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Easily accessible from Reykjavík but remaining relatively off radar, west Iceland is a microcosm of the country. Here, you’ll find sweeping open farmland flanked by mountains and fjords, saga history, huge glaciers and ice caves, and hiking, riding, birdwatching and whale watching opportunities, all without the crowds. It’s an understated region that receives fewer visitors than the south coast or Golden Circle, and in remote areas you’ll have beaches, lava fields and hiking trails all to yourself.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the star attraction, offering a taste of the whole country in a compact area, with the glacier-capped volcano, Snæfellsjökull, giving way to black-pebble beaches, waterfalls and lava fields. To the south, you can explore steep-sided Hvalfjörður, head inland to the Langjökull glacier to discover manmade caves cut from ancient ice, or simply get a taste of rural Icelandic life.

Our specialists have explored the main sights and the lesser-known ones and can help you plan your trip, whether you want to explore geological wonders, see the region’s puffins or find the best places to dine in Stykkishólmur. They’ll use their first-hand knowledge to guide you on where to go and what to do, carefully planning your trip as an individual tailor-made itinerary to match your preferences.

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who's been there
Audley Specialist, Kelsey

Start planning your tailor-made trip to West Iceland by contacting one of our Iceland specialists

Places to visit in West Iceland

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting West Iceland, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itineraries featuring West Iceland

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in West Iceland, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of West Iceland

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around West Iceland

    Our expert guides to exploring West Iceland

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting West Iceland, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate West Iceland at its best.

    • Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls
      Humpback whale

      Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls

      Highlights of Iceland: volcanoes, glaciers, whales and waterfalls

      Iceland is shaped by fire, ice and folklore. Whether you’re a summer or winter visitor, you’ll find lots to experience here, from whale watching to hiking through ice caves and even bathing in beer. Iceland specialist Katy shares her highlights.

      8 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for West Iceland

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit West Iceland. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing West Iceland

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting West Iceland, and which use the best local guides.

    • Icelandic lamb cooking class
      Bjarteyjarsandur Farm cooking class

      Icelandic lamb cooking class

      Icelandic lamb cooking class

      Get an insight into local life in rural Iceland with a visit to a traditional sheep farm outside ¸é±ð²â°ìÂá²¹±¹Ã­°ì. Here, you’ll meet three generations of the family, tour the farm, learn about life on the land and help prepare roast lamb for lunch.

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