Wonderful Westfjords: 9 Day self-drive Tour

Capture the amazing beauty of the rugged Westfjords of Iceland in this 9-day self-drive tour. Along the way, you will experience towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and deep fjords that will amaze you. There are many unique activities available on the way, such as deep sea fishing, hiking, boat cruises along the beautiful coast and some of the best spots for bird watching in Iceland and around the world. The Westfjords also boasts the highest number of natural hot pools found in Iceland in one region, most of which have the perfect temperature for bathing. The Westfjords of Iceland are as spectacular as they come and this Westfjords self-drive tour is ideal for a revisiting traveler that want’s to focus on a specific area of Iceland.

Price from 1993 EUR per person

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TOUR CODE

SD-09

SEASON

May - Sept

travel style

Self-Drive Tours

Duration

9 days / 8 nights

Location

Reykjavik, West Iceland, Westfjords

accessibility

Not recommended

The itinerary

This itinerary can be offered throughout the year (some adjustments might be required depending on travel dates).

Day 1: Arrival in Iceland & Reykjavík

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About your day

Welcome to Iceland! Once you arrive at Keflavík International Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the heart of Reykjavík. In the afternoon you can explore some landmarks of the city like Perlan building, Hallgrímskirkja Church and Harpa – Music & Conference center. In the evening, the restaurants of Reykjavík will welcome you and afterward, the bars are open until 1:00 am during weekdays and 04:00 am at the weekend.

Attractions of the day

Hallgrímskirkja Church

Laugavegur Shopping Street

Harpa - Music Hall

Sun Voyager - The Solfar Sculpture

Day 2: Travel to the Westfjords of Iceland

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Reykjavík

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Búðardalur area

DRIVING DISTANCE

~210 km / 130 miles

About your day

Today your self-drive tour of the Westfjords of Iceland starts. You will be picked up by our car rental partners and transferred to their HQ where you will receive your rental vehicle. Drive out of the city and head for Borgarnes. From there, drive to the village of Búðardalur where close by, you can visit the Eiríksstaðir Museum – a replica of Eirikur Rauði’s (Eric the red, father of Leifur the lucky) farm. Approx. 20 kilometers/12,5 miles north of Búðardalur, you’ll find Guðrúnarlaug a small but beautiful geothermal pool which is open for visitors all year and free of entry. The changing facilities are Viking style so don’t be shy. The Fellsströnd area offers a good opportunity for bird watching and there are puffin colonies in the area during summer. Spend the night in the area.

Attractions of the day

Settlement Center in Borgarnes

Day 3: Spectacular Strandir Region

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Búðardalur area

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Hólmavík

DRIVING DISTANCE

~240 km / 150 miles

About your day

After breakfast, continue to the Strandir region via the village of Hólmavík. Strandir was for many centuries one of the most remote areas in Iceland and was well known for the inhabitants’ knowledge of black magic and as a safe haven for criminals. Now it has a population of roughly 800 good, honest and friendly people of which most reside in the villages of Hólmavík and Drangsnes. They mostly make their living of sheep farming and fisheries and related service. Drangsnes is a paradise for bird watchers, especially in spring and early summer. Hot pools can be found on the beach outside the village. Drive further north and you’ll find Djúpavík – a remote place untouched by modern developments and where silence reigns over an abandoned herring processing factory. Here, you can literally drive to the end of the road before returning to Hólmavík where you will spend the next night. Don’t forget to check out the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft, located in the village.

Attractions of the day

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Day 4: The winding road to Ísafjörður

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Hólmavík

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Ísafjörður

DRIVING DISTANCE

~225 km / 140 miles

About your day

Today you will need to put down some miles as you will travel from Hólmavík via the winding road to the town of Ísafjörður. First up is the Steingrímsfjarðarheiði mountain road that rises approx. 440 meters above sea level at its highest point. The fjords on the way are surrounded by towering mountains and offer fantastic views as you enter them. Continue through the village of Súðavík where you can enjoy a sea kayaking trip before continuing to Ísafjörður – the largest municipality in the Westfjords of Iceland where you will stay for one night. We recommend a walk through the beautiful old town of Ísafjörður where you’ll find friendly locals, restaurants, sculptures, and museums that honour the towns’ rich cultural heritage. There are many opportunities for hiking in the area and during your hike, you can discover seals, a plethora of birds and an occasional Arctic Fox (completely harmless).

Attractions of the day

Ísafjörður Municipality

The Arctic Fox Center

Day 5: Ísafjörður at leisure

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About your day

Spend a full free day in the beautiful town of Ísafjörður. We highly recommend that you take a boat cruise from the port of Ísafjörður to the magnificent Hornbjarg bird cliff. Other optional activities include sea angling, riding tours, kayaking, ATV tours, hiking tours and more. You can also rent a bicycle and bike around this beautiful town. Spend another night at the same accommodation in Ísafjörður.

Attractions of the day

Ísafjörður Municipality

Day 6: The westernmost point of Iceland

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Ísafjörður

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Patreksfjörður

DRIVING DISTANCE

~200 km / 125 miles

About your day

It’s time to continue your Westfjords self-drive tour. Today you will drive to the remote Breiðavík area where close by you’ll find the amazing Látrabjarg – the largest bird cliff in Iceland, measuring 14 kilometres in length and 444 meters in height. Some of the inhabitants of the cliff include puffins, razorbills, and seagulls. On the way, make sure to stop and admire Dynjandi – one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Not far from Látrabjarg you will find the westernmost point of Iceland – the Bjargtangar cliffs. Be on the lookout for the magnificent White-Tailed Eagle that can sometimes be seen in this area. Spend the night around Patreksfjörður.

