Enjoy a spectacular week in one of Iceland’s most charming and least-known regions, one that’s surprisingly close to Reykjavik.

West Iceland contains everything that makes Iceland so unique. Discover hot springs, glacier-capped volcanoes, magnificent waterfalls, lava caves and majestic fjords. You’ll also have the chance to get to know the mysterious Western Fjords, some of Iceland’s most spectacular scenery and magnificent wildlife.

Day 1: Arrival

Approximate distance: 100 km

Pick up the car at the airport and begin your Icelandic experience.

From Keflavik International Airport, we recommend driving along the south coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula to your first night in the charming village of Hveragerdi. As your flight arrives early in the day, you could stop off at the Blue Lagoon (a short distance from the airport) to relax in the soothing geothermal mineral waters.

Overnight in Hveragerdi.

** Important: Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon must be booked in advance.

Day 2: Reykjavik – Snaefellsnes Peninsula – Stykkisholmur

Approx. distance: 355 km

Breakfast in your accommodation. Drive along the west coast towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You’ll pass through Borgarfjordur, a pretty region of mountains, rivers and charming farms. Pass the perfectly formed Eldborg crater, which looks like it belongs to the moon. You can hike into the crater to peer into its depths and discover the amazing landscape.

Throughout the day, enjoy views of the Snaefellsjokull glacier, the icy cone-shaped peak that covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD. Keep an eye out for Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain.

The day ends in Stykkisholmur, a charming, environmentally-friendly town with beautiful wooden buildings originally imported from Norway in the 1800s.

Overnight at Stykkisholmur or similar on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Day 3: Stykkisholmur – Brjanslaekur – West Fjords:

Approx. distance: 229 km

Breakfast at your accommodation. Sail through Breidafjordur Bay, home to over 3,000 small islands inhabited by nesting seabirds and playful seals. You’ll pass by Flatey Island, a beloved summer vacation spot for Icelanders.

Then explore the region’s main attraction, the Latrabjarg cliffs, Europe’s most westerly point. This beautiful natural sculpture has been recognized by Lonely Planet and National Geographic as one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. The cliffs offer a magnificent view of the beautiful beaches during the summer midnight sun.

Overnight in the Patreksfjordur region

Day 4: Patreksfjordur – Bildudalur – Thingeyri – Isafjordur

Approximate distance: 175 km

Breakfast at your accommodation. Travel through the spectacular western fjords, keeping an eye out for hot springs hidden among the rugged moors.

At the Dynjandi waterfall, the thundering power of the main cascade falls 100 meters from the edge of a mountain. The base of the waterfall offers a seaward view over lush valleys, making it an ideal picnic stop.

Continue on to Isafjordur, the region’s largest town and honorary capital of the Western Fjords.

The town boasts some of the country’s oldest buildings, beautifully preserved. If you want to add another activity, we recommend sea kayaking. The area has peaceful water for kayaking, and it’s an interesting way to get an up-close view of bird life.

Overnight in the Isafjordur region.

Day 5: Isafjordur – Holmavik – Strandir – Laugar Saelingsdalur:

Approx. distance: 355 km

Breakfast at your accommodation. You cross the many uninhabited cottages of the Isafjardardjup fjord, with its magnificent coastline teeming with seals and birds, to the village of Holmavik. The Arctic Fox Centre in Sudavik is an interesting place to visit and discover these charming animals so widespread in the western fjords.

Overnight in the Laugar region of Saelingsdalur

Day 6: Laugar Saelingsdalur – Borgarfjordur – Reykjavik

Approximate distance: 270 km

Breakfast at your accommodation. Drive to Eiriksstadir, the Viking-age home of Erik the Red and birthplace of his son Leif Eriksson, who discovered North America. Discover the grass-covered replica of his house and the adjacent excavation site, where you can stand in the doorway and share the magnificent view over the Haukadalur valley.

Cross Borgarfjordur, one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets. It’s a popular vacation destination for Icelanders from Reykjavik. It contains a charming mix of miniature forests, waterfalls, caves and views of the Langjokull glacier.

Visit the Hraunfoss waterfall where the water sparkles with moss-covered lava in the cerulean waters below.

Borgarfjordur is also a great place to discover handicrafts and delicious farm-fresh treats. The Ullarselid wool center at the Icelandic Agricultural Museum in Hvanneyri sells handicrafts made from wool and other materials. Stedji is a microbrewery located on a farm. You can visit the tasting room and try some truly unique beers.

Continue via Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord) to Reykjavik.

Overnight in Reykjavik

Day 7: Round trip to Keflavik

Approx. distance: 52 km

Breakfast in your accommodation. Return to Keflavik international airport to collect the car. Your rental car must be returned to the airport service area, located just 2 minutes from the airport building. Take a transfer back to Reykjavik, or if you didn’t visit the Blue Lagoon on the way into town on the first day but have some free time today, you might like to take advantage of it on the way to the airport. A shuttle will then take you to the departure hall.

Overnight in Reykjavik

Laugavegur Trek

End your visit to Iceland on Iceland’s most famous hiking trail! From Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork – the Laugavegur Trail.

Hike Iceland’s most famous trail! From Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork – the Laugavegur trail. Iceland’s most famous hiking trail Laugavegur is known the world over for its astonishing, breathtaking scenery. A 4-day trekking adventure to discover Iceland’s high plateaus and varied landscapes. Glaciers, bubbling hot springs, lava fields, multicolored mountains and much more!

Day 1: REYKJAVIK – LANDMANNALAUGAR – HRAFNTINNUSKER

12km, 4-5 hours’ walk, + 470m ascent

Departure by bus from City Hall in Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar, approx. 3-4 hours’ drive. You’ll start the Landmannalaugar trek. Right from the start, you’ll be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of colorful mountains and hot springs. Then it’s on to the lava fields. You’ll be amazed all day long!

Overnight at Hrafntinnusker.

Day 2: HRAFNTINNUSKER – LAKE ALFTAVATN

12 km, 4-5 hours’ walk, – 490m ascent

This morning you’ll set off in the direction of Jokultungur. You’ll pass from colorful rhyolite mountains to dark palagonite mountains with glacier views. As you descend towards Jokultungur, you’ll notice the more abundant green vegetation and finish by crossing a stream on foot.

Overnight near Lake Alftavatn.

Day 3: LAKE ALFTAVATN – EMSTRUR

15 km, 6-7 hours’ walk, – 40m ascent

This morning, you’ll cross another stream on foot. On the way you’ll see several volcanoes and glaciers. You’ll also have the chance to see a canyon some 200 metres deep.

Overnight in Emstrur.

Day 4: EMSTRUR – THORSMORK

15 km, 6-7 hours’ walk, – 300m ascent

Today, the more kilometers you cover, the more vegetation you’ll see. A sign that you’re approaching the coast. Thorsmork lies in a green valley below the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers. Once you’ve finished admiring this magnificent valley, the bus will take you back to Reykjavik.

Overnight in the capital.