Flatey

Active volcanoes. Dancing northern lights. Gushing geysers. Massive glaciers. Thermal hot springs. Thundering waterfalls. Iceland is the ultimate adventure destination. How have you not been here yet? It’s finally time. Start in the northernmost capital in the world. Reykjavik is a hip, modern city. Then start exploring the wild coastline, the sheep-filled countryside, the icy interior, and the peaceful islands. There are plenty of black-sand beaches, small fishing villages, turf-roofed houses, and epic hikes along the way. Just remember to pack layers. Sometimes, the Gulf Stream provides moderate temperatures. Other times, it’ll feel like you’re in the Arctic. Also don’t forget the long, dark winters and the 24-hour daylight during the short summers. If you take advantage of Icelandair’s free stopover program—a great excuse to visit Helsinki, Copenhagen, and even Paris—you can keep returning to discover which season you like best. This detailed guide includes: Places: regions, cities, islands, peninsulas, towns, neighborhoods Stay: hotels Eat: bakeries, cafés, coffee shops, food carts & trucks, food halls, ice cream, Michelin stars, pizzerias, restaurants, soup Drink: beer bars, breweries, cocktail bars, wine bars Shop: beauty products, bookstores, Christmas stores, chocolate shops, clothing boutiques, flea markets, knitwear, outdoor wear, record stores, vintage clothing, wool products Do: art museums, bays, beaches, bridges, caves, churches, concert venues, cultural centers, fjords, geothermal areas, geysers, harbors, hikes, history museums, horseback riding, hot springs, lagoons, lakes, lighthouses, memorials, mountains, national forests, national parks, natural wonders, nature reserves, parks, peace stones, ponds, roads, rock formations, rocks, rootless cones, scenic drives, sculptures, shipwrecks, sports venues, squares, streets, swimming pools, thermal baths, tunnels, valleys, viewpoints, volcanoes, walks, waterfalls Transportation: airports, bus terminals, car rentals, ferries, parking lots, transfers Note: I travel to Iceland frequently, so this guide is updated often.

Puffins are cute and colourful - no wonder many people come to Iceland to see them live. But despite what some people might think, it’s not that easy to spot them.

If you’re thinking of going to Iceland and including the Westfjords in your trip, this guide is made for you. I have been living in the Westfjords for 2 years now and started working as a tourist guide alongside my studies. I have traveled around the country and I still think that the Westfjords are among the most remote and beautiful places. When people go to Iceland, they often come for 7 or 10 days around the ring road, and skip the Westfjords due to lack of time or because they have never heard of the Westfjords. This small region of 7,000 inhabitants has so much to show you. You do need a good car and a few days to visit it though, because roads are winding and are subject to the harsh climate (check veður.is) Roads are often closed in the winter (check road.is), but it is an incredible time to go to the Westfjords to see snowy fjords and northern lights. Get this guide if: - you’re interested in visiting the Westfjords and spend a few days there - you don’t mind driving a lot - you want tips and recommendations from someone that lives there - you want to know where to find the best hot pots in Iceland