Iceland is best known for its volcanoes, glaciers, and geothermal hot springs. But in the country鈥檚 far northwest lies a fjord region that feels surprisingly familiar to Norwegians, yet different enough to feel like a revelation.
The Westfjords are rugged, remote, and deeply scenic, offering dramatic mountains, long fjords, and a sense of space that is increasingly rare in Europe.
If you ever find yourself thinking you have seen all the fjords Norway has to offer, a short flight west might change your mind.
Many Norwegians head south in search of sunshine rather than west in search of wild landscapes, and that is a shame. Norway is extraordinary, of course, but Iceland offers a rawness and geological clarity that feels almost elemental.
The Westfjords, in particular, strip the landscape back to its essentials.
Icelandair has spent years promoting stopovers between North America and Europe, and it seems to be working. On this trip, I encountered more American travellers than any other nationality, even in places that felt extraordinarily remote.
My own visit was brief and work-focused, which limited how much I could explore.
Still, it was long enough to get a strong sense of what defines the Westfjords. This is not the Iceland of bubbling hot springs and . Instead, it is a region shaped by mountains, fjords, and isolation.
脥safj枚r冒ur: Gateway to the Westfjords
The journey began in 脥safj枚r冒ur, the largest town in the Westfjords and the region鈥檚 informal capital. To save both keystrokes and sanity, I will refer to it as Isafjordur from here on.
The setting is instantly striking. Nestled at the end of a narrow fjord and surrounded by steep mountains, Isafjordur immediately reminded me of small towns in Norway鈥檚 Lofoten Islands. The scale is similar, but the landscape feels barer, more exposed.
Inside the airport terminal, a small but thoughtful exhibition introduces visitors to the area鈥檚 history. Archive photographs of seaplanes line the walls, alongside artwork depicting local life and industry.
It is a clever use of a modest space and an early signal that this is a region proud of its past.
From above, the town looks almost impossibly compact. The airport runway hugs the fjord鈥檚 edge, squeezed between sea and mountain. That runway would soon become one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
Despite its size, Isafjordur functions as the hub of north-west Iceland. It has daily flights to Reykjav铆k, several hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, a petrol station, and even a small football ground. Everything you need is here, but nothing feels excessive.
Still, Isafjordur is rarely the final destination. For most visitors, it is simply the starting point.
On the Road in the Westfjords
Once you leave town, the character of the Westfjords reveals itself quickly. The roads cling to fjord edges, snake over mountain passes, and frequently dissolve into gravel and dirt.
At first, the scenery feels comfortably familiar to anyone who knows Norway鈥檚 fjords. Then something starts to feel different. It took me a while to realise what it was.
There are almost no trees.
It sounds obvious in hindsight, but the absence is striking. I only noticed it properly when trying to explain the landscape to a colleague back home.
A single isolated tree stood out so dramatically that it suddenly explained everything. The Westfjords feel more open, more exposed, and more ancient as a result.
The roads themselves are part of the experience. They are rough in places, narrow, and occasionally unforgiving. At the rental car desk, the clerk offered some reassurance: 鈥淗ere in Iceland, we don鈥檛 worry about scratches. You鈥檙e going to get them.鈥�
Despite the conditions, or perhaps because of them, driving here is a joy. Every bend reveals a new fjord, a different rock formation, or a distant snow-covered ridge. Even in mid-June, patches of snow and ice linger on the mountains.
The landscape is far from monotonous. Layers of exposed rock create dramatic patterns in the mountainsides, while mosses, grasses, snow, and stone combine into a muted but beautiful colour palette.
Arnarfj枚r冒ur and Hrafnseyri
Our destination was Arnarfj枚r冒ur, one of the quietest fjords in the region. Human presence here is minimal. Apart from a temporary construction camp linked to a road tunnel project, there are almost no settlements.
The only permanent village is Hrafnseyri, best known as the birthplace of J贸n Sigur冒sson, the leading figure in Iceland鈥檚 independence movement against Danish rule.
Today, the site consists of a small museum, a handful of buildings, and a campsite, all set against a backdrop of sweeping fjord scenery.
Nearby, a rough mountain road suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles leads to a high-altitude lake. From there, the view back across Arnarfj枚r冒ur is spectacular, a wide sweep of water framed by steep, empty mountains.
Time was limited, and most of the trip was tightly scheduled. Still, our hosts insisted on one short detour, and it was impossible to argue.
Dynjandi: The Westfjords鈥� Most Famous Waterfall
Dynjandi is one of Iceland鈥檚 most celebrated waterfalls, and it earns that reputation easily. From the car park, it looks impressive. Up close, it is overwhelming.
Rather than a single vertical drop, Dynjandi cascades down a broad cliff face in a series of steps, widening as it descends like a natural amphitheatre of water. Photographs struggle to capture both its scale and its power.
To truly appreciate it, you need to climb the path to the top of the falls. The ascent is steep and uneven, with loose stones underfoot. I lost count of the steps somewhere along the way, but it was enough to guarantee a sweat.
For those unwilling or unable to make the full climb, the walk is still worthwhile. Several smaller waterfalls line the path, each impressive in its own right, and the main cascade becomes more dramatic with every metre gained.
Getting There: A Flight to Remember
For all the scenery on the ground, my strongest memory of the trip may be the flight from Reykjav铆k to Isafjordur.
The landing is famous among pilots. The aircraft approaches low through the fjord, flying uncomfortably close to the mountainside before banking sharply in a 180-degree turn on final approach. Only small turboprop aircraft are capable of using the short runway.
Reaching the domestic airport adds another layer of complexity. Almost all international flights arrive at Keflav铆k, nearly 50 kilometres from Reykjav铆k. Domestic flights, however, depart from the much smaller airport close to the city centre.
Confusingly, this airport is sometimes referred to as Reykjav铆k International Airport, as it also serves flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. For first-time visitors, the naming alone can be enough to cause frustration.
Still, minor logistical annoyances fade quickly once you are airborne.
Seeing the Westfjords on an Iceland Cruise
For travellers who want the drama of Iceland鈥檚 fjords without the challenge of driving long distances, cruising offers a scenic and surprisingly practical way to experience the Westfjords.
脥safj枚r冒ur is one of the few regular cruise ports in the region and has become an increasingly popular call on expedition-style and Northern Europe itineraries during the summer season.
Cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Seabourn feature 脥safj枚r冒ur on .
These range from full circumnavigations of the island to longer voyages linking Iceland with destinations such as the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and occasionally Norway.
When ships dock in 脥safj枚r冒ur, they usually berth close to the town centre, making it easy to explore on foot. Passengers can wander the historic harbour area, visit caf茅s and the Westfjords Heritage Museum, or join shore excursions to highlights such as Dynjandi waterfall.
For many visitors, a cruise offers an appealing way to sample the Westfjords鈥� wild scenery alongside other parts of Iceland, particularly when time is limited or overland travel feels daunting.
A Region Worth the Effort
The Westfjords demand more time and patience than many parts of Iceland. Distances are deceptive, roads are slow, and weather can be unpredictable. But the reward is a sense of space and solitude that is increasingly rare.
This was a short visit, and it barely scratched the surface. Even so, it left a strong impression. I only wish I had more time to explore Reykjav铆k, the rest of the Westfjords, and more of the island beyond. Next summer, perhaps.
