Ísafjörður is the biggest town of the Westfjords of Iceland.

Get in

By car

There are two ways to drive into Ísafjörður. The first is from the ringroad in Hrutafjörður, and goes up north on the eastern part of the peninsula through road number 61. That way gives you the opportunity to stop in Holmavik among other places on the way.

The second way to get to Ísafjörður by car is by road 60 from the ringroad, 608 over the moor of Thorskafjardarheidi and then 61 through the many fjords on the way. In the summer, that is the shortest way from Reykjavik, but it is not accessible during wintertime.

By water

You can take the ferry Baldur from Stykkisholmur via the small towns on the western part of the peninsula. That way gives you a chance to see for example the great waterfall Dynjandi.

Some cruise ships dock at Ísafjörður's 1 cruise ship dock.

By bus

There are regular buses from Akureyri and Reykjavik to Ísafjörður from 1 June to 31 August. The 2 Ísafjörður bus stop is located behind Hótel Ísafjörður. Bus information may be found on West Tours' web site.

By plane

There are two daily flights with Icelandair from Reykjavik's domestic airport to 3 Ísafjörður Airport. The fare is a relatively inexpensive flight, and you are treated to a grand view of the fjords on the descent into the Ísafjörður Airport. The airport is about 5 km (3 mi) from the town, on the other side of the fjord. It's possible to walk from the airport to the town in a little over an hour if you don't mind walking on the gravelled shoulder of a lightly-travelled road.

Get around

The town is very small and eminently walkable. The distances from the town to adjacent towns is generally further than walking distance. Thus, you would want to study the bus system that can take you all over, bring a bike or have a car. There is a bike rental in town for the active ones that don't want to walk around.

The lone exception is Hnifsdalur, a tiny village of 250 people near hiking trails. Hnifsdalur is approximately 5 km north from Ísafjörður, and is an easy walk on a paved walking trail running adjacent to Road 61.

See

Vigur Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations near Ísafjörður. The travel company West Tours offers trips to the island.

Do

• 1 West Tours, Aðalstræti 7 (the same house as the Information Centre), ☏ +354 456-5111. Day tours and longer tours. Bird watching, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, biking and more. 
• 2 Vestfjords maritime museum, Neðstikaupstaður. 1 Jun-15 Sep: daily 13:00-17:00. Small museum dedicated to the fisheries of the past. There is a nice restaurant, Tjoruhusid, next door that serves local fish. 
• 3 Swimming pool, Austurvegur 9. Indoor pool with 3 lanes and a small hot pot. 450 kr for adults. 
• Football: Vestri were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in Besta deild karla, the top tier. Their home ground 4 Torfnesvöllur (capacity 1600) is 500 m west of town centre. The playing season is from April to September.

Eat

• 1 Samkaup, Hafnarstræti 9. Grocery store in the centre. (updated Mar 2015)
• 2 Gamla bakaríið, Aðalstræti 24. Bakery in the centre. (updated Mar 2015)
• 3 Við pollinn, Silfurtorg 2. M-Sa 12:00-14:00 and 18:00-21:00, Su 14:00-21:00; bar M-Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 17:00-23:00. Restaurant at Hotel Ísafjörður. Main dishes: lunch 3700-4500 kr, dinner 4000-6000 kr. (updated Feb 2024)
• 4 Tjöruhúsið, Neðstakaupstað, ☏ +354 4564419. Fish restaurant in the oldest building in Ísafjörður (updated Mar 2015)
• 5 Thai Koon, Hafnarstræti 9-13. A small cafeteria in the Neisti shopping centre. 1490 kr for a choice of two dishes and white rice. (updated Mar 2015)
• 6 Husið, Hafnarstræti, ☏ +354 456 5555. Café/bar/restaurant (updated Jul 2016)
• 7 Hamraborg, Austurvegur. Fast food (updated Jul 2016)
• 8 Edinborg, Aðalstræti 7, ☏ +354 456 4400. Restaurant (updated Jul 2016)
• 9 Bakarinn, Hafnarstræti 14, ☏ +354 456 4771. Café (updated Jul 2016)

Drink

• 1 Dokkan Brugghús, Sindragata 14, ☏ +354 788 1980. W-Sa 16:00-23:00, closed Su-Tu. Brewery. (updated Jan 2024)
• 2 Vínbúð, Aðalstræti 20. State-controlled wine/liquor store. (updated Mar 2015)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Ísafjörður, Silfurtorg 2. Silfurtorgi 2. Very comfortable and accommodating. (updated Mar 2015)
• 2 Hotel Edda, Ísafjörður, Torfnes. A part of a large chain of budget summer hotels in Iceland. (updated Mar 2015)
• 3 Gamla Guesthouse, Mánagata 5, ☏ +354 4564146. A nice little guesthouse. Large rooms and a nice breakfast spread in the morning. (updated Mar 2015)