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

Your car will be waiting for you at the airport in Keflavik, so you can begin your road trip in Iceland immediately!

You may want to start by checking out some of the scenic areas of the Reykjanes Peninsula. It has beautiful fishing villages, geothermal features, and a rugged coastline.

In the northern part of the Reykjanes Peninsula, you'll find the town of Keflavik, around 29 miles (47 kilometers) from Reykjavik. It is home to the Viking World Museum and the Icelandic Museum of Rock'n' Roll.

Also in the same area is Sandgerdi, a fishing village serving as a marine biology center for students and researchers.

Visiting the Blue Lagoon on your first day is also possible. It's a short drive from the airport on the way to Reykjavik. Taking a dip into the lagoon is very refreshing after a flight.

The Blue Lagoon's regenerative water features silica and sulfur, benefiting people with various skin ailments. With a temperature averaging 98 to 102 F (37 to 39 C), the Blue Lagoon offers a comfortable and relaxing feeling in both the swimming and bathing areas.

Alternatively, visit the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik. With its infinity pool, ocean views, and traditional seven-step Skjol bathing ritual, there are few better ways to start your Iceland holiday. With the "Ser" premium entrance, you can use the private changing rooms.

After checking in at your hotel in Reykjavik, make the most of your central location in one of Europe's most exciting cities. Explore its museums, shopping streets, restaurants, and cafes.

If you wish to enjoy the city's best views, head to Perlan, up on Oskjuhlid Hill. Perlan, or "The Pearl," is a museum that features a unique design. It showcases a rotating glass dome, making it one of the most iconic landmarks in Reykjavik.

You can also visit the great Hallgrimskirkja, an incredible towering structure measuring 245 feet (74.5 meters) tall. The church's design was inspired by Icelandic nature, such as mountains, glaciers, and the hexagonal basalt columns surrounding the Svartifoss waterfall.

You can also visit the famous Laugavegur main street and go shopping. If you get hungry, you'll find plenty of restaurants and cafes in Laugavegur.

You can even join an activity from the capital, such as horse riding or whale-watching. You'll spend your first evening in one of the comfortable accommodations of Reykjavik.

On day two, you will head to the Westfjords, with plenty to see en route.

West Iceland is renowned for its diverse attractions, including the Icelandic settlement exhibition in Borgarnes. The museum features two interactive displays: the Age of Settlement and the Viking and poet Egil Skallagrimsson from the Egils Saga.

Here, you'll learn about Iceland's discovery and how the first settlers arrived. Interestingly, the museum uses interactive displays to keep things interesting, especially for children.

You'll also find in West Iceland the largest hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver. Located in Reykholtsdalur, the Deildartunguhver hot spring boasts a rapid flow rate of 380 pints (180 liters) per second. Its water has a constant temperature of 207 F (97 C), which is dangerous when you get too close.

We also recommend seeing the captivating Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, both stunning in their own right. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are located next to each other, about 50 feet (15 meters) apart.

Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls that stream from the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Moreover, the waterfalls flow from ledges of rocks in the lava and pour into the Hvita river. On the other hand, Barnafoss is a rapid waterfall with a rich history and intriguing folklore.

If you're a history lover, you may enjoy visiting Snorrastofa. It's a 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 Fossatun, a waterfall said to be guarded by a troll woman named Drifa. You can also go lava tubing in Vidgelmir cave or explore the incredible inside of the Langjokull glacier through man-made channels.

Once you travel into the mystical landscapes of the Westfjords, you'll visit the village of Holmavik. This town is home to the incredible Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery. 

Here, you can immerse in the magic of early Icelanders, learning about how they used staves and spells to better their lives, and ruin those of their neighbors.

It's also in the part of the Westfjords where you'll spend the night.

On day three, you'll pass dramatic fjords on the way to the town of Isafjordur. Located on the Skutulsfjordur fjord in Northwest Iceland, Isafjordur is the largest settlement in the Westfjords region.

As the capital of the Westfjords, Isafjordur is the center for education, commerce, and services. As you explore the area, you'll see different mountains complementing the sea, creating an impressive landscape.

The town played a crucial role as a fishing and trading center during the 16th century. Though much has changed over the years, Isafjordur retained its identity as a marine-oriented area. In turn, it has become a home to some excellent seafood restaurants.

Consider making a stop at Tjoruhusid restaurant. It is said to have the best seafood in Iceland.

The town also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with galleries, museums, and cultural events all year round. Be sure to visit the Westfjords Heritage Museum. Located inside one of the oldest buildings in the region, the museum features exhibits about the history and cultural significance of the Westfjords.

You'll also find in Isafjordur the Culture House inside a building that used to be a hospital. Inside, you'll find a display of old hospital artifacts and the town's public library. Aside from the old buildings, you'll also see some of the oldest houses in the country, dating back to the mid-18th century.

If outdoor activities are your thing, Isafjordur has a lot of options to offer. You can go hiking on different trails or go kayaking in case you're visiting during summer. If you're traveling in winter, go up the mountains for some skiing or snowboarding.

Another option is to head to the tiny village of Djupavik. The village and herring station have been abandoned many times, especially since they're locked in the mountains. However, you'll currently find eight houses, a hotel, and an airport. 

If you drive for another 45 minutes, you'll hit the end of the road and find a hot pool by the seaside called Krossneslaug. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind after a tiring and adventurous day.

After refreshing your mind and body in Krossneslaug, you'll spend the night in the Westfjords.

After a hearty breakfast at the start of day five, it is time to head to the southern part of the Westfjords. 

