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Lighthouse at Látrabjarg - Westfjords

Highlights of Westfjords & West Iceland

(7 days / 6 nights)

4.8
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See what others don’t in the exquisite West Fjords

This self-drive journey takes you from the wondrous west coast to the remote West Fjords to the spectacular Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You will be convinced that the west is best after this trip. During your 7 days in Iceland, you can experience some of the country’s best-kept secrets and natural wonders. Imagine narrow fjords offset by jagged mountains, unspoilt scenery, well-preserved cultural traditions and the kind of tranquility that few places on earth can match. See a part of Iceland that few tourists get to experience.

Are you looking to join like-minded travellers on a similar guided small group version of this tour?

4.8
Save up to ISK

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

265195ISK

You save: 35000 ISK per person

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 230195 ISK

— Why book this tour

  • Private transfer from airport on arrival
  • Handpicked hotels by local travel experts with breakfast included
  • Reliable rental cars from our trusted partner Hertz
  • Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map and travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline throughout tour
  • Local travel experts with firsthand experience
  • Carbon offsetting included

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Enjoy the striking nature of Snæfellsnes and its charming fishing villages
  • Marvel at the delicate, yet powerful Dynjandi waterfall
  • Explore Ísafjörður, the unofficial capital of the Westfjords
  • Birdwatch at the gigantic cliff of Látrabjarg
  • Visit the rich golden red sands of Rauðisandur beach
  • Walk the quaint streets of the capital city, Reykjavik
  • See the twin waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
  • Roam the charming Snæfellsnes town of Stykkishólmur

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Midnight sun i, Off the Beaten Path i

Season

Jun - Aug

Departure

Daily

Driving distance

1110/690 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your Nordic adventure.

  • Day 1: Welcome to Reykjavík

    Upon arrival to Keflavik International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city centre with its abundance of museums, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. If you're interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city's thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, and enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Best of the West & Into the Westfjords

    Collect your rental car and begin your journey today by driving through the bountiful Borgarfjörður area. Sights along the way include the twin waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss along with the Deildartunguhver hot spring, and Háafell Goat Farm. You also have the choice to join optional activities such as venturing inside of a glacier.

    Continue your drive to Hólmavík, a quaint village in the Westfjords that is home to the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft and a charming harbour. Explore the town at your leisure.

    Spend the night in Hólmavík area.

    Driving distance approx. 350 km/ 217 mi. 

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: Explore Ísafjörður, The unofficial capital of the Westfjords

    Start your day early from Hólmavík and get ready for a splendidly scenic drive to Ísafjörður. The coastal roads weave in between mountains and fjords, allowing you to enjoy awe-inspiring views. The journey is very much part of the adventure.

    Once in Ísafjörður, explore the bustling downtown area close to the harbour, where there are shops, cafes, and museums. For those seeking a little nature, there are well-maintained trails just outside of town. After a full day, dine at one of the town's restaurants serving fresh fish.

    Spend the night in Ísafjörður.

    Driving distance approx. 220 km/137 mi. 

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: Dynjandi Waterfall & Látrabjarg Cliffs

    Head to Dýrafjörður, where you will find the trail of the Viking Saga hero, Gisli Súrsson, as well as the Skrúður botanical garden. Continuing to Hrafnseyri, you can visit a museum dedicated to another hero, Jón Sigurðsson, who was influential in Iceland’s battle for independence.

    Next, make a stop at the impressive Dynjandi waterfall before heading to the spectacular 444-metre-high cliff of Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Here, you can get a good look at some of Iceland’s many species of nesting seabirds, such as puffins and razorbills.

    You can also visit the rich golden sands of Rauðisandur.

    Spend the night in the southern Westfjords.

    Driving distance approx. 300 km / 186 mi. 

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 5: Ferry across Breiðafjörður

    You’ll leave the Westfjords behind and kick off the day with the Baldur ferry.* It will take you across the Breiðafjörður bay, with a stop on beautiful Flatey, all the way to the village of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The duration of the ferry ride is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

    If you have time to explore after your arrival in Stykkishólmur, you could spend the afternoon roaming the region's unique sights, including spotting the Snæfellsjökull glacier in Snæfellsjökull National Park, seeing Dritvík Cove and exploring the charming hamlets of ArnarstapiHellnar and Búðir.

    Spend the night in the Snæfellsnes region.

    *In May and September, the Baldur ferry departs only in the evenings. Instead, we recommend that you drive around the bay to Stykkishólmur. The drive adds approximately 280 km (173 mi) to your journey, but it is very scenic.

