From Reykjavík: 3-Day Tour of the Wild Westfjords

The finest part of this three-day Westfjords trip is the road itself. You follow lonely coastlines, cross high mountain passes, and trace the Seven Fjord Road, where the view keeps changing from cliffs to beaches to broad, quiet water. This is Iceland at its most rugged and lightly visited.

I like the mix of wild scenery and small cultural stops, especially Eiriksstaðir Viking Longhouse and Ósvör Fishing Village. I also like that the tour includes private en-suite rooms, breakfast, Wi-Fi, and USB chargers, not just a seat on a bus. The main drawback is the pace: three days covers a huge area, and long drives plus weather delays can make the trip tiring.

Key points

• Seven Fjord Road: Follow the coastline around seven fjords with open views of mountains, glaciers, and sea.
• Dynjandi waterfall: See the Westfjords’ broad, wedding-cake-shaped cascade and its seven visible steps.
• Látrabjarg cliffs: Look for puffins, cormorants, and fulmars at Iceland’s westernmost point in summer.
• Rauðisandur beach: Walk across sand that shifts through red, gold, and pale tones depending on light and conditions.
• Small-group travel: The minibus holds no more than 18 people, making stops easier than on a large coach.
• Flexible natural highlights: Krosslaug is an optional hot-pool stop, while Arctic fox viewing depends on luck.

Why three days in the Westfjords is worth your time

The Westfjords are a different proposition from Iceland’s famous Golden Circle or South Coast. Roads wind through a vast peninsula cut by fjords, and the main attractions are spread far apart. That makes a guided road trip useful: you can cover the long distances without arranging a rental car, navigation, accommodation, or ferry details yourself.

At $1,142 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price makes more sense when you count the two nights in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, breakfasts, a professional English-speaking guide, transport from Reykjavík, entrance to Eiriksstaðir, and admission to the Arctic Fox Center. Lunch and dinner are extra, and you buy them during scheduled stops.

I would see this as a good-value choice for a short Iceland visit if the Westfjords are high on your list. If you already have a car and several days to spare, you may prefer to drive yourself. But for three days, the tour removes a large amount of planning and lets you focus on the scenery.

Day 1: Viking roots, quiet bays, and the Kleifaheiði pass

Pickup from Reykjavík takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. If you are staying in the central area, expect a designated bus stop rather than a vehicle pulling up directly outside your accommodation. Your exact pickup point is confirmed after booking, so check that message carefully.

The first major stop is Eiriksstaðir, a Viking heritage museum near the start of the route. The turf-roofed house is associated with Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky. The entry fee is included, and the stop gives the journey a useful sense of place before the day turns fully toward remote fjords.

I like this kind of stop because it is compact and connected to the road ahead. You are not spending half a day inside a museum. You get a look at an early Icelandic dwelling, then return to the open country.

The drive toward Breiðafjörður brings long coastal views and the first sense of how much water shapes the Westfjords. The road passes fjord after fjord, with scheduled pauses for photographs. You should keep your camera ready, but also expect periods of simply sitting and watching the view slide past the windows.

At Vatnsfjörður Natural Reserve, the focus shifts to Þingmanná Waterfalls and a canyon. The stop adds variety to the day: after broad water and mountain views, you get rushing water and rock formations at closer range. Conditions underfoot can be uneven, so sturdy shoes are a better choice than casual trainers.

Birkimel Bay brings a sandy beach and the option to use Krosslaug, a small geothermal pool run by the local Youth Association. This is not presented as a formal spa visit. It is a simple local pool, and any donation is voluntary, in cash and in any currency.

If you want to bathe, bring your own swimwear and towel. Neither is included. I would treat Krosslaug as a pleasant bonus rather than a central reason to book, since weather, timing, and your own interest in changing clothes will affect whether you use it.

The day continues over Kleifaheiði, a high mountain range crossed by the road. Look for Kleifabúi, a five-meter-high stone statue beside the route. It honors the work involved in building the mountain road and gives you one more memorable roadside detail before the first night.

Day 1 is largely a travel day, but that is not a criticism. The Westfjords require road time. The value comes from turning that travel into part of the experience instead of treating it as a transfer between attractions.

