Westfjords, Iceland · planning guide
Where to stay in the Westfjords — an honest guide to picking your base
For most first visits, the answer is the Ísafjörður area in the northern Westfjords: it is the region’s only real town cluster, it has the airport, and the big sights fan out from it. Staying inside Ísafjörður itself costs more and sells out first; Bolungarvík, 15 minutes away through the Bolungarvíkurgöng tunnel, gives you the same reach with quieter nights and lower prices. Only heading for Látrabjarg and the southern coast? Base around Patreksfjörður instead — or do both ends with a night in each.
The three bases, honestly compared
Ísafjörður area (north) — best for most trips
The hub: flights from Reykjavík, restaurants, tours, and boats to the Hornstrandir nature reserve. Ísafjörður town has the widest choice of services — and the region’s highest accommodation prices. Bolungarvík (15 min) and the villages of Suðureyri and Flateyri (about 20–30 min) are the value bases with the same day-trip reach.
Patreksfjörður area (south) — for Látrabjarg and Rauðisandur
The base for the famous bird cliffs at Látrabjarg, the red sands of Rauðisandur, and the south coast. From Patreksfjörður the cliffs are under an hour’s drive; from the northern Westfjords they are about 3 hours each way — doable as a long day, better with a night down south.
Hólmavík / Strandir (east) — the quiet corner
The gateway if you arrive along Route 61 from the Ring Road. Sparse services, real solitude, and the Strandir coast. Most travellers pass through rather than base here, but it breaks up the drive in or out of the region.
Drive times from an Ísafjörður–Bolungarvík base
Approximate summer driving times on the main roads:
- Ísafjörður ↔ Bolungarvík: 15 minutes through the tunnel
- Dynjandi waterfall: about 1¼ hours
- Hornstrandir boats: depart from Ísafjörður harbour
- Bolafjall viewing platform: about 20–25 minutes from Bolungarvík
- Súðavík (Arctic Fox Centre): about 20 minutes
- Látrabjarg cliffs: about 3 hours (plan a full day or overnight south)
Why we would say Bolungarvík — and when we would not
Dúfan Apartments is four self-catering apartments in Bolungarvík, so judge our bias accordingly — but the case is simple: you get a full kitchen, 24-hour self check-in and mountain or fjord views for less than an Ísafjörður hotel room, 15 minutes from everything Ísafjörður offers. It suits travellers who want quiet evenings in a working fishing town over hotel lobbies. If you want to walk to restaurants every night, stay in Ísafjörður itself; if you are only chasing Látrabjarg, sleep south.
What fills the days from here: things to do in and around Bolungarvík →
How long, and when to book
Give the Westfjords at least 3–4 nights — the distances are honest and the point is to slow down. Beds are genuinely scarce: the whole region has only a few thousand inhabitants and a short, intense summer season, so June–August accommodation books out weeks to months ahead. Winter visits are possible and beautiful, but plan around weather and daylight.
Main routes into and around the northern Westfjords are paved; some southern and coastal stretches remain gravel. Check conditions at road.is and travel advice at safetravel.is — in winter, always.
Common questions
Is Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík the better base?
They give the same day-trip reach — the towns are 15 minutes apart through a tunnel. Ísafjörður has more restaurants and services and higher prices; Bolungarvík is quieter and better value, especially for self-catering apartments. If you want walkable dinners, pick Ísafjörður; if you want space, a kitchen and quiet, pick Bolungarvík.
How many nights do you need in the Westfjords?
A realistic minimum is 3–4 nights for the northern fjords (Ísafjörður area, Dynjandi, villages). Add 1–2 nights around Patreksfjörður if Látrabjarg and Rauðisandur are on the list.
Do you need a 4x4 in the Westfjords?
In summer, no — a normal car handles the main roads, though some stretches are gravel. In winter a 4x4 is strongly advisable and you should check road.is before every leg.
Where should you stay for Hornstrandir?
Boats to Hornstrandir leave from Ísafjörður harbour, so base in Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík (15 minutes away). Book the boat and your bed for the night before departure well ahead in July–August.
Sources: westfjords.is, road.is, safetravel.is.
A quiet base, 15 minutes from Ísafjörður
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