West Iceland is easily reached from the Capital, it’s not a huge region and can be explored easily. Driving around Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you’ll pass dramatic landscapes, iconic waterfalls and volcanoes, lava fields and tranquil beaches.
The west is considered a hidden gem as not many tourists visit, but it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Charming fishing villages are dotted around the peninsula, including Arnarstapi and Hellnar, these picturesque coastal villages are full of character.
The peninsula is dominated by the grand Snæfellsjökull Glacier, linked to many mythological tales and said to be one of the seven main energy centres of earth, you can really feel it’s power!
Are you ready to explore remarkable West Iceland?! Then let’s jump into this guide and get you ready for your adventure!
Best Time of Year to Visit West Iceland
Summer season is the best time to visit this particular region as the days are long and the energy from the midnight sun gives us that extra power to explore as much as possible.
Imagine never seeing the sun go down below the horizon, it’s almost hard to even comprehend, well this magical phenomena only occurs during the summer months of June-August and my god is it a sight for sore eyes!
Spring season also has its pros as the winter has passed and the nature is coming back to life, an abundance of wild flowers start to grow and the long awaited summer season is fast approaching.
Be warned though the weather can still be a little choppy and unpredictable but still miles easier to travel compared to the winter season. If you want to try your luck at catching the northern lights, aim for the end of August as the dark evenings are back which gives you more of a chance to catch these spectacular light displays!
Weather and Climate
- Spring (March-May) This is a great time of year as life is gradually starting to come back after a long winter. You’ll notice lots of wild flowers starting to grow again and the landscape starts to change colour. The snow is also melting making areas more accessible for travel and exploration, not to mention the days start to get longer and wildlife such as birds start to appear again. This is a lovely time of year!
- Summer (June-August) Summer time is hands down one of the best seasons to visit, picture the sun never going down past the horizon, you’ll witness a beautiful sunset every single night at around midnight! It’s actually phenomenal to experience and hard to explain as you really need to be there in the moment to feel the magic. It gives you such power and energy to explore as there’s so much to see and do, we could all use a little extra energy whilst travelling and this certainly provides just that!
- Autumn (September-November) If you want to avoid the summer crowds and try and bag yourself some cheaper accommodation then this could be the season for you. The landscape starts to transform into those autumnal colours, gifting you with a beautiful landscape filled with orange and brown hues. The leaves begin to fall and the days start to get shorter which then gives you a good chance of catching the Northern lights if the sky is clear.
- Winter (December-February) To many maybe the winter season sounds cold and unappealing, let me tell you this is far from true. The wintertime brings a special kind of magic which can only be described as a winter wonderland filled with awe and wonder. The power of winter in Iceland is something every explorer should experience in their lifetime, it brings so many winter activities to suit every person, Aurora hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, these are just to name a few. Honestly, Iceland is like a winter adventure playground and it’s unreal to experience this time of year!
How to get to West Iceland
Depending on the time of year, you have a number of options on how you can reach this part of the country and below we will list the best options available.
Self Drive
Having your own vehicle is a game changer, imagine cruising around the country at your own pace and taking in all the luscious scenery as you go. We have experienced some of the best road trips of our lives exploring these beautiful lands, so we always recommend renting a car to roam around the country at a pace that suits you.
It also allows you to get to those hard to reach places and the endless hidden gems the country has to offer. If your feeling even more adventurous then why not rent a camper van and save on accommodation at the same time?! Make your life easier by renting a car at the airport, but be sure to do this in advance to save yourself a few bob!
Bus
If you’re on a budget or you’re not partial to a road trip, then check out the local buses from downtown Reykjavik to the east of Iceland. The Capital has great connections and you can easily check the bus schedules online at Strætó. If you’re feeling adventurous, stick out your thumb, Iceland is pretty safe, hitchhiking and ride sharing are very common.
Ferry
This option only applies if you would like to reach the Westfjords from the east of Iceland or vice verse. There’s a boat that connects these two regions and its quite the adventure to say the least, especially if you don’t have a car.
Check out the West.is website for all the info you need to plan this part of your trip. Be sure to stop off in Flatley Island to see the abundance of bird life and nature! P.S It’s also a car ferry if you’re travelling by car.
Accommodation
Accommodation is plentiful in Iceland and you have several options to suit every budget, do bare in mind though Iceland is rather pricey so booking in advance is essential to get yourself the best deal possible.
For us Airbnb is by far the best option if you’re on a tight budget, it offers you the option of having a kitchen which is a great way t0 keep the costs down.
Imagine eating out in Iceland 3 times a day, it would cost you a small fortune and you’d likely end up broke after a trip here. Be sure to check out our blog on Airbnb Money saving hacks to save you money on your trip.
