Isafjordur

Ísafjörður sits at the end of an 80km fjord in Iceland's Westfjords, with mountains rising steeply on all sides. It's the largest town in the region, though that means a population of around 2,600. Pastel-painted wooden houses cluster along the harbour, and fishing boats come and go throughout the day. Larger cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the quayside, where the smell of smoked fish from the local smokehouse greets you. The Westfjords Heritage Museum, housed in one of Iceland's oldest buildings, covers the area's fishing and maritime history. Walking trails lead from town into the surrounding mountains, with views back over the fjord that are worth the effort. Kayaking in the fjord is another option if conditions allow. The town has a few cafés and restaurants serving fresh fish and Icelandic lamb. This part of Iceland sees far fewer visitors than the south coast, and it shows in the quiet, unhurried atmosphere.