Guided private tour of Isafjordur and its fascinating rural surroundings

Bolungarvík is the northernmost village in the Westfjords, situated on an eponymous cove. The village has been a fishing port since settlement, so naturally the most popular tourist attraction in Bolungarvík is the Ósvör museum, a fascinating replica of an old fishing outpost. There, the museum curator greets visitors wearing a skin suit similar to the one Icelandic sailors wore in the 19th century. In addition there is a natural history museum in town that hosts an extensive bird and mammal collection, including a polar bear. Another popular visiting point is the top of Bolafjall Mountain offering a staggering view. There is a road all the way to the top to service the radar station up there. It is open to tourists in the summer months only. Amenities include a gas station, shops and different types of accommodation, as well as an indoor swimming pool and a sports centre. Just outside the village, there is a nine-hole golf course.

Flateyri has been a trading post since 1792 and saw its heyday in the 19th century when it was home to a fleet of decked vessels and the base for shark-hunting and whaling operations. The fishing industry has always been vital for the villages in the Westfjords, and in Flateyri the tradition of fishing has successfully been linked to tourism as the village has become a very popular destination for foreign sea anglers. The fjord also offers great opportunities for kayaking. The old village bookshop has been turned into a museum where visitors can learn about the history of Flateyri while buying second-hand books and visiting the old merchant's home. An international doll museum and the popular Nonsense Museum can also be found in Flateyri. Accommodation is available at the hostel or in self-catering flats. A small shop, a restaurant/pub, and a nice swimming pool with brand new outdoor hot-pots provide visitors with all the basic services. Across the fjord, you will find a white, sandy beach. Although the sea might be colder for bathing than most people prefer, the sand is great for building sandcastles. This beach is actually the venue for an annual sandcastle competition that attracts hundreds of participants every year, children and adults alike.

Ísafjörður (Isafjordur) is the largest town in Iceland's beautiful Westfjords, making it a perfect jumping off point for day trips around the region. The town itself, surrounded by dramatic scenery, also has a lot to offer in the way of historical value and opportunities to get out into nature. Located in the Westfjords of Iceland, Isafjordur is one of the most remote towns in the country. In the winter, the snowfall and winding roads make the region nearly inaccessible, but in the summer, the midnight sun turns this area into a magical place. The deep blue fjords, snow capped mountains and sweeping vistas of the ocean make this a gorgeous destination. Spend your time in town or stay in Isafjordur and check out guided sightseeing day tours, horseback riding, hikes or biking trips while you're there.

Óshlíð is the old road between Bolungarvík and Hnífsdalur. The construction of the road started in the 1950s and it served the people of Bolungarvík as the only connection to Iceland's road system. Since 2010 the road is not used by cars anymore because of the new Bolungarvík-tunnel but people have been using Óshlíð as an outdoor recreational area. The paved road gives perfect conditions to bikers and runners that want to be closer to nature. You feel really small under the enormous cliffs that seem to be hanging by a thread 300 - 400 meters higher. Óshlíð is known for the bad road conditions due to avalanches, rock slides, and stone falling. The road has also lost a part of the paved lane in some places due to bad weathers and the sea has been eating its way into the land.

The Maritime Museum Ósvör stands on the east side of Bolungarvik, down by the sea. The museum contains a double 19th century fishing base, a salt hut, a fish drying area and a drying hut. Among the pieces displayed, there is the rowboat Ölver that gives a good idea of the kind of ships that were used for fishing in that time. In the museum are also for display all kinds of fishing equipment and various tools that were used for fishing and fish production in the time of the fishing base. The curator greets visitors wearing a skin suit that is similar to the one Icelandic sailors worn in that time and describes what is to see there.