West Iceland has been a hot topic since Lonely Planet ranked it as one of the top places in the world to visit, first in 2016 and again in 2022.
This region is sometimes referred to as “little Iceland” because it combines the most diverse landscapes that Iceland has to offer:
Stunning glaciers, lava rock with the famous pillowy green moss, towering mountains, adorable fishing harbors, iconic lighthouses, volcanic craters, jagged cliffs, a black sand and a white sand beach…all on a tiny peninsula in the northern Atlantic!
Let’s just say a trip to Snaefellsnes would not leave you disappointed.
I have been lucky enough to visit West Iceland a number of times over the years. The first time was on a Ring Road trip on my honeymoon, and since then I’ve taken countless more in over a decade of living in Iceland.
I distinctly remember some trips being gray and rainy, and others where we had near perfect weather (for Iceland, that is).
These were very different experiences. What a difference sunshine and a blue sky can make! It was like seeing everything for the first time, it looked completely different.
While you can’t predict the weather in Iceland, having good weather is ideal because there is SO much to see.
That being said, if you end up in Snaefellsness on a cloudy day, don’t fear, you will still see beautiful things! (obviously, we fell in love and decided to move to Iceland even though it was raining the whole time.)
So while Western Iceland definitely lives up to the hype, which makes narrowing down a list of favorites tough, these are my favorites, including a mix of must-sees and a couple of hidden gems.
Let’s get into it!
1. Gerðuberg Basalt Columns
This would be the first stop when driving to Snaefellsnes from Reykjavík.
The Gerðuberg basalt columns are huge hexagonal rock structures that are fun to climb around on and a unique sight to see! When traveling on Route 54, you will pass road 571.
Drive about 7km/4mi and you will see a turn for Ytri-Tunga Farm (almost directly opposite Route 567 to Hótel Eldborg.)
Turn onto the farm road and you will see the basalt columns on the left.
2. Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Stykkisholmur is a tiny little town on the north coast of the peninsula. The town is adorable, the fishing harbor is adorable, even the lighthouse is adorable!
Fun fact, a scene from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was filmed in the yellow building next to the harbor!
Don’t miss:
- A walk up Súgandisey cliff for unbeatable views of the harbor and the North Atlantic (and the West Fjords if it’s a clear day!)
- Dinner at Narfeyrarstofa for a delicious meal prepared with fresh and local food (closed after October)
- Nesbrauð Bakari for coffee and a kleina, the famous Icelandic donut.
3. Hellnar – Arnarstapi Walking Trail
Both Hellnar and Arnarstapi are small little towns on the south coast of the peninsula. There is a walking trail that runs through a lava field between the glacier and jagged cliffs into the ocean.
(No, I’m not kidding. I know, it sounds too good to be true. Yes, it is wonderful.)
I suggest parking in Arnastapi and walking towards Hellnar and fueling up at the Fjöruhúsið café (it’s so small and adorable that it doesn’t even have a website!)
I recommend the chicken quiche, Bobby always gets the homemade waffle. You can’t go wrong.
Iceland is a place that you really need to spend some time hiking. This is a list of some of the 👉 best hikes in Iceland if you’re not sure where to start.
4. Horseback Riding in West Iceland
There are many places in Snaefellness to do horseback riding. I have gone with Lysuhóll and Hestaland and the experiences were wonderful.
You can choose the duration of the ride – one trip goes down for a ride along the beach, one trip goes walking through a lava field at the base of the mountains.
Either way, the scenery is unbelievable!
At Hestaland in Borganes you can learn about the Icelandic horses and stay overnight at the guesthouse for the full farm experience.
Pro tip: It is advised to book in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
5. Skardsvik
Iceland is definitely known for its unique and stunning black sand beaches, thanks to years of volcanic activity.
Skardsvik is a white sand beach at the tip of the peninsula. We caught the sunset here last time and it was amazingly beautiful.
6. Djupalonssandur
Djupalonssandur is a classic Iceland black sand beach. On the walk to the beach are four lifting stones of various weights.
These were used many years ago by fishermen to test their strength to qualify men to work on the fishing boats.
Years ago the beach was a harbor for many fishing ships, but now only ruins of an old fishing vessel remain.
Bonus: You’ll get great views of Snæfellsjökull, my favorite glacier!
7. Berserkjahraun Lava Field
This place literally looks like the Land Before Time was filmed here!
This huge lava field is one of the best in Iceland and with those red mountains in the background?!
