Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland without the line. While the Golden Circle buses tourists toward the same geyser it has since 1970, the Westfjords have the country's most impressive waterfall, Europe's most vertical bird cliffs, and a nature reserve reachable only by boat, home to Arctic foxes. August brings 20 hours of daylight over the landscape photographers keep to themselves.
The most stylish hotel in Ísafjörður, the Westfjords' capital with 2,600 residents and an outsized cultural life for its size, right on the central square (Silfurtorg) with panoramic fjord and mountain views from every angle. On-site restaurant with local cuisine, a bar, and the most knowledgeable staff on weather conditions, ferry schedules, and regional trails. The central base for the north and east Westfjords exploration days. Estimated price: €180–280/night.
✦The central base on Ísafjörður's main squareA family-run farm hotel in a remote valley in the southern Westfjords, 130 kilometers from Ísafjörður. Icelandic horses in the outdoor pastures, an outdoor geothermal pool, natural hot tubs, and the most authentic atmosphere in the Westfjords — a family that's worked the same valley for generations and knows more about the region than any guidebook. Family rooms, Icelandic breakfast with skyr and local smoked salmon. The calmest night of the six-day trip. Estimated price: €160–240/night.
✦Geothermal pool in a remote valleyA property of the Íslandshótel chain — the first hotel chain to earn Green Key certification across all 17 of its Iceland properties — in the town of Patreksfjörður, gateway to Dynjandi and the Látrabjarg cliffs. 40 rooms with fjord views, a restaurant serving local seafood, and the perfect base for the trip's most active days. 24 kilometers from Dynjandi and 54 from Látrabjarg — the Westfjords' two most important experiences within the same radius. Estimated price: €150–230/night.
✦Green Key certified, within range of Dynjandi and LátrabjargDynjandi, also called Fjallfoss, drops 100 meters total across seven cascading tiers, each with its own name. The base spans 60 meters wide and the top 30 — the inverted-fan shape that makes Dynjandi the Westfjords' most recognizable image and one of Iceland's most photographed. The tour from Ísafjörður includes transport along the Arnarfjörður coastal road and free time on site. For teens: the trail to the top (45 min) is accessible, and the view from above completely changes the perspective.
Iceland's most remote nature reserve — no roads, no permanent residents since 1952, and reachable only by ferry from Ísafjörður. Arctic foxes that approach within a meter without fear, since they've never been hunted, 534-meter cliffs, and hiking through landscape untouched for decades. For energetic teens: this level of nature immersion with zero tourist infrastructure is unique in Europe. Full-day guided tour.
A 2–3 hour kayak tour from Ísafjörður through the fjords with a local guide. Grey and bearded seals swim around the kayaks in the northern fjords — a constant presence in August. The cold North Atlantic water means a dry suit is required, included in the tour. For teens 12 and up with no prior kayak experience: the fjords are flat and manageable.
The Íslandshótel chain was the first hotel chain to earn full Green Key certification across all of its hotels in Iceland (17 certified properties). Green Key is an international tourism sustainability certification present in over 60 countries. In Iceland, 100% of grid electricity comes from renewable sources — geothermal and hydro — which means any hotel connected to the national grid runs automatically on clean energy.
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Plan my trip →Two options. A direct 45-minute flight from Reykjavik (RKV, the domestic airport) to Ísafjörður (IFJ) with Eagle Air (2–3 flights daily in August). Or a 5–6 hour drive from Reykjavik via Route 60, the country's most dramatic coastal road, which is a part of the trip in its own right. For families with teens: driving is more flexible and cheaper.
A rental car is essential — without one, half the stops are unreachable. Roads are partly gravel inland; with younger kids you can just go slow. The general speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph) on paved roads and 60 km/h (37 mph) on gravel.
August is the warmest, driest month in the Westfjords — days of 54–64°F (12–18°C), nights of 45–54°F (7–12°C). The sun doesn't set until 11pm — a family that doesn't set a bedtime loses track of time fast. Rain is possible at any moment.
