On the extreme northwestern coast of Iceland, the small town of Isafjordur stands on a narrow landspit beneath mountainous cliffs of the Westfjords. Visitors who hire a car in Isafjordur can explore this remote region of dramatic landscapes. The highlights include the Fjallfoss waterfalls, a 33ft sequence of seven cascades down a mountainside, and Iceland's most northern peninsula, Hornstrandir, which is now a national nature reserve. Isafjordur also serves as a busy centre for guided tours into the surrounding pristine wilderness areas via car, foot, horse, bike or boat.
The little peninsula of land that Isafjordur sits on creates a natural fishing harbour in the fjord. It's a popular spot for cruise ships, ferries and boat trips. If you hire a car in Isafjordur you can tour the town's attractions, which include an arts centre in the old hospital building, the music school, a university and the folk museum containing the oldest house in Iceland. In fact, there are plenty of old wooden houses in the town, including an 18th-century building now housing a popular maritime and fishing museum. Look out too for Vestfirzka Verzlunin, a shop selling nothing but locally-produced goods including music, books, food and art.
