An eclipse-inspired trip to Iceland’s most remote, least-visited region

On August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep the skies over a swath of Europe, from the icy interior of Greenland to the white-sand beaches of the Balearic Islands. A moment of darkness will fall over Mallorca, Valencia, and other sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean, but the best place to experience the rare celestial treat might be 2,000 miles away, in the quietest corner of Iceland.

Out of the two million people who visit the country every year, only 15 percent make it to the Westfjords, a wispy peninsula far off the busy Ring Road on the northwest coast. This remote region will be the epicenter of eclipse activity in August, experiencing the longest period of totality in Europe at two minutes, 13 seconds. And when visitors aren’t admiring the halo-like ring around the moon through paper glasses, they’ll discover dazzling nature displays from cliffs peppered with puffins to the dancing northern lights. 

(A spectacular solar eclipse is coming. Here’s how to see it.)

Where to watch the eclipse

Summer 2026 will mark Iceland’s first total solar eclipse since 1954. The country’s western reaches—including Reykjavik—fall within the path of totality, but while the capital will go dark for only 58 seconds, parts of the Westfjords will bask in the pre-dusk twilight for twice as long. Látrabjarg, well-known for its seabird cliffs, is the closest to the centerline, which will arc across the Atlantic Ocean about 30 miles off the coast. Látrabjarg's volcanic crags rising almost 1,500 feet above the water are a scenic vantage point for the two minutes, 13 seconds of darkness. But it won’t be easy to secure a spot.

Sölvi Guðmundsson of Visit Westfjords says this is the viewing area that prospective eclipse spectators are most drawn to, yet “infrastructure and road conditions are limited.” The gravel road is notoriously rough, and because tourists have fallen from the cliffs in the past, visitor numbers will be controlled by a cap on the number of cars permitted. Safer options that are just as spectacular include the nearby red beach, Rauðisandur (two minutes, five seconds of totality), and Bolafjall (one minute, 39 seconds), a mountain with an observation deck at the northern end of the Westfjords. The road to the top of Bolafjall will be closed to private vehicles for the occasion, but visitors can catch a shuttle bus.

Guðmundsson recommends sticking to towns for better access to parking and restrooms. The regional capital, Ísafjörður, will have two designated viewing areas, and various sporting and community centers will welcome visitors in villages across the Westfjords: Súðavík, Bolungarvík, and Suðureyri in the north, Flateyri and Þingeyri as you travel west, and Bíldudalur, Tálknafjörður, and Patreksfjörður in the south. Iceland’s official eclipse website offers location-specific details on eclipse duration and timing.

Spotting wildlife and the northern lights

Látrabjarg is Europe’s largest bird cliff, providing a predator-free nesting site for millions of seabirds throughout the summer. From May through August, up to 60 percent of the world’s puffins gather here to breed and raise their pufflings. Dr. Erpur Snær Hansen, director of the South Iceland Nature Research Centre, says “the puffins are used to people outside the protection line along the cliff edge, but not to big crowds,” so they could avoid the colony on the day of the eclipse. Although razorbills, guillemots, and kittiwakes also frequent the cliffs, Hansen says only puffins and fulmars remain in mid-August.

Meanwhile, humpback and minke whales feast in the sheltered fjords between the feathery fingers of the hand-shaped peninsula. Tour operators like Odin Adventures see humpbacks on more than 90 percent of whale-watching excursions all summer. The long days leave ample time to admire cetaceans and birds by day, but 10 p.m. sunsets make Iceland’s breathtaking aurora borealis difficult to spot. The good news: as the nights get longer throughout August, the northern lights become more visible, and with solar eclipses always occurring on a new moon, visitors will get the darkest night skies and, therefore, the best chance of seeing the aurora that night.

(9 night sky events to see in August, from a total solar eclipse to the return of the northern lights)

Warming up in fjordside hot springs

Pulling over for frequent soaks is part of the Icelandic experience, and the Westfjords are rich with steaming, middle-of-nowhere hot pools set against near-otherworldly coastal vistas. On the southern shore, the 100-degree water of Hellulaug is contained in a stone basin directly on the beach in a nature reserve. A short drive west, Sundlaugin Laugarnesi Birkimel comprises a blue-painted concrete swimming pool and adjacent natural hot pot overlooking a bay. And just north of that, Reykjafjarðarlaug has the same two-for-one setup at the base of a mountain.

(Iceland’s bathing culture has been nominated by Unesco—here's why)

To escape the crowds that will certainly be vying for soaking time in the western half of the region, where the eclipse will be most visible, go east to Krossneslaug. Sitting in this pool on a black-pebble beach provides infinite ocean views and a high likelihood of spotting whales. But for the most unique experience, simmer in a pool that was blessed by a 13th-century bishop. The holy bath is on Hótel Laugarhóll’s property in the Strandir region known for its deep roots in witchcraft. (Visit the Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum in Hólmavík to learn more about that.)

Cozy restaurants and breweries in the Westfjords

Slurping plokkfiskur (Icelandic fish stew) at one of Tjöruhúsið’s long, candlelit communal tables is an obligatory Westfjords ritual. This buffet of seafood, soups, and hearty roast vegetables is set inside an 18th-century tar factory that retains its historic charm with timber-framed interiors and a tavern-like ambiance. The Ísafjörður haunt offers one lunch sitting and two dinner sittings. When passing through the regional capital, also grab a fresh cinnamon roll or avocado toast from the cafe Heimabyggð, and don’t miss Dokkan Brugghús for IPAs made from Westfjordian spring water and purified with volcanic lava.

Dining options are limited in the southwest, but Vegamót Bíldudal is a great choice for Icelandic pub grub in Bíldudalur, while Hótel Flókalundur serves three meals a day alongside sprawling fjord views.

Those who travel off the beaten eclipse path to Hólmavík should opt for a creative pizza—from spinach and date to lobster tail—at Café Riis and grab a lager from Galdur Brugghús (“the witchcraft brewery”) to wash it down.

Where to stay for the celestial event

Guðmundsson says “most hotels and guesthouses in the Westfjords have been fully booked for nearly two years” leading up to the 2026 eclipse, so camping is “an important option.” The region has plenty of natural space for pitching a tent, and there are dozens of campgrounds (some makeshift) to choose from on Visit Westfjords’ dedicated eclipse website. Among them are the Bolungarvík Campsite, which doubles as a viewing area and has a nearby pool; Flateyri Camping Ground, overlooking its namesake fishing village; and Hotel Heydalur, with its two geothermal hot tubs and greenhouse swimming pool.

As an alternative to traveling with bulky gear, Reykjavik has rental companies such as Icelandic Camping Equipment that lend out tents, sleeping pads, cooking stoves, and more. Just make sure to reserve in advance to secure your kit.

Getting to and around the region

Flying into the Westfjords via Ísafjörður Airport is half the fun. Planes arriving from Reykjavík—and only Reykjavík— swoop around a fjord and coast down a runway wedged tightly between the water and dramatic slopes. The bite-size airport has rental cars, and wheels are needed to get between towns and to the region’s remote attractions. Cars can also be rented from the Reykjavik airport, a three- to six-hour drive from villages in the Westfjords.

This summer’s eclipse will bring more tourists than the sleepy region is accustomed to or built for, so Visit Westfjords is urging spectators to get to their eclipse-day destination early and prepare to stay awhile to reduce traffic.