Visit Núpur in the Westfjords of Iceland

Are you looking for a place off the beaten track? Well, consider the Westfjords of Iceland. Consider having a base in Núpur, Dýrafjörður. Núpur is close to some incredible attractions.

The Westfjords of Iceland even have an award-winning botanical garden!

There’s a prize-winning little botanical garden, Skrúður, over 100 years old, right in Núpur.  (The XXIV International Carlo Scarpa Prize for Gardens 2013) In place also a beach, a river, a fjord view, a few mountains, and hills, variously tricky to climb.

Sunsets are amazing. No filters!

In Þingeyri, Dýrafjörður (opposite side of the fjord) is a really nice little café, Simbahöllin. It is worth a visit for a light Belgian waffle and a cappuccino:

Imagine being alone in the world – that is easy in the Westfjords of Iceland

A few kilometers out of the fjord and over a heath (mind your car, the road is unpaved) is an out-of-this-world place, Ingjaldssandur, with very few inhabitants, as far as I know, only one farm there has people staying there all year round.

A bit to the south (an hour’s drive or so – a mountain road and driving around another fjord) is one of Iceland’s fairest waterfalls, Fjallfoss or Dynjandi. A giant waterfall up top with six smaller ones below. Easy walk up by the waterfalls. A must-walk if there ever was one.

Next fjord to the north from Dýrafjörður, Önundarfjörður has kayaking, on a still day (early morning and late-night are best for the sea to be still like a mirror) can easily be the highlight of your whole Iceland trip.

The best restaurant in the Westfjords of Iceland – and perhaps of all of Iceland

Isafjordur, the biggest town in the Westfjords of Iceland, has excellent attractions too. The restaurant Tjöruhúsið, at the very end of the town, might be Iceland’s best restaurant. Its evening menu only consists of an all-you-can-eat fish buffet. Don’t. Miss. It!

We sailed from Ísafjörður to Grunnavík; this little guy took a ride on the boat with us:

Last but not least, Látrabjarg. A sheer drop of about 100-400 meters straight down, puffins jumping up and down from the edge, and you can almost pet them on site. Be careful not to fall, though!

The Westfjords of Iceland have so much to offer. I haven’t even mentioned Hornbjarg, the northwesternmost point, Strandir region with the magic touch, and Bíldudalur in its fantastic location. Next time, I hope to visit some of those places. Until then!