Highlights of West Iceland

After clearing customs in Keflavik Airport, take the shuttle bus to be transferred to the car rental HQ for delivery of your rental vehicle. The free shuttle bus goes back and forth every fifteen minutes around the clock between the arrival hall and rental car lots.

Once you get your rental car, you will explore the Reykjanes peninsula on your way to Reykjavik where you spend your first night. The peninsula is the home of a UNESCO Geopark harboring pillow lava, curious rock formations in the shape of elves and trolls.

Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, offers many great sights, with its small quirky houses and both tiny and open spaces. It is colorful, modern, charming, and old all the same time. We recommend visiting the tower of the big Hallgrímskirkja Church. From the top, you’ll have a wonderful view over the whole city, you will see the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean as well. During summer you can enjoy the long daylight and from the end of August to the beginning of April, you have the chance to see the magical Northern Lights.

It is time to hit the road. Today, the Westfjords await you with its wild, unspoiled nature. We recommend making a stop at the Grabrok Crater to stretch your legs before continuing on your journey. The magical Westfjords is where Iceland’s dramatic landscapes come to a riveting climax and where mass tourism disappears. Despite its uniqueness, most travelers miss this oldest part of the island. Continue the drive to Hólmavík where you will find the Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum, the Sorcerer’s Cottage. The hot natural pools in Drangsnes are also well worth a visit.

Start your day early and get ready for a splendidly scenic drive to Ísafjörður. The drive itself offers an awe-inspiring view and is much a part of the experience on its own. Do not miss Litlibær - it’s a historical turf farmstead in Northwest Iceland, most Icelanders lived in such turf buildings, and most were destroyed as soon as they were vacated. Valagil is a spectacular ravine, complete with a mighty waterfall and made from layers upon layers of ancient lava and by the end of the day, you have made it all the way to Ísafjörður.

Spend a full free day in the beautiful town of Ísafjörður. This town has a range of restaurants and recreation possibilities for all budgets and tastes for the tourist. Countless hiking- and biking trails, horse riding, bird watching, skiing, and kayaking are all within easy reach. Ísafjörður is considered the honorary capital of the Westfjords and has a real vibrancy with a thriving harbor, world-class dining, swanky cafes, and an annual music festival that draws fans from all over the world.

The Westfjords offer you the opportunity to enjoy Iceland’s beautiful nature as it is meant to be explored, alone and completely free from the crowds. Largely uninhabited, this region is frequently distinguished by travel guides as a destination of excellence and is a must-see for any serious explorer. Dramatic Dynjandi waterfall is one of the pearls you do not want to miss. Small villages will cross your path who rely on the land and sea for survival and the locals don´t get more authentic than that.

Látrabjarg, the largest known bird cliff in the world, is home to millions of birds, hosting nearly half of some species' population. This place is an absolutely natural spot to see puffins, so make sure to have your camera. Safe from Arctic foxes, the birds are fearless, providing many opportunities to take wonderful photographs. Raudisandur offers a spectacular view of the golden sands and countless numbers of seabirds and seals. The last stop of your day is at Stykkishólmur, a charming town with beautifully maintained old houses. Being the biggest town on the peninsula, it is often called the capital of the west. There are nearly 2,700 small islands in the Breidarfjorduy bay and cruises allow visitors to see the unusual rock formations and enjoy the birdlife, whale watching, and spectacular tidal currents.

Snaefellsnes is truly a magical place, with its volcanoes, glacier, basalt columns, and waterfalls. The peninsula is rich in wildlife, including dozens of species of birds and bays teeming with whales. Snaefellsjokull glacier is a 1446 m high dormant strata-volcano in the middle of Snaefellsnes National Park. It is the main tourist attraction towering over the national park at the far end of the 90 km long stretch of land. It is an ideal road trip to drive around the peninsula, exploring Dritvík Cove, Lóndrangar Cliffs, and Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs with its abundant birdlife and the quaint villages along the coast. You will finish your self-drive tour by driving to Reykjavik.

The time to say goodbye to Iceland has come. Return your rental car in good time to check in for your flight at the same location as you picked it up from. It is recommended that passengers check-in for their flights 2,5 hours prior to departure time.