Weather in Westfjords

About Westfjords

The Westfjords are Iceland's stubborn middle finger to easy tourism: deeply indented fjords, dramatic cliffs housing millions of seabirds, and roads that switchback through terrain designed by someone intent on keeping visitors out. Latrabjarg is the westernmost point of Iceland, where nesting puffins seem unconcerned by human visitors. This region rewards those who invest time with solitude and authentic Icelandic wildness.

Country

Iceland

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

ISK

Language

Icelandic

Things to do in Westfjords

Puffin watching at Latrabjarg cliff colonies Dramatic fjord boat tours Bird watching and nature photography Hiking in remote mountain terrain Traditional fishing village visits Photography of pristine remote landscapes

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-3C

Cold, with frequent heavy rain.

February

-2C

Cold, with frequent heavy rain.

March

-2C

Cold, with frequent heavy rain.

April

Cold, with regular rainfall.

May

Cold, with some rainy days.

June

Cold, with some rainy days.

July

11C

Cool, with some rainy days.

August

10C

Cool, with some rainy days.

September

Cold, with regular rainfall.

October

Cold, with regular rainfall.

November

Cold, with regular rainfall.

December

-2C

Cold, with frequent heavy rain.

Iceland's Westfjords are the country's most remote and least-visited region — a maze of deep fjords, sheer cliffs, and tiny fishing settlements reached by long, winding gravel roads. The reward for the effort is solitude on a scale almost unheard of in Europe: thousands of nesting seabirds at the Látrabjarg cliffs, the thundering horseshoe of Dynjandi waterfall, and remote hot pools with views that belong to you alone.

Best areas to stay in Westfjords

Ísafjörður

The region's largest town, with a small airport, restaurants, and a base for exploring the surrounding fjords.

Látrabjarg

Iceland's westernmost point and a major seabird colony, including puffins in summer.

Dynjandi

A series of cascading waterfalls widening dramatically toward the bottom, often called the 'jewel of the Westfjords'.

Patreksfjörður

A small fishing town near Látrabjarg and the golden-sand beach at Rauðasandur.

Getting to Westfjords

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Flights

Fly into Keflavík International Airport, then take a domestic flight to Ísafjörður or drive from Reykjavik.

⏱

From London

~3 hours by air from London to Keflavík, plus a short domestic flight or 5-6 hour drive to the Westfjords.

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Getting around

A rental car (ideally 4x4) is essential; distances are long and roads can be slow gravel tracks.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the Westfjords?

Summer (June-August) is by far the easiest, as many mountain roads close in winter and some attractions are inaccessible.

How long does it take to get to the Westfjords?

From Reykjavik it's roughly 5-6 hours' drive to the southern Westfjords, or a short domestic flight to Ísafjörður.

What is Látrabjarg known for?

It's one of Europe's largest bird cliffs and the most reliable place in Iceland to see puffins up close between roughly May and August.

Are the roads difficult to drive?

Many roads are unpaved gravel with steep, narrow mountain passes — a higher-clearance vehicle and unhurried schedule are recommended.

Is there much tourist infrastructure?

Far less than the rest of Iceland — fuel stops, accommodation, and restaurants are sparse, so planning ahead and booking lodging matters more here.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

We saw maybe a dozen other cars in three days exploring the Westfjords — the puffins at Látrabjarg were close enough to photograph without a zoom lens.

Bjarni T. · July 2024

★★★★★

Dynjandi waterfall was one of the most beautiful things I've seen anywhere, and we practically had it to ourselves after the short hike up.

Annika R. · August 2023

★★★★☆

The gravel roads took longer than Google Maps suggested, but the scenery at every turn made up for the slow pace — just don't rush this region.

Chris O. · June 2024