West Iceland
Discover the best destinations in West Iceland. Waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, and more — browse 14 attractions with maps and driving distances.
Hraunfossar: A wide series of waterfalls emerging from a volcanic lava field in West Iceland
Witness a rare geological phenomenon where glacial water filters through porous rock and pours directly out of an ancient lava field into a turquoise river.
Akrafjall Mountain: A glacial-carved landmark near Akranes
Hike this flat-topped mountain in West Iceland for views stretching from the Reykjanes Peninsula to the Snaefellsjokull Glacier.
Akranes: A coastal town defined by maritime heritage, golden sands, and volcanic peaks
Beyond the tunnel north of Reykjavik, Akranes reveals a landscape of rare golden beaches, accessible lighthouses, and a mountain that mirrors the town’s industrial and natural pulse.
Barnafoss: Glacial power and ancient folklore in the Borgarfjordur region
Barnafoss presents a visceral display of the Hvita River’s strength, where churning turquoise water cuts through narrow lava formations steeped in a tragic local legend.
Borgarnes: A threshold between the mountains and the sea in West Iceland
Situated where the long bridge crosses Borgarfjordur, Borgarnes is a place of deep history and quiet coastal walks, serving as a peaceful gateway to the western reaches of the island.
Deildartunguhver: Europe’s highest-flow hot spring and its modern geothermal retreat
Deildartunguhver er vatnsmesti hver Evrópu en úr honum renna 180 lítrar af 100°C heitu vatni á hverri sekúndu. Vatninu er dælt eftir 64 km langri leiðslu til húshitunar á Akranesi og í Borgarnesi. Þegar þangað er komið hefur vatnið kólnað niður í 78-80°C. „Mjög sjaldgæf tegund af burknanum skollakam...
Húsafell: Geothermal bathing and highland walks in West Iceland
„Á Húsafelli sat séra Snorri Björnsson (1710-1803) og hafa um hann spunnist fjölmargar þjóðsögur, einkum fyrir krafta og galdra. Átti hann að hafa kveðið niður um 80 drauga sem allt voru sendingar norðan frá Hornströndum“ (1). Á Húsafelli er einnig að finna nokkrar eyðibýlisrústir sem friðlýstar vor...
Kirkjufell mountain: Navigating the iconic peak and waterfalls of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
A practical guide to visiting Kirkjufell, covering the best photography angles, geological history, and essential safety warnings for the Snaefellsnes Peninsula's most famous landmark.
Langjökull Glacier: A journey across Iceland's second-largest ice cap and the engineering within
Spanning nearly a thousand square kilometers in the western highlands, Langjokull provides a gateway to Iceland's glacial heart through its vast snowfields and man-made ice tunnels.
Reykholt: The Medieval Intellectual Heart of West Iceland
„Í Reykholti bjó Snorri Sturluson (1178-1241), einn nafnkunnasti höfundur, skáld og fræðimaður sem Ísland hefur alið. Snorri var veginn í Reykholti að undirlagi Gissurar Þorvaldssonar árið 1241. Áður hafði hann gert laug þá sem við hann er kennd og enn er varðveitt ásamt hluta af hlöðnum jarðgöngum...
Snaefellsjokull Glacier: The ice-capped sentinel of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
A crown of ice atop an ancient stratovolcano, Snaefellsjokull is a landmark of literary legend, spiritual mystery, and profound geological power.
Snorralaug: Medieval history and geothermal engineering in Reykholt
Laugin er kennd við Snorra Sturluson sem var uppi 1179-1241 en í Landnámu segir þó að laug hafi verið í Reykholti frá 960. Laugin er 4 metrar í þvermál og 0,7 - 1 meters djúp. Vatni er veitt í hana um lokaðan stokk úr hver sem kallast Skrifla. Laugin var endurhlaðin 1858 og síðan þá hefur hún verið...
Stykkisholmur: A colorful gateway between the sea and the islands
A historic fishing town on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Stykkisholmur is defined by its vibrant 19th-century timber houses and its role as the primary departure point for the islands of Breidafjordur.
Vidgelmir Cave: Exploring the Subterranean Architecture of West Iceland
Descend into one of the world's largest lava tubes, where illuminated walkways reveal a masterwork of volcanic geology and delicate ice formations in the heart of the Hallmundarhraun lava field.
Press play on West Iceland
Step inside the Snaefellsnes and West iceland — 11 stops across West Iceland, narrated.