Day 2: Látrabjarg birds, Rauðisandur sand, and Dynjandi

Day 2 brings some of the trip’s strongest natural sights. Látrabjarg is the westernmost point in Iceland and one of the best-known bird cliffs in the country. In summer, you may see puffins, cormorants, and fulmars gathered along the cliffs.

Bring warm layers even if Reykjavík feels mild. The cliffs are exposed, and Westfjords weather can change quickly. You should also follow the guide’s instructions around the edges, since the attraction is the open cliff country rather than a fenced viewing platform.

The Garðar shipwreck is another stop or sight along the way. It adds a human trace to an otherwise stark stretch of coast. Do not expect a long museum visit here. The appeal is seeing how old vessels and remote shorelines become part of the region’s story.

Rauðisandur offers a very different view. Its sand can appear red, gold, or pale, and the color changes with the light and weather. I like this stop because it slows the day down. You can walk along the beach rather than simply step off the minibus, take a photograph, and leave.

From the beach area, you also get views toward Fossfjörður waterfall and the distinctive A-House. These smaller sights help make the day feel like a series of discoveries rather than a rush between two headline attractions.

Then comes Dynjandi, the waterfall most likely to define your impression of the Westfjords. It spreads outward in a broad, tiered shape, often compared with a wedding cake. The seven visible steps create a ladder effect as water drops down the mountainside.

Allow yourself time to look at Dynjandi from different points on the approach. The lower falls and surrounding rock also matter, so do not focus only on the main cascade. The walk and viewing time can feel more strenuous in wind or rain, but the effort is modest compared with the scale of the sight.

The day ends in Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords. This overnight stop matters because it gives you a chance to get out of the vehicle and have your own evening. One particularly useful feature of the tour is that the schedule leaves room for a little personal exploring rather than placing every hour under guide supervision.

Keep expectations realistic. Ísafjörður is a small Westfjords town, not a late-night city destination. Still, after a full day on cliffs, beaches, and mountain roads, a walk and an independent meal can be a welcome change.

Day 3: Bolafjall views and the Seven Fjord Road

The final morning starts high at Bolafjall, which rises to 638 meters. A viewing platform, or skywalk, projects over steep cliffs and gives you a dramatic look across the surrounding area.

This is one of the more weather-sensitive parts of the trip. Fog or low cloud can limit the view, and strong wind may change how long you want to stay outside. The tour operates in all weather, so pack a waterproof outer layer and do not count on a clear panorama.

Ósvör Fishing Village offers a quieter, more human-scale stop. The collection of turf-roofed buildings recreates a traditional fishing setting, while nearby Óshólaviti Lighthouse adds another coastal marker. Together, they show how people worked with this difficult shore, where fishing and weather shaped daily life.

The centerpiece of Day 3 is the Seven Fjord Road. The road hugs the coast and rises and falls around seven fjords. You will see water on one side, mountains on the other, and, depending on conditions, glaciers farther off.

This is where the small minibus helps. A group of no more than 18 people can stop more easily than a large coach, and the guide can point out features while you move through the region. You should still expect long stretches without a formal attraction. Here, the road and the view are the attraction.

Keep watch for Arctic foxes. They are Iceland’s only native land mammal, but seeing one in the wild is never guaranteed. The tour includes entry to the Arctic Fox Center, giving you a more dependable chance to learn about the animal and support its protection even if the roadside search produces nothing.

Hvítanes is included as one of the more accessible places to look for seals in the Westfjords. Bring patience. Wildlife sightings depend on distance, weather, and luck, so binoculars would be useful if you have them, though they are not listed as included.

The last stop is by the colorful Grábrók volcanic craters. It is a striking change from the fjords and coastline, and it breaks up the long return toward Reykjavík. The estimated arrival in the capital is around 20:30, but road and weather conditions can push that later.

What the small group and minibus mean for you

The group is limited to 18 people, and transport is by minibus. That is a practical size for narrow roads and short scenic stops. It also means you will spend much of the trip with the same small group, which can be enjoyable if you like shared road-trip energy and less appealing if you prefer complete privacy.

