Isafjordur, Iceland

Ísafjörður is a town in the northwest of Iceland. It is the largest city on the Westfjords peninsula. The town lies in the far northwest of Iceland, on the shore of SkútuIfsfjörður, one of the arms of the largest fjord in the Westfjords region-Ísafjarðardjúp. Ísafjörður is the commercial and economic center of the Westfjords region. The city’s area is constantly expanding through land reclamation by draining and filling in the fjord’s waters with sand. The population of Ísafjörður is 3 968 people (as of December 1, 2008).

The town’s name-literally “ice fjord”-is attributed to the ice floes that drifted down the long channel of the fjord of the same name. In spring, drifting ice sometimes caused difficulties for local residents, as it led to the port being closed for several months. Today, icebergs do not drift into these waters, but the temperature is never very high here.

The first settlers appeared in the area of the present-day town as early as 920. Later, Norwegian and Icelandic traders settled here, and in the 16th century, several English and German companies established their trading offices (factories) in Ísafjörður. On the southern edge of the town, a number of buildings were erected that are today the oldest surviving in Iceland (e.g. Tjöruhusid, built 1734). Ísafjörður was granted town status in 1866.

If most of Iceland is known for its unprecedented volcanic activity, then the country’s slightly isolated northwest region is the realm of fjords. Perhaps the capital of all the Westfjords can be considered Ísafjörður. Iceland’s Westfjords are somewhat reminiscent of Norway’s, but at the same time they have their own unique character like no other.

This northern town looks old-fashioned and is located on an island surrounded by extraordinary, completely wild nature. The strange streets of Ísafjörður wind through the valley of a peninsula shaped like a hook, jutting straight into the middle of Skutulsfjörður fjord. Massive mountains surrounding the town on all sides look like the high walls of a medieval fortress. You can only get here or leave by a narrow tunnel or by open sea. Depending on the weather, the town can feel either completely secure or completely cut off from the rest of the world.

Tourists usually come to Ísafjörður in order to embark on a journey through the Westfjords. These places are considered among the most beautiful in Iceland. From a geological point of view, the Westfjords are the oldest Icelandic region, left over from the volcanic plateau of Tula. The Dynnjandi River flows here, with a waterfall that plunges down from a height of 100 m; at the bottom, it splits into five smaller waterfalls that eventually reach the ocean. In the Old Town, you can see 18th-century buildings. The town is also home to Ísafjörður’s main attraction-the Westfjords Maritime Museum. The museum complex consists of several old houses featuring maritime exhibits and photographs of the region. The town park is especially interesting. The entrance is decorated with an arch made from a whale jawbone. Not far from Ísafjörður, two valleys stretch out-Tungudalur and Engidalur. This area is well known among hiking enthusiasts. Many trails have been laid out here, especially in the forested parts of the valleys.

The climate here is maritime, moderately cool, with strong winds, humid and changeable weather. July and August are the warmest months in Ísafjörður. The average annual temperature in the town is +1-2 °C, the average temperature in January is +1 °C, and in July it is +11-12 °C.

Dark hours last from mid-November until the end of January. During this time, the height of the Sun at its highest point does not exceed a few degrees (there is no polar night in Iceland). Throughout the summer, “white nights” can be observed in Ísafjörður: on June 21, the sun rises at 02:54 and sets at 00:02 the following day. December, unlike June, is the darkest month-the daylight lasts no more than 5 hours.