Don’t just drive by, pull off for a proper look!
8. Kirkjufell, West Iceland
The infamous Mount Kirkjufell. Kirkjufell means “pyramid mountain” which is obviously fitting considering its perfectly pyramid-y shape.
On the south side of the mountain is Kirkjufellsfoss – two perfectly placed and amazingly picturesque waterfalls. Kirkjufell is the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland, and it’s easy to see why!
Funny story: On our first trip through Snaefellsness we actually missed the waterfalls because it was so cloudy and raining that we just wanted to keep driving. So we just stopped at the side of the road to take a few photos of the mountain. That tells you how different it can be when it’s raining!
Don’t forget:
Drive through Seljafjordur and Kolgrafafjordur for some incredible views. There is a bridge that runs through the fjord with mountains surrounding you that is so beautiful it might make you cry with happiness!
9. Londrangar
Londrangar is another iconic landmark in West Iceland.
These uniquely shaped structures sticking out of the sea are actually the remains of a volcanic crater, which has been eroded by the sea.
Even though you can see this from the road, it’s worth the time to walk down by the sea to get a better look!
Pro Tip: You can also drive down to Malarrif and take a short hike from there to the rock formations and back. It takes about an hour.
10. Budir
Another iconic part of West Iceland is the black church in Budir. This is one of my favorite churches in Iceland.
The last time we were here, I got to see a wedding set up in Hotel Budir and it looked so pretty.
Wedding photos would be incredible here!
If you want to see what it’s like, we spent an evening at the charming Hotel Búðir.
Pro Tip: This area also offers beautiful opportunities for photos of Snæfellsjökull.
West Iceland Tour
If you have extra time and are super adventurous, you can book a tour to go up to the Snæfellsjökull glacier.
It’s definitely on my bucket list!
➡️TAKE A TOUR: ATV Tour – Snæfellsjökull Glacier & Lava Fields
FAQs
If I’ve piqued your interest in visiting West Iceland, here are answers to a few questions you may have:
If I’m Short on Time, Is West Iceland Worth Visiting?
Yes, I absolutely recommend visiting West Iceland, even if you’re short on time. A lot of itineraries will have you focus on the Golden Circle and South Coast if you only have a few days. But I think that this is such an incredible region, and it’s so close to Reykjavík, making it the perfect day trip.
Another plus is that it’s not as crowded as some other areas. If you want to get away from the crowds but want to be close to the capital, visiting West Iceland is SO worth it.
Where to Stay in West Iceland?
Two towns I suggest staying in West Iceland are Borgarnes or Akranes. Borganes is on the Ring Road while Arkanes is just a short detour from it.
Akranes
What are Some of the Famous Waterfalls in West Iceland?
You’ll find some of the best waterfalls in Iceland like Glymur, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in West Iceland. If you’re up for a moderate hike that takes you through gorgeous landscapes Glymur is the way to go.
If you want something that’s right there and easy to access year-round, I’d check out Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
What are the Best Hot Springs in West Iceland?
Some of the most known hot springs in West Iceland include the Canyon Baths at Húsafell, Hvammsvík, Krauma (which happens to be the largest hot spring in Europe). If you want to dip in a free hot spring dating back 1000 years, you’ve got to check out Guðrúnarlaug!
West Iceland Attractions Map
I’ve been living in Iceland for over a decade, and these are only a few of my favorite places I’ve visited.
There’s so much more where these came from!
Over the years, I’ve collected my favorite pins from the entire country, not just West Iceland, and added them to my Iceland Travel Map.
This digital map is filled with not only the big, big-name attractions but also the little hidden gems I’ve discovered along the way that you don’t want to miss.
I also know what it’s like driving in Iceland’s crazy weather, and getting lost. That’s why I’ve included the practical stuff too… like gas stations, bathrooms, the things you don’t think about until you need one and can’t find it!
Take a look at what one traveler had to say:
“ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Iceland with a View’s map was very useful during our recent trip to Iceland. It was so easy to use and came in handy when planning our days exploring.”
I can’t wait for you to discover more of Iceland. 🧡
Happy Planning!
Jeannie is the founder of Iceland with a View, an Iceland trip planning resource she launched in 2015 after moving to Iceland. Having lived in Iceland for nearly 11 years, she shares firsthand travel advice through in-depth articles, guidebooks, maps, itineraries, and a YouTube channel with over 110,000 subscribers. Her mission is to help travelers confidently plan unforgettable Iceland trips with practical, experience-based guidance.
