10 dages kør-selv-sommertur til Islands fjerne nordvestlige del og Snæfellsnes samt vestfjordene

Welcome to your very first day in Iceland! Landing at Keflavik International Airport, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, you will immediately pick up your vehicle for the next ten days and set out towards Iceland's capital city (and the northernmost capital in the world) Reykjavik.

On your way to Reykjavik, you could choose to make a stop at the Blue Lagoon. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It is located in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere. If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there is no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you. There is still plenty to see and do in Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula if you have extra free time.

Driving to your accommodation in the city, you will immediately be privy to Iceland's incredible natural vistas. The Reykjanes Peninsula, in the country's southwest, is characterized by its rugged coastlines, dried volcanic fields, and distant mountains. As the countryside begins to dissipate in favor of Reykjavik's infrastructure, you'll find yourself in the urban hub of the country.

After settling into your accommodation, you are free to go out and discover this charming capital city, Reykjavik. Given the glorious Midnight Sun, there will still be plenty of light to go sightseeing—why not visit the architecturally inspired Harpa Concert Hall? Perhaps the Lutheran Church. Hallgrimskirkja?

If you have the time, you could even check out some of the city's exciting bars, cultural exhibitions or parks, before turning in for the night to get some rest for the next day.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often called "Iceland in miniature." It holds this nickname thanks to the sheer eclecticism of the region's natural attractions. Visitors are usually left in awe of the area's dramatic landscape, diverse animal life, and magical atmosphere. As you traverse this incredible environment, you will forever be in the shadow of the glacial stratovolcano, Snaefellsjokull, that gives the peninsula its name.

Start by paying a visit to the sandy beach, Ytri-Tunga, famed for its resident seal colony. Here, you'll be able to walk right down to the shoreline to get a closer look at some of this country's most beloved finned inhabitants.

You can then move on to the charming hamlets of Arnarstapi and Hellnar and enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery from these little towns before moving on to such diverse attractions as Djupalonssandur black pebble beach, and Kirkjufell mountain.

It is possible to upgrade your day with a visit to Vatnshellir Cave. Descending a spiral staircase, a trip into Iceland's subterranean universe will provide you with a fantastic insight into this country's geological history. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is, of course, the setting of Jules Verne's famous novel, "Journey to The Centre of the Earth."

At the end of the day, you will be staying in accommodation on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

There's a lot of possibilities for you today, so you should plan your day according to what you are the most excited about.

If you would like to take in the spectacular sights of the Westfjords, you should make an early start and take the 9 am ferry from Stykkisholmur. If you choose to take this early ferry, you can also make a stop on the small island of Flatey.

Flatey gets its name from the fact the island itself is quite flat. It is thought to have formed during the last ice age. People only inhabit it during the summer months, and the surroundings there are lush, green, and picturesque. Flatey is an idyllic representation of isolated, quaint fishing life that has survived to the modern day. It's an incredibly peaceful place that is also home to the oldest library in Iceland.

If you add Flatey as a stop, you will leave your car on the ferry as the island has a strict 'no outside cars allowed policy.' Not to worry though, if you do visit Flatey, the ferry will continue on, and your car will be waiting for you in the Westfjords parking lot so you can pick it up later in the day.

If you would like a culinary adventure before you head to the Westfjords, you could choose to go on a Viking Sushi boat tour. In this unique experience, you will head out into the fjords of the west in a comfortable fishing vessel. As you see the sights, experienced fishermen will scour the depths of the ocean for the day's catch. The haul will be served to you fresh on the boat with wasabi and soy sauce. When the Viking Sushi adventure is done, you will drive to Stykkisholmur and catch the afternoon ferry to the Westfjords.

Please note that the ferry to the Westfjords has a more limited schedule outside of the summer season. This can mean that there are fewer services running and limited services on some days. Some options might not be suitable if you are here outside of summer, and your itinerary will be arranged according to your travel date.

The Westfjords is one of Iceland's most dramatic and isolated regions, seeing only a handful of travelers a year in comparison to the more popular South Coast and southwest regions. This allows for some genuinely off-the-beaten-path adventures.

One of the stops of the day is at Latrabjarg, a towering bird cliff that is home to an immeasurable number of birds. This is the westernmost point of Iceland, stretching along for a whopping 8.7 miles (14 km) along the Denmark Strait. Wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts will find a wealth of bird species here, such as Skuas, Guillemots, and, of course, the famous Puffin.

You will also pay a visit to Raudasandur, otherwise known as Red Sands, a golden beach found nestled in the Westfjords. Unlike the black sand beaches found across Iceland, the beaches in the Westfjords are almost exclusively golden or pink. You may also want to visit Birkimelur, a gorgeous outside swimming pool surrounded by some truly stunning nature; you can't get more Icelandic than that!

On the evening of your third day, you will be staying in the small town of Patreksfjordur.

One of your first stops of the day is the impressive Dynjandi, otherwise known as Fjallfoss, a series of magnificent waterfalls that many argue is the region’s star attraction. The waterfall’s total height is 328 ft (100 m), making it a dramatic subject for photography enthusiasts.

