer, summer months). There's also a golf course, bike rentals, arctic snorkeling, sea fishing, and more. It's the perfect day trip from Drangses and the main reason why people find themselves in the area.

Ísafjörður is the place to catch a ferry to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Two companies offer regular service to the area in the summer: Borea and Sjóferðir. Tickets can be pricey, but it's worth the investment. There is a wide range of hiking trails, and it's common to see arctic foxes, as this region boasts one of the largest communities of them in the country. Getting here in winter is often impossible due to severe weather.

You have to know the story to truly appreciate this place: according to local lore, Kerling was a troll woman who, along with two other trolls, wanted to turn the Westfjords into an island. As they started digging, they realized they had nowhere to shelter from the sun as it rose. Kerling did not make it out of the sunlight in time, turned to stone, and sits here still in the form of this cliff. The troll women created many little islands behind them, one of which is known today as Grímsey.

The cliffs at Látrabjarg are home to millions of birds—the main reason people from around the world flock to this region—and to answer your burning question: yes, you can see adorable puffins here. You'll also catch sight of razorbills, fulmars, and guillemot in the clouds of birds that surround this area; in fact, no fewer than 10 sea bird species call these cliffs home. Látrabjarg is actually just one of four sections of cliffs in this area: the Keflavíkurbjarg, Bæjarbjarg, Breiðavíkurbjarg, and Látrabjarg cliffs. All have slightly different viewpoints with one thing in common: a whole lot of birds. There's also a scenic lighthouse on-site, which happens to be the westernmost lighthouse in Europe. To get here, drive along Route 612 until you can't anymore; this is the westernmost point of the Westfjords.

Opened in 1913, this blacksmith shop was run by Guðmundur J. Sigurðsson after learning the trade in Denmark. Today, it's a living museum that still has all of the old machines, and you can learn about blacksmithing as it was done more than 100 years ago. This is the perfect activity for a family with kids of various ages.

Although black-sand beaches may get the most attention in Iceland, the red sand of Rauðasandur Beach is something that needs to be seen in person. What makes it that golden red color? Pulverized scallop shells. Depending on the day, the beach can appear more yellow, red, or black. To get here from Patreksfjörður, take Route 62 and follow the signs for Route 614, then take Route 612. Note that the road leading to this beach is not unpaved and is often quite rough—and it's a windy road, so take it slow.

Learn about the rich history of the local fishing industry and how it's helped regional growth at the Westfjords Heritage Museum. It takes a deep dive into the lives of the fishermen that built this community and what it was like to live in the area when it was first settled. Note that some resources refer to this museum as the Maritime Museum.

Iceland isn't known for its abundance of wildlife, but it is home to the adorable and elusive arctic fox. You can find these animals in the wild—and if you do, watch them from afar and let them be—but you're sure to see them at the Arctic Fox Center in Súðavík, a quick drive from Ísafjörður. At this wildlife refuge and research center, guests are invited to learn all about these curious little mammals. The arctic fox population has been dwindling for years, and the center also puts forth efforts to maintain it.

Pools are central to Icelandic communities and the Birkimelur Swimming Pool is no exception. Relax among the locals in this man-made pool, which is heated with geothermal water. There are changing rooms on-site, as well as a sauna.

The main tourist information center is also an archive of all things Ísafjörður. The ground floor serves as the town's library, while the second floor houses a number of exhibits covering life in the Westfjords through the ages.

Hikers shouldn't miss this mountain right outside of Þingeyri. Whether you hike it or take a 4X4 vehicle to the top, the views are absolutely incredible.

If you've got a short amount of time in the area, head to Tungudalur for some natural sights. Here you'll find a small but beautiful waterfall, a modest forest, the town's skiing center, and a full golf course. There's plenty to do, but take some extra time around the waterfall and forest; you won't find many of the latter around the country.