Iceland is made for road trips. With every turn revealing waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields and tiny fishing villages, some of the country’s most unforgettable experiences happen behind the wheel. If you’re planning a self-drive holiday in West Iceland, these are some of the best scenic drives in Iceland – and how to enjoy them while staying comfortably with Ourhotels.is at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn.
Iceland’s roads are generally easy to navigate in summer, and with the right car and preparation, you can enjoy them in other seasons too. Always check road and weather conditions before you set out, and give yourself time to stop often – the views will constantly tempt you to pull over.
One of the most rewarding scenic drives in Iceland is through Borgarfjörður in West Iceland. Just a short detour from the Ring Road, this region combines green valleys, glacial rivers and historic sites with far fewer crowds than the south coast. As you follow the curves of the Hvítá river and the surrounding countryside, you’ll pass steaming hot springs, lava fields and fertile farmlands.
Staying at Hvítá Inn, part of Ourhotels.is and located close to Borgarnes, puts you right in the middle of this landscape. From here, you can drive to the powerful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where clear glacial water pours out of black lava into the turquoise river below. The road to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, is another scenic highlight, with views of mountains and farmland that feel wonderfully remote yet are easy to reach. This area is ideal if you want a base for day trips while still returning to a cozy inn each evening.
Another classic scenic drive in Iceland is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called “Iceland in Miniature” because it has a bit of everything: dramatic cliffs, black sand beaches, lava fields, small fishing towns and the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano. The loop around the peninsula is one of the best coastal drives in the country, with the road constantly opening up to ocean views and rugged mountains.
Stykkishólmur is a perfect stop on this route, and staying at Stykkishólmur Inn with Ourhotels.is lets you slow down and enjoy the town as more than just a photo stop. The drive into Stykkishólmur is especially beautiful, with views over Breiðafjörður Bay and its countless small islands. From here, you can explore nearby viewpoints, take short detours to beaches and lava fields, or continue around the peninsula to see iconic spots like Kirkjufell mountain. Ending your day in a comfortable inn in the heart of town makes the whole experience more relaxed and rewarding.
For travelers who want to go beyond the usual routes, the Westfjords offer some of the wildest and most dramatic scenic drives in Iceland. The roads wind along deep fjords, over mountain passes and past tiny villages that feel far from the modern world. This is where you truly feel the scale of Iceland’s coastline and the power of its landscapes.
Ísafjörður is the natural hub of the region, and Ísafjörður Inn, part of Ourhotels.is, is an ideal base for exploring these remote roads. The drive into Ísafjörður itself is spectacular, with steep mountains rising straight from the sea and narrow fjords cutting into the land. From town, you can take day trips along the fjords, stopping at viewpoints, beaches and old fishing stations. The journey is as memorable as the destinations, with constantly changing light and weather adding to the drama. Having a welcoming inn to return to each night makes it easier to enjoy these long, scenic drives without rushing.
If you’re planning a road trip focused on the best scenic drives in Iceland, combining these three areas works beautifully. Start in Borgarfjörður, staying at Hvítá Inn to explore waterfalls, hot springs and gentle countryside. Continue to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Stykkishólmur Inn for coastal views and classic West Iceland scenery. Then, if time allows, head north and west into the Westfjords, basing yourself at Ísafjörður Inn to experience some of the most remote and impressive roads in the country.
Ourhotels.is connects these regions with comfortable, well-located inns that suit self-drive travelers. You can plan your days around the road and the scenery, knowing you’ll have a warm, welcoming place to stay each night. Whether you’re chasing midnight sun in summer or northern lights in winter, these routes showcase some of the very best scenic drives in Iceland – and let you experience them at your own pace.
