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West Iceland was chosen by Lonely Planet as one of its “Best in Travel 2016“ sites. Come discover more of this scenic and family-friendly region, combined with favorite wonders of South Iceland!

Discover the essence of Iceland while visiting all the must-see attractions in South and West Iceland. Travelling at your own pace, you can visit all the grand pearls of the Golden Circle and the fabled South Shore’s black sands and volcanoes. In addition, you’ll explore West Iceland’s ever-changing landscapes, lush valleys, panoramic bays, and gleaming glaciers.

Itinerary

Arrival and overnight in Reykjanes Peninsula

Approximate distance: 30 km / 19 miles

Volcanic Wonderland – UNESCO Geopark – Viking Heritage – Blue Lagoon

Pick up the car at the airport and drive to the Geohotel in charming Grindavík village (about 25 – 30 minute drive from the airport). Check in to your hotel.

If you are arriving on a morning flight, you are in a fantastic part of Iceland to explore and enjoy. The Reykjanes peninsula area is an ideal introduction to Iceland´s volcanic personality. The region has been designated a UNESCO Geopark for its otherworldly and beautiful volcanic features. There are 55 points of interest in the area. Some of these include Krýsuvík, a primoridial geothermal area of bubbling earth and steam, and the Midatlantic Ridge that the divides the North American and European tectonic plates.

Experience the area´s terrain on an ATV tour between lava and mountains and along the sea. Try whale watching or sailing. Visit the Viking World museum and discover Norse history and the famous Íslendingur Viking ship at that sailed to North America in 2000. Other area activities include birdwatching, hiking and playing golf in Sandgerði, on the edge of the ocean.

Or take a scenic drive through the area, visiting Geopark sites and enjoying seafood in charming village restaurants.

Of course, a very important place to visit in this area is the relaxing Blue Lagoon, which is a short drive from your hotel. The soothing geothermal mineral waters are perfect for your skin, and it´s a great way to shake off jetlag! (Important: if you plan to visit the Blue Lagoon, admission must be booked in advance. We can assist you with this.

Overnight stay in the Reykjanes area (Geo Hotel, Grindavík or similar)

South Coast Road to Gullfoss and Geysir

Thundering Waves – Magical Church – Viking Horses – Golden Falls – Spouting Geysers

Approximate distance: 215 km / 134 miles

Breakfast at your hotel. Start with a drive along a scenic road taking you by thundering waterfalls and the mysterious mountains surrounding Lake Kleifarvatn. Stop at Strandakirkja, a lovely old church, Local legends have it that the church has been believed provides good fortune and success to those in need of it. The road takes you into the green farmlands and coasts of South Iceland. Take an optional tour of Fakasel, an interactive horse center, where you can meet friendly Icelandic horses and discover more about this ancient Viking breed. Your ultimate destination is the Golden Circle region. Visit Gullfoss, the Queen of Waterfalls. Nearby is the Geysir Geothermal area, where hot springs bubble and even shoot into the air. Most famous of these is Strokkur, which erupts like clockwork. Maybe you´ll opt to bathe in one of the local favorite hot spring pools of the area. These include the Secret Lagoon in Fludir, or the Fontana Steambaths in Laugarvatn.

Overnight in the Geysir region, at Hotel Edda Laugarvatn ÍKÍ or similar.

South Coast Waterfalls and Thjorsardalur Valley

Approximate distance: 444 / 277 miles

Majestic Waterfalls - Cliffs & Stone Arches - Black Sandy Beaches and Bird Colony-

Breakfast at your hotel. Today explore the famous South Shore region. Visit the majestic Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, each with its own unique attributes. In the region is the beautiful yet imposing Eyjafjallajökull Glacier Volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption, An interesting multimedia exhibit at the foot of the volcano tells the story.

Dyrholaey is a rocky headland characterized by a black lava arch. Every year thousands of sea birds nest here during the summer. (Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.) In this area you can also enjoy views of the vast black sand beaches and unusual rock formations.

Next drive through the Thjorsardalur valley and its contrasting landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers and waterfalls, huddling below the impressive volcano Hekla, Iceland‘s most frequently-erupting one. This is also the location of Stong, a Viking age farm where you can see a replica longhouse. Follow the road through Thjorsardalur back to your accommodation in Laugarvatn.

Overnight at Hotel Edda Laugarvatn ÍKÍ or ML

Thingvellir National Park – Whale Fjord – Borgarnes – Snaefellsnes

Approximate distance: 260 / 162 miles

Historical and Geographical park – Saga history town – Wind tangled beaches – Glacier-crowned mountain

Breakfast at your hotel. Today discover two national parks. Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO) provides a visually stunning lesson in plate tectonics and is a historical treasure as the site of the world's oldest parliament.

A drive along scenic Hvalfjörður (Whale) Fjord reveals Bjarteyjarsandur, a working horse and sheep farm where you may choose to stop for a friendly visit or even participate in fun farm activities. Driving further into West Iceland brings you to Borgarnes known for Iceland's beloved Sagas where you can go on a voyage of discovery at the Settlement Center which uses the Sagas to explore the history of Iceland's early settlement by Nordic Vikings.

Continuing West, head onto the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, also known as “Iceland in a Nutshell“ for its compact combination of the different types of landscapes that represent Iceland. This peninsula is also rich in Icelandic history and folklore. Snæfellsjokull National Park, the only coastal national park in the country, makes up the Western edge of the peninsula. The park is named after the volcanic glacier that towers over the peninsula. A benevolent half-troll spirit is said to guard the area from the top of the mountain. The mountain has a reputation internationally as a place of healing energy. Science fiction fans may know Snaefellskökull from Jules Vernes‘ novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Enjoy exploring the fantastic landscapes, birdlife and historical sites in Iceland´s oldest national park.

Overnight at Hotel Hellnar.

Snaefelljökull National Park- Stykkisholmur – Laugar in Saelinsgsdal Valley

Approximate distance: 220 / 137 miles

Pebbled beaches – Shark Museum – Bay of a Thousand Islands – Viking Homestead

Breakfast at your hotel. Today explore more of Snaefellsjökull National Park and the north coast of the peninsula. Explore pebbled beaches to bizarrely-shaped sea cliffs with incredible birdlife. Keep an eye out for Kirkjufell (the Church Mountain), a popular landmark for photographers.

Many visitors to this area like to visit the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn for a courageous taste of 'rotten' shark meat, a local delicacy, and a fascinating lesson on shark fishing.

Explore Stykkisholmur with its beautifully preserved town center. From here, you can take a boat tour through Breiðafjörður bay with its jawdropping seascapes and thousands of tiny islands dotting the area. Take the scenic route towards Budardalur village, a village that dates back to Iceland‘s Viking settlement. . At the nearby Erpsstadir dairy farm you can stop for an introduction to Icelandic farm life and taste the freshly made ice cream.

If you continue to Eiriksstadir, you'll see the Viking Age home and turf-covered replica longhouse of Erik the Red and birthplace of his son Leif Eiriksson, two of the most celebrated Vikings in the world. In this area you can also visit the rocky outcrop said to be a cathedral to elves and other supernatural creatures. In the evening, when the sun hits it just right, it takes on its own strange glow.

Overnight at the Hotel Edda Laugar in Saelingsdalur or similar

Borgarfjörður – Reykholt – Hvalfjörður – Reykjavík

Approximate distance: 260 / 162 miles

Picturesque Waterfalls – Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring- Home of Medevial Saga Author

Breakfast at your hotel. A drive through Borgarfjordur reveals a region proud of its legacy, serving as the setting for most of the Icelandic Sagas with the landscape, nature and culture reflecting this heritage and bringing history to life. While in Reykholt you'll be walking in the footsteps of Snorri Sturluson, famed Saga poet and author.

A drive further reveals two adjacent waterfalls, each with very different characteristics. At Hraunfoss (Lava Falls) the water seems to magically appear from the moss covered lava rocks and shiver down into the rushing turquoise blue waters below, while Barnafoss (Children's Falls) resembles a pale blue milkshake of short, fierce rapids that cut through a narrow canyon.

Nearby is Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildatunguhver, where visitors can by organic tomatoes grown using geothermal heat in the nearby greenhouses.

On your way back we recommend a short detour to Háafell goat farm, that is proud to protect the Icelandic goat stock. You can play your part in the protection and adopt one of their goats for a one year support or longer.

Head to Reykjavík in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Reykjavík or Reykjavík area (Hótel Klettur, Reykjavík Lights, Hotel Vellir)

Approximate distance: 52 kmm / 33 miles

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive back to Keflavik International Airport, Drop off your car at the airport. We recommend departing Reykjavik no later than 3 hours before your flight. 

Please note that the package price is based on 6 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 7 an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 6 day rental is up and use our flybus departure transfer.**

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