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Isafjordur Iceland Cruise Port Guide | 5 Best Things To Do

Adventour Begins Isafjordur Iceland Cruise Port Guide | 5 Best Things To Do

Surrounded by towering fjords and steep mountains, Isafjordur Iceland cruise port lies on a large peninsula in the northwestern part of the country known as the Westfjords (aka West Fjords; Vestfirðir). It is Iceland’s third busiest port after Reykjavik and Akureyri. Isafjordur is the largest town in the Westfjords and boasts stunning fjords, majestic mountains, and a rich maritime heritage. Cruise vessels either tender or dock at two small piers within walking distance from the town center. In this article, read about:

Isafjordur Iceland cruise port (getting around, cruise tips) 5 best things to do in Isafjordur cruise port , including the popular Isafjordur shore excursions

Visit also our cruise port guides to Reykjavik , Akureyri , Bergen , Oslo , Tromso , Stavanger , Alesund

Isafjordur Iceland Cruise Port

Cruise ships can either tender or dock at the port of Isafjordur, depending on the ship’s size. If the cruise ship is too large, it normally anchors in the bay, and passengers are transferred ashore via tender boats (the ride takes around 10 minutes). Small vessels can dock at two berths located within a 5-minute walk from the town.

Port of Isafjordur

Getting Around Isafjordur Port

The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK), but euros are accepted as well. 1 USD equals 137 .61 ISK. 1 EUR equals 149.51. You can pay almost everywhere by credit card. See the currency converter Within a short walk from the port, you’ll find a tourist information center, a couple of banks with ATMs, a pharmacy, several restaurants and cozy cafes, craft stores, and art galleries. Most cafes and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi for their visitors. Car and bike rental agencies are available, as well as a few tour agencies where you can book Isafjordur tours. Convenient transportation options, including taxis and buses, are also available just outside the port. In Isafjordur town , you can visit a town church, Westfjords Heritage Museum, Culture House/Library, a charming Old Town, and a few more museums. If you are into walking and hiking , upon exiting the port there is a well-marked road that takes you up to a hill from where you can admire spectacular views of Isafjordur. Biking is a popular activity as well. The best way of getting around Iceland is by car ( check out rent-a-car deals ) or on guided shore excursions. Those of you who decide to stay in town should consider exploring the town on foot or renting a bicycle for a leisurely ride through the charming streets, allowing you to soak up the local atmosphere at your own pace. There are also welcoming and knowledgeable staff at the port’s service desk ready to assist, offering valuable tourist information and insider tips. Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences or outdoor excursions, their expertise will help you make the most of your stay in and around Isafjordur. Explore Isafjordur tours and activities Book a private transfer to/from Isafjordur cruise port Cruise lines sailing to Isafjordur include Viking Ocean Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Azamara, Oceania Cruises, Cunard Line, Ponant and a few more.

5 Best Things to Do in Isafjordur Cruise Port

As you explore this charming port town, a wide range of experiences awaits, from encounters with wildlife to cultural immersion!

1. Dynjandi Waterfall

Dynjandi is a crown jewel among Icelandic waterfalls, situated approximately 60 km/37 miles (a 1-hour drive) south of Isafjordur. This stunning waterfall is the largest in the Westfjords and stands out for its unique, tiered cascade that plunges approximately 100 m (328 ft) down a mountainside. The name “Dynjandi” translates to “thunderous” or “resounding,” and it perfectly captures the powerful and awe-inspiring nature of the waterfall.

The road trip to Dynjandi is an important part of the adventure, as you will navigate through the rugged landscapes of the Westfjords to reach this remote gem. Upon arrival, travelers are rewarded with not only the breathtaking sight of Dynjandi but also the surrounding natural beauty, including sweeping fjords and majestic mountains.

