The Best of the Westfjords
Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Iceland
You’ll land at Keflavik international airport, only a short drive from the capital of Iceland. Grab your bags, hop in a car and let the adventure begin! You will head across the Reykjanes Peninsula, past Reykjavik towards the north. Summer days are long in Iceland and with plenty of daylight you’ll have enough time to explore the trendy and compact capital city on your way. Walk down the cobbled streets, check out the little shops and treat yourself to a lush meal – you’ll be spoilt for choice here. After dinner, head to Borgarnes where you’ll spend the night.
Day 2 – Travel to Snaefellsnes Peninsula
This morning is free for you to explore the area around Borgarnes and Reykholt. With plenty of museums and countless hiking trails you can get the best of both worlds. The stunning Hraunfossar lava waterfall is also worth a little detour.
Your destination today is the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Many travellers skip this part of Iceland making it a real hidden gem, and with its vast grasslands it’s a nice counterpart to the more rugged interior. As you approach the Snaefellsnes peninsula you’ll have a stunning view of the towering volcano in the distance, an inspiration to Jules Verne and a great photo opportunity. You will be welcomed by an Icelandic couple as you pull up to their small family guesthouse.
Day 3 – Snaefellsnes Peninsula: horse riding on the beach
Today you’ll be exploring Snaefellsnes peninsula, also known as ‘Iceland in miniature’. Clifftop hikes are a treat with the jaw-dropping scenery everywhere you look. But what better way to take in those views than from a horse back? You’ll join a small group of equine lovers and head out on an unforgettable ride. You’ll trot along the golden shoreline on Hraunladarif beach, with the sound of ocean waves crashing in the background. In the afternoon why not head to the shark museum on the north side and to explore the peninsula further.
Day 4 – Travel to the Westfjords
It’s an early start, and after your breakfast you’ll head straight to the port of Stykkishólmur, where you’ll need to exchange your vouchers for the ferry tickets by 8:30 am. The ferry will then swiftly depart at 9 am and begin its journey through Breidafjördur. There are thousands of islands in this fjord and during the crossing you might spot a few puffins in flight even a whale if you’re lucky. On the way the ferry stops briefly at the small island of Flatey, where you can spend a few hours exploring before continuing your way on the ferry. Once you have arrived in the Westfjords, you will drive along the south coast to the region around Látrabjarg, where you will spend the next few days of your trip.
Day 5 – Drive to Látrabjarg in the Westfjords
Today you continue your Iceland Westfjords tour to the Látrabjarg bird rock. When you arrive at the car park by the lighthouse, you’ll spot the first puffins. You’ll see a lot of them later during your hike along the cliffs. In the afternoon we recommend a trip to Raudasandur Beach (‘Red Sand’). The gravel road snakes to the coast, where you’re rewarded with stunning views of the multihued beach, where the sand changes its colour from copper red to golden. Watch the seals basking in the sun on a warm day before stopping in a tiny cafe.
Day 6 – Drive to Ísafjördur and the fishermen food trail
Travel along winding coastal roads and steep passes to Ísafjördur, the largest city in the Westfjords. Picturesque fishing towns and spectacular waterfalls invite you to take a break along the way. The impressive Dynjandi waterfall in particular is a true natural masterpiece! We will book two nights in a hotel in or near Ísafjördur for you, so you can settle in and get ready to explore the area. Today you’ll head out to explore a tiny traditional village where everything revolves around fishing. You’ll walk around with a local guide, learn about day-to-day life and get to taste the freshest seafood (straight from the ocean!).
Day 7 – Ísafjördur: kayaking in the fjord
Today you explore the Westfjords in a special way. Together with a professional guide and other adventurers, you’ll paddle between cliffs and mountains in your sea kayak. You can watch birds from the water, and sometimes curious seals swim around! You will be kayaking in the fjord, where the water is calm and clear. Don’t forget to dress up for the weather!
The rest of the time here is free for you to do as you please. With plenty of hikes and stunning nature all around you won’t get bored.
Days 8 -9 – Strandir region and Grimsey island tour
Today the journey continues to the east coast of the Westfjords, also known as Strandir. The landscape here is characterised by countless beaches with driftwood and a multitude of small fjords with endless hiking trails. You will be staying in a small town of Drangsnes (subject to availability), with numerous geo-thermal pools right on the coast where locals come in the evenings to socialise. If you’re lucky, you might spot whales from the shore. North of Drangsnes, and about a couple of hours drive, you’ll find a natural swimming pool at the world’s end with unparalleled views of the Atlantic.
The next day you will explore Grimsey Island, where colonies of razorbills and cormorants reside and thousands of puffins fly across. After watching the wildlife from the boat, you’ll come ashore and together with your guide, walk up to the lighthouse with mesmerising views across the island. This is one of the few islands in Iceland where you can watch Atlantic puffins from up close. And if you’re in luck, you might spot a few humpback whales breaching the water not far from the boat.
Days 10-11 – Whales and witchcraft of Strandir
In Strandir everything is much quieter than in the tourist regions of Iceland. Start the day in peace and quiet with a hearty breakfast, pack warm clothing and head to Holmavik for a whale-watching tour. Onboard a traditional fishing boat, you’ll set out in search of the giant creatures spouting water off the coast. After approximately two hours, you’ll return to the harbour. Afterwards, you can start driving towards Keflavik, but before you leave the area, we’ve prepared something magical for you to check: the Museum of Sorcery and Magic, where you will learn about Icelandic witchcraft and wizardry and try your hand at making yourself invisible! You’ll then continue driving all the way back to Keflavik, where you’ll spend the final night. The next morning you’ll drop off your car and the airport and catch your flight back home.
Accommodation
