Top Things to do in West Region
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in West Region, Iceland
Discover the best top things to do in West Region, Iceland including Haafell Goats and Roses, Hestaland, Snaefellsjokull National Park & Glacier, The Settlement Center, Hraunfossar, Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum, Londrangar, Grabrok Crater, Eiriksstadir, Dritvik and Djupalonssandur.
Restaurants in West Region
1. Haafell Goats and Roses
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By leanadawn - Reykjavik, Iceland
I'm a local who lives on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and although I had heard wonderful things about Jóhanna the goat farmer, I had never visited her goat farm. My partner and I decided to make the 1.5 hour drive to her place on a warm summer day. After arriving there around 3 pm, I think we ended up staying at Háafell until just before it closed at 6. The weather was mild with little wind, and this was perfect for hanging out in the field where the goats graze, lay, and take in the sun. Upon arrival, we met Jóhanna herself, who directed us to join a tour that was about to leave. Tours cost 1500 kr and we were happy to support Jóhanna's mission of restoring this nearly-extinct unique breed of goats back to Iceland. After meeting up with the guide, we walked around with her while she (in Icelandic) told us about how this farm came to be and how Icelandic goats are something very special. I'm used to goats being very "hyperactive" but this group was friendly and subdued. The goats are raised in a calm environment - it is forbidden for young visitors to chase the goats or frighten them - but everyone is welcome to pet or even pick up willing new goat friends. Once the short tour was done, we walked around the pasture and met a variety of nanny goats and their kids along with the occasional billy goat. They are beautiful and oh so soft! We relaxed in the grass and enjoyed the tranquil environment that is Háafell. When it was time to go, we returned to the little shop / reception area to sample goat sausage, goat cheese, and the various wonderful oils, soaps, and more that Jóhanna produces using nearby flora. If it wasn't a bit of a long drive from where I'd live, I'd go back to Háafell in a heartbeat on another sunny day. Takk fyrir mig, Jóhanna!
2. Hestaland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Farm visit to Hestaland. We offer groups to come to our barn to meet the Icelandic horse in person. TRAIL RIDES We offer riding lessons and trail rides. Half-day tour includes a light lunch. Multi-day tours (Treks) read more about our treks on our website
Reviewed By cvsimard - Newburyport, United States
Love their attention to matching horses and riders, and the ability to spend some time getting to know your horse around the farm before setting out on the countryside with a free herd. It makes for a much more confident and comfortable ride, so you can enjoy all the aspects of the adventure..Safe and Quality horses, beautiful countryside rides, new saddles, knowledgeable trainers who lead the way, and fantastic guest house at the end of the day, what more could you ask for!
3. Snaefellsjokull National Park & Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 358 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
As many other things in Iceland, this place is very special and very beautiful. This beautiful place is one of my favourite places in the whole country. Spectacular trails, make sure to allocate good chunk of time to explore the shoreline. Dramatic coastline, waves pounding on rocks and cliff faces, not too many tourists. It's such a beautiful and magical place. Great place for traveling and photography purpose. Stunning beauty. Mother nature at her best.
4. The Settlement Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
The Settlement Center is closed until May 13th. Looking forward to seeing you. Settlement- & Egils Saga exhibition offering a wealth of information, the Settlement Center provides a wonderful insight into Iceland’s history. It also gives you the chance to put your visit into the context of the country’s past. The exhibitions recreate the fascinating drama of the sagas and the birth of this island nation. They also bring to life one of Iceland’s most important cultural treasures, Egils Saga. The exhibitions at the Settlement Center tell the story of the first settlers and the story of Iceland’s most important saga – Egils Saga. Egill Skalla-Grimson was a famous Viking and poet and his father and was one of the first settlers and his family settled at Borg near Borgarnes. The goal is to make the ancient sagas accessible to all ages.
Reviewed By paulaD1696NV - Toronto, Canada
Getting ready to go to Iceland, we had listened to some of the Sagas. The Settlement Centre had two different audio guided tours, one about the history of the settlement of Iceland and the other a guide through Egil’s Saga, one of the most famous (and longest) of the Sagas. Both were perfect! The information was accessible and the audio guide left you in perfect control of pacing. The staff was helpful and pleasant. Anyone with time in Borgarnes should visit the Settlement Centre. Also, the only gift shop where I actually bought anything in either Iceland or Norway this trip! (See separate but just as glowing a review of the attached restaurant!)