You could also make a stop at Reykjafjardarlaug hot pool, measuring out at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), found in the southwest of the Westfjords beside Road 63. There are, in fact, several hot pools in the immediate area, though they are different temperatures and require short hikes to reach. Icelandic hot pools are fantastic for many reasons—they are, after all, incredibly romantic, luxurious, and smack bang in the middle of some stunning natural scenery.

You will also be paying a visit to the small coastal village of Flateyri, home to approximately 180 people. Historically, this town was an important fishing and whaling center, though an avalanche in October 1995 caused serious damage and loss of life.

Since then, a protective dam has been built to protect the village’s residents. A visit here will provide invaluable insight into the culture and lifestyles of smaller Icelandic settlements. 

You will also visit the larger towns, Isafjordur, famed for its traditional wooden buildings and the Westfjords Heritage Museum, and Bolungarvík, the only built-up area in the Bolungarvikurkaupstadur municipality.

Day 4 will see you staying in accommodation in the Isafjordur region.

Today, you'll leave the beautiful Westfjords. If you wish, you can start the day by driving to Djupavik, a deserted town north of Holmavik. The desolate and decaying houses provide some hauntingly beautiful photographs. A bit further is the hot spring Krossneslaug, known as the 'pool at the end of the world' due to its remote location.

If you are here between June and September, you could choose to go whale watching from Holmavik. In this experience, you will board a boat and head into the waters of the north in search of the gentle sea mammals that frequently travel through here as they migrate.

Leaving the Westfjords, you will make your way across the northern stretch of the country towards Akureyri town, enjoying the fantastic sights and scenes en route. For example, you could choose to stop at the 49 ft (15 m) high basalt rock stack, Hvitserkur, said to resemble petrified trolls, an elephant, or even a dragon. You could also stop at the waterfall, Reykjafoss, and the lakes, Hop and Blondulon, the latter of which is one of Iceland's biggest lakes.

On the Troll Peninsula, you'll find the charming villages of Siglufjordur and Hofsos. The former is Iceland's northernmost town and boasts incredible natural beauty and the award-winning Herring Era Museum. Hofsos, on the other hand, is one of the country's oldest trading posts, dating back to the 1500s. Today, it is most known for its 'infinity pool,' a geothermal swimming pool overlooking the fjord that integrates beautifully into the landscape.

Akureyri, a town of approximately 12,000 people, is widely considered Iceland's unofficial "capital of the north," famed for its vibrant local culture, fantastic surrounding scenery, and the sheer number of available activities nearby such as hiking and sightseeing.

From Akureyri, there are a few other activities you could add to your day. You could choose to go horse riding in the local surroundings. The Icelandic horse is known for its small size and friendly nature. They are also seen as perfect horses for riders of all abilities. This breed has been isolated here for over 1000 years. Over that time, they have evolved to be perfectly suited to the terrain of this fascinating land. A ride in the countryside on the back of an Icelandic horse is something you won't soon forget.

If you're in the mood for some relaxation, you could choose to visit the Bjorbodin Beer Spa. This relatively new attraction combines the ancient art of brewing beer with a spa concept for a one-of-a-kind experience.

If you have some time to spare in the evening, Akureyri is filled with numerous points of interest. You could see the church, Akureyrarkirkja (arguably more impressive than its cousin in the capital), the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, or explore some of the city's exciting local nightlife.

Dag syv tager dig til de majestætiske steder på Diamantcirklen.

Diamantcirklen er den nordlige pendant til den mere berømte Gyldne Cirkel-sightseeingrute og består af fire stop, herunder Husavik, Asbyrgi-kløften, Myvatn-søen og Dettifoss-vandfaldet.

Dettifoss-vandfaldet ligger i Vatnajökull Nationalpark, Europas næststørste nationalpark. Dette fantastiske bygningsværk er Islands kraftigste vandfald, som hvert sekund hælder 96.500 liter vand ud over kanten og ned i den mørke og forrevne kløft nedenunder.

Asbyrgi er en dramatisk kløft, som siges at være hovaftrykket fra Odins ottebenede hest Sleipnir, da han satte sine fødder på jorden. På den anden side har forskere konkluderet, at kløften blev dannet efter oversvømmelser fra gletsjere under den sidste istid. Asbyrgi er et smukt vandrested med en fantastisk udsigt over området og en frodig vegetation.

Husavik betragtes som Islands hovedstad for hvalsafari takket være det rige liv, der findes ud for kysten. Her kan besøgende se en eller flere af de tyve forskellige hvalarter, der bor i de islandske kystfarvande, herunder vågehvaler, pukkelhvaler, spækhuggere og marsvin.

Hvis du vil udnytte de mange muligheder for at se hvaler, kan du tage på hvalsafari fra Husavik. Der er to typer af hvalsafarier at vælge imellem.

Du kan vælge en traditionel hvalsafari, hvor du går om bord på en båd og sejler ud på havet for at se disse beroligende skabninger. En anden mulighed er at tage på en RIB-bådstur. I denne variant sejler du gennem de nordlige farvande i en mindre og mere adræt RIB-båd, hvilket betyder at du kan komme endnu tættere på disse havgiganter.

