Ísafjörður, Iceland

Ísafjörður, meaing "fjord of ices" is the largest settlement in Iceland's peninsula of Vestfirðir and was originally settled in the 9th century.  In the 16th century, the town became a trading post for foreign merchants, was the birthplace of the Icelandic shrimp industry, and became home to the largest saltfish exporter in the country.  The town also contains the oldest collection of timber frame houses in Iceland.

We approach through the Skutulsfjordur fjord.

Approaching the town

Pilot boat comes out to meet us

We walk into the port and immediately come on the museum, with lots of artifacts from the years of fishing at the port.  After the museum, we walk through the port into the town, past fishing vessels and people (bundled up) heading out whale watchnig.

Left over from fishing

Current fishing

Whale watching

Timber frame houses

The harbor

We pass through the town and onto a path up into the hills beyond the town, giving us great views of the harbor and the landscape.

Path up into the hills

Looking back at town

The trail continues around town

We descend back into town and wander back to the port, past the colorful wooden frame houses.

Wooden houses (and shops)

Fishing boat in back yard

As with all the Icelandic towns we've visited, there is the occastional sculpture and colorful artwork throughout the town.

Art in the town

As our ship leaves the port, we pass close by fish farms and depart this quiet fishing village.

Fish farms