Waterfalls, Whimsical Towns, and Westfjords Wonders: The Ultimate Cruise Guide to Ísafjörður
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated:
14/07/26
Dom from Tom and Dom Travel standing in front of the spectacular cascading tiers of Dynjandi waterfall near Ísafjörður in the Westfjords, Iceland
If you have ever dreamed of cruising to a destination where the mountains rise straight out of the sea and the air is as crisp and clean as it gets, Iceland is calling your name. Today, we are taking you to one of our absolute favourite Icelandic ports of call: the stunning capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður.
Surrounded by dramatic, snow-capped table-top mountains and glassy fjord waters, Ísafjörður is a tiny, historic fishing town with a population of just under three thousand people. It is peaceful, rugged, and completely magical.
Having visited this spectacular destination twice, we have witnessed firsthand how it has grown to welcome cruise travellers. Here is our ultimate, hands-on guide to making the absolute most of your day ashore in Ísafjörður—from conquering majestic waterfalls to tasting local treats and exploring the charming town centre.
Our Interactive Map of Ísafjörður
Docking vs. Tendering: A Game-Changing Upgrade
One of the biggest surprises of our second visit to Ísafjörður was how we got ashore. During our first trip, Ísafjörður was a tender port. Because of the shallow fjord waters, cruise ships had to anchor out in the bay, requiring a bumpy, chilly, and rather long 30-minute tender ride each way to reach the town.
But on our second visit, we were delighted to find that the town has officially opened a brand-new cruise pier! It was so incredibly new when we arrived that construction workers were literally still outside rolling the fresh concrete on the dockside.
Being able to walk straight down the gangway and instantly find yourself in the centre of town is a total game-changer. It saves hours of travel time, making your day ashore much more relaxed and efficient.
⚠️ Tom & Dom Port Tip: Because Ísafjörður is growing rapidly in popularity, you might not be the only ship in town. During our stay, we shared the port with a boutique Ponant ship and a Viking vessel. When multiple ships are in port, the number of tourists can actually exceed the local population, so starting your day early is highly recommended!
Prefer to Watch?
Our day of Tunnels, Waterfalls and Dancing Bar Tenders in ISAFJORDUR on Island Princess
On day 7 of our Island Princess Iceland and Greenland cruise we visited the town of Ísafjörður. We had an early start as we had an excursion booked to visit the Dynjandi Waterfall and Family Farm. In Isafjordur we visited some of the key tourist attractions and look at what the town has to offer.
The historic Ísafjörður Culture House in Iceland, a beautiful old building acting as the local library and museum, set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains
Exploring the Westfjords: Booking Excursions
While the town of Ísafjörður is lovely to walk around, the real magic of the Westfjords lies in its remote, untouched landscapes. On our second visit, we decided to book a three-and-a-half-hour excursion to explore further afield.
Instead of booking through the cruise line, we chose to book independently with a local company called Bus Travel Iceland. This turned out to be an exceptional decision and represented fantastic value for money. Meeting our tour was incredibly simple; we walked straight off the ship, spotted our modern coach parked right outside the pier, and were boarded within minutes.
Meet Our Guide, Rachel
Our tour guide was a lovely lady named Rachel. Surprisingly, she wasn't Icelandic at all—she was Australian! She told us she had moved to the Westfjords for work just before the global pandemic, got stuck there, fell in love with the region (and a local!), and never left.
Because Rachel had adopted the Westfjords as her home, her enthusiasm and knowledge of the area were absolutely exceptional. As our coach wound through the spectacular mountain passes, she shared fascinating insights into local life, including:
The Roaming Sheep: You will see hundreds of sheep wandering freely over the steep cliffs and roads. Rachel explained that during the summer, farmers simply release their sheep into the wild so they can gorge themselves on wild mountain berries, fattening them up naturally before the autumn lambing season.
