What is Snæfellsjökull?

A 700,000-year-old glacier-capped volcano at the peninsula's tip — the setting of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth and the heart of a national park.

Is West Iceland good for a day trip?

Borgarfjörður (Hraunfossar, Deildartunguhver, Krauma) works as a half-day; the full Snæfellsnes loop deserves a long day or overnight in Stykkishólmur.

What hot springs are in West Iceland?

The Krauma geothermal baths near Reykholt, fed by the mighty Deildartunguhver hot spring, plus the natural Landbrotalaug pool.

Can you take a ferry from West Iceland?

Yes — the Baldur ferry runs from Stykkishólmur across Breiðafjörður to the Westfjords, cutting hours off the drive north.

When can you see puffins in West Iceland?

Summer (May–August) around the Snæfellsnes cliffs and on boat trips from the Breiðafjörður islands.

Where should I stay in West Iceland?

Borgarnes for a central Ring Road base, or Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður for the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

3°Cpartly cloudy3 m/s vindur

Iceland · West Iceland

West Iceland

Kirkjufell, Snæfellsjökull glacier and Viking history

Kanna kennileiti Skoða kort

From Reykjavík

1–2.5 h

Main towns

Borgarnes, Stykkishólmur

Best time

May–Sep

Nearest airport

Keflavík (KEF)

Verður að sjá

Valdar náttúruperlur

Helstu kennileiti Íslands á West Iceland

Kanna

Kort yfir West Iceland

120 kennileiti á korti — síaðu eftir flokki og smelltu á pin.

Hvar á að gista

Hótel á West Iceland

Handvaldar gistimöguleikar um allt svæðið

hotel

Adventure Hótel Hellissandur

Vesturland

Bright, cozy rooms with scenic views await at this charming hotel in West Iceland.

$150–$300/nightSkoða hótel

Hvar á að borða

Veitingastaðir á West Iceland

Valdir veitingastaðir til að borða og drekka

Eigin leið um Ísland

Vegferðir í West Iceland

Eigin leiðarlýsingar með lykilviðkomu, vegalengdum og ráðgjöf — Kannið West Iceland á eigin forsendum.

Gott að vita áður

Ferðaráð

Staðbundin þekking til að kanna West Iceland

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Kirkjufell

Shoot Kirkjufellsfoss with the mountain behind it in soft morning light — and use a wide lens to fit both falls and peak.

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Lava caves

Víðgelmir and Vatnshellir lava tubes are visited on guided tours — bring a warm layer, it's cold underground.

Krauma

The Krauma baths are fed by Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring — a great alternative to the Blue Lagoon.

Snæfellsnes loop

The full peninsula loop is ~200 km. Give it a whole day; a rushed half-day misses the best of it.

Núverandi veður

Borgarnes, West Iceland

3°C

partly cloudy

3 m/s vindur

Fara dýpra

Tengdar handbækur

Ítarlegar handbækur til að skipuleggja ferð á West Iceland

Gott að vita

Algengar spurningar

Allt sem þú þarft að vita um West Iceland

Why is Snæfellsnes called 'Iceland in miniature'?

Because the peninsula packs a glacier, volcano, lava fields, black beaches, waterfalls, fishing villages and birdlife into one compact, drivable loop.

How far is West Iceland from Reykjavík?

Borgarnes is about 1 hour; the Snæfellsnes peninsula highlights are 2–2.5 hours from the capital, making it an easy day trip or overnight.

What is Kirkjufell?

The 'Church Mountain' near Grundarfjörður — Iceland's most photographed peak, especially with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground (and a Game of Thrones filming location).