Westfjords Iceland Travel Guide - What to Expect & Why It’s Worth It

When you think of Iceland, you imagine glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, and the famous Ring Road that ties it all together. But tucked away in the remote northwest corner lies a part of the country that most travelers skip - The Westfjords.

With barely 10% of tourists venturing here, it’s one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets.
Why so few? Because it’s a 700 km detour from the usual route.
No big cities. No packaged tours. No buzzing cafés. Just you and untouched nature.

And that’s exactly why we went.
We didn’t know if it would be worth it.
But two days, 100 people, and thousands of breathtaking views later - we got our answer.

This wasn’t just another scenic drive.
It was peace, stillness, and discovery - all rolled into one unforgettable road trip.

🚗 Day 1 - Into the Unknown: Búðardalur to Bíldudalur

We entered the Westfjords from Búðardalur, heading toward Bíldudalur - a tiny fishing town tucked between dramatic mountains and calm fjord waters.
The drive stretched for hours, and we spotted barely 100 people the entire day - including those at so-called “famous” stops.
It already felt like we had Iceland all to ourselves.

We paused at two major places:

⚓ The Old Shipwreck (The Garðar BA 64)

A rusted, abandoned ship sitting quietly by the shore - rustic and moody, though honestly not the most jaw-dropping spot. But this stop had its own twist…

While exploring, Yogita tried taking a shortcut across the ship, hoping to climb for a better angle.
Bad idea. She slipped and fell - not too far, thankfully - but ended up with a minor sprain in her leg.
She was okay, and with a couple of days of warm bandage, she was back to full energy.
But yes - this is your friendly reminder:
👉 Always carry a basic first-aid kit on any trip. You never think you’ll need it… until you do.

🧡 Rauðisandur Beach

This beach is famous for its reddish-golden sand - a rare sight in Iceland.
But the day we arrived, it felt like nature was testing us.
The wind was fierce, to the point that we had to hold onto our jackets and barely managed a photo or two before rushing back into the car.
Definitely a unique place, but the weather didn’t let us soak it in.

Honestly, Day 1 felt underwhelming.
The sceneries were nice, but not extraordinary. We’d seen more dramatic landscapes on the Eastfjords.
Add to that Yogita’s little fall and the constant wind - and we began wondering:
“Was the Westfjords detour even worth it?”

Turns out, we had no idea what was coming next.
Day 2 changed everything.

By evening, we reached Bíldudalur, a town so peaceful it almost didn’t feel real.
Population? Just 250.
Our guesthouse was right beside the only fuel station, which sat next to the only grocery store, and the only restaurant.
That’s it. That’s the whole town.

But something about it was beautiful.
No noise. No rush. No tourists.
Just a quiet corner of the world, welcoming us with stillness.

🌄 Day 2 – Dynjandi, Detours & a Drive We'll Never Forget

We started our second day in the Westfjords with the reason most people come here - the mighty and majestic Dynjandi Waterfall 💦

From the moment we saw it from a distance, fanning down the cliff like a white veil, we knew - this was going to be worth it.
And it truly was.

Standing over 100 meters tall, Dynjandi is not just another waterfall - it’s a statement.
Powerful, graceful, and surrounded by complete stillness, it easily became the most scenic waterfall we saw in all of Iceland.
There were no crowds, no chaos - just the sound of crashing water and us soaking in the view.
If you’re ever planning the Westfjords and wondering if it’s worth the detour,
Dynjandi alone is reason enough.

🛣️ The Route That Redeemed It All

After Dynjandi, we had two options to exit the Westfjords:

• Take the shorter route we had used on Day 1 (which honestly hadn't impressed us much), or

• Take the longer route via Ísafjörður, which would add couple of hours but could show us a different side of the region.

We chose the longer route - and it turned out to be the best decision of the trip.

The drive from Dynjandi towards Ísafjörður and back to Búðardalur was absolutely stunning.
We drove through:

• Serpentine coastal roads hugging glassy blue fjords 🌊

• Wide valleys where we didn’t see a single soul for miles

• Ever-changing scenery that kept surprising us around every corner

There were moments where it felt like Iceland was performing just for us.
And unlike Day 1, this time, the Westfjords gave us everything we’d hoped for - and more.

🏘️ Ísafjörður - The “Biggest” Town That Still Feels Hidden

After a few hours on the road, we reached Ísafjörður, the unofficial capital of the Westfjords.
With a population of around 2,500, it’s the largest town in this region - but it still felt like a quiet mountain village.

Colorful houses, a calm harbor, a few locals walking around…
It was the perfect short break before the final stretch of the drive out.

It’s not a touristy town, but it’s got character - and we were glad we included it.

🛣️ Road Conditions - Surprisingly Smooth

Before coming to the Westfjords, we had read a lot about gravel roads, sharp turns, and difficult driving.
But to be honest, our entire route -
Búðardalur → Bíldudalur → Dynjandi → Ísafjörður → back to Búðardalur - was in great condition.
No challenging gravel tracks, no scary drops.
It was long, but peaceful, scenic, and very doable — even in a regular rental car.

🌌 Another Reason to Visit - The Northern Lights

Apart from the waterfalls, drives, and solitude, there’s one more reason people consider visiting the Westfjords - The Northern Lights.

The region’s remoteness means zero light pollution, making it a great place to witness the auroras when conditions are right.

During our visit, we weren’t lucky enough to spot the northern lights in the Westfjords.
But we did get to witness them on other nights at different locations around Iceland - and those memories were unforgettable.
That said, if you're visiting the Westfjords in the right season and the skies are clear…
keep looking up - magic might just find you. 🌌

🙏 Final Thoughts - Was the Westfjords Detour Worth It?

Absolutely.
But not in the way Iceland usually impresses you.

The Westfjords are not about postcard spots or social media checklists.
They’re about empty roads, quiet towns, and landscapes that make you pause - not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re real.

On Day 1, we honestly questioned if the detour was worth it.
But by Day 2, after standing in front of Dynjandi and driving through silence and scenery we’d never experienced before -
we had our answer.

It wasn’t just worth it - it became one of the most peaceful, personal parts of our entire Iceland trip.

For two days, we saw less than 100 people.
We drove for hours without crossing another car.
We stayed in towns where everything you need fits on one street.
And yet, we felt more connected to Iceland than ever before.

So if you're planning a trip and thinking,
"Should we add the Westfjords?"

Here’s what we’ll say -
If you have the time, take the detour.
Don’t expect tourist spots. Expect moments.
Moments where you’ll feel like you’ve gone somewhere very few ever will.

Because in the Westfjords, Iceland doesn’t shout.
It whispers.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll be there when it does.

“Some places you visit, some places you remember. But the rarest ones? You feel them long after you’ve left.” 💙