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Isafjörður

Isafjörður, meaning ‘ice fjord’ in Icelandic, is a large fishing port in the north west of Iceland, also known as the ‘westfjords’ region.

A large fishing port that offers stunning scenery and natural attractions

Isafjörður, meaning ‘ice fjord’ in Icelandic, is a large fishing port in the north west of Iceland, also known as the ‘westfjords’ region. The perfect natural harbor serves ferries to nearby settlements.

If you’re in the mood for stunning scenery and natural attractions, then come ashore in Ísafjörður. The town has a special folkloric ambiance, perhaps due to its unique location just below the Arctic Circle.

Leave your luxury MSC ship in dock and prepare to indulge in the simple pleasures of walking, sightseeing and bird-watching. Those in search of heritage and history can head to the Maritime Museum, housed in one of the oldest buildings in Ísafjörður and which traces the life and history of the settlement with a fascinating array of fishing gear and variety of boats.

Join us on one of our excursion packages within this area which offer great  deals on local sights. Why not take the town tour, where you can pick up holiday souvenirs, such as traditional handicrafts or artworks.

Another top attraction is the Hornstrandir nature reserve; a paradise for keen walkers, we recommend you bring your hiking boots and enjoy the natural trails and paths (there are no roads here) and enjoy the myriad of wild flowers and native birds.

For ornithologists, Isafjörður may well prove to be a highlight of their vacation; take the 30-minute boat tour to the island of Vigur, where you will see the extraordinary colony (3,500 nests) of eider ducks as well as puffins, black guillemots and arctic terns.

Cruise to Isafjordur - Iceland - Northen Europe - MSC Cruises

Directions


Ship docks right in the centre of the town.

Port average temperature

The temperate figures shown are based on monthly average weather conditions for the selected port. Weather data is not real-time, and sometimes no data is shown for a specific date, month or port in general.

ISAFJORDURMonths
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 IFJ01 - BOAT TRIP TO VIGUR ISLAND - 3 hours - 2012
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Snack  The lovely island of Vigur is a green oasis nestling in the blue waters of the Isafjardardjup fjord. In spring, the island is a nesting place for countless birds and in the summer months puffins, arctic terns, black guillemots and eider ducks can be seen in large numbers. A 30-minute boat transfer will take us to Vigur where we will take a leisurely walk around the island to discover its natural beauty and unspoilt environment. The duck's nests are carefully protected by collecting Eiderdown is still permitted during spring. Traditional farming methods are still practiced on the island and visitors can see Iceland's only windmill, built in 1840 and used to grind wheat imported from Denmark. The timeless feel is enhanced by the collection of historic houses which date back to the last centuries: Viktoria House was erected in 1862 and the second house was erected by a young priest in 1884, an ancestor of the family living in Vigur today. Before returning to Isafjordur we will see one of the smallest post offices in Europe and enjoy coffee and Icelandic cake.
Please note: limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only. No guide during the boat trip; she will wait on the island. This tour is not recommended for guests who are in a wheelchair. The sighting of the birds cannot be guaranteed.

Price per person $116.00 Adults $81.00 Children

   


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 IFJ02 - LIFE & CULTURE IN ISAFJORDUR - 3 hours - 2012
Level of difficulty: easy  Filming and Photographs Prohibited  The town of Isafjordur is the biggest settlement in the west fjords of Iceland and a key centre for trade and culture. The oldest part of the town, Nedstikaupstadur, features houses from the XVIII century which pay testament to Isafjordur's former importance as one of the main trading centres in Iceland. Starting at the pier, drive into the centre of the town along a narrow coastal road passing the small town of Bolungarvik; here we will visit the church and "Osvor", an old fisherman's hut, restored in 1988. The village of Bolungarvik lies on a picturesque bay surrounded by steep mountains. The scenic drive to Isafjordur offers fantastic views of the mountains that surround the fjord. Our trip also takes us through the historic district of Isafjordur, to the Maritime Museum, located in one of the oldest houses of Iceland. Enjoy a typical Icelandic snack complete with schnapps and dried fish.
Please note : limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only.

Price per person $101.00 Adults $71.00 Children

   


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 IFJ03 - GLACIER FJORDS & HESTEYRI BY BOAT - 4,5 hours - 2012
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Snack  Leave the pier and board a boat to one of the most beautiful and remote areas of Iceland, the beaches of Hornstrandir. An hour-long cruise takes us to Hesteyri, the westernmost bay of the Glacier Fjords. With very limited lowland, this isolated spit of land is framed by steep cliffs and is set against a backdrop of two beautiful mountains. Until 1950s Hesteyri only had a small and scattered community centered around a whaling station and a herring processing factory. By joining this tour you will gain insight into the difficult lives of those living in this remote place and learn how these communites were obliged to leave when herring fisheries closed. Now a beautiful nature reserve, this is one of the wildest spots in Iceland and we can enjoy the area in all its glory during a walking tour before stopping for a light snack of Icelandic pancake, rye-bread with smoked lamb and coffee.
Please note : limited number of guides in languages other than English. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be provided in English only. This tour is not recommended for guests who are in a wheelchair. No guide during the boat trip; she will wait on the island.

Price per person $115.00 Adults $81.00 Children

   


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The excursions in the program above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this program is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine.


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