The Vestfjarðagöng Tunnel: To get from one fjord to the next, our coach travelled through a series of incredible tunnels, including the famous Vestfjarðagöng. Part of this route involves a single-lane, 9-kilometre-long tunnel where drivers have to use small pull-in bays to give way to oncoming traffic. It is an incredibly unique engineering marvel to experience!
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The cascading tiers of Dynjandi Waterfall near Ísafjörður in the Westfjords, Iceland
The Crown Jewel: Dynjandi Waterfall
The main destination of our excursion was the legendary Dynjandi Waterfall (also known as Fjallfoss). Often described as the 'Jewel of the Westfjords', Dynjandi is a series of seven waterfalls that cascade down a massive, mountain rock face, resembling a giant bridal veil.
To reach the waterfall, our coach had to navigate a bumpy, narrow dirt track. When we arrived, we were given an hour to explore, which was the perfect amount of time to hike up and enjoy the views.
⚠️ The Hike and Accessibility Warning
While Dynjandi is spectacular, we do not recommend the full hike for anyone with mobility or accessibility issues.
There is a short, flat, paved pathway at the very bottom of the car park that leads to a viewpoint of the lower falls. Wheelchairs can easily navigate this section. However, to climb up to the main, roaring upper waterfall, the path transitions into a steep, uneven, gravel, and rocky trail. It is incredibly easy to lose your footing on the loose stones, and we saw several fellow passengers reluctantly give up and turn back halfway.
If you are able to make the 45-minute round-trip hike to the top, the reward is mind-blowing. The sheer volume and thunderous roar of the glacial water spreading across the rocks is unforgettable.
🦟 A Critical Tom and Dom Warning: Pack Insect Repellent!
As beautiful as Dynjandi is, it holds a secret nuisance: midges.
As we ascended the rocky path closer to the water, we were suddenly besieged by clouds of tiny flying midges. They don't bite, but they are incredibly annoying as they swarm around your face! We highly recommend stopping by a local shop before your tour to stock up on insect repellent. We forgot to apply ours before the hike, and we spent half the climb wishing we had!
A Taste of Local Life: The Family Farm
After the waterfall, our coach made a stop at a remote, multi-generational family farm. This was an incredibly charming and authentic experience that gave us a real glimpse into the hardships and joys of farming in such an extreme climate.
The family was wonderfully welcoming, showing us their traditional barns and introducing us to their animals. We got to see local Icelandic sheep with massive, curling horns, turkeys, chickens, and their beautiful, energetic sheepdog.
Traditional Icelandic Marriage Cake
The highlight of the farm visit was when the family invited us to try some hot drinks and a slice of homemade traditional Icelandic marriage cake (Hjónabandssæla).
This is a rustic, sweet cake made with oats and rhubarb jam, traditionally baked to bring luck and a sweet life to newlyweds. Quite why they dished it out to a coach-load of hungry cruise tourists, we don't know, but it was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to warm up!
The family explained how they have had to diversify to make a living in modern Iceland, building cosy Airbnb cabins on their land to capitalise on the growing tourism industry in the Westfjords. It was a heartwarming stop that felt very personal and genuine.
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A slice of traditional Icelandic marriage cake (Hjónabandssæla), a rustic oat and rhubarb jam tart served at a local family farm in the Westfjords
Exploring Ísafjörður Town Centre
After our excursion returned us to the pier, we decided to take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Ísafjörður. The town is highly compact, entirely flat, and exceptionally easy to navigate on foot.
Here are the best things to see and do in the town centre:
1. The Rainbow Road
Just like the famous street in Reykjavík, Ísafjörður has its very own vibrant Rainbow Road painted on the pavement leading up to the local shops. It is a wonderfully cheerful sight against the backdrop of the dark wooden houses and dramatic grey mountains. We made sure to stop and take a few photos to reminisce about our previous trip!
2. The Cultural House (Old Hospital)
Housed in a beautiful historic building that originally served as the town hospital, the Cultural House acts as the local library and a museum dedicated to the town's maritime and medical origins.