    Driving distance approx. 140 km / 87 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 6: Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavík

    Experience the geographically diverse Snæfellsjökull National Park, with rich birdlife, lush valleys and lava fields. It's an ideal road trip to drive around the peninsula, exploring Dritvík Cove, Lóndrangar Cliffs as well as Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs with its abundant birdlife and the quaint villages along the coast.

    You might wish to test your strength at the stones of the black volcanic beach of Djúpalónssandur like the sailors did years ago to prove their strength and vie for choice roles in ships. In Snæfellsnes, you can choose from a variety of activities such as hiking, taking a boat cruise or simply relax and take in the glacier’s alleged supernatural energy.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Driving distance approx. 200 km / 124 mi.

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 7: Departure from Iceland

    On your day of departure, a shuttle bus will collect you from your hotel in Reykjavík and transport you to Keflavík International Airport ahead of your scheduled flight. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can fit in a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or even take a short guided tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula (optional; not included).

    Attractions See Activities for this day

Optional extras

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this summer self-drive tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Iceland, along with airport transfers and planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, leaflets about driving in Iceland, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. You’ll also have in-car Wi-Fi included in your car rental, meaning you’ll be able to stay connected and check things on the go.

Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.

If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.

During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

On our self-drive packages, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a Reykjavík-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland. 

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process. 

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it. 

Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.

In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing. 

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.

Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.

Driving in Iceland during the summer months might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:

  • We drive on the right-hand side of the road
  • Sheep sometimes roam onto the roads
  • Most roads and motorways are single carriageways
  • The first car to arrive at a single-lane bridge has right of way
  • Iceland has quite a few tunnels, including one of the longest underwater road tunnels in the world
     

And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!

For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Iceland. Additionally, when you arrive on your tour, you’ll receive a brochure telling you more about driving in Iceland.

Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer. 

Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon. 

These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.

Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F). 

It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:

  • Durable insulated jacket
  • Rain gear, including sturdy wind and waterproof layers, like a jacket and trousers
  • Robust walking shoes with a good grip
  • Mid-layers such as a fleece or woollen jumper
  • A few pairs of warm hiking socks
  • Hat, gloves and scarf
  • Swimwear for visiting geothermal pools or spas
  • Backpack for daily adventures
  • Electronic equipment such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and eye mask for the summer sun
  • And don’t forget your camera!
     

For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.

On your Iceland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around 300-400 ISK per litre.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Iceland. For the rest of your meals, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

Budget between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.

When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland. 

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Wonderful customer service

Perfect from beginning to end. Specially Margrét handling the inconveniences we had with the storm and solving in minutes what was becoming a difficult annoyance for us. She was a wonderful assistance and the best image for Nordic Visitor.

Superb

From start to finish, the arrangements and communications from Nordic Visitor staff were superb. We followed the itinerary as presented with no problems and would highly recommend the Westfjords driving tour as a special and unique vacation.

Excellent communication

I am pleased I contacted them to help coordinate our trip. They are very knowledgeable of the venues we wanted to visit and gave us advice prior to booking. There was never a question as to where we should be at any given time and no lapses in the arrangements. The communication was excellent as was our trip.

Everything ran smoothly

The trip to Iceland was a late substitute for a Norway trip cancelled due to COVID restrictions, so the timescale was tight but all was done well. Once we were on the way, everything ran smoothly and the accommodation was varied and interesting. The Western Fjords are a truly special experience even if you have been to Iceland before.

Knowledgeable and helpful

Clarence handled our tour package. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. The accommodation he chose were great. The time of travel each day between accommodation was just right, taking in to account the terrain and road conditions. He helped organise a special whale-watching tour. The itinerary was extremely helpful. I referred to it several times for hotel accommodation. For someone travelling to Iceland for the first time, not knowing what to expect, this is the way to go!

Would recommend Nordic Visitor to friends

I would still recommend Nordic Visitor to friends that have not been to Iceland before. However, I would suggest not making a final payment until the itinerary is received.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Economy

You can expect rooms in good quality guesthouses, farmhouses, or hostels. Most of the properties are run by small, family-run busi..

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Comfort Plus

In this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality 3-star hotels. Or, you'll spend the night in similar rooms in rura..

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Rental car

Enjoy the journey, in the rental car of your choice.

Toyota Yaris -
(Manual)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • M

Toyota Yaris -
(Manual)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Manual*
  • *upgrade to automatic available upon request

Volkswagen Golf - (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Volkswagen Golf - (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Sedan - (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Toyota Corolla Sedan - (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Station - (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota Corolla Station - (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard SUV, AWD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x5
  • A

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium SUV, 4WD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 5
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Description: 4x4
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • x8
  • x5
  • x6
  • A

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 8
  • Luggage: 6-7
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
Save up to ISK

Price per person from

You save: 35000 ISK per person

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 230195 ISK

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