If you’re into hiking , you can explore the surrounding trails and hiking paths that lead to different viewpoints of the waterfall. Popular activities also include fishing and birdwatching . History buffs should explore the historical sites and remnants of ancient settlements around Dynjandi to learn more about the cultural and historical aspects of the region. Remember to wear sturdy hiking boots, dress in layers for unpredictable weather, and embark on your journey as early as you can to avoid crowds.

Explore Dynjandi Waterfall tours and activities

Dynjandi Waterfall

2. Westfjords Heritage Museum

If you want to learn about the history, folklore and culture of the Westfjords, you should check out the Vesturferðir Westfjords Heritage Museum, conveniently located in the heart of the town, a stone’s throw from Isafjordur cruise port. Housed in an 18th-century building, the museum serves as a treasure of artifacts and exhibits that provide a fascinating insight into the cultural heritage of the Westfjords.

As you enter the museum, you’ll be immersed in the region’s stories, from its early settlement to its modern-day life. The displays feature a varied range of items, including traditional clothing, tools, and household objects, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who have lived in this area for generations.

Check out Westfjords Heritage Museum tours

3. Boat Tour to Vigur Island

Vigur Island is a small, privately owned island located in the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord known for its tranquil beauty, rich birdlife, and historical landmarks. Several tour operators in Isafjordur offer half-day and full-day boat tours to Vigur Island and these may include guided birdwatching excursions, historical insights, and the chance to explore the island’s landscapes.

Upon reaching Vigur Island, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the natural wonders and observe the vibrant birdlife, including puffins and other seabirds. The tranquility and unique charm of Vigur Island make this boat tour a memorable adventure, allowing you to connect with Iceland’s rich natural heritage just a short distance from Isafjordur port.

Explore Vigur Island tours and activities

4. Kayaking in the Fjords

The calm waters of the fjords are ideal for a kayaking adventure that combines tranquility and breathtaking natural wonders. You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, towering cliffs, and maybe even local species as you paddle through serene fjords.

The starting points for kayaking tours are conveniently located near Isafjordur port, allowing easy access to this thrilling activity. Local operators often offer transportation to kayaking launch points, making sure participants have a smooth and hassle-free experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced kayaker, there are guided trips to suit your skill level, with safety briefings and expert guidance throughout the journey.

Explore Isafjordur cruising, sailing and water tours

5. Savor Local Cuisine

If you’re a foodie, you can’t leave Isafjordur without savoring local cuisine. While Ísafjörður is a relatively small town, it embraces traditional Icelandic dishes, particularly focusing on seafood and lamb due to the abundant fisheries and sheep farming.

Because of its closeness to the North Atlantic, Isafjordur has an abundance of fresh seafood and you can taste a variety of locally caught fish such as cod, haddock, and salmon in local restaurants. Traditional dishes include “Plokkfiskur” (fish stew) and “Harðfiskur” (dried fish). For meat lovers, Icelandic lamb is renowned for its tender and flavorful meat, and the main dishes include lamb stew (“Kjötsúpa”) and lamb chops.

Skyr is a must-try dairy product with a yogurt-like consistency and is usually served with berries or honey. To top off, make sure to try Brennivín (the translation to English is “Burned wine”), a traditional Icelandic schnapps often referred to as the “Black Death”.

Explore Isafjordur food tours and activities

Visit also our cruise port guide to Reykjavik , Akureyri , Bergen , Oslo , Tromso , Stavanger , Alesund

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14 Best Things to Do in Isafjordur

By Kerry Spencer

Last updated: November 29th, 2023

• Find a Cruise

Isafjordur, which translates as fjord of ices, is a beautiful town in Iceland’s faraway Westfjords, just south of the Arctic Circle.

Things to do in Isafjordur range from culinary to cultural, though its biggest draw is nature and wildlife. With puffins, Arctic foxes, seals, and whales to spot, the Westfjords is a paradise for nature lovers.

Isafjordur may be wild and remote, high up in the North Atlantic Ocean, but it has developed over several centuries as a booming trading post and fishing port. From whale watching to waterfalls, read on to discover the 14 best things to do in Isafjordur.

