• Your Guide To

West Iceland is one of Iceland's hidden treasures, right at the doorstep of the capital. In less than one hour's drive, travelers will find themselves amongst Iceland's diverse nature, landscapes, culture and cuisine with some extraordinary experiences on offer. Moreover, the roads to West Iceland are never closed, even in wintertime! The region stretches between the fjords Hvalfjörður in the south and Hvammsfjörður in the north. The road along Hvalfjörður takes you through a beautiful and tranquil area that boasts the highest waterfall in the country, Glymur, 198 m high. This route used to be a part of the main road but has become a detour after the Hvalfjörður tunnel, which runs under the fjord, was opened in 1998. Most people now choose to take the direct route through the tunnel. There you will come to the Borgarfjörður area, imbued with history and culture. This is a captivating region where glaciers, waterfalls and lava-fields catch the eye. Cave exploring, visiting hot springs, hiking or relaxing in one of the swimming pools are among the options for travelers in the area. Borgarfjörður is also rich with history since many of the most famous settlers and Vikings lived and died there. The heartland of the Sagas is in Reykholt where Snorri Sturluson, who wrote many of them, lived. Let's not forget Akranes, a town where you can walk along the beach to a lighthouse, visit a museum or a café and enjoy a good meal.

A trip around the Snæfellsnes peninsula is an unforgettable experience. Sandy beaches, lava fields, substantial birdlife, small fishing villages and, of course, the spectacular Snæfellsjökull glacier, can all be enjoyed in a day. Boat trips from Stykkishólmur, the largest settlement on the peninsula, take you out to the Breiðafjörður bay for a unique approach to birds and whales and a great view of the many islands there. You may also enjoy walking the streets of one of the small villages, or hiking between cliffs and sandy hills along the coast of the peninsula. North of Snæfellsnes you will come to Búðardalur and the Dalir area. This is a beautiful agricultural region, where the Viking heritage is kept alive and celebrated.

There is a wide variety of accommodation and many activities to try out in West Iceland. Furthermore, since it is so close to the capital it is ideal for day-trips and can be visited without great expense.

To take a closer look at what West Iceland has to offer, visit the website www.west.is.

In our photogalleries there are more images from Reykholt and Borgarfjörður.

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