North and West Iceland trip

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Choose North and West Iceland and design a tailor-made road adventure with trips to Iceland that bring you face to face with glacier tongues, black sand beaches, lava fields, and hidden waterfalls. Pick up your rental car, settle into handpicked boutique guesthouses, and add locally led activities so every day reflects your pace and passions.

For travelers who value authentic, tailor-made travel and private moments, start planning now to secure the best guides, refine your route, and turn curiosity into your own Icelandic story.

North and West Iceland trip highlights

  • Wild coastal drives and hidden fjords: Relish tailor-made coastal drives through dramatic fjords of North and West Iceland.
  • Geothermal wonders and tranquil hot springs: Soak in natural hot springs, from rustic pools to famous geothermal baths.
  • Waterfalls, glaciers and dramatic landscapes: Explore iconic waterfalls and glacier views with private guides.
  • Northern Lights and Midnight Sun options: Choose a tailor-made schedule to chase auroras or linger under the midnight sun.
  • Cultural encounters and farm stays: Meet local farmers, taste home-cooked Icelandic cuisine, and stay in charming guesthouses.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1West Iceland and Borgarfjordur

• Borgarfjordur lava fields, Grabrok crater, and Glanni waterfall

• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss falls

• Deildartunguhver hot spring

• Reykholt and the Settlement Center in Borgarnes

West Iceland
2Snaefellsnes Peninsula

• Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano scenery

• Kirkjufell mountain and nearby waterfall by Grundarfjordur

• Budir black church

• Berserkjahraun and Budahraun lava fields

• Djupalonssandur, Hellnar, and Arnarstapi coastal stops

Snaefellsnes Peninsula
3Southern Westfjords

• Latrabjarg bird cliffs

• Raudasandur red sands

• Seal watching at Breidavik and Orlygshofn

Southern Westfjords
4Dynjandi and Isafjordur

• Drive Arnarfjordur and Dyrafjordur to Thingeyri

• Golden Holt beach in Onundarfjordur

• Dynjandi waterfall photos and short hike

• Arrive in Isafjordur

Northern Westfjords
5Isafjordur Bay, Dalir, and Southern Strandir

• Isafjordur town time and Isafjordur Bay fjords

• Seal watching at Hvitanes cape

• Turf roofed Litlibaer waffles stop

• Dalir saga sites and storytelling options

• Coastal drive via Fellsstrond and Skardsstrond with Breidafjordur views

• Drangsnes hot pots or Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik

Strandir
6North West Iceland, Akureyri and Godafoss

• Godafoss waterfall stop

• Akureyri downtown walk

• Architecture, museums, and Lystigardurinn botanical gardens

North West Iceland
7Lake Myvatn

• Hverir geothermal area and Leirhnjukur

• Dimmuborgir lava towers

• Skutustadagigar pseudo craters

• Grjotagja lava cave and hot spring photo stop

Myvatn area
8Dettifoss, Jokulsargljufur and Husavik

• Dettifoss waterfall

• Drive through Jokulsargljufur canyon

• Asbyrgi canyon and Botnstjorn pond

• Vesturdalur valley, Hljodaklettar basalt formations, and Raudholar hills

• Husavik whale watching and GeoSea sea baths

Myvatn area
9Akureyri and North West Iceland

• Forest Lagoon or a beer spa

• Whale watching from the harbor

• Icelandic horse riding year round

• Dog sledding January to March

• Summer options: river rafting or sea kayaking

North West Iceland
10Reykjavik City

• Hallgrimskirkja views

• Laugavegur boutiques

• Tjornin and the Old Harbour

• Harpa Concert Hall and Solfar Sun Voyager sculpture

• Museums and Perlan panoramas

Reykjavik
11Departure day

• Final coffee and a gentle waterfront walk

• Pick up local treats and head to the airport

 

Places you'll visit

Click to activate the map
Reykjavik
ReykjavikReykjavik
Lake Myvatn
Lake MyvatnMyvatn
North West Iceland
North West IcelandNorth West Iceland.
Strandir
StrandirStrandir
Northern Westfjords
Northern WestfjordsNorthern Westfjords
Southern Westfjords
Southern WestfjordsSouthern Westfjords
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Snaefellsnes PeninsulaSnaefellsnes Peninsula
West Iceland
West IcelandBorgarnes
See all Iceland places
Day01

West Iceland and Borgarfjordur

Start your tailor-made trip in Borgarfjordur, a must-see Iceland travel region where lava fields, Grabrok crater, and Glanni waterfall set the tone. Next, visit the stunning Hraunfossar and Barnafoss falls, then experience the geothermal force of Deildartunguhver, one of Europe’s most powerful hot springs.

