We offer Guided Walks through Ísafjörður in the Westfjords of Iceland
Ísafjörður Walk An interesting journey through time
Are you interested in history and how people lived in the past centuries?
Are you fascinated by old houses?
Why are people proud to live here now?
Do you like listening to legends and stories?
Do you like to get information about Nature?
Helga was a fantastic guide! She is so courteous and knowledgeable! We had a wonderful day with her, we participated in all of the activities she provided, she is a dynamo! We never would have received such outstanding service from an excursion off the ship. She is truly a gem! (2024)
Helga brought the history of this quaint fjord town alive with a wonderful clarity. She met us at the dock of our cruise ship and spent the time answering all of our questions as she explained and showed through pictures what life was like in the 1800's for those living in this town. (2024)
Our time with Helga and her son Tobias in Isafjordur was truly one of the highlights of our vacation in Northern Europe. From top to bottom, from head to toe, this tour was complete. Helga thrilled us with a nature/city walk which highlighted the natural beauty of Iceland, its rich cultural heritage, its interesting folklore, and then ending our adventure at her lovely home, enjoying Icelandic delicacies. For a truly memorable experience, I recommend the nature walk, the city walk, and the great company of Helga and her son, this is the best way to learn about Iceland and Isafjordur, and all that the area has to offer. This is a 10 out of 10 experience! (2024)
We loved our experiences with Helga and Tobias during our visit to Isafjordur with a cruise! Our small group tour was personal, informative and just what we were looking for. Helga provided information about the town and its history and then we continued onto a forest walk with Tobias. They shared the beautiful landscape filled with wonderful stories. Thank you! (2024)
I loved Isafjordur and Helga and Tobias made this enchanting village more special with their wonderful walking tour. It was so nice to connect with people that know the town, it’s history and know Iceland, past and present. Take the walking tour, the nature tour too. Some friends also had lunch at Helga’s home and raved about it. I wish we had too. Dress warm and where hiking shoes.(2024)
Interesting walking tour of the town- including it’s history and modern times. Tobias was quite knowledgeable and we learned about plants, geology, local lore, how people have made a living here over the years. (2024)
We did a walking tour with Helga during our day in port as part of a cruise. She was very informative and we loved the way she presented the history of the town in contrast to its current state. She took us off the beaten path to areas we probably wouldn't have seen on our own and certainly gave us a better experience by sharing information about the area. We would highly recommend this tour! (2023)
Helga is the best! Even though she has only lived in Iceland since 1997, she has totally accepted this country as her own, and she is very knowledgeable in the local culture of Isafjordur. Dressed in her traditional garb of the 1800s, she tells the story of how people worked and lived life in this town back in 1873, which we found very interesting. We also opted for the additional nature walk, tasting tour, and church tour and were definitely not disappointed. (2023)
Thank you Helga for the wonderful tour!!! You have transformed a cloudy and cold day into a spectacular one, full of information in so many fields: local legends and modern life, geology, flora and fauna and many, many others. It was a pleasure to meet you. Best regards, Eugenia. (2023)
This was the best tour we had on the entire cruise. We were lucky to be the only ones and to get Daniel, a great tour guide. He was in character as an Icelandic person from 1830 for part of the tour. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the area. I would recommend this tour over the (overpriced) tour options that we had offered from the ship. Dress warmly - it’s windy by the shore. (2023)
Really enjoyed this walking tour. Daniel is a fantastic guide. We met Daniel outside the secured cruise port area at the scheduled time of 11 am. We were the only customers so it ended up being a private tour. In 2 hours we walked around most of the town and learned Isafjordur history dating back to the 1800s. Daniel even had photos showing what the area looked like in the 1800's. Spoke to another couple who took the ship sponsored walking tour, our tour was much better. (2023)
Many thanks Helga for the very personal and informative walk through Isafjordur. We got a very good first insight into the city and the way of life in the past and today. (2023)
We had a very wonderful and informative tour with Dan today. He is a very good guide and we enjoyed our time and learned a lot. Thanks (2023)
Fabulous time. Tobias was most informative and very pleasant. Thank you! (2023)
Helga, dressed in the traditional garb of a 19th century fisherwoman, took 11 of us on a delightful and informative tour of the town of Isafjordur, pointing out the history and uses of its buildings. She also shared with us some of the foods of the past times that remain popular today: dried, salted fish, aquavit, chocolate and licorice. What a delightful person Helga is: jolly and patient with our children. I highly recommend her! (2022)
We were in Isafjordur during a recent cruise. We enjoy private or small group tours and Helga’s tour was exactly what we were looking for. We learned a lot about the history of the area. She was a superb guide for our two hour tour. (2022)
We did a walking tour with Helga during our day in port as part of a cruise. She was very informative and we loved the way she presented the history of the town in contrast to its current state. She took us off the beaten path to areas we probably wouldn't have seen on our own and certainly gave us a better experience by sharing information about the area. We would highly recommend this tour! (2022)
Really enjoyed this tour with Helga. It was so thorough, and I learned so much about Isafjordur and its fishing history. Particularly enjoyable, was the walking the trail above the town. There are beautiful panoramic views of the area, and the blue/purple lupine were in full bloom. And, Helga is delightful! (2022)
We had an excellent, guided walk with Helga yesterday. She knows her town well and filled our time with history and tales from long ago, as well as many current beliefs. She dressed the part, too! We highly recommend the walk - fresh, cool air with beautiful views. Can’t get better than that. (2022)
We did a walking tour with Helga during our day in port as part of a cruise. She was very informative and we loved the way she presented the history of the town in contrast to its current state. She took us off the beaten path to areas we probably wouldn't have seen on our own and certainly gave us a better experience by sharing information about the area. We would highly recommend this tour! (2022)
