Iceland Travel Guide
West Iceland
Viking Sagas · Mystical Landscapes · Lava Caves · Coastal Cliffs
Did you know? Snæfellsjökull glacier is considered one of Iceland's most mystical locations. Many believe it is a powerful energy center and even a gateway between worlds in Icelandic folklore.
History of West Iceland
Discover Snæfellsnes Peninsula, lava fields, and Viking history in West Iceland.
Top Experiences in West Iceland
Natural wonders and bookable adventures — the best of Snæfellsnes & West Iceland
Akranes Lighthouse
Akranes Lighthouse is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Arnarstapi
Arnarstapi is a stunning beach located in West Iceland. This dramatic coastal area features Iceland's distinctive black volcanic sand, shaped by powerful ocean waves. The beach offers dramatic views of the sea and surrounding landscape, and is home to diverse marine wildlife including seals and seabirds.
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Barnafoss
Barnafoss is a stunning waterfall located in West Iceland. This magnificent cascade showcases the raw power and beauty of Iceland's landscape. Fed by glacial meltwater and rainfall, the waterfall is a spectacular sight in all seasons, surrounded by dramatic lava rock formations.
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Private Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour & Glacier Hike
From $7240
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Borgarnes
Borgarnes is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Búðir
Búðir is a historic site in West Iceland. This important landmark offers a fascinating window into Iceland's rich past. With roots stretching back to the Viking Age and beyond, the site preserves stories of the people and events that shaped modern Iceland.
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Deildartunguhver
Deildartunguhver is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Private Silfra Snorkeling 6 p. group - Meet on Location - with Underwater Photos
From $899
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Djúpalónssandur Black Pebble Beach
Djúpalónssandur is a dramatic black pebble beach on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula known for its lava formations, lifting stones, and maritime history.
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Gerðuberg
Gerðuberg is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Explore →Glanni
Glanni is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights
From $7400
Book NowGudlaug Baths
Gudlaug Baths is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Gvendarlaug
Gvendarlaug is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Hellnar
Hellnar is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
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Reykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer
From $1631.14
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Hraunfossar
Hraunfossar is a stunning waterfall located in West Iceland. This magnificent cascade showcases the raw power and beauty of Iceland's landscape. Fed by glacial meltwater and rainfall, the waterfall is a spectacular sight in all seasons, surrounded by dramatic lava rock formations.
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Húsafell
Húsafell is a remarkable natural wonder in West Iceland. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
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Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell is a remarkable natural wonder in West Iceland. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
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Glacier Adventure at Sólheimajökull Private Tour
From $381.38
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Krauma
Krauma is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Explore →Landbrotalaug
Landbrotalaug is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Langjökull
Langjökull is a magnificent glacier located in West Iceland. This ancient ice mass is part of Iceland's iconic glacial landscape. Visitors can explore the glacier on guided tours, witnessing the stunning blue ice formations, crevasses and the dramatic interplay of ice and volcanic rock.
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Visit the Volcanoes - Half Day Private Tour - up to 9 passengers
From $1200
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Lóndrangar
Lóndrangar is a remarkable volcanic wonder in West Iceland. This dramatic landscape was shaped by powerful volcanic forces over thousands of years. Visitors can witness the raw geological power of Iceland's volcanic heritage through dramatic lava fields, craters and unique rock formations.
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Rauðfeldsgjá
Rauðfeldsgjá is a remarkable natural wonder in West Iceland. This breathtaking natural attraction showcases the diverse and dramatic landscapes that make Iceland one of the world's most unique destinations. From its geological formations to its rich biodiversity, this site offers an unforgettable experience.
Explore →Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Explore →Reykholt
Reykholt is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Explore →Saeberg Hot Tubs
Saeberg Hot Tubs is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Saxhóll
Saxhóll is a unique destination and attraction in West Iceland. Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness that make Iceland such a special place to visit. Whether you're seeking adventure, history or simply stunning scenery, this attraction offers something memorable for every visitor.
Explore →Settlement Center Borgarnes
Settlement Center Borgarnes is a cultural attraction in West Iceland. This museum offers visitors fascinating insights into Iceland's rich history and heritage. Explore captivating exhibitions and learn about the country's people, traditions and remarkable story from the age of the Vikings to today.
