OUR 5 DAY ITINERARY FOR ICELAND’S WESTFJORDS (2WD FRIENDLY.)
When we decided to travel to Iceland, we knew that we wouldn’t want to do the typical ring road. With ten days to spare, we decided to do something a little different instead – and headed to the far flung region of the Westfjords. And when I found out that only 10% of travellers to Iceland visit the Westfjords, I knew that it would be somewhere we love.
The Westfjords feel like another world – even in Iceland. Remote, quiet, and full of sweeping fjords, small fishing towns, and what felt like more seals than people. We spent several days exploring this region in a two-wheel drive, winding along mountain passes, pulling over for waterfalls, and exploring various hiking trails.
After our trip, I kept thinking about the best way to plan a short Westfjords itinerary that gives you the highlights without rushing. This is the one I’d give to a friend who wants dramatic scenery, cosy towns, and a taste of Icelandic remoteness – but without needing a 4×4.
In this blog post, I’ll cover our ideal 4–5 day itinerary for the Westfjords. Including, the best things to do, where to stay, and a few optional extensions if you have more time.
About our itinerary
Four to five days in the Westfjords is enough to see the main highlights – Ísafjörður, Dynjandi, the seal colonies, and some lesser-visited towns.
This itinerary starts in Hólmavík and works west along Route 61 before looping back. It’s 2WD-friendly in summer, specifically designed to avoid gravel roads and potholes. The slower pace is part of the experience – this is not a region to speed through.
We travelled in summer, when the days are long, the roads are clear, and the hot tubs are steaming by the sea. If you visit outside May–September, check road conditions before you go.
Driving to the Westfjords in a 2WD
Getting here is straightforward. From Reykjavík, head north via Route 1 and Route 61, turning west at Hólmavík. It’s about 4.5–5 hours’ drive depending on weather and photo stops. Just remember, when driving in Iceland that it is illegal to stop on the road for any reason – especially photos! So, if you want to stop, pull over off the road.
Unfortunately, with a two wheel drive car, and particularly a rented one, there are sections of the Westfjords that are just not accessible. Unless you want to drive on gravel roads, you cannot complete a circuit of the whole area. If we are being completely honest with ourselves, we did regret not having had a 4×4 to tackle this area of Iceland. That said, it is manageable if you plan ahead and choose specific roads.
Our 5 Day Itinerary for the Westfjords: Summary
Day 1: Hólmavík & Drangsnes
Day 2: Coastal drive to Ísafjörður
Day 3: Ísafjörður & nearby villages
Day 4: Dynjandi Waterfall & Þingeyri
Day 5: Return journey
Day 1: Hólmavík & Drangsnes
Our first stop in the Westfjords was Hólmavík – a small but characterful town, which acts as the gateway to the region.
Things to do in Hólmavík:
- Visit the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft – equal parts quirky and poignant, exploring the folklore and superstitions of rural Iceland.
- The whole town has a connection to folklore, and the Galdur Brugghús continues this theme. Galdur roughly translates as magic. We loved visiting breweries in Iceland – and this one is well worth a short stop.
- Join a whale watching tour in summer (humpbacks and minkes are common).
From Hólmavík, drive 25 minutes to Drangsnes. Here, you’ll find three hot tubs facing the sea – free to use, with changing rooms opposite.
Where to stay:
We stayed at Hólmavík campsite, which is adequate and handy for the town. But we would recommend instead driving to Hveravík Campsite – which sits in-between Holmavik and Drangsnes. This was by far our favourite Westfjords campground.
This campsite is small, with a grassy field overlooking the spectacular fjord. The facilities are excellent, not least the hot pot which you can use for free at any time of the day. It’s an absolute treat to warm up just before bed. The site welcomes tent campers as well as camper vans.
Day 2: Hólmavík to Ísafjörður – Seals, waterfalls, and empty roads
This stretch of Route 61 is all about the journey.
Stops along the way:
- Seal lookouts near Steingrímsfjörður and Mjóifjörður – pull over at any layby where you see a cluster of rocks offshore.
- Litlibær café is a bit of an institution – whilst it does feel a little touristic, it’s cosy and well worth a stop for some sweet warm apple pudding and coffee.
- Reykjafoss – a small, often overlooked waterfall.
- Fossálar and a handful of unnamed falls – worth slowing for when you see them cascading down mossy cliffs.
- Heydalur is a campsite and rural hotel with a restaurant – we were so keen to visit and stay, but unfortunately the gravel road leading to the hotel means it can only really be accessed with decent vehicles, which we didn’t have. It comes highly recommended by locals, so if you can stop by for lunch, or stay a night it may be wonderful.
There are also long stretches with nothing but mountains, moss, and ravens – it’s part of the magic.
Arrive in Ísafjörður in the late afternoon.
Where to stay:
Ísafjörður has a number of hotels in the town centre. But if you’re camping with a tent or campervan, we would highly recommend Tunguskogur Campground, which has an actual waterfall running through it. It really is very beautiful.
Day 3: Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður is the Westfjords’ largest town – though “large” is relative.
Things to do in Ísafjörður:
- There’s a gorgeous waterfall Bunárfoss which really is the star of town. You can hike up to the middle, or top of the waterfall. And this hike can also be extended to a few hours, taking in a lovely ridge line walk. More details here.
- Kayaking in the fjord – peaceful, with a chance of spotting puffins and seals.
- Whale watching – either on a boat tour, or you can sometimes catch glimpses from spots close to the fjord.
- Westfjords Heritage Museum – fishing history and Arctic survival stories.
- Hike Naustahvilft (“Troll’s Seat”) – short, steep, and worth it for the view.
- Ísafjörður Brewery (Dokkan Brugghús) – Yes, there’s a craft brewery in town. Dokkan is Iceland’s northernmost brewery, and they do a solid IPA, plus a few other interesting varieties.
We’ve written a detailed guide to the best things to do in town here.
Day 4: Dynjandi Waterfall & Þingeyri
One of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls, Dynjandi is a tiered cascade that looks like a wedding cake from afar. It is an easy drive from Ísafjörður. The roads are good, with the exception of the last 1.5km which is on a gravel road.
You can find our full guide to visiting Dynjandi waterfall here – including information on the hike.
On route to Dynjandi, we recommend calling into the small village of Flateyri. It’s one of the oldest settlements in the Westfjords and home to Iceland’s oldest bookstore. The shop retains it’s original charm, complete with creaky wooden floors.
Where to stay
If you have a 4WD car, you can continue on from Dynjandi to visit the likes of Rauðasandur (red sand beach) & Látrabjarg (a cliff for puffin spotting). If you don’t, unfortunately you will have to turn back from Dynjandi.
We opted for the latter and headed to Þingeyri Campground. A small but friendly site right right on the beach, with views over the fjord and a nice walking trail behind it.
Day 5: Leaving the Westfjords
As noted above, if you do have a decent vehicle, you can continue around the Westfjords to Rauðasandur’s red sand beach and the Látrabjarg cliffs – one of Iceland’s best puffin-spotting locations. From here, the drive back towards Reykjavik is straightforward. Or, you can opt for the ferry crossing to Stykkishólmur, to take in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Otherwise, with a 2WD car, we recommend starting the long drive back out of the Westfjords on day five. From there, you can opt to visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, head to the North Coast or perhaps take in the Golden Circle.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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