Summer 8 Day Self Drive Tour | Westfjords & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Your car will be waiting for you at the airport in Keflavík so you can start your road trip straight away. You may want to start by checking out some of the scenic areas of the Reykjanes Peninsula. It has beautiful fishing villages, many geothermal features, and an incredible rugged coastline. It's also possible to visit the Blue Lagoon on your first day if you have the time; it's a short drive from the airport on the way to Reykjavík, and very refreshing after a flight.

After checking in at your hotel in Reykjavík, make the most of your central location in one of Europe's most exciting cities. Explore its museums, shopping streets, restaurants, and cafés. You can even partake in an activity from the capital, such as horse-riding or whale-watching.

Day two is reserved for exploring West Iceland and its diverse attractions, including the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes, and the largest hot springs in Europe, Deildartunguhver. Don't miss the captivating Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls either, both stunning in their own right and located right next to each other.

History fans may also enjoy a visit to Snorrastofa, the medieval research institute in Reykholt, where the early settler Snorri Sturluson wrote Saga Heimskringla in the 13th century. On the road from the capital, you can also take a short break at Fossatún, a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drífa.

On this day you can opt to go lava tubing in Viðgelmir cave, or else explore the incredible inside of the glacier Langjökull through man-made channels.

Head towards the Westfjords and spend the night in the village of Hólmavík.

On your third day, explore Hómavík, and be sure to visit the fascinating Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft there.

Drive onwards to the tiny village of Djúpavik. Locked in the mountains, the village and its herring station has been abandoned many times in history but you'll find 8 houses, a hotel, and an airport there now. If you carry on for another 45 minutes, then you'll hit the end of the road but find a hot pool by the seaside called Krossneslaug, which is recommended for those seeking to relax and unwind.

Explore the surrounding mountains a little more and hike in the area, before heading back to Hólmavík where you will spend another night.

You'll pass staggering, dramatic fjords on the journey today on your route to the town Ísafjörður. There, you will find some of the oldest houses in Iceland, dating back to the mid-18th century. It is worth making a stop at Tjöruhúsið restaurant. It is reported to have the best seafood in Iceland.

You may also wish to drive to nearby Bolungarvík and visit the Ósvör Maritime Museum, which provides a great way to see what life was like for Iceland’s fishermen in years gone by. It is also recommended that you go to Tjöruhúsið restaurant in Ísafjörður for dinner (or lunch) to try of the day's catch; it's possibly the best fish you'll ever taste.

Spend the night in the Ísafjarðardjúp area

At the start of day five, after a hearty breakfast, it is time to head to the southern part of the Westfjords. Take the road to Dýrafjörður, where you will find the trail of the Viking Saga hero Gisli Súrsson, as well as the beautiful Skrúður Botanical Garden.

Continue to Hrafnseyri, where you can visit a museum dedicated to another hero, Jón Sigurðsson, who was instrumental in Iceland’s battle for independence from Denmark in the 1940s.

From there, head to Dynjandi waterfall. The thunderous Dynjandi actually a series of waterfalls that are over 100 metres tall. After taking in the beauty and magnitude of this cascade, make your way to the towering 444 m (1,456 ft) high cliff of Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Here, you can get a close look at some of Iceland’s many species of nesting seabirds, including puffins and razorbills.

Spend the night in the Vesturbyggð area.

Start the day with a visit to the golden red sands of Rauðisandur, or a relaxing dip in the natural hot pool in the Vatnsfjörður nature reserve.

You can then take the ferry Baldur from Brjánslækur in the Westfjords across Breiðafjörður Bay to the village of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The price of the ferry is included in this tour!

From there, you can explore the area’s unique sights, including the Snæfellsjökull glacier in Snæfellsjökull National Park, Djúpalónssandur black beach, the Dritvík cove and the small, charming hamlets of Arnarstapi, Hellnar, and Búðir.

Spend the night in the Snæfellsnes area.

Today, you can spend extra time exploring the sights of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You could go on a Viking sushi boat trip, where you get to sample seafood caught right before your eyes; explore the lava tube cave Vatnshellir; go hiking between Hellnar and the fishing village of Arnarstapi, or simply indulge in some photography along the cliffs.

The cliffs of Malarrif are the heritage of volcanic eruptions from the famous volcano Snæfellsjökull, and there you can also find the impressive sea stacks, Lóndrangar.

Once you have fully enjoyed the peninsula, head back south toward Reykjavik and spend a little more time exploring Iceland's capital. Spend the night in Reykjavík or on the Reykjanes peninsula.

Depart from Keflavík on your final day, having experienced a huge amount that Iceland has to offer. If your flight schedule allows, you may have time for a dip in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon spa. If you've already been, simply explore Reykjavík and do some last-minute shopping, or have a better look along the Reykjanes Peninsula.

We hope you enjoyed your stay and will come back soon!