Explore the Látrabjarg Area.
Discover our beautiful environment.
The Látrabjarg Area
Látrabjarg marks the western-most part of Europe. It hosts millions of birds and is vital for their survival as it hosts up to 40% of the world population for some species e.g. the Razorbill. It is Europe’s largest bird cliff, 14km long and up to 440m high. See The Bird Cliffs.
Raudisandur is also a unique place to visit and you should allocate time to visit this beautiful hidden secret of Iceland. From Hotel Latrabjarg it takes about 20-30 minutes to drive to Raudisandur.
Dynjandi is one of the highlights of the Diamond Circle. It is a must to visit and see with your own eyes. You visit Dynjandi by driving over the Dynjandi pass from the bottom of Arnarfjordur (The direction to Pingeyri and Isafjordur) or from Vatnsfjordur/Flokalundur. After enjoying the beautiful scenery at Dynjandi, you either continue towards Hotel Látrabjarg via Vatnsfjordur and Bardastrond or via Arnarfjordur, Talknafjordur and Patreksfjordur village.
Other places of interest are: Keflavik, Hvalllatrar, Kollsvik, Hnjotur Museum, Selardalur, Hranfseyri museum, Talknafjordur, Arnarfjordur, Bildudalur, Lokinhamrar. You can go fishing, play golf, relax in outdoor spa pools in nearby villages, hiking, enjoy the golden beach, see the midnight sun, and take in the fresh air, clean water and unspoilt nature.
The Westfjord
From Hotel Latrabjarg you drive through the small fishing village of Patreksfjordur over a small pass to Talknafjordur and another pass to Arnarfjordur.
Selardalur An interesting place to visit is Selardalur, the home of the odd and remarkable person Gisli Gislason. He lived alone on a farm named Uppsalir almost without any communication with other people. He was famous for living in total harmony with nature, not having to use any money or modern facilities such as electricity, machines or vehicles. Now there are plans to make a museum out of his former home. Another interesting person, Samuel Jonsson who was named “the artist with the child heart” also lived in Selardalur and what is left of his weathered artwork can still been seen and examined there. You drive through the village Bildudalur to visit Selardalur.
The art of nature lasts longer than man made works of art and Dynjandi is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Iceland. It is a short drive from the bottom of Arnarfjordur over a pass to Dynjandi.
museum
Another great place of interest in Arnarfjordur is the Jon Sigurdsson museum at Hrafnseyri, the birthplace of Jon Sigurdsson who was at the forefront of Icelandic battle of independence in the 19th century. The National holiday of Iceland is 17 June. One can say that here is the heart of the Icelandic independence.
Kleifaheidi pass From Dynjandi it is a short drive to back to Vatnsfjordur and Flokalundur, a nice place to rest, and then there is about one hour drive back to Hotel Latrabjarg along Bardastrond and over the Kleifaheidi Pass. The early settler Hrafna Floki settled in Vatnsfjordur but experienced a harsh winter with snow and ice that resulted in loss of his entire stock. He then became angry and named the land Iceland before his departure from the country. Other settlers, Vikings with more survival skills, then came and managed to survive.
Activities
Whatever else, you will not be short of something to do in this area.
Beach
The beach with beautiful golden sand and crystal clear water is only 5-10 minutes walk away. It is about 2-3km long and is ideal for a romantic evening walk while watching the setting of the midnight sun. Although swimming and sunbathing is not common amongst the handful of local people, for those who are used to swimming in colder waters, For the adventurous healthy and brave ones some may want to try a swim in the cold ocean for a minute or two.
Bird Watching
The Latrabjarg cliffs are world famous and it hosts millions of birds and is vital for their survival. Up to 40% of the world population for some species e.g. the Razor bill. It is Europe’s largest bird cliff, 14km long and up to 440m high.
Fishing
The nearby Sauðlauksdalur lake is ideal for trout fishing. Please let us know in advance if you would like us to acquire a fishing license for you.
Also if you are interested to go on a boat trip on a sightseeing tour or sea angling.
Golf
There is a 9 hole golf course 25 minutes drive from Hotel Latrabjarg.
Touring
Although not all metaled, most of the roads are accessible to ordinary cars. You can either follow the West Fjords mini circle or we can suggest other trips for you.
Hiking
Heated outdoor swimming pools can be found in the nearby towns of Patreksfjordur and Talknafjordur. There you can also enjoy outdoor spa pools that are heated to comfortable 38 degrees. Natural hot springs, ideal for bathing can also be found in the area.
Iceland is the perfect country for adventure. If you love nature, peace and sightseeing, this is a perfect fit. Depending on the season you visit, you will get to know a different side of the island (see the best time to visit below). The most popular activities among tourists are:
- Waterfalls. There is an endless supply of stunning waterfalls around the country. Make sure to visit Dynjandi in the Westfjords, or Skogafoss in the South.
- Northern lights. This spectacle is highly visible during the winter months in Iceland, (Sept-March). Make sure to use an App to measure the probability of Aurora lightning up the sky!
- Puffins! This happy little fellows are a huge attraction on the Latrabjarg Cliffs. Just make sure to visit during summer to find them.
- Horseback riding. A popular activity, Iceland’s beautiful landscape is perfect to go horseback riding.
- Hiking. A must-do if you like adventure. Iceland is home to plenty of beautiful sights hidden on the other side of each mountain and Fjord. Glacier hiking is also widely popular, just make sure to do this with a guide, as beautiful as glaciers are, they can be dangerous!
- Relax in thermal waters. When visiting Iceland, there is a hotspring around every corner. If you feel particularly adventurous, you can try dipping in the cold Pacific-ocean waters, and later going back into the hotspring.
As of the beginning of 2023, there is no Uber service in Iceland. This being a big island with widely spread cities, it is recommended to rent a car while you visit. If you do not feel like driving, there are other means of transportation available, such as taxis, buses and tours. In Reykjavik you can also find electric scooters from Hopp or Zolo.
Iceland’s legal currency is the Icelandic Krona. Although, must establishments (and even buses) will accept credit card payments. See the exchange rate from USD to ISK here.
It all depends on what side of Iceland you want to experience. If you wish to visit during the warmest season, then summer (July to August) is your best option. During this time you can also find seasonal birds like the Puffins in the Latrabjarg cliffs. If you want to experience a magical side of Iceland, filled with Northern lights, then winter (September to February) is the best choice. Every season here is full of wonder and each has its own charm that will take your breath away.
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