Booking.com is our second go to, and if your part of the Genius program then you’ll save yourself minimum 10% depending on how often you use the platform.
Alternatively, if you’re travelling as a backpacker then check out all the quirky hostels the country has to offer, not only will you save money but you’ll also likely meet some really cool people to share the country with.
Things to See and Do in West Iceland
Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
If you have a car, then just simply driving around this national park is bloody epic to say the least, this area is home to the snow capped Glacier volcano, Snæfellsjökull.
It offers mind blowing scenery and it truly is something out of lord of the rings, imagine low lying clouds surrounded by rugged mountains, lava fields and volcanic craters all around you, its’ nothing short of amazing!
Snæfellsjökull Glacier is associated with folklore and mythical tales, it’s a place people believe is one of the seven energy centres on earth, it’s been named a chakra for its power and magnetic energy.
That’s why Jules Verne set her book here, “Journey to the Center of the earth”. There’s all sorts of tales surrounding this Glacier and you can certainly feel the power!
Kirkjufell Mountain
Known as the most photographed mountain in the whole of Iceland, we can see why as its insanely beautiful and extremely picturesque.
If you’re a fan a Game of Thrones, this was featured during season 7, it was a backdrop for when John Snow were heading north to smash the army of death! Go on John Snow, said in a strong northern accent!
We actually spent ages here just looking out at this majestic mountain and admiring the several waterfalls, you’d imagine this is where the fairies of Iceland live, keep your eyes out for one just incase!
Arnarstapi
Once a trading hub, Arnarstapi is now a thriving tourist hub and with good reason, it’s has stunning coastal landscapes, dramatic cliffs and rock formations like Gatklettur, a rock arch over the sea. The cliffs are thriving with wildlife during the summer months, including puffins nesting.
This area is the centre of local legends and folklore, tales of hidden people (huldufólk) and trolls, common in Icelandic mythology, this village defo has something magical about it.
Lots of hiking trails start here, including the 2.5 mile circular walk to Hellner, offering scenic trails along the coast.
You’ll notice the towering stone statue of a half man half troll, Bárður Snæfellsás. This folktale is as captivating as any other, and you can read the full story here on Hiticeland.com.
Skarðsvík Beach
This beautiful beach is one of the rare beaches in Iceland to have golden sand, the beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs and rock formations. You’ll notice basalt columns and sea stacks, this beach is really rather spectacular.
Why not take your shoes off and feel the sand on your toes, as you take a stroll down this majestic beach. I actually spotted my first Arctic fox on this beach, I thought it was a dog but it was an Arctic fox that was shedding it’s fur and had it’s brown summer coat. It was an amazing moment.
Also if you head all the way down the beach, past the towering rocks you’ll come across parts of a plane wreck, the place crashed in 1944, it belonged to the US Navy and miraculously the crew survived the crash.
If you fancy a hot drink check out Hellissandur village close by, you’ll find a super cosy coffee shop with a good selection of cakes. The town also has an array of colourful murals that are created by local artists, really impressive to see!
Raudfeldsgja Gorge
We love exploring a gorgeous gorge, and Raudfeldsgja is certainly a must on your trip to West Iceland. To enter the narrow gorge it requires a little climbing and clambering over rocks, it’s definitely worth it though, when you get into the gorge you can feel the ancient, sacred energy.
If you dare to venture further, you may find the hidden waterfall. It is narrow in the gorge so if you do enter, please do it with caution and watch your step.
The name Raudfeldsgja is inspired by the Icelandic Saga of Bárður Snæfellsás, remember the half troll half man statue, well he was pushed off the gorge and lost his life, legend has it his spirit watches over Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Gerduberg Basalt Cliffs
Near the town of Hellnar you’ll find these magnificent geometric shaped basalt columns, the cliffs on which the Gerduberg columns rise are over 1km long, they stand out with their grandness and beauty.
The columns are a spectacular sight, formed by cooling lava they have a striking appearance but what really makes them stand out is their size, they rise up to 14 meters, making these towering columns on the Gerduberg cliffs a sight to see.
Ytri Tunga Beach
This idyllic beach in West Iceland is not only a place to gaze out at the ocean and feel the sea breeze, it’s a chance to spot seals.
Ytri Tunga Beach is home to a seal colony, these beauties can be seen relaxing on rocks or chilling in the water, they are adorable creatures and to witness them in their natural habitat it amazing.
Icelanders used to hunt seals for food and pelts, fisherman have been known to kill them for stealing their fish and getting caught in their nets, thankfully they are more appreciated now as a part of Icelands natural beauty. Be free seals, be free!