The included Wi-Fi and USB chargers are small but useful touches. You can keep your phone charged for photographs and stay connected during the long drives. Wi-Fi performance can vary in remote country, so I would not plan on uninterrupted service through every fjord.

The guide makes a real difference on a trip like this. David is described as adventurous and strongly interested in nature, while Halldor is noted for making the experience more informative. Another booking record specifically praises the guide’s friendly approach and effort to keep the group having a good time.

Those details point to the most important part of the tour: the guide is not merely driving you from one pin on a map to another. A good guide can make a waterfall, road crossing, or bird cliff more meaningful by explaining what you are seeing and keeping the day moving.

Accommodation, meals, and the true cost

You receive two nights in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and breakfast service. That is a meaningful advantage over a basic shared-room package, particularly after long days outdoors.

Lunch and dinner are not included. The schedule includes stops where you can purchase meals or snacks, so budget for those separately. I would also carry a few snacks and a refillable water bottle, since the route is remote and meal timing may not match your usual routine.

Solo visitors need to pay a mandatory single-room supplement. Couples or friends sharing a room will generally get better value from the advertised per-person price, while solo travelers should calculate the final total before booking.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help if your Iceland plans are still taking shape, but they do not remove the need to watch the weather forecast before departure.

Weather, ferry plans, and what to pack

The tour runs in all weather. Pack a warm layer, windproof and waterproof outer clothing, sturdy walking shoes, gloves, and a hat. For Krosslaug, add swimwear and a towel if you want the option of using the pool.

The ferry ride may be canceled for weather or safety reasons. If that happens, the operator will drive to the Westfjords and refund the ferry fee. This is sensible flexibility, but it can also mean a change to the feel and timing of Day 1.

Do not book this as a tightly timed trip with an important Reykjavík dinner or flight on the final evening. The stated arrival is around 20:30, and poor road conditions may delay you.

Who should book this Westfjords trip?

I would choose this tour if you want the Westfjords but do not want to drive long, remote roads yourself. It suits hikers who enjoy short walks, photographers who want changing views, wildlife watchers who accept that sightings are uncertain, and first-time Iceland visitors looking beyond the busiest routes.

It is less suitable if you want a slow base with several hours at each stop. The tour covers a lot in three days, and some of your time will be spent in the minibus. It is also not ideal if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings or dislike changing weather.

The strongest reasons to book are the combination of Dynjandi, Látrabjarg, Rauðisandur, Bolafjall, and the Seven Fjord Road in one compact trip. Add the private rooms, breakfasts, small group, and guide support, and the price becomes easier to justify.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the wild Westfjords are a priority and you have only three days to give them. You will trade some independence for an efficient route, but you gain access to distant sights that are difficult to connect without your own car.

Skip it if you want a cheaper trip, complete control over every stop, or a relaxed schedule with no long driving days. For the right kind of Iceland visit, though, this is a strong way to reach the country’s most remote-feeling region, with excellent natural highlights and enough local detail to keep the road days interesting.

FAQ

How long is the Westfjords tour?

The tour lasts three days and includes two nights of accommodation.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is from Reykjavík, either at your hotel or at the nearest designated meeting point. Central Reykjavík has restricted bus access, so some accommodations use a nearby bus stop. Pickup is between 8:30 and 9:00, and the exact location is confirmed after booking.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an English-speaking professional guide, minibus transport, Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, two nights in a private en-suite room, breakfast, entry to Eiriksstaðir Viking Longhouse, entry to the Arctic Fox Center, Wi-Fi on the bus, and USB chargers beside each seat.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. Scheduled stops allow you to buy lunch, dinner, and snacks during the tour.

Can I use the Krosslaug geothermal pool?

Yes, Krosslaug is an optional stop at Birkimel Bay. A voluntary cash donation to the Westfjords Youth Society is requested. You must bring your own swimwear and towel.

Is wildlife guaranteed?

No. You may see puffins and other seabirds at Látrabjarg and seals at Hvítanes, while Arctic fox sightings in the wild depend on luck. Entry to the Arctic Fox Center is included.

What happens if the ferry is canceled?

The ferry may be canceled because of weather or safety conditions. In that case, the tour will drive to the Westfjords and refund the ferry fee.