Go Whale Watching

Whale watching in Isafjordur

One of the best things to do in Isafjordur is to go in search of majestic whales in Ísafjarðardjúp Bay.

Soak up the scenery on a thrilling RIB boat ride as you look for fins rising from the deep blue and tails slapping the surface.

Humpback whale

Around 20 types of whales are found here, including minke, sperm, humpback, beaked whales, and orcas. Less common are blue and fin whales. Though rare, they are sometimes spotted so you’ll need to keep a constant watch of the water.

Wrap up in warm layers and waterproofs, even in summer, Iceland can be blustery and cold.

Read: Best Places to Go Whale Watching in the World

Learn About Isafjordur’s History at Culture House

Culture House

If you’re looking for historic insight into Isafjordur , visit the town’s gleaming-white Culture House.

This grand, four-story building has an interesting backstory. It’s set in Isafjordur’s former hospital. Built in 1925, it only survived as a hospital until 1929.

Culture House is now home to a thought-provoking library, the Isafjordur Archives, the Isafjordur Photography Museum, and the Isafjordur Art Museum.

View the exhibitions at the Art Museum, which profiles prominent Icelandic artists, such as Soffía Sæmundsdóttir. Culture House also displays curiosities from the building’s brief period as a hospital, such as outfits worn by medics and medical paraphernalia.

Marvel at Birdlife on Vigur Island

Vigur Island

Jaw-dropping Vigur Island, one of the most beautiful places in Iceland , is often referred to as Puffin Island due to its influx of orange-beaked birds during spring and summer.

Vigur is the second-largest island in the dramatic Ísafjarðardjúp. Carpeted in green during Iceland’s warmest months, it is teeming with bird life, including 7,000 eider ducks, 100,000 puffins, a rare colony of black guillemots, razorbills, and Arctic terns.

You can reach Vigur Island via a 30-minute boat ride from Isafjordur harbor, with a regular service between May to September.

Enjoy a guided walk around the Vigur, listening out for the high-pitched calls of arctic terns and buzzy razorbills. A guide will lead you at a safe distance from the bird life to see them in their natural habitat. Iceland’s only windmill is also found on the island.

Eider ducks

Marvel at Vigur Island’s well-insulated eider ducks. Iceland is the world’s largest provider of precious eiderdown with the annual harvest taking place on the island every summer, during which no birds are harmed; the down is collected from abandoned nests.

Post Office, Vigur Island

You could also visit Vigur’s tiny Post Office or check out the heritage exhibition charting the island’s history.

Finish your island tour with warming coffee and cake. Hjónabandssæla—a jammy, oatmeal cake—is the local delicacy.

Spend Time at Isafjordur’s Curious Museums

Iceland is home to many weird and wonderful museums. Two of them—the Museum of Everyday Life and the Nonsense Museum—are found in Isafjordur, just a two-minute walk apart.

Opened in 2016 by Björg and Vaida, the charming Museum of Everyday Life is all about exploring the mundanity of everyday life. With a focus on the Westfjords, installations and stories are told by local voices on topics such as family, work, and the humdrum of daily life.

Just steps away, the cheery Nonsense Museum celebrates the joy of collecting, with a focus on more unusual items such as police caps. Collections of teaspoons, wartime tobacco packets, sugar cubes, and matchboxes are also on display.

Learn About Local Wildlife at the Arctic Fox Centre

Arctic Fox Centre Photo by MoZie on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

The adorable-looking Arctic fox, with its thick coat of white or chocolate-colored fur, is commonly found in the tundra-landscape of north Iceland.

To learn about this fluffy species, head to the Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík, a scenic 20-minute drive from the center of Isafjordur. The center is based within Eyrardalsbæ house. Constructed in 1896, it’s the oldest building in Súðavík.