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Snorralaug
Snorralaug is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Snæfellsjökull
Snæfellsjökull is a magnificent glacier located in West Iceland. This ancient ice mass is part of Iceland's iconic glacial landscape. Visitors can explore the glacier on guided tours, witnessing the stunning blue ice formations, crevasses and the dramatic interplay of ice and volcanic rock.
Explore →Sturlungalaug
Sturlungalaug is a natural hot spring located in west-iceland. This geothermal pool offers visitors a chance to relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by Iceland's stunning natural landscape. Perfect for those seeking an authentic Icelandic bathing experience away from the crowds.
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Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur is a vibrant neighborhood and destination in West Iceland. Explore the unique character and charm of this area, with its mix of culture, architecture and local life. From colorful buildings to local cafes and shops, this part of Iceland offers an authentic glimpse into daily Icelandic life.
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Viðgelmir
Viðgelmir is a remarkable volcanic wonder in West Iceland. This dramatic landscape was shaped by powerful volcanic forces over thousands of years. Visitors can witness the raw geological power of Iceland's volcanic heritage through dramatic lava fields, craters and unique rock formations.
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Ytri Tunga
Ytri Tunga is a stunning beach located in West Iceland. This dramatic coastal area features Iceland's distinctive black volcanic sand, shaped by powerful ocean waves. The beach offers dramatic views of the sea and surrounding landscape, and is home to diverse marine wildlife including seals and seabirds.
Explore →Hidden Gems in West Iceland
Off-the-beaten-path spots most tourists miss
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
A narrow, hidden gorge you can actually walk inside — Rauðfeldsgjá is one of Snæfellsnes Peninsula's best-kept secrets. The name means 'Red Cloak Gorge,' named after a tragic saga tale in which a boy named Rauðfeldur was pushed into the gorge by his cousins and disappeared forever. The narrow ravine is just wide enough to squeeze through, with a small waterfall trickling down the mossy walls. Wear waterproof boots — the gorge floods in heavy rain. It's a short hike from the main road, but most tourists drive past without noticing the trailhead. Go early in the morning or late in the evening for solitude and magical light filtering through the narrow opening.
Víðgelmir Lava Cave
Víðgelmir is one of Iceland's largest and most accessible lava caves — a 1,585-meter-long tunnel created by a volcanic eruption around 1,100 years ago. Unlike many lava caves in Iceland, Víðgelmir has been developed with walkways and LED lighting that highlight the incredible colors of the lava formations — shades of red, orange, gold, and green created by mineral deposits and oxidation. The cave stays around 0°C year-round and contains stunning ice stalagmites in winter. Guided tours run daily from The Cave visitor center near Húsafell. The cave was used as a sheep shelter in the past, and archaeological evidence suggests it may have been used by outlaws hiding from the law centuries ago.
Gerðuberg Basalt Cliffs
Gerðuberg is an extraordinary wall of hexagonal basalt columns stretching nearly 500 meters along the road in western Snæfellsnes. These geometric pillars — some reaching up to 14 meters tall — were formed when lava cooled slowly and contracted into perfect six-sided shapes. It looks like a giant's organ or alien architecture. Unlike more famous basalt formations like Reynisfjara or Svartifoss, Gerðuberg is right next to Route 54 and sees far fewer visitors. It's completely free to visit, and you can park right at the base and walk along the cliffs. Best photographed in late afternoon when the sun illuminates the columns from the side.
Viking Sagas & Mystical Legends
West Iceland is saga country — the landscape is inseparable from the stories written here. Egil's Saga, set in Borgarfjörður, follows the life of the fierce Viking poet Egill Skallagrímsson from childhood to old age. His farm Borg á Mýrum is still a landmark today, and Egill's grave mound stands on the site of his burial.
Snæfellsjökull glacier-volcano is the centrepiece of an entire mythology. Jules Verne chose it as the entrance to the centre of the Earth in his 1864 novel. Esotericists consider it one of the world's seven energy centres. Local legend holds that the guardian spirit Bárður Snæfellsás — half man, half troll — still protects the peninsula from within the glacier.
The Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss tells of Bárður, a Norse settler who became a mountain troll and turned himself into glacial ice after his daughter was sent away to Greenland. Travellers still leave offerings at Bárður's statue near Arnarstapi, asking for protection on their journey across the peninsula.
Egil's Saga
One of the greatest Viking sagas — set in Borgarfjörður, chronicling the fierce poet-warrior Egill Skallagrímsson.
