Best Things to See and Do in West Iceland

Author: Chris Ayliffe

If you’re planning a visit to Iceland, then the west of the country needs to be high on your list. With an abundance of rugged landscapes of mountains, lava fields, waterfalls, lava caves and a tranquil spa destination, it’s the perfect region to take your time exploring.



However, what are the best things to sightsee in West Iceland? Where do you definitely need to stop off at? What are the hidden gems of this region? And, what do locals recommend for the optimum experience?



In this blog, I will answer all these questions and more, from the geological and volcanic wonders to the most incredible viewing points to get the very best from your trip to West Iceland.

Why Should You Travel to West Iceland?

West Iceland is much overlooked when comparing it to the main tourist trails of the South Coast and the Golden Circle. However, West Iceland arguably has even more diversity and a selection of off the beaten path hidden gems which give it an edge in the battle of the regions.


As an avid traveller, it is often more rewarding to find and explore the locations which are often a little lesser-known to get a more authentic and intimate experience with the country.


West Iceland ticks these boxes well. Though there are regular visitors to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it is much rarer that travellers explore some of the less well documented places which I will cover in this blog as well.


In simplicity, West Iceland has a whole character and charm unique to itself which makes it a region firmly not to be missed.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

It’s true that a trip to West Iceland isn’t complete without checking out the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Nicknamed ‘Iceland in miniature’ for the sheer variety of landscapes in such a small region that contains mountains, a glacier, lava fields, craters, a lava cave, black sand beaches, seal viewing spots and some of the most incredible coastal lines with regular Icelandic sea stacks (or ‘trolls’).


If you’re driving on your own or part of a tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you will easily get to explore the very best sites in a day. I would highly suggest starting your trip along the southern coastline and working your way around the peninsula and across the north.



Arnarstapi & Hellnar

You’ll first visit the charming fishing towns of Arnarstapi and Hellnar which offer some pleasant scenic walks along the coastline. These include some incredible basalt caverns on the water's surface being constantly battered by the powerful ocean currents, as well as some fantastic rock arches.



One of these rock arches allows you to walk directly across the ocean beneath. This is an incredible photo opportunity and one for those who’ve brought some extra courage for the day.



Lóndrangar

Source: Lóndrangar. Wikimedia. CC. Markus Trienke.

A little further along the south side of the peninsula will take you to the fantastically picturesque Lóndrangar. These are a pair of rock pinnacles which are actually volcanic plugs of basalt carved over generations from the continuous rock erosion. Both Lóndrangar’s positioning and stature make it a much-loved location for photographers in particular.



Vatnshellir Lava Cave

Source: Vatnshellir lava cave tour. Traveo Iceland.

For the geology lovers among you, taking a tour at Vatnshellir lava cave is an absolute must. 


Here, your guide will lead you down a narrow stairwell and through some of the ancient caverns of an old lava cave. Take your time to carefully explore the caverns and gather some spectacular pictures of the colourful rock formations that sit beneath.

Snæfellsjökull

Afterwards, you’ll round the corner of the centrepiece of the peninsula, Snæfellsjökull. This gargantuan glacier sits on top of a large dormant volcano, considered to be the entry point for the characters in Jules Verne’s 19th century classic novel, A Journey to the Centre of the Earth.


For the photographers among you, as you travel a little further around the peninsula, there’s an incredible spot on your right-hand side of a church called Ingjaldshóll. This provides the backdrop of the glacier, with a rich field in front of you with the church quaintly sitting on top of a hill. If you’re travelling in the summer months, the fields will likely be filled with the delightful Lupine flower.

Kirkjufell

Just outside of the quiet fishing town of Grundarfjörður, sit’s the enigmatic mountain of Kirkjufell.

In english, the name ‘Kirkjufell’ translates to ‘Church Mountain’. However, this unique mountain which sits away from the adjacent mountain range, is more commonly known as ‘the mountain shaped like an arrowhead’ by travellers due to the hit HBO show, Game of Thrones.


When you stop here, make sure you take your time to walk behind the opposite waterfall of Kirkjufellfoss. Though this waterfall is easily a beautiful natural feature in it’s own right, when you stand just behind the top of the falls you’re in the best spot for a perfect shot of the waterfall and the mountain in one frame.


If you’re travelling in the winter months, Kirkjufell is perhaps the best foreground to capture some images of the Northern Lights. Watching the lights dance and curve over this incredible mountain, easily make this one of the best locations for watching the Northern Lights in Iceland.



Stykkishólmur

Source: Stykkishólmur. Wikimedia. CC. Nojhan.

As one of the larger fishing towns on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Stykkishólmur packs a variety of character and culture sitting amidst it’s tranquil environment.


You can easily explore the town on foot. The two most scenic locations come from the church on top of the hill which gazes down upon the rest of the town, and Súgandisey cliff, which after a short 5-minute walk up an easily climbed stair path offers unparalleled views of the surrounding bay and the edge of the Westfjords on a clear day.


