25 Best Sights in West Iceland and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

This brightly colored oasis is for kids and adults alike looking to have a bit of fun. Getting here is an adventure in itself—intentionally so, as designed by the creator of this wonderland. Spend some time playing on the slides, teeter-totters, climbing dome, and swings. Everything in the playground was made from salvaged discarded materials, which somehow makes it all a little more delightful.

Iceland has no shortage of thought-provoking art exhibits and museums, but the Library of Water is one of its most unique. The main exhibit, Water, Selected, presents 24 glass columns filled with melted ice collected from glaciers around the country. When light hits the glass columns, beams are reflected onto a rubber floor embossed with both Icelandic and English words pertaining to the weather.

The real highlight of this spot is its history: Berserkjahraun is an area mentioned in the Eyrbyggja Saga telling the tale of two Swedish berserkers, Halli and Leiknir. A farmer named Styr the Slayer took the berserkers off of his brother's hands, and Halli quickly fell in love with Styr's daughter. He posed a challenge to the pair: before he would allow Halli to marry his daughter, the berserkers had to build a road through the seemingly impassable lava field. Halli and Leiknir succeeded, only to meet their demise in a special sauna designed by Styr to kill them, and their supposed burial site can still be visited today. It may be grim, but you can't say it's not an exciting tale. To get here, head west on Snæfellsnesvegur where it splits from Helgafellssveitarvegur, and follow the gravel road on the left before you hit a bridge taking you over the water.

It's no surprise Búðakirkja is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland given its stark color against the mountains and ocean. Originally built in 1703, the church was eventually torn down due to lack of use and reconstructed in 1987. The real draw may be how remote this church is—the only other thing in the village of Búðir is the adjacent hotel. Behind the church toward the ocean, there is a series of paths for hikers and walkers. After taking your photos of the church and its cemetery, escape the small crowd of tourists and walk along the water for a bit of solitude. If you're there during the summertime, it'll be just you and the roaming sheep.

The waterfall Bæjarfoss (pronounced “bye-yar-foss”) is within walking distance from town. It's an easy hike on a somewhat hidden path—walk toward the back of town from Hotel Ólafsvík. You can also pick up the trail at the edge of town, but you will have to scramble over some fenced areas. The waterfall is small but incredibly scenic, and you won't find the crowds that you will at some of Iceland's larger falls.

Known to locals as the Black Lava Pearl Beach, Djúpalónssandur makes for a breathtaking walk. Start down Nautastígur, or the Path of the Bull (you can see it from the parking lot), which winds around massive lava rock formations. Behind the path, you'll spot two freshwater lagoons, known collectively as Djúpulón. Head to the beach to find pieces of the Epine GY7 wreckage, a British trawler that met its end east of Dritvík cove in March 1948.

If you're looking for a more challenging hike, check out Eldborg Crater. After walking 2½ hours, you'll find a 196-foot crater sweeping up from the lava fields. You can walk around as well as up the crater.

At the edge of the Hnappadalur Valley, north of Borgarnes, you'll find the Gerduberg Basalt Columns, which form an immense wall of striking geometric patterns. You won't be able to see the hundreds of columns from the road, which only adds to the sense of mystery.

You'll find the Glanni Waterfall after hiking from a parking lot near a golf course. At the end of your walk, you'll also see Paradise Hollow, the perfect place for a picnic breakfast or lunch.

The best thing about Glymur Waterfall is that you have to take a nice, long hike to see it. Along the way, you'll walk through a cave, cross a river, and head into a stunning mountain valley. The south side of the waterfall is said to have better views, so keep that in mind as you get closer. Expect to spend between 3–3½ hours round-trip.

Walk the 560 feet to the top of this volcanic crater to take in the sights of the Borgarfjörður region and the stunning Lake Hreðarvatn. Grábrók was formed by a fissure eruption 3,000 years ago.

"Holy Mountain" has surely earned its name. The church built here honors Þórólfr Mostrarskegg, the first settler of the area. This sacred location makes an appearance in the Icelandic Sagas, and local folklore says that if you hike to the top without looking back once or saying a word, you will have three wishes fulfilled.

As opposed to stronger, more intimidating waterfalls like Dettifoss, Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls) is a series of delicately flowing rivulets over the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Located about an hour's drive north of Reykjavík, this is a great (and less crowded) alternative to the waterfalls you'll find along the Golden Circle. Don't miss the nearby Barnafoss, another waterfall, which is located a quick walk down the Hvitá River.

One of the more historic sites in West Iceland, Ingjaldshóll was once home to important government officials, including the Sturlunga Clan, who ruled West Iceland throughout the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, you'll find the oldest concrete church in the world, as well as a fun split-rock illustration, carved by famed sculptor Páll Guðmundsson, depicting Eggert Ólafsson and Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir (his wife).

It's possible to climb "Church Mountain," but you might want to enlist the help of a local guide to get to the top. At the peak, you'll find fossils and other remnants from years past. Don't miss the nearby waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss, which is especially striking early in the morning.

Compared to the other, brightly colored lighthouses you'll find around the coast, the Malarrif Lighthouse is a somewhat brutal-looking construction. It has great views of the Atlantic Ocean and Snæfellsjökull volcano though and sits just a short walk from the park's information center.

There's an interesting array of exhibits at this museum and visitor center. Inside the Saga Centre, you'll find a full-size fishing boat and tons of fishing gear, as well as a children's toy collection. You can also pick up local hiking maps, as well as use the on-site Wi-Fi and grab a snack at the café.

If you want to explore a volcanic crater without hiking too far, Saxhóll is the place. The most interesting views are from the top, where you can take in the whole scene at the center of the crater. Getting up is easier than you would think; man-made steps lead visitors up to the crest, and you'll be up at the top before you know it. Make sure to spend time walking around the peak, but watch your step.

Iceland may be known for its black-sand beaches, but this golden-sand beach is secluded and far less crowded than Reynisfjara near Vík. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: solitude; sunrise; swimming.

If you're visiting during the summertime, head to the Svörtuloft Lighthouse at low tide. The surrounding cliffs, which are made up of dramatic black lava, are a sight to see against the bright-orange lighthouse.

If you're looking to beat the crowds and find a waterfall to call your own, head to Svöðufoss (pronounced “svuew-thoo-foss”). This 32-foot waterfall spills over a set of basalt columns, and on particularly clear days, you can see Snæfellsjökul glacier behind them.

Weighing in around 410 pounds, the Húsafell Stone was once used as a measure of strength by men hoping to score a job on nearby working ships. Even before that, it functioned as a gate for a sheep pen built by Snorri Björnsson in the 18th century. Today, you can try and lift it for fun (and bragging rights). 

This area next to a farm of the same name is well known for its nearby "Seal Beach," where harbor seals and grey seals spend the summer months basking in the near-constant sunlight on rocks just offshore. You're likely to see them in the area year-round, but you're more likely to catch the eye of a friendly seal swimming by in the warmer months. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude, wildlife-watching.