Iceland : Best of the West

1370 km (approx)

Day 1 Keflavik-Snaefellsnes fly from the UK to Keflavik.  Collect your rental vehicle at the airport and make your way north along a very scenic route to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (approx. 2 hr drive) and Hotel Hellnar, where you will spend the next two nights. Hotel Hellnar is a relaxed and friendly hotel, nestled amongst lava fields with sweeping sea views and in full view of the glacier.

Day 2 Snaefellsnes head west and drive along the south shore of the peninsula, with the imposing, snow-capped Snaefellsjokull volcano as a backdrop. At Lysuholl you’ll have the opportunity to bathe in a natural pool and horse riding is optional (bookable locally). Visit the minute fishing harbour at Arnarstapi and see sea stacks covered in bird life, and possibly even a seal in the surf. Walking is popular here along mountain tracks and snowmobiling on the glacier is an optional excursion (bookable and payable locally).

Day 3 Snaefellsnes-Latrabjarg continue the drive around the peninsula to Stykkisholmur. A choice of either a morning or afternoon ferry across from Snaefellsnes to the West Fjords (Brjanslaekur); approx. 3 hrs total. The ferry stops very briefly at the quaint little island of Flatey, sat midway across Breidafjordur Bay (an overnight is possible here*). Upon arrival at Brjanslaekur continue (a few hours drive) to your hotel, where you will spend the next two nights, within easy reach of the bird cliffs. Evenings are best to see the birdlife, so take a short drive then a walk to the nearby Latrabjarg cliffs and observe thousands of puffins and other seabirds.

Day 4 Latrabjarg a day at leisure to explore the sweeping fjords and beautiful coastline of this area; explore the long stretch of isolated beach at Raudisandur and perhaps pay a visit to another spectacular golden beach at Breidasvik.

Day 5 Latrabjarg-Isafjordur today trace the fjord-indented coastline north to Patreksfjordur, Talknafjordur and Bildudalur and see picturesque fishing villages galore! Stop at the fan-shaped cascading falls of Dynjandi; the perfect place for a picnic. The road winds up and down across the mountaintops skirting the fjords; truly an incredible driving experience.  Your final destination today is the remote town of Isafjordur, where you will stay the next two nights at the well-appointed Hotel Isafjordur.

Day 6 Isafjordur at leisure to perhaps take an excursion - kayaking, biking, hiking and boating are all available (contact us to prebook) and explore in a different way!

Day 7 Isafjordur-Drangsnes drive south along the coastal route towards Holmavik, where you can visit the quirky museum of Icelandic Scorcery and Witchcraft (entry payable locally), before reaching Drangsnes, a little village overlooking Steingrimsfjordur.  Overnight here at Hotel Malarhorn - a log cabin style property.  Boat trips out to the tiny island of Grimsey are available (bookable locally).

Day 8 Drangsnes-West Iceland bid a fond farewell to the West Fjords today. Overnight tonight at the thoughtfully-appointed Hotel Hraunsnef; a friendly property offering locally-sourced wholesome food in their restaurant (family-friendly excursions bookable locally). Explore the Borgarfjordur area; visiting historic Reykholt, the hotsprings at Deildartunguhver, and the pretty Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls.

Day 9 West Iceland-Keflavik time-permitting, visit Eiriksstadir, Erik the Red’s renovated farm before heading back to Keflavik to drop off your rental vehicle before the flight back to the UK (alternatively, contact us to extend your stay in the capital of Reykjavik - additional cost).

 *If you would like to overnight on Flatey then please contact our team to adjust your itinerary (additional cost for extra night).  Flatey has a scattering of photogenic timber structures, including the converted warehouses flanking the old market square where Hotel Flatey (our choice of accommodation) is located. The rooms have shared facilities and the hotel’s restaurant offers fine food with fine views. Please note that no vehicles are allowed on Flatey, therefore guests staying here allow their vehicle to carry on with the ferry to Brjanslaekur, for collection the next day (additional cost). 

Please note: As with all our self-drive holidays, we specialise in amending your itinerary to suit your interests and requirements.  Please contact our team to discuss your travel plans. Thank you.