Best of the Westfjords

Thrainn Kolbeinsson - (thrainnko)
Itinerary created by
Thrainn Kolbeinsson
What you’ll do

The Westfjords is one of the most underrated areas in Iceland.

PACE: It is common when people travel around Iceland that they want to see and do as much as possible during their stay. I design my itineraries in a way where you can get the most out of every day – but still having reasonable time at each location. That being said, we all travel at different speeds and you can easily stretch the itineraries by a day or two.

SUMMER VS WINTER: During summer, we have pretty much endless daylight here in Iceland. That means you have the maximum amount of time to explore and enjoy. The opposite is true for winter when the days can be as short as 4-5 hours. That means you will have less daylight and driving can also be more difficult so I recommend stretching the itineraries a day or two and slowing down just a bit.  

So you want to visit the Westfjords? Then get ready for the trip of a lifetime. The Westfjords includes many of my all time favourite attractions in all of Iceland and this guide makes sure you don't miss any of them while you make your way around the fjords in the most efficient way possible.

I'll start the journey as if you'll be going directly from the Keflavík airport and suggest a few different options on your way to the Westfjords. If you're starting your Westfjords adventure from a different spot, feel free to skip the first few suggestions on day 1 in the itinerary.

NOTE: This itinerary is just for inspiration to give you ideas about the available attractions and activities. You might not be able to see and do everything I included so have a look at the options and prioritise what you’re most excited about! With the amount of things to see and do in the Westfjords you can easily stretch it out over more days.

But enough reading, let's start the adventure!

1

Blue Car Rental
Blue Car Rental
Car rental - get 5% off
Category
Car Rental

36.3 km (22.5 mi)

29 min

2

The Icelandic Store
The Icelandic Store
Get some Icelandic clothes and souvenirs
Category
Sightseeing

12.4 km (7.7 mi)

16 min

3

Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Luxurious hot springs spa in Iceland
Category
Spa

72 km (44.8 mi)

1 hr 7 min

4

Glymur Waterfall
Glymur Waterfall
Spectacular waterfall in Iceland
Category
Sightseeing

136.9 km (85 mi)

1 hr 46 min

Now you have two options:

OPTION A: Keep going straight to the Westfjords (I suggested either Guðrúnarlaug Hot Spring or Hellulaug Hot Spring). Do this if you simply want to get to the Westfjords.

OPTION B: If you’d like a little adventure detour and a sneak peak around the Snæfellsnes peninsula you can also turn off road 1 onto road 54 towards Snæfellsnes. There you have the option of seeing Mt. Kirkjufell and a few other spots and then taking the ferry from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords with a stop in Flatey island. You can bring your car on the ferry.

FYI: There is a pretty little island called Flatey on the way across the bay in which the the ferry makes a quick stop on the way. If you’d like to explore the island on your way over, there is a way (between June 9th and 25th August) BUT you’d have to stay the night in Stykkishólmur and take the first ferry the next morning (usually around 9 am). You’ll arrive in Flatey at around 10:15 am, let the staff know and leave your car key with them. They will then ship the car across and park it for you. At around 4:15 pm you’ll get on the second ferry, grab your car keys and finish the crossing to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords.

5

This one is optional

Berserkjahraun
Berserkjahraun
Ancient lava field with legend
Category
Sightseeing
Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell
Iconic mountain
Category
Sightseeing
Kirkjufellsfoss
Kirkjufellsfoss
Waterfall by the iconic arrow head mountain
Category
Sightseeing
Svöðufoss
Svöðufoss
A lesser-known waterfall surrounded by basalt colomns
Category
Sightseeing
6

This one is optional

Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur
Charming seaside town
Category
Sightseeing
Stykkishólmur Swimming Pool
Stykkishólmur Swimming Pool
Swimming pool in West Iceland
Category
Spa
Est. Price
€8
Fosshótel Stykkishólmur
Fosshótel Stykkishólmur
Hotel in Snæfellsnes
Category
Hotel
Est. Price
$$
7

Seatours
Seatours
A ferry operator between Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords
Category
Public Transport
Est. Price
$
Transport Type
ferry
8

This one is optional

Flatey Island
Flatey Island
A tranquil remote island
Category
Sightseeing
Est. Price
$

Depending on whether you went for option A or B you have the choice between these two hot springs (and a fun little farm / mini zoo):

If you drove straight to the Westfjords (not the ferry) you can either go for Guðrúnarlaug or Hellulaug (or both of course). There's also a fun little farm called Hólar where you can see and pet a lot of local farm animals. If you took the ferry across then you arrive just a few minutes away from Hellulaug.

9

This one is optional

Hólar Farm
Hólar Farm
An authentic petting zoo
Category
Wildlife
Est. Price
€10

152.7 km (94.9 mi)

2 hr

10

Choose the option that fits you the best

Hellulaug
Hellulaug
Secluded geothermal pool in Iceland
Category
Hot Spring
Gudrúnarlaug Hot Spring
Gudrúnarlaug Hot Spring
Natural hot tub
Category
Hot Spring
11

Restaurant Flókalundur
Restaurant Flókalundur
Cozy Icelandic restaurant in Flokalundur
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
Any

878 m (0.5 mi)

1 min

12

Flókalundur Waterfall
Flókalundur Waterfall
Cute little waterfall oasis in the Westfjords
Category
Sightseeing

21.8 km (13.6 mi)

17 min

13

Birkimelur Laugarnesi Swimming Pool
Birkimelur Laugarnesi Swimming Pool
A geothermal pool and hot tub
Category
Hot Spring
Est. Price
€10

29.8 km (18.5 mi)

24 min

14

Garðar BA 64
Garðar BA 64
Iceland’s oldest steel ship
Category
Sightseeing

15.4 km (9.6 mi)

20 min

15

Rauðisandur
Rauðisandur
The iconic red sand beach
Category
Sightseeing

25.9 km (16.1 mi)

35 min

16

Hnjótur Museum
Hnjótur Museum
Regional history museum with cafe
Category
Museum
Est. Price
$

23.3 km (14.5 mi)

34 min

17

Látrabjarg
Látrabjarg
Breathtaking bird-watching in Iceland
Category
Sightseeing
18

Bjargtangi Lighthouse
Bjargtangi Lighthouse
The westernmost lighthouse in Iceland
Category
Sightseeing

59.3 km (36.9 mi)

1 hr 10 min

19

Patreksfjordur Swimming Pool
Patreksfjordur Swimming Pool
A swimming pool in the Westfjords
Category
Spa
Est. Price
€8

128 m (0.1 mi)

20

Choose the option that fits you the best

Hótel West
Hótel West
Hotel in Patreksfjörður
Category
Hotel
Est. Price
$$
Fosshótel Vestfirðir
Fosshótel Vestfirðir
Modern hotel in Patreksfjörður
Category
Hotel
Est. Price
$$

Want to see more?

I have created curated mapsand itineraries for travellers that want to travel like me.