In 60 seconds
Nestled along the deep northern arm of Patreksfjörður in the southern Westfjords, this fishing outpost serves as the gateway to Látrabjarg—the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe's grandest seabird cliff, plunging 441 metres into the Atlantic with millions of fearless puffins—alongside the surreal pink-and-gold sands of Rauðasandur.
Best for
Known for
Skip if
You are terrified of heights or suffer severe vertigo; Látrabjarg's cliff edges are sheer and dizzying.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Patreksfjörður & Látrabjarg fits them. Choose interests
See
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Monumental 14-kilometre-long, 441-metre-high sheer oceanic cliff housing millions of nesting puffins, razorbills and guillemots
Walk the clifftop trail coming within centimetres of fearless nesting Atlantic puffins.
Ten-kilometre sweep of glowing reddish-gold and pink shell sand contrasting against black volcanic cliffs and turquoise ocean surf
Walk the vast tidal sands watching curious seals follow your footsteps from the surf.
Natural hot tubs tucked into a green hillside overlooking the fjord with geothermal changing facilities
Soak in hot natural waters while admiring the snowy peaks across the fjord.
Eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
No booking, no ceremony, reliably good.
Charming harborside bistro in Patreksfjörður serving exceptionally fresh local cod, haddock and lamb dishes
Taste pan-seared salted cod with sweet onion jam and homemade rye bread.
Creative contemporary dining and cultural venue located in an old timber fish packing house by the pier
Enjoy regional fish tacos, local mussels and craft beers by the water.
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Secluded summer cafe perched above the red sands of Rauðasandur serving fresh waffles and coffee
Eat warm heart-shaped waffles while gazing out over endless pink ocean sands.
Warm community cafe in central Patreksfjörður serving espresso, daily soups and freshly baked chocolate cakes
Relax with a hot cappuccino after returning from the wind-swept cliffs.
Beyond the obvious
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Iceland's oldest steel ship, built in Norway in 1912 and beached in Skápadalur sand since 1981
Photograph the immense rusty hull resting on the edge of the desolate fjord beach.
Historic 1940s concrete swimming pool and geothermal shoreline tub fed by natural hot springs in Reykjarfjörður
Swim in geothermal water overlooking the open Breiðafjörður archipelago.
Eclectic aviation and rescue museum detailing daring clifftop bird-egg harvests and the heroic 1947 rescue of a British trawler crew
See historic vintage aircraft and rescue gear used on Látrabjarg cliffs.
After dark
Lively evening bar in the historic warehouse hosting local acoustic music, trivia and craft beer on tap
Sample Einstök Arctic pale ale and talk puffin photography with fellow travelers.
Orientation
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
The main street running along the northern edge of the fjord with timber cottages and boat docks
Stroll along the waterfront watching cod trawlers tie up at the pier.
Dramatic westernmost coastal valley featuring golden beaches, sheep pastures and lighthouse outposts
Stay close to the bird cliffs for sunset puffin photography sessions.
Stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Modern, comfortable hotel in the centre of town within walking distance of restaurants
Ideal base for exploring the southern Westfjords with good amenities.
Country lodge situated right on the golden beach just 12 kilometres from Látrabjarg cliffs
Closest accommodation to the puffin cliffs, perfect for evening light.
Practical
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
Named after Saint Patrick by early Celtic settlers; becomes a premier fishing haven for English and French cod fleets.
Heroic clifftop rescue: local farmers lower themselves 200 metres down Látrabjarg on ropes to save the crew of the wrecked British trawler Dhoon.
Further out
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
The jewel of the Westfjords, a 100-metre bridal-veil waterfall cascading across seven spectacular tiered shelves
Hike up the path to stand beneath the thunderous spray of the grandest falls in the Westfjords.
Two stone hot pots situated directly on the southern coast near the ferry landing at Brjánslækur
Soak in hot natural water with sweeping views across Breiðafjörður to Snæfellsnes.
