Western Iceland Tour: Exploring Preserved History in Breathtaking Landscapes

Before you arrive at Keflavik International Airport, the most you may know about Reykjavik is that the city is the world’s most northerly capital. Your private transfer awaits your arrival at baggage claim, eager to welcome you to Iceland and escort you into the heart of Reykjavik. The population of the capital city is more than 120,000, and you will be enamored with the friendly atmosphere found along the streets and the welcoming smiles of the locals. Two out of three Icelanders call the city their home, and they fill the chic bars and sip their coffee and tea at the numerous artsy cafes.

Fishing trawlers and ships fill the bustling ports as pastel-painted homes create a rainbow of colors that rise above the verdant summer grass. Take time to freshen up in the comforts of your luxury hotel before you meet your guide in the lobby. Step out into the city for a combination of must-see sights and local life to gain a true sense of community in Reykjavik. Museums line the avenues of the Old Harbor as the Tjornin Lake splits the city in two. Films depict the eruption of the nearby volcanoes, and Northern Lights flicker against the backdrop of the cityscape.

You have a perfect view of the fishing boats as they sail across the water, and snowcapped mountains rise above the Harpa Concert Hall. Your guide leads you to Mokka, the first coffeehouse in Iceland, which opened its doors in the 1950s. Artists, writers, and philosophers enter in search of a place to sip strong espresso and discuss new ideas. The café continues its connection to the 1950s with an art deco style as the aroma of chocolate, fresh waffles, and rich coffee overtakes the scent of the sea that wafts through the streets.

In the morning, the graylag geese fly over the bustling city center and their lively call echoes across the clear sky. After breakfast, meet your guide and make way to the Golden Circle, a 120-mile road that leads around some of the island’s most memorable landscapes. At Thingvellir National Park, see the texture of the tectonic plates that continue to shape the island and the marks at which the North American and European continents pull away from each other as ponds and rivers fill the dramatic fissures.

At the Althing Visitor Center, look over the cliff to see the stunning fault that is fronted by a boardwalk. The island is home to one of the oldest existing parliaments in the world as the group used to meet next to the large boulder known as Law Rock. The law speaker would recite the laws to the people assembled. Later, the assembly moved to the foot of the Almannagja cliffs, where the rugged outcropping naturally amplified the speaker’s voice. Visitors toss coins into the southern end of the Nikulasargja fissure to create a turquoise glint in the water through the sunlight.

In the morning, find the soaring tower of the Hallgrimskirkja Church filling the skyline of the city to resemble snowfall on mountain peaks. After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at the hotel to lead you on a scenic drive to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Volcanic peaks slope upwards into the sky as sea cliffs drop sharply into the water; golden beaches contrast with the crunchy, meandering lava as it flows. The peninsula is 62 miles long, and adorned with the icy expanse of Snaefellsjokull glacier, as mentioned in Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne. Stop alongside Grundarfjordur, the most photographed mountain in Iceland.

The peak rises over the sea at a height of 1,519 feet. Rams graze on the summer grass and linger in the sunlight as the walking trail leads visitors around the mountain base. A harder climb takes you to the top of the peak where you can find bird and fish fossils ingrained in the rock. The view, even from the elevated base, offers a glimpse of the majesty that surrounds, from the lush shores to the indigo water. Stop for a moment at Helgafell for an introduction into Iceland’s ancient culture. The Helgafell Mountain stands at 240 feet above sea level and was revered by worshippers of the god Thor. Church ruins that date back to the 10th-century adorn the top of the hill, and locals believe that those who climb to the summit are rewarded.

On the coast of Snaefellsnes Peninsula are the Gerduberg basalt pillars. The stone cliffs rise above the hillside that overlooks the plain and resembles columns erected by giants to support the plateau. The day is yours to experience the diverse landscape of the West at your leisure, from the basalt pillars to the jagged edges of the glacier. Make your way to Olafsvik, a fishing town that was founded in the 17th-century. A stunning waterfall cascades 164 feet down into a natural pool on the east side of town to split the arching cliff in two. Step aboard a boat at the marina to begin your whale-watching excursion along the cobalt water.

It doesn’t take long for your captain to point to a nearby minke whale. Females average a length of 26 feet and are known for the white band that stretches across each flipper. The sunlight shimmers along their skin to cast light over their gray hues. See the rising snowcap of Snaefellsjokull glacier on the horizon as it hovers over the landscape. A pod of white-beaked dolphins leaps in the boat’s wake, their playful nature encourages everyone on board. The beauty of the sea and the landscape accentuate the majesty of witnessing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.

