We flew into Keflavik on 18 July and picked up our hire car, then drove the short distance to the Lighthouse Inn, Garður. With its two lighthouses Garður was a good base from which to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula before we set out for Flatey and the Westfjords. Sights included the Hvalsneskirkja, Hafnaberg Cliffs with plentiful birdlife and Gunnuhver and Krýsuvík geothermal areas. We also saw Kálfatjarnarkirkja and Reykjanes Lighthouse (not pictured below). We had lunch in Grindavík, the town that has since had to be evacuated because of seismic activity.
20th July: we drove to Stykkishólmur, had lunch, and boarded the ferry for the island of Flatey. The car stayed on the ferry to the Westfjords; we got off and walked to the Hotel Flatey and then explored the small island. There are some very good birdwatching spots, and we had an excellent dinner of scallops in the hotel.
21 July: We boarded the ferry again and are reunited with the car in Brjánslækur. On the way to the Hotel Breiðavík we’re surprised by the sight of the remains of an old ‘plane at The Museum of Egill Ólafsson at Hnjótur. It turns out to be a fascinating museum detailing the history of fishing, farming, and everyday life in the area. Our room at the hotel seems to have been inspired by a shipping container, but is very comfortable and the food at the hotel is excellent. It’s also a short walk to the beach, where we have an excellent seal sighting. It’s a short drive to Látrabjarg cliffs, where we see lots of puffins and seals.
23 July: We headed down to Rauðisandurand spend some time admiring the Saurbæjarkirkja against a dramatic backdrop. We head off to see Dynjandi waterfall (via Bildudalur), on the way we have an excellent seal sighting. After seeing Dynjandi and the lower falls, we head off to the Flókalundur Hotel.
24 July: We drove to Hólmavík, where we had lunch at Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft. After that we headed to Djúpavík (Strandir) for coffee in the excellent Hotel Djúpavík and to visit the evocative, abandoned herring factory which now serves as an exhibition building. After that it was off to Norðurfjörður where we stayed at Urdartindur Cottages and had dinner in the Café there.
25 July: Exploring Ingólfsfjörður. We had a morning walk along east side of Ingólfsfjörður; we saw a whale in the distance, but it was too far away to get a photograph. Then an afternoon drive along the west side, including an abandoned herring pickling plant.
26 July: A morning swim in Norðurfjörður pool. In the afternoon we visited Memorial Museum Kört and explored the witch burning site at Trékyllisvík: a trail marked with wood carvings.
27 July: We drove south, stopped at Djúpavík again, had another lunch at the Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft, and then drove to Borðeyri where we stayed in a comfortable Airbnb on the edge of Hrútafjörður. We’re now out of the Westfjords and in North Iceland.
28 July: Drive to Hvammstangi and round Vatnses Peninsula. Many seals. Saw waterfall at Kolugljúfur.
29 July. Drive to Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
30 July. Drive to Reykholt to see the museum dedicated to Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241), Icelandic poet, politician and historian. Also to see Snorri’s Pool. Then to Hraunfossar and Barnafossar for some last waterfalls.
Visit the full photo album here.
You can also see photos from our 2017 hiking trip to Eastern Iceland here and photos from a few days in Reykjavik on the same trip here.
Peregrinamur 