From Reykjavík: 3-Day Tour of the Wild Westfjords

The Westfjords reward the long drive with places that feel far removed from Iceland’s busier south: Dynjandi’s broad cascade, puffin cliffs at Látrabjarg and the shifting colors of Rauðasandur. This three-day trip links those landmarks with remote fjords, fishing settlements and mountain roads, all from Reykjavík.

I like that the route pairs famous natural sights with quieter stops, including a Viking longhouse, a local geothermal pool and an old fishing village. I also like the small group, capped at 18, and the two nights in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, which make a demanding road trip more comfortable.

The trade-off is time on the road. The Westfjords are vast, and three days means long stretches in a minibus and a late return to Reykjavík, expected around 20:30 on Day 3 if weather and roads cooperate. Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothes; Iceland does not schedule its weather around your photos.

• Seven fjords in one road trip: Day 3 follows a coastline of fjords, mountains and glacier views.
• Látrabjarg’s summer bird cliffs: Scan for puffins, cormorants and fulmars at Iceland’s westernmost point.
• Dynjandi’s seven-step cascade: See the wide waterfall often likened to a wedding cake.
• Rauðasandur’s changing colors: Walk a beach whose sand can appear in shades of red, gold and other tones.
• Comfort after remote days: Two nights include private en-suite rooms and breakfast.
• A small group, not a convoy: The minibus carries no more than 18 participants.

A Three-Day Loop Into Iceland’s Remote West

Nicetravel’s tour is for people who want to see the Westfjords without taking on the region’s long, winding roads themselves. A guide handles the driving and route, while you get a window seat on a trip built around waterfalls, cliffs, beaches and small coastal communities.

The group limit of 18 keeps the outing smaller than a large coach tour, though you should still expect to share the minibus and make scheduled stops with the group. Wi-Fi is available on board, and each seat has a USB charger, useful on days with plenty of time between sights.

The price is $1,142 per person. That is a substantial outlay, but it includes round-trip transport from Reykjavík, a professional English-speaking guide, two nights in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and breakfast, plus entry to Eiriksstaðir and the Arctic Fox Center. Lunch and dinner are not included, so budget for meals and snacks during the scheduled stops.

Day 1: Viking Turf Houses and the Road West

Pickup is scheduled between 08:30 and 09:00. Reykjavík’s central streets have bus restrictions, so if your accommodation is in the center, you may be collected at a designated bus stop rather than right outside your door. The pickup point is confirmed after booking, so check that message and be ready from 08:30.

The drive begins toward Borgarnes, with a stop at Eiriksstaðir, a Viking heritage site. You can enter the turf-roofed longhouse associated with Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky. The admission fee is included, and this stop gives the journey a human scale before the tour shifts toward the open coast and its dramatic terrain.

As the route approaches Breiðafjörður, the views open onto coastal cliffs and a maze of fjords. This is not simply a transfer to the main attractions. The road itself is part of the experience, with opportunities to pause for scenery along the way.

At Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve, you’ll see Þingmanná waterfalls and a canyon. The reserve offers a change of pace from the road: water and rock form a compact natural stop rather than another long viewpoint. Birkimel Bay brings a sandy beach and the option to visit Krosslaug, a geothermal pool run by the local youth association.

Krosslaug is optional, and you’ll need your own swimsuit and towel. A cash donation to the Westfjords Youth Society is voluntary. If you pack swim gear, keep it easy to reach rather than buried under three days of luggage; if you skip the pool, the bay is still a worthwhile pause.

The route then crosses Kleifaheiði, a mountain range marked by Kleifabúi, a five-meter stone figure honoring the engineers who built the mountain road. It is an unusually practical monument: a reminder that the road itself took effort to create. Expect changing views as the minibus climbs and descends through the high country.

Day 2: Puffins, Pale Sand and Dynjandi

Látrabjarg is the day’s big draw. The cliffs mark Iceland’s westernmost point, and in summer seabirds gather here, including puffins, cormorants and fulmars. Bring binoculars if you have them, and take care near the cliff edges. The bird colonies make the stop special, but the exposed setting is also a reason to keep warm layers close.

You’ll pass the Garðar shipwreck on the way. The itinerary does not promise a long visit, so treat it as a roadside sight rather than a separate excursion. The day is shaped by several distinct stops, and the guide needs to keep the route moving.

At Rauðasandur, you can walk along a broad beach known for its multicolored sand. Its changing hues offer a striking contrast to Iceland’s more familiar dark volcanic shores. This is a good place to stretch your legs and take in the scale of the coast, though the time available will be limited by the day’s schedule.

Fossfjörður waterfall and the distinctive A-House add variety before the tour reaches Dynjandi. The waterfall is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down: its upper cascade spreads outward as it descends, with seven tiers forming a broad, stepped shape. Allow time to look from different points along the falls, and wear shoes suited to uneven ground.

