Bjarnagjá (Barnafoss Spring)

Flatey Island

Grundarfjörður – Kirkjufell Base

Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge

Sönghellir (Song Cave) Underwater Area

Stykkishólmur – Breiðafjörður Reefs

West Iceland is famed for seafood and dairy from the cold Breiðafjörður bay and the Snæfellsnes coast. Try Breiðafjörður scallops, arctic char, cod, skyr and the region’s buttery katla cheese. Stykkishólmur has excellent fish restaurants and a lively harbour market in summer, with lamb soup and home-baking. Local ingredients and simple preparation let the pure Icelandic flavours shine through in every meal.

Hótel Búðir

Stykkishólmur Harbour Hotel

Hótel Framnes

Hótel Bifröst

West Iceland pairs the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, nicknamed "Iceland in miniature," with the vast Breiðafjörður bay, one of the country’s richest marine areas. Snæfellsnes offers Bjarnagjá, a cold freshwater fissure like a smaller, quieter Silfra, and lava tubes such as Sönghellir and the narrow Rauðfeldsgjá gorge. Across the bay, Stykkishólmur opens onto Breiðafjörður’s kelp forests, giant sea stars, king crabs, wolffish and scallops, with 19th–20th century shipwrecks. Grundarfjörður beneath Kirkjufell gives dramatic talus slopes and winter night dives under the Northern Lights, while peaceful Flatey island is ideal for drysuit training. The region is scenic, less crowded and supplies a satisfying mix of freshwater fissures and prolific ocean life.

West Iceland – Snæfellsnes & Breiðafjörður

Drive 2–3 hours north-west from Reykjavik along Route 1 then 54/56 to Snæfellsnes, or take a domestic flight to Bifröst. Stykkishólmur and Grundarfjörður have harbours for boat dives across Breiðafjörður.

Where to Stay in West Iceland – Snæfellsnes & Breiðafjörður

Accommodation Overview

Recommended Areas

Stykkishólmur

Grundarfjörður

Ólafsvík

Borgarnes

Snæfellsnes

Featured Hotels & Resorts

Hótel Búðir

Stykkishólmur Harbour Hotel

Hótel Framnes

Hótel Bifröst