Eiriksstadir Viking longhouse

Step into a dim, turf-roofed longhouse to enter the world of Leifur Eiríksson. This rugged farm is the birthplace of the man who found North America.

Into the Westfjords: the road skirts the Vatnsfjörður Reserve, tracing a coastline of sharp rock formations and waves breaking into quiet coves.

The Garðar shipwreck rests on the black shore nearby, its salt-thinned iron a rusted orange streak against the soft green landscape.

Latrabjarg bird cliffs

The road ends at Látrabjarg, where Europe stops and the ocean begins. These towering cliffs serve as a summer stronghold for puffins, perched high above the roar of two colliding oceans.

Breidavik

Finally, Breiðavík. This golden-sand beach is a luminous surprise, framed by emerald hills and the deep blue of the Atlantic.

Raudasandur Beach

After breakfast, we reach Rauðisandur. This 10 km (6.2 mi) stretch of red and gold sand is a rare Icelandic gem. Formed from crushed scallop shells, its warm glow stands in stunning defiance of the island’s famous black-sand shores.

Fossfjorour Waterfall

The route winds deeper into Fossfjörður, a quiet sanctuary where the world falls away and the hills stand watch like stone sentinels.

Dynjandi (Fjallfoss)

The route leads to Dynjandi. Looking like a grand, limestone staircase of falling water, this "layered" masterpiece is the most iconic sight in the Westfjords.

Next: Önundarfjörður. Walking its simple wooden pier, the white sand and bright teal water mimic the tropics—until the towering Arctic mountains remind you exactly where you are.

Bolafjall

The road ascends to Bolafjall, where a glass-and-steel platform juts into the sky. At 636 m high, the land simply falls away, leaving you suspended between the jagged Westfjords and the infinite Arctic horizon.

Isafjordur

Finally, Ísafjörður. Though it’s the region’s largest town, it feels intimate with only 1,600 residents. Hemmed in by massive peaks and the ocean, its compact streets are perfect for a twilight stroll.

Osvor Maritime Museum

Ósvör is a carefully restored 19th-century fishing station, where turf huts and original rowboats offer a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of Icelandic fishermen battling the harsh conditions of the northern coast.

The Arctic Fox Centre

The Arctic Fox Center focuses on Iceland’s only native mammal, where visitors can explore the fox’s biology, history, and role in the country’s natural heritage.

We visit the Hvítanes seal colony, where seals rest on the coastal rocks between the fjords of Hestfjörður and Skötufjörður, watching the rise and fall of the tides.

Grabrok Crater

A walk around the rim of Grábrók crater reveals expansive views over lava fields and volcanic formations, creating a dramatic final stop before returning to Reykjavík.