The Westfjords or Vestfirðir, which lie on the Denmark Strait towards Greenland, is a huge peninsula in the north-west region of Iceland, about 52 km from Reykjavik city. Lauded for breathtaking beauty and majestic grandeur, the Westfjords are connected to the mainland by a 7-km-wide strip of land between Gilsfjorður and Bitrufjorður.
The Westfjords or Vestfirðir, which lie on the Denmark Strait towards Greenland, is a huge peninsula in the north-west region of Iceland, about 52 km from Reykjavik city. Lauded for breathtaking beauty and majestic grandeur, the Westfjords are connected to the mainland by a 7-km-wide strip of land between Gilsfjorður and Bitrufjorður. As the name suggests, it is a mountainous region with multiple fjords that are surrounded by steep mountains, which makes the terrain tricky and difficult to traverse. The road connection too is sparse and cut off due to ice and snow for a long period of time during the year. However, the construction of the Vestfjarðagong tunnel in 1996 has helped ease conditions in the region.
From the touristic point of view the region is fascinating and home to several attractions including Latrabjarg, the longest bird cliff in the Atlantic Ocean and Drangajokull, the fifth largest glacier in Iceland, but the only one in this region. Other popular destinations include Isafjorður, the largest populated town in the region with old buildings built way back in the 18th century; the unique Rauðarsandur or the red sand beach; Patreksfjorður with its pirate and folk museum; Holmsvik, popular for its museum of sorcery and witchcraft; the amazing Dynjandi waterfalls, besides Flateyri, Suðavik, Dragnes, Reykholar, Talknafjorður etc. The region also boasts of some of the best hot water springs, many which are yet to be discovered by tourists.
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