During our first visit, we stumbled upon a surprisingly brilliant temporary exhibition here dedicated to the Rolling Stones! On our second visit, we wandered back hoping to see what was on display, but unfortunately, that particular gallery was closed as they prepared to install a new exhibition. It is still well worth a visit for its peaceful atmosphere and historic architecture.
3. Netto Supermarket (A Fun UK Surprise!)
Just off the main road, you will find a large, modern Netto supermarket. We decided to pop in to buy some of that much-needed insect repellent we forgot earlier.
While wandering the aisles, we had a hilarious surprise. Many of the frozen products in the freezers were imported directly from Iceland—not the country we were standing in, but the famous British discount supermarket chain! Seeing boxes of UK-branded curly fries and frozen ready meals in the depths of a remote Icelandic fjord was incredibly surreal and gave us a brilliant laugh.
4. Souvenirs and Home-Baked Treats
As you make your way back toward the cruise pier, be sure to stop by the local souvenir shops to pick up traditional Icelandic woolens, sea salts, and postcards.
Just outside the port gates, we also encountered local families setting up small stalls to sell home-baked goods, including delicious chocolate brownies. Supporting these local initiatives is a wonderful way to give back to the small community that hosts us.
Tom from Tom and Dom Travel posing on the vibrant Rainbow Road painted on the pavement in the town centre of Ísafjörður, Iceland
Whether you are standing in awe at the thundering cascades of Dynjandi or sharing a laugh in the local Netto over a box of British curly fries, Ísafjörður is an Icelandic port of call that will truly steal your heart. With the brilliant new cruise pier making it easier than ever to step straight off the ship and into the magic of the Westfjords, this rugged little gem is an absolute must-visit on any cruise itinerary. So, pack your layers (and definitely don't forget that midge spray!), get ready for some legendary marriage cake, and prepare for an unforgettable day ashore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do cruise ships dock or tender in Ísafjörður, Iceland?
Historically, Ísafjörður was primarily a tender port requiring a 30-minute boat ride to shore. However, Ísafjörður has officially opened a brand-new, dedicated cruise ship pier. Cruise ships can now dock directly, allowing passengers to walk straight off the gangway and find themselves right in the heart of the town centre. If multiple ships are in port, some may still be required to anchor and tender.
Q2: How do you get from Ísafjörður cruise port to Dynjandi Waterfall?
Dynjandi Waterfall is located about 85 kilometres (53 miles) from the Ísafjörður cruise port. Because there is no public transport connecting the two, the best options are booking an independent shore excursion (such as Bus Travel Iceland), booking a tour directly through your cruise line, or reserving a rental car well in advance. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours each way through scenic mountain passes and tunnels.
Q3: Is Ísafjörður walkable from the cruise ship?
Yes! The town of Ísafjörður is exceptionally flat, compact, and highly walkable. If your ship docks at the new cruise pier, you are only a 5-to-10-minute walk from major town sights, including the famous Rainbow Road, the Cultural House, local souvenir shops, and supermarkets.
Q4: What is the hike to Dynjandi Waterfall like, and is it accessible?
The trail to the base of the lower falls is flat, paved, and fully wheelchair accessible. However, the hike up to the main upper cascade (Fjallfoss) is a moderately challenging, steep, 45-minute round-trip climb over loose gravel and uneven stone steps. It is not recommended for those with mobility issues or joint pain. Solid hiking shoes with good grip are highly recommended.
Q5: What should I pack for a shore excursion in the Westfjords?
The weather in the Westfjords can change rapidly. You should dress in layers, including a windproof and waterproof outer shell. Most importantly, if you are visiting Dynjandi Waterfall, be sure to pack bug spray/insect repellent and a head net. The waterfall area is famous for swarms of non-biting midges during the summer months which can be highly disruptive without protection.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
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