Westfjords, Iceland

Westfjords tourist guide – hotels – car hire

The Westfjords are home to some of Iceland’s most pristine natural beauty. Nature lovers can be found scattered across this entire remote region, taking in the spectacular landscape highlighted by deep fjords cutting into towering mountains. An abundance of wildlife, like arctic foxes, seals and puffins, can be watched here in their natural habitat. It is truly a nature lover’s paradise.

Attractions in the Westfjords

As you would guess from the name, the deep, crystal–blue fjords are this region’s number one landmark. The Westfjords are an expansive countryside dotted with fishing villages and remote, untouched parcels of natural beauty.

The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is the most popular place to watch local species of birds as well as seals and arctic foxes. Situated to the north of the Westfjords, this pristine stretch of nature is subject to dramatically changing weather, so it’s always a good idea to plan your trip around incoming storms. Keep in mind that visiting this reserve will most certainly require the use of a chartered plane or boat.

You’ll find a series of un–peopled islands in the Bardastrond County in the southern reaches of the Westfjords. This area is home to a unique mix of birds, animals and plant life.

When you need a refresher, you’ll find most of the modern amenities in Strandir and Isafjordur. The tourist services and related facilities are more common in these two places.

To truly enjoy the vast reaches of the Westfjords, you must hire a car and set out on your own. Whether you’re travelling to the Dynjandi waterfall or kayaking in the more remote fjords, you’ll find that a hire car is an essential means of making these connections. Click here for car hire in Westfjords.

Hotels in the Westfjords

Most of the hotels in the Westfjords are located in the larger cities like Isafjordur, which is the most metropolitan area in the Westfjords. You’ll find the best hotels in the Westfjords here as well as in Strandir.

The remote nature of the Westfjords means finding a hotel can be a more pressing issue. Many of the outlying areas where tourists venture don’t offer much in the way of tourist services and accommodation. It’s a good idea to book your car hire in the Westfjords before taking off, just to make sure a hotel exists close to where you’re traveling to in the Westfjords.

Airport and car hire in the Westfjords

There isn’t a major airport anywhere in the Westfjords. Most visitors arrive by car or via public transportation at the bus station. There are some smaller airfields however, where you can charter flights into the more remote areas.

It’s possible to hire a driver to travel from one part of the Westfjords to another, and tour buses and taxis can both be chartered at a fair price. You’ll also find buses running to the more metropolitan areas.

Car hire in the Westfjords is the most reliable way of ensuring transport at a reasonable rate. Booking car hire in the Westfjords online is the best way to get a good deal, and international companies like Hertz and National operate within Isafjordur and Strandir. There’s no good transportation alternative to hiring your own car in the Westfjords.

Ample parking at Westfjords Airport is available at a reasonable price. Both short–term and long–term options are on hand. The best airport parking deals for the Westfjords can be booked online in advance. Parking at Westfjords Airport.