Winter in West Iceland transforms the landscape into a magical world of soft light, long shadows, and star-filled skies. The days may be short, but that only makes every hour of daylight more precious—and every moment of twilight and darkness more special. At Ourhotels.is, we help you make the most of these short days, whether you’re staying at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, or Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords.
Short daylight hours don’t mean less to do; they simply invite a different rhythm. Instead of rushing from sight to sight, you slow down, savour the light, and plan your adventures around sunrise, sunset, and the blue hour in between.
One of the best ways to enjoy winter days in West Iceland is to start early. At Hvítá Inn, just a short drive from Borgarnes, you can begin your morning with a hearty Icelandic breakfast while the sky slowly brightens over the Borgarfjörður region. From here, you’re perfectly placed to explore nearby waterfalls, hot springs, and lava fields during the brightest part of the day. Because daylight is limited, we recommend focusing on a few key experiences rather than trying to see everything at once. Ourhotels.is staff are happy to help you plan a realistic, daylight-friendly itinerary.
On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Stykkishólmur Inn offers a front-row seat to some of Iceland’s most photogenic winter light. The low sun casts a golden glow over the harbour, islands, and surrounding mountains, making even a short walk through town feel special. With fewer daylight hours, photographers often find winter to be the best time to visit: the sun stays low in the sky, creating long-lasting “golden hour” conditions. From Stykkishólmur, you can time your excursions to nearby viewpoints, coastal walks, and scenic drives to coincide with the brightest part of the day, then return to the inn to warm up and relax as dusk settles in.
Further north and west, Ísafjörður Inn places you in the heart of the dramatic Westfjords. Here, the interplay of mountains, fjords, and winter light is unforgettable. Even when the sun barely rises above the horizon, the sky often glows in shades of pink, blue, and orange for hours. With shorter days, planning is key: Ourhotels.is can help you choose activities that fit perfectly into the available daylight, whether that’s a scenic drive along the fjord, a short hike, or simply exploring the charming town of Ísafjörður.
Making the most of short daylight hours in Iceland also means embracing the darkness. Once the sun sets, a new world opens up. Away from city lights, all three of our locations—Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn—offer excellent opportunities for stargazing and, when conditions are right, northern lights viewing. The long nights become an asset rather than a limitation. Ourhotels.is staff can advise you on aurora forecasts, the best nearby viewing spots, and how to dress for standing outside under the winter sky.
To fully enjoy this seasonal rhythm, it helps to think of your day in two parts: a focused, light-filled adventure and a cosy, relaxing evening. Use the daylight for outdoor activities and sightseeing, then lean into Icelandic hygge once darkness falls. At our inns, you can unwind with warm drinks, local food recommendations, and comfortable common areas where you can review your photos, plan the next day, or simply enjoy the quiet.
Practical planning also makes a big difference. Before you travel, check sunrise and sunset times for West Iceland and the Westfjords, and build your itinerary around them. In winter, it’s often best to choose one main destination or activity per day rather than several. Ourhotels.is can help you link your stays—perhaps starting at Hvítá Inn near Borgarnes, continuing to Stykkishólmur Inn on Snæfellsnes, and finishing at Ísafjörður Inn—so that your driving distances match the available daylight and road conditions.
Short days encourage you to slow down, notice the details, and experience Iceland in a more intimate way. The soft winter light over Borgarfjörður, the golden glow on the islands off Stykkishólmur, and the pastel skies above the Westfjords all feel more intense precisely because they are fleeting. With thoughtful planning, local guidance from Ourhotels.is, and the welcoming comfort of Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, you can turn these brief hours of daylight into some of your most memorable travel moments.