Enjoyed listening to Helga as we walked around town and into the hills of Isafjordur. She obviously loves her home and sharing stories about how life has changed over the years. Definitely the better choice over a cruise ship tour!! I hope our paths cross again! (2019)
I cannot say enough positive things about our Isafjordur walk with Helga Hausner last June. Ms. Helga promptly responded to all communication to help us book our custom tour well in advance. She was warm and personable and made us feel at home for our walk. It's clear she really enjoys what she does and is extremely knowledgeable about the history of Isafjordur. (2018)
Helga's tour was everything it was advertised to be. The tour began promptly as she led us through the town, sharing highlights of the history and culture of the town in its heyday. She shared photos of the city in the 1890's and told stories about the buildings and the people who inhabited the buildings. We left with a real sense of what life was like during that time period, while also learning about current events. (2019)
Helga is a passionate and very nice person. Historical walk with all the stories around Isafjodur was not only enlightening but also full of emotion. We highly recommend. (2019)
Helga led a Wonderful tour of Ísafjörður -- fun and knowledgeable. A great way to see this special town and environs. She is a great tour guide...a very nice addition to our week in Iceland. (2019)
We had booked a 2-hour walk with Helga. She was dressed in the national costume at the turn of the century to the meeting point. On this walk we learned a lot about the trolls, ghosts and fairies, but also about the development of the place, which she reported with great passion. Also for children certainly an interesting kind of educational walk. We would always book with Helga again. (2019)
Helga appeared over punctually and dressed in the national costume at the turn of the century to the meeting point. On this walk we learned a lot about the trolls, ghosts and fairies, but also about the development of the place, which she reported with great passion. Also for children certainly an interesting kind of educational walk. We would always book with Helga again. (2019)
It was a very interesting walk we had with Lisa. She told us light and funny stories about elves and trolls, just as if she had just experienced that. We also learned a lot about history. We can highly recommend that walk!
Helga led a Wonderful tour of Ísafjörður -- fun and knowledgeable. A great way to see this special town and environs. She is a great tour guide...a very nice addition to our week in Iceland. (2019)
We took the walking tour of the town with Nina in August and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. She was very informative, had a great since of humor, and provided a most enjoyable tour. (2019)
Our small group met Nina on the quayside during our cruise call at Isafjordur. She was pleasant, spoke good English and was very informative. The history and culture of the town and Icelanders in general came through very strongly to us. Nina took us up on to higher ground on the outskirts of town and then we finished our tour down in town again inside the interesting church. Nina recommended food places and coffee stops to round off our tour. Would definitely recommend this tour. Something different, personal, and very interesting. (2019)
We enjoyed our walk so much. You certainly helped us see what it was like for the farmers, fishermen and, most importantly the women back so many years ago. It’s an amazing part of our world. (2018)
It was a real experience! Thank you to take us on the journey through the time. (2018)
The small town of Ísafjörður is unique in Iceland. Its unusually well-preserved city centre dates from the 19th century and still reflects its charming history that remains alive in the legends and stories. Ísafjörður is known today for its cultural and artistic diversity.
Our guide meets you, dressed as a fishworker from the 19th Century, and takes you on a walk through the city. You will visit interesting places, such as historical houses and trade centers from the prime time of Ísafjörður and get an insight into the history of Ísafjörður and hear legends and stories from the past and present.
You will learn interesting facts about the people, their living conditions, their beliefs and their culture, which are reflected in the legends.
Below the avalanche barriers on the slopes above Ísafjördur, you have a fascinating view over the ford and encircled by valleys and mountains. You will receive a clear introduction to the geology and vegetation of the Westfjords and the function of the avalanche barriers.
On the way she shares her lunch box with you. Our walk ends at the church.
Route description: At the end, a comfortable walk up to the slopes above the city. At the steepest point, a height difference of 30 m must be overcome over a distance of 100 m. On the slope we walk on a flat route with stony ground and also over grass, so good shoes are necessary. Total height difference 68 m.
Price for one: 12.900 ISK; children up to 16 free
(minimum 2 people, but if only ONE want to go 25.000 ISK)
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Extension: Out into nature
The walk after Ísafjörður Walk takes us into the beautiful nature on the mountain slopes with a beautiful view over the fjord and the adjacent valleys. Depending on your interest, you will get an insight into the Icelandic vegetation, see the plants in their natural environment, learn how the Westfjords were formed and hear legends and stories.
Price Ísafjörður Walk (2 hrs) + 1 hrs extension: 19.500 ISK
Children 10-16: 3.300 ISK
Extension: Tasting of traditional foods
Here a tasting is integrated in the Ísafjörður Walk. You will have the opportunity to taste the following dishes: fermented shark, Brennivín (Islandic brandy), Icelandic flatbread with smoked lamb and typical Icelandic sweets. You will also receive information about the history and preparation of these dishes.
Price Ísafjörður Walk (2 hrs)+ tasting 20 min: 16.700 ISK
Children 10-16: 1.900 ISK
After the Ísafjörður Walk, you have the opportunity to visit the evangelical church with its famous mural. Of all the tourists, only my guests are allowed to visit the church outside of the very unreliable opening times. It is a special experience to admire the flock of 746 red clay golden plovers that cover the wall behind the altar. All the birds are unique because they were made by the residents of our place.
Price Ísafjörður Walk (2 hrs) + Church tour 20 min 15.700 ISK
Children 10-16: free
You can also book all extensions together with the Ísafjörður Walk.
Daily in summer at 10:00, 14:00 and 17:00 (On cruise ship days change start times)
in winter at 14:00
Meeting point: Tourist-Information-Center (or at the port)
Elevation: up to 68 m
Group size: 2-12 people
