Isafjordur (Westfjords Iceland)

Isafjordur is a port town on Iceland's Westfjords Peninsula, in the country's northwestern part. By population (around 3,000), the town is the largest in Westfjords. The municipality includes also nearby Hnífsdalur, Flateyri, Thingeyri and Sudureyri.

Isafjordur Port (locode ISISA) is on Isafardjup - one of Iceland's most deeply indented fjords.

In October 2023 was announced that the made an investment of IKr1 billion (EUR 8 million) to extend the existing cruise pier from 190 m (623 ft) to 500 m (1640 ft), with max draft/dockside depth of 10 m (33 ft). When completed, the pier extension project will allow berthing of the world's largest cruise ships/vessels with max LOA length 330 m (1083 ft). Currently, larger vessels anchor in the harbor and ferry their passengers via the ship's tender boats. Along with the main cruise pier there are two smaller piers, each with capacity to handle vessels with max LOA 150 m (492 ft).

In the pre-COVID 2019, the cruise port handled a total of 136 ship calls. In 2023, this number grew to 209, and for 2024 were scheduled 213 cruise calls/booked ship berthings.

In the last decade, the cruise shipping industry has become a substantial contributor to the Port's annual income, accounting for ~70% of revenue, a significant shift from its historical reliance on commercial fishing.

Isafjordur (translated as "fjord of ice") is home to many inlets and isles teeming with seabirds. The fjord is created on a flat land nestling below Eyrarfjall Mountain's towering peaks. The town is popular for the maritime-themed Westfjords Heritage Museum spreading across four buildings (18th-century built/between 1736-85), each housing artifacts of the history of fishing in the region. The museum also displays several old fishing boats.

The old hospital Edinborgarhusid (since 2007 functioning as Edinborgarsalur/Edinborg Cultural Center) contains archives and historical photography. The 2007-opened Edinborgarsalur is a multifunctional space housing events like theatrical performances, musical concerts, fairs, exhibitions, meetings, conferences and seminars, parties and receptions. Edinborgarsalur's ground floor houses a Bistro/Cafe/Bar. The corridor is an exhibition space/gallery (called Slunkaríki) run by the town's art club since 1985. Edinborgarsal (the main hall/capacity 200 seats) can be combined with the adjacent smaller Bryggjusal.

Hornstrandir (aka Hornvik) is the country's northernmost peninsula, covering a land area of approx 580 km2 (220 mi2). It is located at Westfjords' northern end, to the north of Jokulfirdir (5-fjords system) and to the northwest of Drangajokull (the country's northernmost glacier).

During season 2017, Port Isafjordur had scheduled a total of 106 cruise ship calls. The number of visiting cruise liners increases each year. The port's first cruise season (2000) started with just 15 ship calls. In 2016, the number grew to 83.