Ísafjörður sits in the Skutulsfjörður fjord in the Westfjords, 40 minutes by air from Reykjavík, and it suits travelers who want a fjord town with steep mountains right behind the houses.
Flights leave from Reykjavík City Airport, so Keflavík arrivals first cover 31 miles (50 km) to reach it. The drive from Reykjavík takes five to six hours in good conditions.
At a glance
- Location: Skutulsfjörður fjord, by Ísafjarðardjúp, in the Westfjords
- Flight: 40 minutes from Reykjavík City Airport (RKV) to Ísafjörður airport (IFJ), operated by Icelandair
- By car: 255 to 283 miles (410 to 455 km) from Reykjavík, five to six hours in good conditions
- Warmest month: July, high 55°F (13°C)
- Wettest month: November, 5 inches (120 mm)
- To do: Westfjords Heritage Museum, boats to Hornstrandir, city walks, Naustahvilft
Where is Ísafjörður and what is it like?
Ísafjörður lies in Skutulsfjörður, a fjord that opens onto Ísafjarðardjúp in the Westfjords.
Inside the fjord, the land ends in two valleys: Engidalur on the left and Tungudalur on the right. Steep mountains surround the town. The old town has many narrow one-way streets, so it’s a place to explore on foot.
The Westfjords Heritage Museum stands at Neðstakaupstað, in what its own description calls the oldest cluster of houses in Iceland, dating from the latter part of the eighteenth century. It gives insight into the maritime history and culture of the area.
What is there to do in Ísafjörður?
Westfjords Heritage Museum and the town’s cultural houses
The Westfjords Heritage Museum is at Neðstakaupstað and covers the maritime history of the area. It’s the natural first stop for anyone who wants to understand why a town grew in this fjord.
Safnahúsið, at Eyrartún, is a cultural house with a library, an art museum, a photo museum and an archive. Edinborg Cultural Center is in the heart of town. Úr álögum, an artwork by Einar Jónsson, and the monument Harpa Hafsins both stand at Torfnes.
Opening hours aren’t given, so check them before planning a day around any of these.
City walks with Ísafjörður Guide
Ísafjörður Guide offers city walks, shore excursions, nature walks and private tours with local guides and small groups. Tours run in German or English.
Helga’s Garden Tour is a bus tour through the historic town with a coffee in Helga’s garden. It’s for 4 to 7 people and lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. The Ísafjörður Walk lasts 2 hours and is described as a journey through time.
The same company also sells tours from other local companies, such as whale watching, kayaking and horse riding. Vesturferðir, based in town, handles sales and bookings for all activities, so one contact can cover several outings.
Hornstrandir by boat
The Hornstrandir visitor centre, Hornstrandastofa, is at Silfurgata 1, in the center of town. Sjóferðir provides passenger transportation to Hornstrandir and also runs whale watching tours.
Visit the centre before boarding a boat to Hornstrandir. It sits in town, so it fits easily into the morning before a departure.
Boat trips suit travelers who came for wild coast and open water. Contact the operator for schedules, since none are given here.
Naustahvilft, gardens, bikes and winter sports
Naustahvilft is a prominent hollow in Kirkjubólshlíð in Skutulsfjörður, also called Skálin. Jónsgarður is a botanical garden in town, and Austurvöllur is in memory of Ásmundur Sveinsson, 1893 to 1982.
The Fjord Hub in central Ísafjörður rents bikes and runs a bicycle shop with outdoor equipment. Golfvöllur Ísafjarðar is a 9-hole par 72 course in Tungudal, and ATV – Ísafjörður offers guided quad tours. In winter, Tungudalur has downhill skiing and Seljalandsdalur has cross-country skiing. Sundhöll Ísafjarðar is a 16-metre indoor pool with a hot tub and a cold tub.
Easter brings the music festival Aldrei fór ég suður, and autumn brings the international film festival PIFF. For history and walking, choose the museum and a guided walk. For wild coast, take the Hornstrandir boat. For an active stay, go for the bikes, the ski areas or the course. The town suits less anyone who wants to roam the region without a car, since public transport is limited.
Where to stay in Ísafjörður
Hotel Ísafjörður is a year-round hotel at Silfurtorg with 36 double rooms. Hotel Ísafjörður – Horn is at Austurvegur 2 and has two family rooms where up to five can sleep. Gamla Guesthouse, at Mánagata 5, has 8 twin-bedded rooms and 1 triple room on two floors. Gistiheimilið Mánagata 1 has five rooms nearby, and sleeping bag accommodation for up to 21 people is at Mánagata 1.
For more space, there are Sólheimar Studio Apartments (two studios on the ground floor of a house) and Comfortable Bungalow, a studio in the old town. A private house with a private garden, 130 sq meters, is in Tangagata. Prices aren’t given, and the private house asks to be contacted for prices and booking.
The Horn lobby is open from 4 to 8 p.m. every day. At other times, keys are at Hotel Ísafjörður, 200 meters away.
How do you get to Ísafjörður and get around?
Icelandair flies to Ísafjörður airport (IFJ) from Reykjavík City Airport (RKV) in 40 minutes. Domestic flights in the region generally take 40 to 50 minutes. Arrivals at Keflavík first travel 31 miles (50 km) to Reykjavík airport.
By road, Ísafjörður is 283 miles (455 km) from Reykjavík via Hólmavík or 255 miles (410 km) via Dynjandi. Plan five to six hours in good conditions. The main routes are paved, though some roads may have gravel sections, and a 4×4 isn’t normally required on the main roads.
The Baldur car ferry connects Stykkishólmur with Brjánslækur in the southern Westfjords. It carries passengers with or without a vehicle.
Public transport within the Westfjords is limited compared with Reykjavík, so a rental car helps for the wider region. In town, walking works well. Many streets in the old town are narrow one-way streets, and the Fjord Hub rents bikes.
When should you go to Ísafjörður?
Summer is the mild season. July is the warmest month, with highs of 55°F (13°C), and May is the driest at 1 inch of precipitation. Those months suit boat trips, walks and the bike route to Bolungarvík.
Winter is cold. January highs reach 34°F (1°C) and lows fall to 23°F (-5°C). November is the wettest month, with 5 inches.
What to know before visiting Ísafjörður
According to the U.S. State Department, no visa is needed for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
- Passport: it must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended. Two blank pages, proof of funds and an onward or return ticket are required.
- Emergency passport: Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
- Vaccinations: none are required.
- Iceland is generally a safe destination for travelers.
- In town: the old town’s streets are narrow and one-way.
Booking Ísafjörður for November: what to know
Vesturferðir, based in Ísafjörður, handles sales and bookings for all activities. Westfjords Safari asks to be contacted for tours and booking information. For November, contact operators before arriving.
Sources
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/en/travel-info/westfjords/how-to-get-here), checked 2026-10-30
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/is/gisting-veitingar/matur-drykkur/veitingahus/tjoruhusid), checked 2026-10-30
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/en/experiences/tours/photo-tours/helga-ingeborg-hausner-isafjordur-guide), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/gamla-guesthouse/), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/historical-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/is/gisting-veitingar/gisting/gistiheimili/gamla-gistihusid), checked 2026-10-30