Customizable 8 Day Summer Self Drive Tour of Iceland's Westfjords & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

On day two, you will make your way to the Westfjords, but there is plenty to see en route. West Iceland is renowned for 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.

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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.

For a limited time, it is also possible to start your day in Iceland with an awe-inspiring helicopter journey over the volcanic eruption at Fagradalsfjall. Those seeking to start their holiday with a life-changing experience that personifies the majesty of the Land of Ice and Fire should not miss this chance. You’ll lift off from Reykjavik’s Domestic Airport, marvel over the capital’s features and nature from above, before crossing the Reykjanes Peninsula to the beautiful, primordial eruption site. After circling it a few times, you’ll even make a landing to admire it from a new angle.

Once you travel into the mystical, primordial landscapes of the Westfjords, you will visit the village of Holmavik. This town is home to the incredible Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery, where you can immerse yourself in the magic of early Icelanders, learning about how they used staves and spells to better their lives - and ruin those of their neighbors.

You’ll spend the night in Holmavik.

On day 3, 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.

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Another option is to head 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.

Spend the night in the Ísafjarðardjúp area

On your fourth day, you’ll continue to stay in the town of Ísafjörður. From here, you’ll be able to travel to a number of fascinating Icelandic villages, steeped in folklore and surrounded by breathtaking nature.

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Bolungarvík, Suðureyri, and Flateyri are particularly recommended. Bolungarvík is home to the Ósvör Maritime Museum, which provides a great way to see what life was like for Iceland’s fishermen in years gone by; Suðureyri is home to a great swimming pool and a historic church. Flateyri, meanwhile, has a fascinating history as a whaling and trading post, and as the site of several dramatic avalanches.

Those seeking adventure today will find no better choice than a kayaking tour, which will provide them with unmatched views of the magnificent fjords of the region. Those eager to marvel over seabirds, and perhaps even seals, whales, and dolphins, should not miss out on this excursion.

If looking for something completely different, you may also be able to arrange travel to Hornstrandir, an incredible nature reserve only accessible from Ísafjörður.

You'll spend another 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.

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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!

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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.

As an added extra you can even choose to take a snowcat to the top of Snæfellsjökull. This additional activity starts in the town of Grundarfjörður, where a guide will take you to the foot of the mountain a vehicle that has been specially built to handle the rough glacial landscapes of Iceland. Once you are there you will switch to a snowcat and ascend to the glacier. This magnificent ice cap sits on top of a 7000-year-old volcano and was featured in the Jules Verne novel 'Journey to the centre of the earth.'

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.

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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.

While it may seem that you have packed your holiday with all you can by the evening of your last full day in Iceland, no trip to the country would be complete right now without a visit to the currently erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano. Thankfully, there is a guided hiking trip to the site you’ll be able to make it in time for! This breathtaking phenomenon provides a once-in-a-lifetime window into the incredible forces that define Iceland, and there is no greater final impression of the Land of Ice and Fire than this experience!

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!