West Iceland is truly a remarkable destination to discover in Iceland if you really want to go off the beaten track. It is also a perfect spot bird and nature lovers!
Luxury Holidays in West Iceland
A word from our travel specialist
West Iceland is an area I always enjoy visiting. The drive around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is especially varied, with beaches, lava fields, sea cliffs and a beautiful glacier all in one day, it really does feel like a little version of the whole country.
The area around Húsafell is also lovely in a quieter way. It has peaceful scenery with small birch forests and lava fields, and the pool next to Hotel Husafell is my favourite one in Iceland, scenic, and relaxing.
One of the more unusual experiences nearby is the man-made ice tunnel inside Langjökull Glacier. It’s quite something to walk through the blue ice and learn more about the glacier from the inside.
It’s a great region to explore with plenty of interesting stops and a good mix of landscapes along the way.
Helga
Nordic Experience Specialist
© Icelandic Explorer
West Iceland, Designed Around You
West Iceland is split into two key regions to discover. First, there is Snæfellsnes peninsula which is roughly a two-hour drive from Reykjavik, here you will discover Snæfellsjökull which is famous for inspiring Jules Verne and his book Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The glacier-capped volcano is a truly remarkable natural wonder to witness, further to that is Djúpalónssandur black sand beach, the opportunity to head out whale watching from Ólafsvík, and then there is Kirkjufell – the most photographed mountain in Iceland!
From the port of Stykkisholmur, you can get a ferry that goes to Brjánslækur via Flatey Island. This will now open up the second part of the West – the West Fjords. Here you will discover stunning bird cliffs, head out on trips to Hornstrandir Nature reserve to spot arctic fox, and stay in the town of Ísafjörður which offers some of the most dramatic views of northwest Iceland.
Tailor-Made Ways to Experience West Iceland
Take scenic detours to hidden gems, lava tubes, and local farms—West Iceland is about slow, soulful discovery.
Where to Stay: Handpicked for You
From converted farmhouses to modern spa hotels with mountain views, our West Iceland choices offer peace, privacy, and authentic Icelandic hospitality.
The Guidebook
Getting There
With West Iceland split into two key areas it is important to be aware of the best ways how to get there.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the most accessible point with it being roughly a three-hour drive from the city but when it comes to exploring the West Fjords you will need to make sure you plan plenty of time. Despite one of the smallest parts of Iceland’s regions, it takes the longest to get around and the accommodation is limited in the areas – so lots of planning is required and that is what our Nordic Experience Curators are here for you.
There is an airport in Ísafjörður which is accessible from Reykjavik City Airport which will allow you to get access to the region a little easier but part of the fun is driving there and soaking in the incredible scenery.
It is important to note that the West Fjords are best planned from May through to October to avoid the winter months there!
Climate
Despite its name, Iceland is not necessarily that cold. Winter temperatures are an average of 3.6°C, and summer temperatures average around 15°C. In the summertime, you can enjoy long, extended hours of sunshine and in the wintertime, the nights can get dark enough for you to see the Northern Lights as long as you are away from light pollution!
Geography
Iceland is world-famous for its geology and geography. With huge mountain ranges and an active geothermal country with many geysers, hot springs and volcanic formations to be found – it is a breath-taking landscape for those after an adventure.
Iceland offers some of the best waterfalls in Europe, such as the Dettifoss regarded as the most powerful waterfall in the whole of Europe.
With a latitude of 64° north, Reykjavik offers a perfect base from which to embark on an Iceland Northern Lights adventure.
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!
Sophie & Guy
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Tori
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Emily
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex