3-Day Wild and Wonderful Tour of Westfjords – Small Group Tour

The Westfjords reward the long drive with a very different side of Iceland: steep fjords, lonely beaches, waterfalls, and cliffs at the country’s western edge. This three-day loop pairs those big views with stops that give the region a human scale, from a Viking longhouse to a fishermen’s museum.

I like the mix of wild scenery and local history, especially the stops at Eiriksstaðir and the old fishing village buildings at Ósvör. I also like that two nights in a private en-suite room and breakfast are included. The trade-off is real: this is a packed route with long stretches on the road, and lunch and dinner are on you.

Key points before you book

• Látrabjarg puts you at Iceland’s western edge, among high cliffs and seabird colonies, with a stop at Bjargtangar Lighthouse.
• Dynjandi is the route’s major waterfall stop, a broad cascade that drops in tiers for more than 100 meters.
• The tour covers a lot of ground, including several fjords, a mountain pass, remote beaches, and the return drive to Reykjavík.
• Your group can include up to 18 people, and transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi.
• Two private en-suite nights and two breakfasts are included, but you pay for lunch and dinner.
• Book well ahead if your dates are fixed. The tour is booked an average of 114 days in advance.

What the three-day Westfjords route delivers

At $1,079 per person, this is a guided road trip built for people who want to see far-flung places without arranging a rental car, lodging, and a string of separate visits themselves. The route starts and ends in Reykjavík, reaches the Westfjords’ western cliffs and northern fjords, then returns south on the third day.

The headline appeal is variety. You’ll see ocean, islands, cliffs, waterfalls, beaches, and mountain roads, but the stops also touch on Viking settlement, fishing life, and wildlife protection. That range matters in a region where the scenery can be spectacular but distances between places are long.

The maximum group size of 18 keeps this smaller than a large coach tour, though it is not a private outing. The guide drives and leads the route, so you can focus on the views and the stops rather than navigating remote roads. One especially valuable part of a guide-led journey is the local context: stories about Icelandic history and daily life can make a long drive feel like part of the trip, not just the space between sights.

Day one: Viking turf houses and the cliffs at Látrabjarg

The journey begins with a short stop in Borgarnes, described as the capital of West Iceland and set by Borgarfjörður. At 15 minutes, this is a quick pause rather than a full visit, useful for breaking up the drive as the route heads west and north.

At Eiriksstaðir, you spend about an hour at a turf-roofed house associated with Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky. The site connects the tour’s dramatic scenery to the people who lived here long before modern roads. Admission is included, and this is one of the more substantial cultural stops on the route.

Next come coastal cliffs and the small islands of Breiðafjörður. The stop is brief, about 20 minutes, but it offers a first taste of the ragged coastline that defines the Westfjords. At Vatnsfjörður, allow about an hour for the Þingmanná waterfalls and canyon. The itinerary gives you time to take in the setting rather than simply pull over for a quick photo.

The road then crosses Kleifaheiði, a high mountain pass on the way toward the Patreksfjörður area. At its summit, look for Kleifabúi, a five-meter stone figure built by road engineers in their spare time. It is a small detail with a good story: the road itself is part of the region’s history, and its builders left a marker of their work.

The day’s signature stop is Látrabjarg, where gravel paths lead toward the cliffs and Bjargtangar Lighthouse. The cliffs rise more than 440 meters above the surf, at Iceland’s westernmost point and the western edge of Europe. The stop lasts about 50 minutes, so wear shoes suited to uneven paths and be ready to spend your time looking out over the water and the bird colonies.

The terrain and weather matter here. The coastal paths are exposed, and the tour requires good weather to operate. The birdlife is a major draw, but wildlife is never something a tour can guarantee on schedule. Treat the stop as a chance to explore a remarkable cliff edge, not as a promise of a particular close-up encounter.

Day two: Rauðisandur, a roadside waterfall, and Dynjandi

The second day starts at Garður, where an old stranded fishing boat offers a quick look at the working coast. The boat is said to be as old as the Titanic, and the stop takes about 15 minutes. It is a compact bit of maritime character before the route moves to Rauðisandur.

Rauðisandur stretches for about 10 kilometers, with sands in shifting colors rather than the familiar black found on many Icelandic beaches. You have an hour here, enough to appreciate the scale and unusual tones. As with any remote beach, the weather and light will shape how the colors appear, so a gray day may show a subtler palette than bright sun.

Fossfjörður brings another short stop, this time at a waterfall falling from the cliffs. The route also pauses at the Westfjords’ A-House, known as a viewing point. These stops are only about 15 minutes apiece, so think of them as scenic breaks rather than extended walks.

Then comes Dynjandi, often called the wedding cake waterfall because it widens in tiers as it descends. The water drops more than 100 meters in a series of cascades, creating the effect of a waterfall ladder. You have about an hour here, which gives the stop room to be more than a quick roadside photograph. If you have been saving your camera battery, this is a good place to use it.

Later, Önundarfjörður Pier provides views across a black-sand beach and dunes. The stop is about 20 minutes, a final coastal pause before the next stretch of driving. By now you will have seen several different kinds of Westfjords shoreline, from high cliffs to broad sand and quiet fjord edges.

Day three: Bolafjall, fishing history, and the return south

The day opens with a drive up Bolafjall, a mountain reaching 628 meters. From the top, you can take in the view and walk onto a skywalk platform. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, so bring a warm layer even if Reykjavík felt mild when you left. Conditions at an exposed viewpoint can differ from those in town.

At the Ósvör Maritime Museum, a collection of turf-roofed buildings shows how local fishermen once worked and lived. Admission is included, and the visit offers a useful counterpoint to the grand scenery: the fjords were not only places to admire, but also difficult settings for work and survival. A short stop of 20 minutes means you’ll get an introduction rather than a long museum visit.

The route continues to Óshólar Lighthouse, a brief 15-minute stop with views from one of Iceland’s best-known lighthouses. From Ísafjörður, the road then traces seven fjords over roughly two hours. This is a major scenic stretch, but it is also a reminder that the tour is road-heavy. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider preparing for winding mountain roads; the route’s repeated climbs and descents are part of the Westfjords experience.

At the Arctic Fox Centre, you spend about 45 minutes and learn about Iceland’s only native land mammal. Arctic foxes roam in the area, but a wild sighting is not guaranteed. The centre offers another way to encounter the species and supports its protection. Entry is included.

Hvítanes is the tour’s seal-spotting stop, with about 40 minutes to look along one of the Westfjords’ more accessible places for seeing seals. Keep your expectations flexible: animals are wild, and sightings depend on what is present when you arrive.

The final stop is Grábrók crater, where stairs lead to several viewing platforms. It is a practical place to stretch your legs before the drive back to Reykjavík, with an estimated arrival between 8 and 9 pm. That makes the last day a long one, so avoid planning an important evening commitment in the city.

The price, meals, and what is included

The $1,079 price includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, entry to Eiriksstaðir and the Arctic Fox Centre, two nights in a private room with an en-suite bathroom, and two breakfasts. For a three-day journey into a remote region, having transport and lodging arranged is a meaningful part of the value. You are paying for the route, the driving, and the logistics as much as for admission to the two included sites.

Lunch and dinner are not included. The tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy food or snacks, so budget for those meals separately. Food has included lamb soup and fresh fish on the route, but your choices and availability may vary. Do not assume that every meal is covered just because breakfast is included.

Swimwear and a towel are not included and are needed if you choose to visit swimming pools. At Krosslaug, a donation to the Westfjords Youth Society is optional, and cash in any currency is accepted. If you hope to take that optional stop, pack accordingly.

Pickup, group size, and weather notes

The tour starts at 9:00 am. Pickup is offered from Reykjavík hotels, Skarfabakki harbor, or the nearest bus stop. Some central streets restrict bus access, so accommodations in the city center may be served by a designated bus stop instead of a hotel entrance. The exact pickup point is sent by email within 24 hours of booking.

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 18. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. The route includes mountain roads, gravel paths, and walking at waterfalls and viewpoints, so you should be comfortable with a fair amount of getting in and out of the vehicle.

Weather can affect whether the tour runs. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Because this route is far-reaching and the season can shape road and viewing conditions, flexibility is useful.

Who should choose this Westfjords tour

I’d consider this tour if you have limited time, want to see several corners of the Westfjords, and prefer not to manage the driving and lodging yourself. It suits people who value remote scenery, wildlife possibilities, and small historical sites as much as a tidy schedule. The included breakfasts and private en-suite rooms also make the trip more comfortable than a bare-bones transport option.

It is less suited to anyone who wants long, unhurried visits at every stop or dislikes extended drives. The three days are tightly arranged, with several short photo stops and a final return to Reykjavík in the evening. For more freedom, a self-drive trip may suit you better, but you would need to handle the route and accommodation yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this if the Westfjords are a priority and you want one organized trip that combines cliffs, fjords, waterfalls, history, and wildlife stops. The strongest value is the amount of ground covered, with two en-suite nights and breakfasts included. I would pass if you need a slow pace, a flexible meal plan, or more time in each place. For fixed dates, plan ahead: this experience is typically booked well over three months in advance.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts approximately three days, starting in Reykjavík and returning there on the third day.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is offered from Reykjavík hotels, Skarfabakki harbor, or the nearest bus stop. Some central accommodations use designated bus stops because buses cannot stop on every city street.

When will I receive my exact pickup location?

An email confirming the exact pickup location is sent within 24 hours after booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 18.

What accommodation is included?

The price includes two nights in a private room with an en-suite bathroom.

Are meals included?

Two breakfasts are included. Lunch and dinner are not included, but the tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy food or snacks.

Which admission fees are included?

Entry to Eiriksstaðir Viking Longhouse and the Arctic Fox Centre is included. The Ósvör Maritime Museum is also listed as an included admission.

Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?

Bring both if you want to visit swimming pools during the tour. They are not included.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.