Cruise calls to Ísafjörður, Iceland, have been steadily increasing over the last 13 years. Cruise calls have gone up from 7 (1997) to 27 (2009) and the number of passengers has multiplied.
Naturally, the tourism infrastructure has had to cope with this dramatic increase and local tour operators, businesses and others have stepped up in order to cater to the passengers needs. Day trips in Ísafjörður now include a boat trip to the beautiful puffin island of Vigur and a road trip to neighboring Ósvör where guests are greeted by an old timer fisherman in an original g-string, which was part of the fishermen´s protective clothing back in the 19th century.
One of the biggest attractions in Ísafjörður is the heritage museum, located in one of the four oldest houses found in the region. Sun dried salted fish, marinated shark and other treats can be found there amongst other things.
Tourism is a relatively new industry in Ísafjörður, but the locals are learning fast. No wonder, as every year the town is visited by new cruise liners as well as old friends. Perfectly aware that Ísafjörður has no castles or amusement parks, the locals focus on what makes the region special. Amazing bird life, beautiful scenery and a surprisingly metropolitan atmosphere is what is and will be the main attraction of Ísafjörður.