Wrap up with time in Reykholt, known for its saga history, and a stop at the Settlement Center in Borgarnes for a deeper look at Iceland’s past.

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Day02

Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Explore the 90 km Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often called Iceland in miniature. Crowned by the Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano, this scenic drive showcases Kirkjufell mountain and its nearby waterfall by Grundarfjordur, the iconic black church at Budir, and the dramatic lava fields of Berserkjahraun and Budahraun.

Along the coast, discover wave-carved cliffs and sea views at Djupalonssandur, Hellnar, and Arnarstapi.

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Day03

Latrabjarg, Raudasandur and the Southern Westfjords

Discover Latrabjarg’s dramatic bird cliffs in the Southern Westfjords, one of the best places to visit in Iceland for close-up puffin photography at the country’s westernmost point. Then wander Raudasandur’s rare red sands and look for seals along the wide, golden beaches of Breidavik and Orlygshofn.

With local guides who specialize in wildlife and photography, you can shape the day around the light, the sightings, and the moments you want most, creating an authentic, customized adventure.

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Day04

Dynjandi and Isafjordur

Drive through Arnarfjordur and Dyrafjordur to the historic village of Thingeyri, with a stop at Golden Holt beach in Onundarfjordur. Continue to the majestic Dynjandi waterfall, ideal for photos and a short hike along the falls.

Stay in Isafjordur as your hub for exploring the Westfjords, including Bolungarvik and the Osvor Maritime Museum, Flateyri, and beautiful Onundarfjordur, Sudureyri, and the remote shores of Sugandafjordur.

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Day05

Isafjordur Bay, Dalir, and Southern Strandir

Explore the fjords around Isafjordur Bay, with time in Isafjordur town, seal watching at Hvitanes cape, and a stop for legendary waffles at the turf-roofed Litlibaer.

Continue into Dalir, a saga-rich region tied to Eirikur the Red and Leifur Eiriksson, where Settlement era history comes alive on guided walks and local storytelling. Take the quiet coastal road through Fellsstrond and Skardsstrond for wide views across Breidafjordur’s islands toward Snaefellsnes and the Westfjords.

Finish in remote Strandir, known for stories of sorcery, with a soak in the seaside hot pots at Drangsnes or a visit to the Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik.

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Day06

North West Iceland, Akureyri and Godafoss

Explore North West Iceland starting in Akureyri, with a stop at the picture-perfect Godafoss waterfall. Spend time in Akureyri’s charming downtown and discover its distinctive architecture, local museums, and the Lystigardurinn botanical gardens.

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Day07

Lake Myvatn and nearby wonders

Discover the volcanic Lake Myvatn region with tailor-made activities at Hverir and Leirhnjukur. Wander among the lava towers of Dimmuborgir, then walk the shores of Skutustadagigar pseudo craters.

Finish with a visit to the atmospheric Grjotagja lava cave and hot spring, featured in Game of Thrones, for a memorable photo stop.

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Day08

Dettifoss, Jokulsargljufur and Husavik

Follow the Diamond Circle north from Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and travel through the 25 km Jokulsargljufur canyon to the horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon and the turquoise Botnstjorn pond, a standout on any Iceland itinerary.

Continue into Vesturdalur valley to see the Hljodaklettar basalt formations and the colorful Raudholar hills, then unwind in the fishing town of Husavik, known for whale watching and the GeoSea geothermal sea baths.

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Day09

Akureyri and North West Iceland

Spend a day in Akureyri and Northwest Iceland, shaping an authentic, tailor-made experience. Unwind at Forest Lagoon or a beer spa, watch whales from the harbor, ride Icelandic horses year-round, or try dog sledding from January to March. In the summer, consider adding river rafting or sea kayaking.

With options for families and active travelers of all ages, you can create an Iceland trip centered on nature, local culture, and unforgettable moments outdoors.

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Day10

Reykjavik City

Stroll through Reykjavik’s charming downtown. Climb Hallgrimskirkja for panoramic views, browse boutiques along Laugavegur, and unwind by Tjornin and the Old Harbour. Along the waterfront, stop for photos at Harpa Concert Hall and the Solfar Sun Voyager sculpture.

Pick museums that match your interests, from art and history to whales, then head to Perlan for sweeping views and immersive exhibitions. Round out the day with great dining and live music.

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Day11

Departure day

Departure day is your last chance to breathe in Reykjavik’s sea air and savor a final coffee before heading to the airport.

Take a gentle walk along the waterfront, pick up a few local treats, and leave Iceland with pockets full of memories and plans to return.

Reykjavik and the mountains, Iceland