Ísafjörður

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 boat

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.

By bus

There are regular buses that go from 1 June to 31 August from Akureyri and Reykjavik. Information on that can be found on West Tours' homepage

By plane

There are two daily flights from Reykjavik with Air Iceland. The fare is relatively cheap if you just want to go from A to B, and you are treated to a grand view of the fjords on the descent into the Ísafjörður airport. The airport is about 5 km from the town, on the other side of the fjord. It's possible to walk from the airport to the town if you don't mind walking on the gravelled shoulder of a lightly-trafficked 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 which is situated 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

• 🌍 West Tours, Aðalstræti 7 (The same house as the Information Centre), ☎ [phone]. Day tours and longer tours. Bird watching, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, biking and more. 
• 🌍 Vestfjords martime museum, Neðstikaupstaður. 13-17 daily from 1 June - 15 Sept. Small museum dedicated to the fisheries of the past. Nice restaurant, Tjoruhusid, is located next door and serves local fish. 
• 🌍 Swimming pool, Austurvegur 9. Indoor pool with 3 lanes and a small hot pot. 450 kr for adults. 

Buy

Eat

• 🌍 Samkaup, Hafnarstræti 9. Grocery store in the center of Ísafjörður. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Gamla bakaríið, Aðalstræti 24. Bakery in the city center. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Við pollinn, Silfurtorg 2. Restaurant at Hotel Ísafjörður. 1300 - 4000 for an main course.. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Tjöruhúsið, Neðstakaupstað, ☎ [phone]. Fish resturant in the oldest building in Ísafjörður (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Thai Koon, Hafnarstræti 9-13. A small cafeteria-type joint in the Neisti shopping center. 1490 kr for your choice of two dishes and white rice. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Husið, Hafnarstræti, ☎ [phone]. Café/bar/restaurant (updated Jul 2016)
• 🌍 Hamraborg, Austurvegur. Fast food (updated Jul 2016)
• 🌍 Edinborg, Aðalstræti 7, ☎ [phone]. Restaurant (updated Jul 2016)
• 🌍 Bakarinn, Hafnarstræti 14, ☎ [phone]. Café (updated Jul 2016)

Drink

• 🌍 Vínbúð, Aðalstræti 20. State controlled wine/liquor store. (updated Mar 2015)

Sleep

• 🌍 Hotel Ísafjörður, Silfurtorg 2. Silfurtorgi 2. Very comfortable and accommodating. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Hotel Edda, Ísafjörður, Torfnes. A part of a large chain of budget summer hotels in Iceland. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Gamla Guesthouse, Mánagata 5, ☎ [phone]. A nice little guesthouse. Large rooms and a nice breakfast spread in the morning. (updated Mar 2015)

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