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✶ Field notes from people who live here — honest, local hotels in Iceland.
Field notes

Honest notes from people who live here.

Driving, weather, food, and what's actually open. Written by the team that runs the four hotels — and re-checked when conditions change.

Showing Westfjords field notes only. Show all notes →
Region
Topic
WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
6 JUL

Valagil Ravine: A Lava-Walled Waterfall Hike in Álftafjörður

Valagil is a quiet lava-walled ravine and waterfall at the head of Álftafjörður, about 30 minutes south of Ísafjörður. An easy, mostly…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,500 ISK
WESTFJORDS · WEATHER
4 FEB

How tourism changed Iceland (and what stayed the same)

From Reykjavik’s skyline of boutique hotels and bustling cafés to the wild expanses of the Westfjords, Iceland today blends modern comforts with…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
18 FEB

Why sustainability affects services

Discover how choosing a truly green hotel can transform your Iceland adventure. At Hvítá Inn, eco-friendly touches—from solar-powered lighting and low-flow fixtures…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
5 MAR

Photography in Akureyri during shoulder season: managing spray, wind, and changing light without rushing

Discover Akureyri at its most enchanting—in the shoulder season, when pastel skies and glowing golden hours bathe the town’s colourful rooftops, fjord…

WESTFJORDS · WEATHER
10 MAR

A Photographer’s Guide to the Westfjords of Iceland

Discover the untamed beauty of Iceland’s Westfjords with our all-in-one photography guide. From planning your route and choosing the perfect season to…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
11 FEB

How to communicate without reception desks

Experience Iceland on your own terms—no front desk required. At Ourhotels.is properties like Truck Inn at Hvítá and Hvítá Inn, you’ll receive…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
10 MAR

How to Discover Iceland’s Rugged Coastal Beauty

Discover Iceland’s untamed coastline with Ourhotels.is as your home base. From puffin-filled cliffs at Látrabjarg and surreal black-sand beaches at Djúpalónssandur to…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
11 FEB

How art reflects landscapes

Discover how Westfjords and West Iceland’s dramatic valleys, rugged coasts, and glacial rivers fuel a vibrant art scene. From watercolors of Dynjandi…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
10 MAR

How to Explore Iceland’s Northern Fjords

Discover Iceland’s Northern Fjords like never before: from winding coastal drives and whale-spotting boat tours to remote hikes in Hornstrandir and kayaking…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
4 FEB

Why Iceland has no mosquitoes

Discover Iceland’s rare gift: a mosquito-free summer paradise where you can explore rivers, volcanic landscapes and fjords without the usual swatting and…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
18 FEB

How to start days early

Imagine stepping out into the crisp Icelandic dawn—just you, the silent fjords, and the first golden rays painting basalt cliffs in Westfjords…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
11 MAR

How to Discover the Hidden Beauty of Ísafjörður

Discover Ísafjörður, a hidden gem tucked into Iceland’s dramatic Westfjords. Wander colourful wooden streets framed by snow‐topped peaks, then embark on kayak…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
10 MAR

Best Travel Experiences Near Ísafjörður

Discover Ísafjörður, the rugged gateway to Iceland’s Westfjords, where you can hike the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, kayak among jagged fjords, spot…

WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
6 JUL

Reykjaneslaug: Iceland’s Longest Pool, a Fjord-Side Swim in Ísafjarðardjúp

Reykjaneslaug at Reykjanes in Ísafjarðardjúp is billed as Iceland's longest swimming pool, a 50-metre geothermal bath fed by a hot spring out…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,500 ISK
WESTFJORDS · WEATHER
19 FEB

Why Iceland feels grounding

Discover how Iceland’s vast lava fields, thundering waterfalls and crisp coastal air can ground you in the moment. Nestled along the Hvítá…

WESTFJORDS · FOOD
20 FEB

Why independence feels empowering

Discover the wild beauty of Westfjords & West Iceland on your own terms. From sunrise hikes and secret hot springs to midnight…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
11 MAR

Exploring Iceland’s Northern Arctic Landscapes

Discover the raw beauty of Iceland’s North—where towering fjords, midnight sun summers and dancing Northern Lights winters await your arrival. Hike remote…

WESTFJORDS · PRACTICAL
6 JUL

Ísafjörður Swimming Pool: The Town’s Geothermal Pool a Short Walk Away

Ísafjörður's geothermal pool, Sundhöll Ísafjarðar, is a short walk from town with hot pots and a sauna. A practical guide to Iceland's…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,500 ISK
WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
11 MAR

Best Hiking Trails in the Westfjords of Iceland

Discover the Westfjords’ most breathtaking hikes—from the remote wilderness of Hornstrandir and its Arctic foxes to the thunderous tiers of Dynjandi and…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
10 MAR

Exploring Iceland’s Northern Coastal Fjords

Discover Iceland’s northern fjords with Ourhotels.is as your base—towering cliffs, mirror-calm waters and charming fishing villages await. Spot seals and whales on…

WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
11 FEB

Why Iceland doesn’t need theme parks

Discover Iceland’s ultimate theme park—no roller coasters or cotton candy required. Here, majestic glaciers double as thrilling rides, thundering waterfalls rival any…

WESTFJORDS · DRIVING
6 JUL

Getting to Ísafjörður: Flying vs Driving from Reykjavík

Flight or road trip? Compare the 40-minute domestic flight and the 5.5-6 hour scenic drive to Ísafjörður, then settle in at the…

Stay nearby: The Ísafjörður Inn by Ourhotels · from 14,500 ISK
WESTFJORDS · WEATHER
25 MAY

When Is the Best Time to Visit Iceland? Your Season-by-Season Guide

Deciding when to visit Iceland? From spring’s budding lupines and thawing waterfalls to summer’s midnight sun and whale watching, autumn’s fiery foliage…

Stay nearby: The Hvítá Inn by Ourhotels · from 19,000 ISK
WESTFJORDS · WILDLIFE
11 MAR

Best Photography Adventures in the Westfjords

Capture Iceland’s wild Westfjords through your lens—with towering waterfalls, red-sand beaches and remote Arctic wildlife at every turn. Spend 5–7 days chasing…

Check rates Best rate from 19,000 ISK