Hvis du gerne vil slappe lidt af, er der to andre muligheder, du kan tilføje til din dag.

Husavik er hjemsted for GeoSea Spa. Denne luksusfacilitet er lidt anderledes end de andre geotermiske spaer i Island. Det opvarmede vand i GeoSea er havvand. Det opvarmede saltvand har mange fordele for krop og sind, mens du slapper af i det fri med en fantastisk havudsigt.

Der er også et andet geotermisk spa i Myvatn-regionen. Naturbadene i Myvatn kaldes ofte "Nordens Blå Lagune". Det blå vand i Myvatn er et fantastisk sted at slappe af og nyde de spektakulære landskaber i det geotermiske nord.

Du overnatter i Nordisland omkring Myvatn-regionen.
 

Myvatn-søen og det omkringliggende område er en fantastisk dag med sightseeing. Selve søen er et spektakulært vidunder, et stort bassin med akvamarinfarvet vand omgivet af grønne pseudokratere, der blev dannet for ca. 2.000 år siden. Sørg for at dit kamera er klar til at indfange Myvatns unikke landskaber.

Blandt attraktionerne i dette område er Dimmuborgir, et område med fascinerende vulkanske klippeformationer, der er blevet knudret og vredet gennem århundreder og fremstår som en mørk fæstning eller et slot, der er taget direkte ud af fantasiens sider. Dette område er af særlig interesse for geologer og naturentusiaster.

I nærheden kan du besøge de Mars-lignende landskaber i Namaskard-passet, et område med voldsom geotermisk aktivitet komplet med boblende mudderkedler og dampende fumaroler. Et besøg i Namaskard er en af de bedste måder at opleve den varme, smeltede undergrund, som stadig former øen den dag i dag.

Den perfekte måde at få mest muligt ud af denne fascinerende region er at tage på en dagstur, der dækker de vigtigste seværdigheder fra Askja til Myvatn, og som kan tilkøbes under bookingen. Denne 12-timers oplevelse er den mest omfattende måde at se alle seværdighederne på og ikke gå glip af noget.

På denne dagstur får du en pause fra at køre og navigere, fordi du bliver hentet og guidet hele dagen. Du får også masser af tid til at opleve regionens naturlige vidundere med den ekstra fordel, at du kan deltage i særlige aktiviteter som f.eks. at bade i det varme vand i et vulkankrater.

Du besøger også de overjordiske områder, der blev brugt til at træne Apollo-missionerne til månen i 60'erne, og som også har været en træningsbane for NASA's 2020-mission til Mars.

I aften tilbringer du endnu en nat i Nordisland.
 

I dag rejser du fra Akureyri tilbage til hovedstaden Reykjavik.

På vejen kan du køre gennem Islands smukke vestkyst, hvor du finder vandfald, varme kilder og historiske bebyggelser.

Du kører gennem Eyjafjördur-fjorden og vil måske gerne stoppe i den maleriske landsby Hauganes. Denne bygd er et perfekt eksempel på det stille liv på landet, og det er et glimrende sted at strække benene og nyde omgivelserne.

Derefter kører du vestpå gennem de vidtstrakte udsigter og fjorde. Du bør gøre et stop ved Hvitserkur-klippeformationen. Denne store, takkede klippe stikker op af havet og peger mod himlen.

Hvitserkur er en af Islands mest fotograferede naturattraktioner på grund af sit fascinerende og usædvanlige udseende. Afhængigt af hvilken vinkel man ser på den, ser Hvitserkur ud til at antage mange former. Lokale legender siger, at Hvitserkur engang var en trold, der mødte sit endeligt i strålerne fra den tidlige morgensol.

Du fortsætter mod vest og kommer til sidst til Husafell. Herfra kan du vælge en tur i lavagrotten. På denne oplevelse kommer du ind i en af verdens største lavagrotter. Du ser en grotteagtig verden af lavasten, som er resultatet af et udbrud for over tusind år siden.

Fortsæt derefter mod syd, hvor du kan stoppe ved Krauma Naturbade. Her kan du hvile dig i det varme vand eller endda få en bid mad i restauranten, som byder på lækre måltider lavet af lokale råvarer.

Inden du vender tilbage til byen, kan du tage på udflugt til Thrihnukagigur-vulkanen. Dette magmakammer er kendt for sin utrolige farvepalet og imponerende størrelse. På denne tur bliver du sænket ned i hjertet af denne lavagrotte for at se det bemærkelsesværdige syn af et vulkanudbrud for længe siden.

Hvis du ankommer tidligt nok til Reykjavik, er det det perfekte tidspunkt at opleve FlyOver Iceland. Denne nye attraktion kombinerer utrolige HD-film, historiefortælling, projektion og spændingen ved forlystelsesparker for at skabe en oplevelse, man kun får én gang i livet. Den mest spændende del af FlyOver Iceland er en simuleret flyvetur over de største seværdigheder i landet uden at skulle forlade jorden.

Du tilbringer din sidste nat i Island i Reykjavik.