Take the road to Dyrafjordur, where you’ll find the trail of the Viking Saga hero Gisli Sursson and the beautiful Skrudur Botanical Garden. Gisli Sursson is the main protagonist of the Gisla saga, written before the middle of the 13th century. 

He was an outlaw poet who was punished for avenging his foster brother. It is said that the Gisla saga contains several verses written by Gisli himself.

Meanwhile, the Skrudur is Iceland’s oldest botanical garden, established in 1909. It features an extensive collection of flowers, plants, and trees, offering visitors a refreshing and peaceful atmosphere.

After appreciating Skrudur’s beauty, continue to the old town of Hrafnseyri, where you can visit a museum dedicated to another hero, Jon Sigurdsson, who was instrumental in Iceland’s battle for independence from Denmark in the 1940s.

Interestingly, the Jon Sigurdsson Museum is found inside a preserved traditional Icelandic turf building that used to be Sigurdsson’s old home. It houses various displays about Sigurdsson’s life, historical documents, photos, and artifacts.

From there, head to Dynjandi waterfall. The thunderous Dynjandi is a series of waterfalls over 328 feet (100 meters) tall, making it the largest in the region. As you look at the Dynjandi waterfall cascade, you’ll notice the water falling in a trapezoidal shape.

After taking in the beauty and magnitude of this cascade, make your way to the towering 1,456-foot (444-meter) high cliff of Latrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Here, you can get a closer look at some of Iceland’s many species of nesting seabirds, including puffins.

You’ll be surprised to learn that the shelter provided by the cliffs makes Latrabjarg one of the best places in Iceland for bird-watching. Make sure not to get too close to the birds. The puffins tend to nest on cliff faces that pose a slipping risk. 

Also, these puffins love to burrow, making the cliff edge’s surface more unstable. Aside from puffins, other species like guillemots, arctic terns, eider ducks, and skuas abound in the area.

After another eventful day full of beautiful sights and wonders, you’ll spend the night in the Westfjords.

Start the day with a visit to the golden-red sands of Raudisandur or a relaxing dip in the natural hot pool in the Vatnsfjordur nature reserve. Raudisandur is a beach in the Westfjords known for its red and golden sands. This feature is unique since most Icelandic beaches have black sands.

Raudisandur beach is also near Latrabjarg, Europe's highest birdwatching cliffs. As a result, you'll see puffins and other bird species making their way to the ocean.

On the other hand, the Vatnsfjordur nature reserve is a barren and rocky area with lowlands practically covered with birchwood. It also boasts a rich fauna with around 20 types of birds living in the area.

Moreover, you'll see minks and foxes running around the nature reserve, while seals can be seen swimming in the ocean. However, Vatnsfjordur's main highlight is the geothermal water springs and a swimming pool, which you can bathe in.

After relaxing in the geothermal pool, you can drive to Brjanslaekur in the Westfjords across Breidafjordur bay. You'll then ride the ferry, Baldur, that'll take you to the village of Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The great thing is the ticket for the ferry ride is included in this tour! 

From there, you can explore the area's unique sights, including the Snaefellsjokull glacier in Snaefellsjokull National Park. You can also visit the Djupalonssandur black beach, the Dritvik Cove, and the small, charming hamlets of Arnarstapi, Hellnar, and Budir.

If you have time to spare, you can take a snowcat to the top of Snaefellsjokull. This additional activity starts in the town of Grundarfjordur, where a guide will take you to the foot of the mountain. You'll ride a vehicle specially built to handle the rough glacial landscapes of Iceland. 

Once there, you will switch to a snowcat and ascend to the glacier. This magnificent ice cap sits atop a 7000-year-old volcano, featured in the Jules Verne novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

After all these beautiful stops, you'll spend the night in the Snaefellsnes area.

Today, you can spend extra time exploring the sights of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. 

You could go on a Viking sushi boat trip, where you get to sample seafood caught right before your eyes. Some of the freshest seafood you can taste include crabs, urchins, and sea scallops, to name a few.

This unique experience lets you enjoy the area's open seas and breathtaking views while feasting on various seafood.

You can also choose to explore the lava tube cave Vatnshellir. The lava tubes were formed after a volcanic eruption some 8,000 years ago.

As you enter the cave, you'll learn about Iceland's geology and folklore. Olden tales say trolls resided in these caves, making them their home.

If lava tube caving doesn't interest you, you can go hiking between Hellnar and the fishing village of Arnarstapi. Hellnar is an old village that used to be one of the largest fishing stations in the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Hellnar is home to incredible rock formations along the shores. Be sure to check Valasnos, a protruding cliff that changes colors depending on the weather conditions, time of day, and sea movements.

As you explore Arnarstapi, you'll see a beach that features Gatklettur, an eroded circular stone arch. This spot is a favorite among photographers, as the sunlight hits the spectacular waves, creating a visual spectacle.

You can also spend more time indulging in some photography along the cliffs. The cliffs of Malarrif are the heritage of volcanic eruptions from the famous volcano Snaefellsjokull, and there you can also find the impressive sea stacks, Londrangar.

The Londrangar sea stacks are basalt cliffs, remnants of an old volcanic crater. The cliff features two pillars measuring 246 feet (75 meters) and 200 feet (61 meters) tall, respectively.

Interestingly, the area is full of myths and folklore. The farmers chose not to use the fields surrounding the basalt cliffs, believing that elves lived there.

Once you have fully enjoyed the peninsula, head back south toward Reykjavik and spend a little more time exploring Iceland's capital.

After another eventful day, you can spend the night in Reykjavik.