The day finishes in Ísafjörður, the Westfjords’ main town. You’ll spend the night here, with some room to explore independently in the evening. That breathing space matters on a guided trip: the day’s schedule is shared, but your evening does not have to be.

Day 3: Bolafjall and the Seven Fjord Road

The morning starts at Bolafjall, a 638-meter mountain with a skywalk viewing platform built over steep cliffs. It offers a high vantage point over the surrounding coast, but this is an exposed stop, so windproof clothing is especially useful. The weather can shape how comfortable the visit feels, even when the tour operates in poor conditions.

Next comes Ósvör, a small fishing village collection of turf-roofed buildings, and Óshólaviti Lighthouse. Together, they bring the region’s working coastal past into view. The Westfjords are not only dramatic scenery; settlements here grew around fishing and the demands of living beside the sea.

Then comes the Seven Fjord Road, whose coastal route rises and falls along seven fjords. The views include mountains and glaciers, with the sea repeatedly appearing and disappearing as the road bends around each inlet. This is the trip’s longest scenic drive, and one of its most memorable stretches if you enjoy watching the landscape change from the passenger seat.

Keep an eye out for Arctic foxes, Iceland’s only native land mammal. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the tour also includes admission to the Arctic Fox Center, where you can learn about efforts to protect them. The stop gives you a meaningful alternative to simply hoping for a roadside glimpse.

At Hvítanes, the group looks for seals at one of the Westfjords’ more accessible viewing spots. The last listed stop is the colorful Grábrók volcanic craters, before the drive back to Reykjavík. The estimated arrival is around 20:30, but weather and road conditions can push that later. Avoid arranging a tight connection or important evening plans for the return night.

What the Price Covers, and What It Does Not

At $1,142 per person, this is not a bargain bus ride. The value is in bundling the long-distance transport, an English-speaking guide, two nights of accommodation and breakfast with entries at Eiriksstaðir and the Arctic Fox Center. Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms are a useful comfort on a trip that covers a lot of ground.

Meals are the main extra cost. Lunch and dinner are not included, but the tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy food or snacks. If you have dietary needs or prefer to keep your schedule flexible, bring snacks from Reykjavík and check what options are available during the stops.

Solo travelers should note that a single-room supplement is mandatory. The tour includes a ferry contingency: if a ferry crossing is cancelled for weather or safety reasons, the route will be driven instead and the ferry fee refunded. The exact transport plan can therefore change when conditions demand it.

Who Will Get the Most From This Trip

This tour suits you if you want a guided introduction to a remote region and are happy to trade some independence for a simpler way to cover long distances. It is especially appealing if cliffs, birdlife, waterfalls and scenic roads matter more to you than spending several nights in one town.

The guide can make a real difference on a route where weather and local context shape each day. David and Halldor are among the guides named for the trip, and past accounts describe the guiding as friendly, professional and engaging. Your assigned guide may differ, but the small-group format gives the guide room to help the stops feel more than a checklist.

This is less suited to anyone who dislikes long drives or needs a relaxed, unhurried pace at every stop. The itinerary packs in a lot, and the return to Reykjavík is late. If you want to spend hours at one beach or linger over every waterfall, a longer independent trip would give you more control.

Pack layers, waterproof outerwear and sturdy walking shoes. Add binoculars for the bird cliffs, plus swimwear and a towel if Krosslaug appeals. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for wind and rain even if Reykjavík looks calm when you leave.

Should You Book the Westfjords Tour?

Book it if you want to see the Westfjords’ headline sights and lesser-known corners in three days without driving yourself. The combination of Látrabjarg, Rauðasandur, Dynjandi and the Seven Fjord Road is hard to match in a short visit, and the included accommodation makes the price easier to assess.

Think twice if you need a slow pace, dislike lengthy road days or have a fixed evening commitment on Day 3. For the right person, this is a practical way to reach a remote part of Iceland and get a strong sense of its scale. Go prepared for changeable weather, and leave room in your schedule for the drive home to take longer than planned.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts three days and two nights. The estimated return to Reykjavík on Day 3 is around 20:30, depending on weather and road conditions.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is included in Reykjavík, from your hotel or the nearest meeting point. Central Reykjavík has bus restrictions, so some pickups use designated bus stops. Your confirmed location is sent after booking.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide in a minibus, Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, two nights in private en-suite rooms with breakfast, and entry to Eiriksstaðir and the Arctic Fox Center. Wi-Fi and USB chargers are available on the bus.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. The tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy lunch, dinner or snacks.

Do I need to bring swimwear?

Only if you want to visit Krosslaug or another swimming pool. You need to bring your own swimwear and towel.

What should I wear?

Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothing. The tour runs in all weather conditions.

Is the group small?

Yes. The tour is limited to 18 participants and travels by minibus.

What happens if the ferry is cancelled?

If a ferry ride is cancelled because of weather or safety concerns, the tour will drive to the Westfjords instead and refund the ferry fee.