Discover the biology and history of the Arctic fox and man’s impact on the species in Iceland. Frank topics are covered, too, including fox hunting and farming in the region, with beautiful wildlife photography on display.

The Arctic Fox Centre typically opens from May 1 to September 30. After visiting the Arctic Fox Centre, stop by Súðavík’s Sætt & Salt. This gorgeous chocolatier sells handmade chocolates and offers chocolate-making sessions.

Sip Local Ales at Dokkan Brugghús Brewery

The first and only brewery in Isafjordur, Dokkan Brugghús is a delightful family-run business that was founded in 2017 out of a need for local ales.

Named after the area around the marina where the Icelandic brewery is based, Dokkan uses natural spring water that trickles down from Westfjords’ soaring mountains. The water is naturally filtered and purified through layers of lava.

Visit the microbrewery to sample some of the seven thirst-quenching Dokkan brews, including golden IPAs and rich stouts. A pub menu served with dishes such as fish and chips served Tuesday to Saturday.

Read: Incredible Hot Springs in Iceland

Explore the Magnificent Bunárfoss

Búnarfoss waterfall lies just a couple of miles outside of Isafjordur, near a winter ski resort, campsite, and golf course.

The best way to get to Búnarfoss is on foot. Take a right immediately after from Tunguskogur Campground and follow the cascading stream around 393 feet to the horsetail-shaped falls.

Take the path that runs alongside Búnarfoss for some spectacular views of the remote Tungudalur valley.

Búnarfoss lies near the 5.6-mile Westfjords Tunnel—Vestfjarðagöng, the longest underpass in Iceland—with the northern entrance (there are three arms of the tunnel) leading to Isafjordur.

Opened in 1996, the Westfjords Tunnel is a remarkable feat of engineering, avoiding the Breiðadalsheiði mountain road. With a summit of 2,000 feet, Breiðadalsheiði was regularly blocked by snow and avalanche.

Hike to the Troll Seat

The Troll Seat, also known by its official name of Naustahvilft, takes its nickname because of its form: A gigantic bowl-shape dip in the mountain that looks like a seat carved into the landscape.

Choose the flat and easy hike to get to the Troll Seat from Isafjordur. The route is three and a half miles, forming a U-shaped around the bay. Hikers pass Isafjordur’s small airport with its single, fjord-side runway lying directly beside the road.

The landscape here is extraordinary, with undulating green mountains surrounding one of the best fjords in Iceland . You could climb right up into the Troll Seat for more satisfying views.

Wear warm clothes and comfy footwear. Pack water and snacks, too, as there’s no cafe or convenience stores on the route.

Kayak in Calm Waters

Kayaking in Isafjordur

Kayaking is one of the best things to do in Isafjordur, offering the chance to get within inches of the still, inky fjord.

Opt for a kayaking trip that departs from Isafjordur harbor to glide on the soothing water. You’ll paddle beneath the soaring mountains to gain a unique perspective of Isafjordur and the surrounding Westfjords.

Go in search of the region’s rich spectrum of wildlife, including seals, Arctic terns, and eider ducks.

Hestfjörður

You could also paddle from the bay of Ísafjarðardjúp around the coast of Snæfjallaströnd and into Hestfjörður fjord.

Extending your route will offer the chance to spot more of the region’s mind-bending wildlife, including dolphins, whales, and more sea birds. Gaze toward land and you might see nesting puffins or hear the faint bark of Arctic foxes, too.

Tour the Westfjord Museum

Westfjord Museum Photo by Christian Bickel on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 DE

Of all the things to do in Isafjordur, touring the Westfjord History Museum ranks highly for its remarkable storytelling of the region’s maritime past.

Located next to Isafjordur Tourist Information Center, the Westfjord Museum was founded in 1941 in Neskaupstadur, the town’s fish trading center and home to Iceland’s oldest buildings.

The museum beautifully tells the story of the region’s fishing industries and fishing families.