Stykkishólmur is also renowned as being the town featured in the hollywood hit movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For those of you who enjoy this movie as much I do, it’s the scene where Walter (played by ‘Ben Stiller’) gets the courage to jump into a moving helicopter, in which his adventure really begins.


The building Walter Mitty runs from is actually the town’s old library which at the time of writing is currently abandoned. I wouldn’t, however, recommend recreating the scene in the winter months like I did which led to a very sore slip on the ice (Ground Control to Major Ow!).

Hraunfossar & Barnafoss

Outside of the immaculate Snæfellsnes Peninsula lies a duo of impressive waterfalls which sit right next to each other along route 518 (the following sections are all on this route).


First, there’s Hraunfossar which is a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets pouring over a distance of 900m out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field. This was formed as a result of an ancient eruption from one of the volcanoes that sits beneath Iceland’s Langjökull glacier.

Langjökull glacier is also the perfect place to try the ultimate winter activity on a snowmobiling tour for those of you keen to dare yourselves.

Source: Golden Circle Super Jeep Tour with Snowmobiling on a Glacier. Traveo Iceland.

A short walk upstream from Hraunfossar is it’s much more thunderous neighbour, Barnafoss. Translating into english as ‘Children’s Waterfall’, this waterfall rich in vibrant blue colours has a tale of its own.

Source: Barnafoss. Wikimedia. CC. Loveless.

The story goes, on one Christmas day the household of Hraunsás went to attend mass, with the exception of two children who were told to stay home. 


However, once the family returned, the children had vanished. Only their footprints in the snow could be found which led up to a rock arch which once crossed the mighty Barnafoss. In anguish, the mother then had the arch destroyed to prevent any other occurrence of this almighty tragedy (though the children were never found).

Víðgelmir Lava Cave

Source: Vidgelmir lava tube tour. Traveo Iceland.

Víðgelmir is a lava cave situated in the Hallmundarhraun lava field much further upstream to the waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.


What’s special about this location is that because the roof of the lava tube has collapsed, it’s created two large openings which are the only known entrances to this natural wonder.


The lava tube is 1585m long and the largest part of the passage reaches up to 15.8m high and 16.5m wide, which is the largest lava tube in Iceland. 


You can take a tour deep into this ancient volcanic underbelly which is believed to have formed at around 900AD. Be careful when exploring the deep passages within and make sure you bring your camera with you for some of the most otherworldly shots imaginable. It is the land of fire and ice after all!

Reykholt

Though just a small village, Reykholt remains a site of incredible historical importance to Icelanders.


It’s primarily known as the home of the historian, scholar and chieftain, Snorri Sturluson who resided here between 1206 - 1241.


His influence on Icelandic culture, language and literature is second to none having produced Heimskringla, Edda and Egil’s Saga which have now been translated into many languages. They have also served as a source of inspiration to both art and literature across the globe for many centuries.


His writings also helped to preserve evidence of the ancient Germanic cultural heritage, which without his contribution, our modern day understanding of Iceland’s medieval culture would be limited. This even includes the recordings of legends and much of known Norse Mythology.


If you’re a history buff keen to learn more, make sure you stop off at the Snorrastofa Visitors centre which is situated in a building behind the church. It’s well worth a stop to understand this cultural icon a little more.



Krauma Spa

Source: Entry to West Iceland’s Krauma Nature Baths. Traveo Iceland.

After a long day of travelling and exploring the wonders of West Iceland, there’s simply nothing better than taking a load off and relaxing at the wonderful Krauma Spa.


Crafted with a series of outdoor hot baths and one cold, as well as a stylish and peaceful relaxation room, this is the perfect way to end a day in true Iceldnic style. 


What makes this spa particularly special, is the fact that the waters are fed by glacial meltwater and heated by the most powerful neighbouring hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver.


With mineral-rich healing waters from the purest sources, this combination of hot spring and glacial water is the perfect cocktail of what gives Iceland the name ‘the land of fire and ice’.


Whether you’re visiting West Iceland during the summer months to bathe in Krauma Spa and admire it’s unparalleled rural views under the long days of the midnight sun, or in the winter months with the perfect spot to watch the northern lights from, this is without a doubt a great stop off for any Iceland trip you have planned.



Conclusion

There’s no question, if you’re planning on visiting Iceland soon, make sure you have West Iceland on your list. It’s sheer variety, history, geology and cultural significance makes it by far one of the best locations in Iceland. Combining this with the number of once in a lifetime activities you can include, it also provides some of the best things to do in Iceland.


When you check out West Iceland, make sure you spare plenty of time to explore and discover the awesome and the bizarre landmarks, experience some of the incredible activities, and we’ll see you at the end of the day for the perfect way to unwind.