Highlights in West Iceland
Hraunfossar
Hraunfossar - Lava Falls - is a beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River. Hraunfossar have been protected since 1987. There is a viewpoint at the car park offering an amazing view over the Lava Falls and Hvita River. Restaurant and souvenir shop open all year round.
Kirkjufell
Grundarfjörður's beautiful landmark is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its isolated position jutting out into the sea makes it a focal point for tourists and seamen alike.
Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is 463 meters high and visible from all angles in town.Grundarfjörður is the ideal place to enjoy the amazing colours of the sunset behind the mountain.
Snaefellsjokull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park was established on June 28th, 2001.The Park's purpose is to protect and conserve the area's unique landscape, indigenous plants and animal life as well as the important historical relics. At the same time, the Park is meant to allow visitors easier access as well as an improved opportunities to get to know the area. National parks are amongst Iceland's finest assets and everyone is free to explore them.The Snæfellsjökull glacier lies within the national park, and the park is the only Icelandic national park that stretches to the sea. The geology of Snæfellsnes national park is diverse with formations from almost every era of Iceland’s past. The more prominent formations in and around the National Park mainly date from geologically “modern” times back to the last ice age. The hills to the north of the glacier, around Bárðarkista, are of volcanic palagonite tuff, formed during eruptions under the glacier or below the surface of the sea. Svalþúfa is most likely the eastern section of a crater that erupted under the sea, while Lóndrangar is a volcanic plug.
Deildartunguhver
Deildartunguhver is Europe's most powerful hot spring. It provides 180 l/sec of 100°C hot water.
Most of the water used for central heating in the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes is taken from Deildartunguhver. The hot water pipeline to Akranes is 64 km long, the longest in Iceland and the water is about 78 - 80 degrees when it reaches Akranes. If you take a shower anywhere within a 65 km radius of the spring, you have already bathed in the hot water from this powerful spring!
Snaefellsjokull Glacier
The Snaefellsjökull glacier at Snaefellsnes peninsula is 1446m above sea level. The glacier is an active volcano, having been built up through numerous eruptions during the last 800,000 years. Many believe the glacier to be one of the seven main energy centres of the earth and its mystique is noticed by many.
Lóndrangar
Uniquely-formed remnants of ancient basalt volcanic dikes sticking out from the sea.
Londrangar and the hill Svalthufa are the remains of a crater, which has been eroded to its present form by the sea.
The farmers in the area never made or make hay on the hill, because it is said to belong to the elves living in the area.
Younger lava fields surround this old crater ruin. The higher pillar (75m) was first climbed in 1735 and the lower (61 m) in 1938.
Below the hill you may find Thufubjarg cliff where according to a folktale the poet Kolbeinn Joklaskald had an encounter with the Devil.
On these cliffs, puffins and fulmars have their nests.
Travel Routes
Snæfellsnes
Snæfellsnes
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a region in Western Iceland, located between Reykjavík and the Westfjords. The area, easily accessible all year round and a short two hour drive from the capital area, is a popular destination amongst tourists and Icelanders alike.
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The Silver Circle
The Silver Circle
The Silver Circle route, spanning approximately 146 km, takes you through a magnificent and ever-changing landscape while driving next to Borgarfjörður. Along the way, majestic mountains and glaciers will accompany you, their peaks glistening like silver in the sunlight, a constant reminder of their grandeur.
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Vestfjarðaleiðin route
Vestfjarðaleiðin
Vestfjarðaleiðin (Icelandic for TheWestfjordsWay and pronounced ‘Vest-fyar-tha-lay-thin’) is a dramatic driving route which makes for a memorable road trip. It is real driving experience, twisting and turning, occasionally along gravel roads and through tunnels, giving visitors the freedom to choose where to stop and explore – at viewpoints, mountain tops, beaches or headlands.
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Scenic road of Hvalfjörður
Scenic road of Hvalfjörður
The Hvalfjörður Tunnel, opened in 1998, shortened Iceland's Ring Road by 42 kilometers with an underwater passage. This advancement transformed the long fjord of Hvalfjörður, once familiar to everyone traversing the country's loop, into a peaceful detour about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. Today, this picturesque fjord, with its winding roads and pristine hiking trails, is being rediscovered by both travelers and developers.
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When are you Travelling?
Towns
Akranes
Akranes is just a stone's throw away from the capital largest town in West Iceland with the population 7.421.
The Museum Area at Gardar is without a d
Bifrost Borgarfjord
Bifrost is a university village with a population of 200 but during the winter months 600 - 700 people live there.
Bifrost is a direct descendant of t
Borgarnes
Borgarnes lies in the middle of West Iceland about 75 km from Reykjavík City Centre.In Borgarnes you can create an unforgettable holiday: breakfast an
Búðardalur
Budardalur is the main administrative and service centre in the Dalabyggd region.
Few parts of Iceland are as rich in history as Dalabyggd, where reco
Grundarfjordur
Home to Mt Kirkjufell.
Grundarfjörður is a picturesque town situated on the fjord of Breiðafjörður. The town is located right next to Kirkjufell mount
Hellissandur
Hellissandur was once a major fishing centre but Rif was one of the main trading ports on Snaefellsnes peninsula. Most of the villages' fishing fleet
Hvanneyri in Borgarfjordur
One of the heroes of the Settlement Sagas, Grímur hinn háleyski, founded the rich farm of Hvanneyri at the time of settlement.
Today the Agricultural
Olafsvik in Snaefellsnes peninsula
Olafsvik is a town on the northern side of Snaefellsnes peninsula, close to the magnificent glacier, Snaefellsjokull.
Olafsvik has a large fishing har
Reykholt í Borgarfjord
Reykholt in Borgarfjord is a small village and one of the greatest historical place in Iceland, mainly because of Snorri Sturluson, a famous writer, p
Rif at Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Rif is a small village at the North of Snaefellsnes peninsula. It's older name is Havarif or Háarif, but nowadays always called Rif. In the village th
Stykkisholmur
Stykkisholmur is beautifully-situated on the northern side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. With beautiful and well-preserved old houses in the town cen
Travel Blog
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Digital trip around West Iceland
The Visit West Iceland Smart Interactive Sales and Marketing System, launched on October 17, 2024, offers an innovative way to explore and promote the West of Iceland. With local hosts guiding users through top attractions, accommodations, and experiences, this interactive tool provides an engaging, easy-to-navigate resource for B2B sales and tourism promotion. Featuring contributions from 23 companies, the DMO, and a regional municipality, the platform continuously updates with the latest content, allowing tourism partners to effortlessly share up-to-date information. This system not only highlights individual services but also showcases the West’s diverse nature and activities, making it ideal for a 3-4 night stay with unique day trips across the region. -
VOLCANIC ERUPTION IS UNDERWAY ON THE REYKJANES PENINSULA
A 4-kilometer-long (2.5 miles) fissure eruption started on the Reykjanes Peninsula on Monday, December 18, at 10:17 PM. This marks the fourth eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in three years. -
Unearthing the Magic of West Iceland: Top 7 Things to Do in West Iceland
Welcome to the enchanting world of West Iceland! This captivating region is full of magical places to explore. From stunning waterfalls and volcanic formations to charming fishing villages and soothing hot springs. West Iceland has something for everyone. To help you make the most of your trip, we'll go into detail about the best 7 activities in this captivating area of Iceland in this article. -
Do’s and Don’ts for tourists in Icelandic communities
Based on the success of previous local tourism guidelines, seven Icelandic communities are now launching new Community Specific Guidelines to greet visitors. The launch coincides with the re-opening of the cruise season in Iceland.
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