Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.07.2018, Page 56

Travel
The best of Icelandic produce
with a nod to Japan and South
America. Modern Icelandic
flavours, share plates and award
winning cocktails.
Sushi Social
Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík
Tel. 568 6600 • sushisocial.is
Our kitchen is open
17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.
17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.
SOCIALIZE
WITH THE
LOCALS
ICELANDIC
SEAFOOD
makes world’s best sushi
Tucked away in the southernmost
region of the Westfjords lies Pa-
tréksfjörður, a peaceful fishing
town of around 700 inhabitants.
It’s a great hub for exploring the
lower reaches of the Westfjords,
sitting conveniently close to the
towering Látrabjarg bird cliffs
that mark the wind-whipped
westernmost point of the Euro-
pean continent.
Stay: Fosshótel
Westfjords
The Fosshotel chain has reliably
comfortable hotels dotted all
around Iceland, and the Westf-
jords branch is no exception. The
rooms are crisply decorated, with
soft beds and windows looking
out over the water. The bar has a
happy hour from 5-7pm every day,
and the restaurant serves tasty
meals at night and a sumptuous
buffet breakfast.

Visit: Húsið Creative
Space
The recently-opened Húsið cre-
ative space is a boon for Pa-
treksfjorður, hosting a monthly
exhibition programme with ac-
companying artist talks. They
also sell local handicrafts, Reykja-
vík Roasters coffee, and an assort-
ment of interesting posters and
design objects. If you fall in love
with the town and decide to move
to Patreksfjörður, you could also
hire a desk in the coworking space
on the second floor.
Swim: Patreksfjörður
Pool
Patreksfjörður’s municipal pool
is one of the most picturesque in
Iceland. It has transparent wind
barriers that afford views out over
the fjord to the towering moun-
tains opposite. The hot pots are
temperate at 40° and 42°, and
there’s a shallow kids pool if you
want to luxuriate in some rare
summer sun. If you want some-
thing a bit wilder, keep a lookout
on the drive into town: there are
some signposted geothermal hot
pots along Route 60.
Eat: Heimsendi &
Stúkuhúsið
Other than Fosshotel, there are
two restaurants in town: the
cosy harbourside Heimsendir,
which serves local delights like
goose, duck, meat, cod cheeks
and even a vegan quinoa option,
and the diner-ish Stúkúhúsið,
which serves sandwiches and
cakes by day, and a choice of fish
or lamb with vegetables by night.
Visit: Minjasafn Egils
Ólafssonar
As you tr undle out towards
Látrabjarg to spot some puffins,
you’ll pass this curious-looking
museum. Inside there’s a treasure
trove of local history curated by
the late Egill Ólafsson, a local man
and avid collector of everything
from seal hunting blades to boats,
antique prosthetics and fishing
equipment, and even two spindles
f rom the Vi k i ng era. It ’s a
fascinating glimpse into the
hardships of Westfjordian life
over the centuries.
Hike: Rauðisandur
On the south side of the peninsula
lies Rauðisandur, a long beach of
deep, reddish sand. Over a rough
mountain trail, the widescreen
view is something to see. In the
summer, there’s a café and camp-
site, and accessible hiking trails
around the surrounding moun-
tains; in winter, however, the
treacherous road is best avoided.
Must-See: Látrabjarg
The final stop is Látrabjarg. At the
westernmost point of Iceland, the
landmass ends dramatically, with
high, tilted spikes of turf leaning
away from the sea, creating an
11km stretch of dizzyingly high
cliffs. Looking down to the churn-
ing ocean, you’ll see that the rocks
are alive with seabirds, from com-
mon gulls to razorbills, oyster-
catchers, and puffins, who visit en
masse to nest during the summer
months each year.
Patreksfjörður
Hidden places, wildlife and Westfjordian wonders
Words: John Rogers Photos: Timothée Lambrecq
Distance from Reykjavík: 375 km
How to get there: Route One North, Route 60 & 63
Car provided by: gocarrental.is
Acommodation provided by: fosshotel.is