Today you will make your way to the northern edge of the peninsula at the charming fishing village of Stykkisholmur. Begin your scenic tour at the Bjarnarhofn farmstead, the leading producer in hakari—Iceland’s traditional dish of fermented shark meat. Visit the nearby museum to see the exhibits that cover the history of Icelandic cuisine, along with the generations of processing tools and fishing boats that the family has used. A simple video explains the fishing and fermentation process, and a museum guide will take you into the drying house in the back if you ask.

Pieces of dried shark dangle from the rafters; your guide will offer you a sample of the shark and a sip of the traditional schnapps made by locals. The schnapps has a lingering herbaceous flavor that settles the slight burn. After your visit to the museum, venture to the western tip of the peninsula to explore the Snaefellsjokull National Park, the centerpiece being the rugged slopes of the Snaefellsjokull Glacier. For a unique exploration of the region, traverse the foothills on horseback. Your guide will take you along the shores of the lake to splash in the frigid glacial water. The hillside reflects in the lake’s surface as the glacier covers the volcanic summit to reach a height of 4,744 feet. Pass through the spiky columns of the Berserkers’ Lava Field to fully appreciate the lunar landscape.

In the morning, leave behind the rugged landscape of Borgarfjordur for the historical ties of Reykholt. Your private transfer will escort you to a comfortable spa in the village near one of the oldest universities in the country. The old church sits among the dusky mountains and tranquil Reykjadalsa River, and all lead to the tangible memorials of Snorri Sturluson. The scholar and author lived in town during the 13th-century, and his writings remain some of the few preserved Icelandic works from the medieval period. Chieftains kept the country in a constant state of civil war, each in a struggle for power.

The museum guides you through the saga of Icelandic history, recreating the past with a feeling of authenticity. Replicas of figures taken directly from Sturluson’s writings fill the exhibits, from characters to clothing, weapons, and daily utensils. Residents of town dyed the wool and linens by hand by tradition. Each weapon was specially crafted to adhere to Icelandic heritage. The museum carries an aroma of antique books as you learn about the Celts on the island, or of the Icelandic Reformation. After a deep dive into the past, quickly learn that Iceland is more than its enchanting landscape, it is also a culture of rich history and sensational legend inspired by the island it inhabits.

Today, you will enjoy another chance to explore the landscape and history around Reykholt. After breakfast set out to see some of the monuments connected to the Sturluson, beginning with Snorralau, a relic of the scholar’s farm. A hot spring feeds into the circular, stone-lined pool. The base was set with stones from the 10th-century, and a wood-framed tunnel leads to the old farmhouse. Archeologists theorize that the pool may be the oldest structure preserved in the country. Near the hills on the edge of town, follow a wooden walkway to Deildartunguhver, the largest hot spring in Europe.

Puffs of white steam rise from the tiered pools; the scalding water bubbles from beneath the ground at over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Make your way to Hraunfossar, which means “Lava Falls.” A series of springs emerge from the nearby lava flow; the streams fall across the 2,952 feet long precipice like strands, meandering over the furrows of left by the lava. The water filters into the river below to add to the soothing sound of rushing water set amidst the verdant brush. In the evening, return to Reykjavik and enjoy the vibrant night inside the island’s largest city.

In the morning, wake up in the comforts of Reykjavik. The city welcomes you back with open arms to provide a relaxed and jovial ambiance. The popular cafes open their doors to the waiting city to fill the streets with the scent of fresh baked pastries and rich coffee. Return to Stofan, which means “living room,” to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee while relaxing in the cozy atmosphere of the couches and cushioned chairs. After breakfast, your private transfer will escort you to the Blue Lagoon, the most famous hot spring in Iceland.

Enter through the spa entrance to find the milky blue water shimmering against the green hillside. Wisps of steam rise like clouds from the hot spring’s surface; the water averages 100 degrees Fahrenheit and is known for helping to cure skin ailments due to its rich mineral content. The mud feels gritty but soft on your fingers; the water is hot but refreshing on your skin. Feel at home in the lagoon as you watch the surrounding landscape reflect on the surface water. When you are ready, rinse off in the facilities and your private transfer takes you straight on to Keflavik International Airport for your flight home.