Ísafjörður: A Distinctive Coastal Town in the Westfjords

January 2026

Surrounded by towering mountains and deep valleys, Ísafjörður feels as though it has grown naturally from the landscape rather than being imposed upon it.

Ísafjörður is a place of contrasts. It is a working fishing town, a centre for music and culture, and a base for exciting adventures. At the same time, it is a town where history and everyday life coexist in quiet harmony.

A Town Shaped by the Sea

For centuries, life in Ísafjörður has revolved around the harbor. Boats once sailed the fjord to fish, and stock fish hung drying on wooden racks, creating prosperity that is still evident today.

Walking along the old pier, you’ll find some of the oldest standing houses in Iceland. These timber buildings, originally imported from Norway, bear the marks of countless storms and years of use in their weathered wood.

Today, the harbor is still full of life, but now it’s shared by kayakers, hikers, and travelers alongside fishermen.

The town is alive and proud of its roots, without being stuck in the past.

Experiencing Ísafjörður

Take time to wander through Neðstakaupstaður, the historic district by the harbor.
This cluster of 18th-century buildings now houses museums, cafés, and galleries. The air is filled with the scent of salt and seaweed, and the streets follow the natural contours of the land.

The Westfjords Heritage Museum

Housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings, this small but remarkable museum tells stories of seafaring, hardship, ingenuity, and the deep connection between the people of the Westfjords and the sea.

Walk Above the Town

A hiking trail leads up into the mountains that surround Ísafjörður. In less than an hour, you can reach viewpoints offering sweeping views over the fjord, the open sea, and the entire town below.

Those visiting will find cafés and creativity despite Ísafjörðurs remote location, Ísafjörður has a vibrant creative spirit. Serving homemade cakes, small bookshops, and even art exhibitions or concerts that continue late into the bright summer nights.

A Gateway to Adventure

Ísafjörður is an ideal starting point for exploring the Westfjords:

Ferry trips and guided tours to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
Kayaking across mirror-calm fjords
Mountain hikes through remote landscapes, where your only companions are seabirds and the whisper of the sea

Ísafjörður: More Than a Stop Along the Way

At Key to Iceland, we believe that true travel isn’t just about the places you see — it’s about the places you feel.

Ísafjörður is one of those places.

Its slower pace is a gentle reminder to linger a little longer over your coffee, watch the light change across the mountains, listen to the cries of seabirds, and see fishing boats rocking quietly in the fjord.

It’s here you realise that Iceland’s magic doesn’t live only in its most famous destinations. It lives in the resilience of the people who call places like this home.

Let Ísafjörður show you the true spirit of the Westfjords.