Attractions of the day

Day 7: Westfjords to Snæfellsnes

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Patreksfjörður

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Snæfellsnes

DRIVING DISTANCE

~220 km / 137 miles

About your day

It’s time to leave the Westfjords and visit Snæfellsnes Peninsula. If you leave early, you can visit the Rauðisandur red sand beach on the way to Brjánslækur where you will catch the ferry Baldur across the Breiðafjörður bay to Stykkishólmur. The ferry departs at 12:15 and you need to be there one hour before departure. The trip across takes three hours. Once back on dry land, continue your self-drive tour by heading to the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier in the Snæfellsjökull National Park. On the way, you can visit places such as Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, coastal villages of Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík and Hellissandur and the not-to-be-missed Hellnar cove with its beautiful hexagonal basalt columns. You will spend the night in the area.

Attractions of the day

Rauðisandur Red Sand Beach

Snæfellsjökull Glacier

Day 8: Return to Reykjavík

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Snæfellsnes

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Reykjavík

DRIVING DISTANCE

~265 km / 165 miles

About your day

It’s time to close the circle and finish your Westfjords of Iceland self-drive tour. Head towards the village of Borgarnes. Once there, you have the option to explore Borgarfjörður fjord and visit Hraunfossar waterfalls and Deildartunguhver – the most voluminous hot spring in Europe. As you drive towards Reykjavík, you can either take the road tunnel on route #1 or take a 42-kilometer detour into Hvalfjörður where you can embark on a short hike and discover Glymur – the tallest waterfall in Iceland with a 198 vertical drop into a deep canyon. Finish your self-drive tour by driving to Reykjavík and returning your rental car before checking into your accommodation in the heart of Reykjavík. In the afternoon, it’s ideal to visit one of many geothermal swimming pools that are in the city. When evening falls the gourmet restaurants of Reykjavík awaits you.

Attractions of the day

Búðakirkja Church

Hraunfossar Waterfalls

Deildartunguhver Hot Spring

Settlement Center in Borgarnes

Day 9: The Blue Lagoon & departure

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About your day

This is your last day in Iceland! How time flies when you’re having fun! You will be picked up from your accommodation and transferred to Keflavík airport in time for your departing flight. If your departure is in the afternoon, you can either do some last-minute shopping or stop by the Blue Lagoon (optional). Soak in the milky blue water of the Blue Lagoon and enjoy an optional in-water massage which will leave you very relaxed and rejuvenated before your flight back home – a wonderful last memory of Iceland

Attractions of the day

What's included in the tour

Included

8 nights’ accommodation (Comfort, Quality or Luxury) with breakfast included
Rental car of your choice for 7 days with unlimited mileage, CDW & VAT
WiFi hotspot in your rental car for easy internet access
One additional registered driver for each rental car
2x private airport transfer
One way ferry trip across Breiðafjörður bay including the rental vehicle
Written guides of the regions you will be visiting
24-hour emergency service
Taxes and service fee

Not included

Flights to/from Iceland
Meals, drinks at restaurants and entrance fees (unless otherwise agreed upon)
Personal travel insurance
Gasoline

Discover local activities and adventures

Let your personal travel consultant know what other activities catch your eye and we’ll add them to your custom-made trip itinerary.

Heading

Your route

Unwind in the perfect accommodations

We handpick accommodations to ensure memorable stays for every type of traveler.

Comfort

Experience a higher level of comfort with our carefully selected comfort accommodations, each offering private facilities including a shower and toilet for your convenience and privacy. These lodges fall under the 3-star hotel category, providing a perfect blend of quality and value. Most properties boast an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of meals without needing to venture far. In Reykjavik, all comfort accommodations are ideally situated in central locations, giving you easy access to the city’s main attractions, shopping districts, and vibrant cultural spots. This category represents a significant upgrade in both comfort and service compared to budget options, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a cozy yet affordable stay. To make your mornings hassle-free, a delicious breakfast is included with your stay.

Quality

Our quality accommodations feature spacious private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, offering the choice of a relaxing bath or a refreshing shower, along with a private toilet to ensure maximum comfort and privacy. These rooms represent the best available lodging options, found within prestigious 4-star hotels or the finest, highest-quality lodges across each region. In Reykjavik, all quality accommodations are centrally located, placing you within easy reach of the city’s key attractions, shopping areas, and vibrant dining and cultural scenes. These accommodations provide an elevated experience with superior comfort, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service designed to make your stay truly memorable. To enhance your visit, a complimentary breakfast is included each morning, helping you start your day well-nourished and ready to explore.

Luxury

Our luxury accommodations feature exquisite suites and premium rooms within top-tier lodges and resorts, offering an elegant and sophisticated ambiance. Designed with refined decor and upscale touches, these accommodations provide a seamless blend of style, comfort, and exclusivity. Personalized services cater to your every need, ensuring a truly indulgent and tailored experience. In Reykjavik, all luxury accommodations are centrally located, placing you at the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, fine dining, shopping, and key attractions. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or an immersive urban experience, these upscale lodgings deliver the perfect base. Classy, elegant, and supremely comfortable, our luxury options strive to provide a first-class stay marked by exceptional amenities, impeccable service, and attention to detail. Every aspect is carefully crafted to make your visit not just memorable, but extraordinary.