The Westfjords
The Westfjords are a peninsula in northwest Iceland known for deep fjords, the Dynjandi waterfall and the Látrabjarg bird cliffs. Go for sea cliffs, small coastal villages and long drives with little traffic.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
The Westfjords are a mountainous peninsula in northwest Iceland, cut by deep fjords and joined to the rest of the country by a narrow strip of land. Settlements are small and far apart. Ísafjörður is the largest town and the usual base for a trip, and most visitors come for sea cliffs, waterfalls and quiet coastal villages.
The best-known sights are Dynjandi, a tiered waterfall in Arnarfjörður, and Látrabjarg, a bird cliff at the western tip of the peninsula where seabirds nest in summer. Hornstrandir, a nature reserve to the north, has limited access and few services. Summer, roughly June to August, is when the roads are most reliably open. Winter brings snow, short days and roads that can close. Ferry, road and flight are the ways in, and the one you pick shapes your route. Four days covers the main sights; add more if you plan to hike.
The Westfjords in five
- Choose the ferry, the road or a flightFrom Reykjavík it is about 410 km to Ísafjörður via Dynjandi or 455 km via Hólmavík. Icelandair flies to Ísafjörður in 40 to 50 minutes, and the Baldur ferry crosses Breiðafjörður from Snæfellsnes.How to get here
- Add your car to the Baldur bookingBaldur crosses Breiðafjörður from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur, stopping at Flatey. Book the car in the same online booking on ferja.is, where the timetable and fares are listed.Baldur ferry
- Give Látrabjarg at least an hourThe cliffs run about 14 km and rise to 441 m, with puffins on the grassy tops. Edges are fragile and loose, so keep back and take extra care in wind, fog and wet conditions.
- Walk up to Dynjandi's main fallPark in the lot and walk about 15 minutes to the largest section of the waterfall, which falls roughly 100 m in steps. Allow 45 to 60 minutes; flush toilets are open all year.
- Do not assume you need a 4x4Visit Westfjords says a 4x4 is not normally necessary on the main route, in summer or winter, though side roads can be gravel and winter conditions change fast. Check umferdin.is before each drive.
Things to do in The Westfjords
See all attractions in The Westfjords
Need to know
- Flights
- Icelandair to Ísafjörður; Norlandair to Bíldudalur and Gjögur; 40 to 50 min
- By road
- Ísafjörður 410 km via Dynjandi, 455 km via Hólmavík from Reykjavík
- Getting around
- Rental car; the Westfjords Way is about 950 km
- Best base
- Ísafjörður; Patreksfjörður for Látrabjarg and Rauðasandur
- Time needed
- 4 to 7 days for a loop; 3 nights for one side
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow19 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh0°Low-5°Dark, auroraJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, aurora
- FebruarySnow17 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh1°Low-4°Aurora, snowFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Aurora, snow
- MarchSnow16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh1°Low-3°Skiing, quietMarchSnow
Mixed
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Skiing, quiet
- AprilRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Snow, thawAprilRain
Good
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, thaw
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Birds, long daysMayRain
Best
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Birds, long days
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Midnight sunJuneRain
Best
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midnight sun
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Hiking, puffinsJulyRain
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hiking, puffins
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Hiking, boatsAugustRain
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hiking, boats
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Lights returnSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights return
- OctoberRain17 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low2°Quiet, lightsOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, lights
- NovemberRain15 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-1°Dark, stormsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, storms
- DecemberSnow15 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh0°Low-4°DarkestDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Darkest
Average daily high and low in Ísafjörður, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The Westfjords
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
The Westfjords
10:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today5°4°100%Monday: Rain. High 5°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue6°2°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed3°1°39%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 3°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu6°2°84%Thursday: Rain. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Fri6°4°31%Friday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sat5°4°90%Saturday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sun5°1°88%Sunday: Snow. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 88%.
Updated 09:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 121.8 ISK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ísafjörður410 km via Dynjandi from ReykjavíkThe regional town, with Hornstrandir boats and fjord villages around it.Read the guide
- Dynjandion road 60, a short walk from the lotSix waterfalls in a staircase, the largest about 100 m tall.
- Látrabjargat least one hour at the cliffsA 14 km bird cliff at the westernmost point of Iceland.
Before you go to The Westfjords
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for The Westfjords, checked
- Dynjandi: drone flights need a permit from 1 May to 15 September; Látrabjarg drone flights need a permit from the Nature Conservation Agency.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around The Westfjords
The region's largest town and Hornstrandir base
Read the guideSnæfellsnes PeninsulaThe Baldur ferry leaves from Stykkishólmur
Read the guideWest IcelandBorgarfjörður and the road toward the Westfjords
Read the guideAll of IcelandHow the north-west fits a Ring Road trip
Read the guideBest time to visit IcelandMidnight sun, boats and winter driving
Read the guideInsurance for IcelandCover for remote roads and rescue costs
Read the guideThe Westfjords FAQ
How many days do you need in the Westfjords?
Three nights cover Ísafjörður and Dynjandi or Látrabjarg. A week suits the full Westfjords Way, which is about 950 km, because roads follow fjords and cross passes, and driving takes longer than distances suggest.
How do you get to the Westfjords?
By car on paved main roads, by Icelandair flight to Ísafjörður, by Norlandair to Bíldudalur or Gjögur, or by the Baldur car ferry from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur. The best choice depends on your starting point and season.
Can you drive the Westfjords in winter?
Yes, according to Visit Westfjords, because main roads are serviced in winter and used by local traffic. Expect snow, ice, wind and rapid changes, check umferdin.is each morning and allow extra time.
When is the best time to visit the Westfjords?
June to August for long daylight, open roads, hiking and Hornstrandir boats; September for auroras with some daylight. Visit Westfjords gives about 24 hours of daylight in June and 3 hours in December and January.
Is the Westfjords Way fully paved?
No. Most of the main route is paved, but some sections and roads to attractions are gravel. Slow down at the change between surfaces and check conditions before side roads.