Planning scenic stops along the road in West Iceland turns a simple drive into a journey you’ll remember for years. Instead of rushing from point A to point B, you can slow down, explore hidden viewpoints, and soak in the landscapes that make this part of Iceland so special. With a bit of preparation—and the right places to stay, like Ourhotels.is properties along the way—you can turn your road trip into a relaxed, flexible adventure.
Start by mapping your route and identifying natural “clusters” of sights rather than individual stops. West Iceland is perfect for this: waterfalls, hot springs, coastal views, and charming fishing towns are often just a short detour from the main road. Use Google Maps or a similar app to pin locations you’re interested in, then group them into morning and afternoon segments. This helps you avoid backtracking and keeps your days pleasantly full without feeling rushed.
When you’re driving north from Reykjavík, Borgarfjörður is one of the best areas to plan your first scenic stops. Think of it as your gateway to West Iceland. Here you’ll find lava fields, rivers, and historic sites all within easy reach. Staying at the Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, close to Borgarnes, makes it simple to explore the region at a relaxed pace. You can visit nearby waterfalls and viewpoints during the day, then return to a comfortable base in the evening instead of pushing on tired. Because Hvítá Inn is part of Ourhotels.is, you can expect consistent comfort and friendly local insight—ideal when you’re deciding which nearby sights are worth a detour the next day.
As you continue your journey toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, plan your scenic stops around coastal viewpoints, black and golden sand beaches, and the dramatic Snæfellsjökull glacier area. This peninsula is often called “Iceland in miniature” because it has a bit of everything: cliffs, lava fields, fishing villages, and mountain views. Staying at The Stykkishólmur Inn gives you a perfect base to explore this region. The town of Stykkishólmur itself is a scenic stop, with colorful houses, a picturesque harbor, and views over Breiðafjörður Bay. From here, you can plan short drives to nearby viewpoints and return in time for a relaxed evening walk by the sea. Booking through Ourhotels.is keeps your accommodation planning simple, so you can focus on the scenery instead of logistics.
If your road trip continues farther northwest into the Westfjords, it’s worth planning extra time—this region is more remote, with winding roads and countless photo opportunities. Here, scenic stops might include dramatic fjord views, quiet beaches, and small villages that feel far from the usual tourist routes. Because distances can be deceptive in the Westfjords, it’s smart to keep your daily driving time modest and build in plenty of time for unplanned stops. Ísafjörður is the natural hub of the area, and staying at Ísafjörður Inn gives you a comfortable, central base. From there, you can plan day trips to surrounding fjords, viewpoints, and hiking trails, knowing you’ll return to a welcoming inn each evening. As part of the Ourhotels.is family, Ísafjörður Inn offers the same reliable comfort and local knowledge you’ll have come to appreciate earlier in your trip.
When planning your scenic stops, think in terms of themes for each day: one day focused on waterfalls and rivers, another on coastal cliffs and harbors, another on mountain viewpoints and short hikes. This makes your itinerary feel balanced and helps you avoid trying to see everything at once. It also allows you to adapt to the weather—if the coast is foggy, you might choose inland sights instead, and vice versa. Staff at Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn can often suggest lesser-known viewpoints or short walks that match the day’s conditions, giving you a more authentic experience than simply following a guidebook.
Another key to planning scenic stops is to build in “buffer time.” In West Iceland, you’ll often find yourself pulling over for an unexpected waterfall, a herd of horses by the roadside, or a particularly beautiful stretch of coastline. If your schedule is too tight, you’ll feel pressured to drive past these moments. Aim for fewer planned stops per day, with extra time between them. Using Ourhotels.is to pre-book your stays at Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn gives you the security of knowing where you’ll sleep each night, while still leaving your days open for spontaneous discoveries.
Finally, remember that some of the best scenic stops are the quiet ones: a viewpoint with no one else around, a small café in a fishing village, or a riverside walk near your inn. By choosing well-located accommodations along your route, you naturally add more of these moments to your trip. Ourhotels.is properties in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur, and Ísafjörður are positioned so that the journey between them is filled with potential stops, not just long stretches of road.
With thoughtful planning, flexible timing, and comfortable bases like Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, your road trip through West Iceland becomes more than travel between destinations—it becomes a continuous string of scenic experiences. Use Ourhotels.is to anchor your route, then let the landscapes in between shape the rest of your adventure.