5. Hraunfossar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 640 reviews
Reviewed By 940lizh - Whitehaven, United Kingdom
Definitely worth a visit. We have visited here before on a sunny day when the water was a gorgeous blue colour. Today was a bit cloudy so water not as blue. None the less definitely worth a visit. Well signposted. Easy to get to plenty of parking. Now there is a cafe not too far away so you can have a chance to warm up on a cold day .
6. Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum holds a history of generations of shark fishing and processing. The visit includes shark tasting and a live presentation of this history and interesting facts about the Greenland shark. After the museum, be sure to visit the drying house where the shark has to hang to dry.
Reviewed By PinayNicky - Chicago, United States
My finance and I stopped here at the beginning of our Iceland trip in February 2019 (yes, this is LONG overdue). The museum is well off the main road and we were so glad we pushed through the heavy snowfall to visit. For only $12 each, we had the privilege of touring the family-run museum which was filled with a wonderful collection of boats, fishing equipment, fossils and bones, taxidermy animals, rocks and crystals, maps and charts, and other interesting antiques reflective of the family's unique history. The woman who greeted us was kind and attentive. She played a video that explained the processing of the Greenland shark into hákarl (fermented shark), which is an Icelandic delicacy. It's worth a taste with the rye bread to at least say you did it. We really took our time to appreciate the interesting collection. After we finished exploring, we asked a few questions and, as a collector, I expressed my excitement in seeing the crystals and fossils in their collection. She told us to wait a moment...and she quickly returned with a palm sized rock with striations and subtle crystal flecks. She explained that it was a piece from the mountain behind the museum. I was overjoyed by her kindness and excited to add it to my collection! It was a truly memorable, authentic Icelandic experience that we highly recommend for all ages.
7. Londrangar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By Serena684 - Peschiera Borromeo, Italy
Lóndrangar are two huge pillars close to the sea and looking as they are emerging from water, located in the southern part of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, in Western Iceland. The guide from the close tourist centre who accompanied us to the site, told us of the countless legends gravitating around these two stacks, along with the true stories of the fishermen dwelling the bay in the old times, still witnessed by the ruins of their simple rock-houses, and of the foxes which settled their den at the feet of the rocks some years ago. A fascinating tour for a fascinating location, absolutely suggested to everyone.
8. Grabrok Crater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By NZSITM - San Francisco, United States
This is a must-stop attraction along the Ring Road. On 7/8/19, my husband and I stopped by the parking lot and walked up the stairs to the top. The path to the stop is a boardwalk with gradual stairs and benches along the way. The 15-minute walk up was easy and enjoyable. Then we walked around the rim for the beautiful view (no boardwalk here). There are benches at the top where we enjoyed a snack and lingered. At the parking lot, there are no toilets, gift shop or restaurant, just big map signs. Walking Grabok Crater was so easy for us as compared to climbing the Hverfjall Crater from Dimmuborgir and circling the crater rim over rocky grounds the day before.
9. Eiriksstadir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
In Eiríksstadir you can travel a thousand years back in history, hear a story by the long fire and see how people lived in the times of Eric the Red.
Reviewed By 152sigridurs - Reykjavik, Iceland
We vere so very lucky to be able to visit this historical place recently. We got a private tour since they have not officially opened for this summer because of Covid-19. I am icelandic but still had not been here before. This place being the home of the icelandic Vikings, Eiríkur rauði and Leifur Eiríksson is a living museum. The longhouse restored to show us how the Vikings lived. I found it interesting that the beds were small but apparently people slept in a sitting position during these times. Our guide dressed in linien clothes and wool was very knowledgeable both regarding the history and how the Vikings lived. I totally recommend that you visit Eiríksstaðir, their location is just a short distance from Búðardalur and well marked from the main road.
10. Dritvik and Djupalonssandur
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By j0seluisrivera - Barcelona, Spain
near of rocadragon and snaefellness glacier is another nice moment and landscape to take pictures and quiet moment on the trip