Snæfellsjökull Mysticism
Jules Verne's gateway to Earth's centre — and one of the world's most powerful energy vortices.
Bárður Snæfellsás
The guardian spirit of Snæfellsnes — half man, half troll — said to still protect travellers from within the glacier.
Haunted Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The mystical Snæfellsnes Peninsula — crowned by the glacier-capped volcano Snæfellsjökull — is scattered with abandoned farms haunted by tragedy, disease, and unexplained terrors.
Snæfellsnes Abandoned Farms
📍 Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland
Ruined farmhouses abandoned after disasters, plagues, and unexplained terrors — and many are said to be haunted still. Locals say: 'Not all houses that are empty are actually empty.'
The farm of Öndverðarnes at the very tip of the peninsula was abandoned in 1703 after the entire household died within a single winter — some say from sickness, others from something darker. The ruins still stand facing the open Atlantic, and fishermen sailing past report seeing lights in the windows on moonless nights.
Saxhóll, a farm near the base of Snæfellsjökull volcano, was abandoned in 1891 after a series of unexplained deaths. Local accounts describe seeing shadowy figures in the fields and hearing children crying in empty rooms. The hidden people (huldufólk) who lived in the nearby lava formations were blamed.
The Icelandic saying 'Ekki öll hús sem eru tóm eru í raun og veru tóm' — 'Not all houses that are empty are in fact empty' — is said to have originated on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where every abandoned farm has its own haunted history.
Explore all of Iceland's haunted places and supernatural legends
👻 View All Ghost StoriesFrequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for West Iceland?▾
2–3 days is ideal to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Borgarfjörður properly. You can do a rushed day trip from Reykjavík, but staying overnight lets you experience the region without rushing.
What is the best time to visit West Iceland?▾
Summer (June–August) offers midnight sun and all roads open. Winter (October–March) is excellent for Northern Lights photography at Kirkjufell, though some roads may be icy.
Do I need a 4x4 for West Iceland?▾
No — the main attractions on Snæfellsnes Peninsula are accessible via paved Route 54. A regular car is fine. 4x4 is only needed for highland F-roads.
Is Snæfellsnes worth visiting?▾
Absolutely — it's one of the most diverse and dramatic landscapes in Iceland. Glacier, volcano, lava fields, bird cliffs, seal beaches and Viking history all within a 90 km peninsula.
Can I see the Northern Lights at Kirkjufell?▾
Yes — Kirkjufell is one of Iceland's most photographed Northern Lights locations. The distinctive mountain shape with the small waterfall in front creates an iconic composition. Visit September to March for the best chances.
Haunted and Mythical Places in West Iceland
West Iceland contains some of the strongest folklore traditions in the country. Many valleys and glaciers are believed to hold ancient supernatural energy that has endured for centuries.
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Often described as one of Earth's great energy centers, Snæfellsjökull is believed by many to be a gateway between worlds.
Barnafoss
Legend says two children disappeared crossing the natural stone bridge here — the bridge was later destroyed to prevent future tragedies.
Hraunfossar
The lava fields surrounding these waterfalls are traditionally believed to contain hidden elf settlements beneath the rock formations.
Glymur Canyon
Stories describe hidden people living inside the canyon walls surrounding Iceland's second-highest waterfall.
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⚔️ Viking Heritage
Saga sites and Viking routes in this region
Reykholt
Keeper of Norse Mythology
Reykholt was home to Snorri Sturluson, the medieval writer who preserved Norse mythology in the Prose Edda, one of the most important sources of Viking beliefs about Odin, Thor and Loki.
💡 Did you know?
Without Snorri's writings, much of what we know today about Norse mythology might have been lost.
Borg á Mýrum
Home of Egill the Warrior Poet
Borg á Mýrum was the home of Egill Skallagrímsson, one of Iceland's most famous Viking warriors and poets whose life story is preserved in Egils saga.
💡 Did you know?
Egill Skallagrímsson was known both for his battlefield strength and his powerful poetry.
Eiríksstaðir
Home of the Vinland Explorer
Eiríksstaðir is believed to be the birthplace of Leif Erikson, the Viking explorer who reached North America around the year 1000, nearly five centuries before Columbus.
💡 Did you know?
Leif Erikson's journey to Vinland is one of the earliest recorded European voyages to North America.