There’s a saltfish pantry, whale bones, model boats, marine equipment, and photographs to explore.

Marvel at Dynjandi Waterfall

Dynjandi Waterfall

Dynjandi, meaning ‘thundering’ in Icelandic, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland .

Dynjandi Waterfall lies a short 45-minute drive south of Isafjordur, making it an easy day trip through the breathtaking Westfjords.

The largest waterfall in the Westfjords, Dynjandi drops 330 feet in beautiful waves down the mountainside. The waterfall is 98-foot wide at the top and 197 at the bottom, unfurling in a fan shape as the water releases into Arnarfjordur, the second-largest fjord of the Westfjords.

Arrive wearing hiking boots and a waterproof jacket. Wander alongside the six smaller falls at the foot of the main drop towards the base of Dynjandi to feel its chilly spray and enjoy one of Iceland’s best hikes .

Hike in the Seljalandsdalur Valley

The glorious Seljalandsdalur Valley lies behind Isafjordur, shadowing the fishing town from the west.

Lupine flowers

Dominated by Mount Göltur, the rugged Seljalandsdalur Valley is a riot of color in spring and summer, when delicate wildflowers blossom, including violet-hued lupine flowers, and sheep and goats graze on the open pastures.

Explore Viking ruins and visit an off-the-grid local farm to learn about mountain life on a dazzling hilly hike.

Experience the Charming Village of Thingeyri

The enchanting village of Thingeyri has a population of just 250 people. Lying on the north shore of the Dýrafjörður fjord, a 40-minute drive south of Isafjordur, Thingeyri (Þingeyri in Icelandic) is the location of a former Viking settlement and ancient parliament ruins.

Stroll to the grassy mounds, the remains of the medieval assembly, behind the village church.

Call by Grasteins Gallery for gorgeous handicrafts and artwork.

Iceland’s oldest mechanic’s workshop, now a museum, is in Thingeyri, too. You can spot the museum by the vibrant street art plastered on the exterior, next to the village church.

Simbahöllin Photo by Jennifer Boyer on Flickr, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Stop for warming waffles with jam and cream at Simbahöllin, a cozy café set in a timber house facing the fjord.

The four-story building was imported to Iceland from Norway in 1915 by a grocer named Sigmundur (“Simbi”) Jónsson, which is how the soul-warming cafe earned its name.

If you’d prefer to explore the village from a saddle, horseback riding and bike tours are available, too operated by the owners of Simbahöllin.

Before saying farewell to Thingeyri, take a walk along the Icelandic beach to find the Viking settlement.

Take a Boat to the Abandoned Village of Hesteyri

Lying across the peninsula from Isafjordur in the far-flung Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Hesteyri is an abandoned village that was once home to 80 residents.

Take a boat across the fjord to reach Hesteyri and embark on a tour of the eerie village. Enjoy uncovering Hesteyri’s history, with the settlement starting out as a whaling station in 1894. A herring factory followed with many of the residents working at the fish plant.

Visitors can wander through the uninhabited village, including the former doctor’s house, which opens as a café during summer. Here you could enjoy a menu of tea, coffee, pancakes, and rye bread with a variety of fish or meats.

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

You could also hike within the unspoiled Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. There’s a path from Hesteyri to Aðalvik or enjoy a stroll on the shore where you might spot some of the region’s diverse bird life or the odd scavenging Arctic fox.

A boat service operates from Isafjordur to Hesteyri daily during Iceland’s summer .

From hiking and kayaking to museum hopping and resting up with local ales, Isafjordur offers a smorgasbord of nature, culture, and adventure. Search Celebrity’s cruises to Isafjordur to book a vacation to this awe-inspiring wilderness.

Kerry Spencer

Kerry Spencer has been writing about travel for 15 years. A former magazine editor and the UK editor of Cruise Critic, she lives in London, where she now writes for a number of print and online publications, including Imagine Cruising, Cruise Critic, and Selling Travel, among others.

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