iceland snaefellsnes glacier lodge view rth

West Iceland Escape at Glacier Lodge

from £808 excluding flights

  • 3-7 nights
  • Year round
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland West Iceland Escape at Glacier Lodge

Highlights

iceland snaefellsnes stykkisholmur harbour istk

Explore the villages of Snaefellsnes Peninsula's north shore

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Discover the lava and rock formations around Arnarstapi

Iceland Snaefellsnes Budir Church

Visit the spectacular lava fields surrounding Budir

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Take a dip in the naturally-heated waters of the Blue Lagoon

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See the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route

iceland reykjavik lake tjornin summer istk

Stop off in cosmopolitan Reykjavik and enjoy local cuisine

Why this trip...

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Stay in great locations

This holiday features accommodation in incredible locations

Cabot Trail explore at leisure white

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park tailor made white

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

Escape to spectacular West Iceland on this flexible self drive break based at the charming Glacier Lodge, a 3-bedroom self-catering cottage exclusive to Discover the World. Located on the rugged Snaefellsnes Peninsula it offers the perfect base from which to explore Iceland’s beautiful west – from the prolific bird and marine life to the striking scenery and charming fishing villages that populate the area.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula, on Iceland’s west coast, is one of the most magical and quiet places to be visited on this mid Atlantic island. At its tip is the majestic Snaefellsjokull, a snow-capped volcano that has an irresistible lure, not just because it is breathtakingly beautiful but also because it is believed by many locals to hold mysterious powers. No wonder the region was the setting and inspiration for Jules Verne’s famous ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.

Located near Hellnar on the south shore of the peninsula, you’re perfectly based to explore at leisure the many delights of this area of Iceland, including Arnarstapi, Budir and Stykkisholmur.

Walk in the wild west

We’ve researched the best coastal and mountain walks in West Iceland’s Snaefellsnes National Park – one of the country’s most beautiful and diverse locations. This holiday puts you in prime position for getting footloose and fancy-free. Not only do we supply detailed walking notes to help you explore the area independently, but our local friend and walking guide Arni is also available to help you find those extra special routes and, if you like, be your guide.

Exploring Snaefellsnes

From May to September, Glacier Lodge is the perfect base for summer hiking in Snaefellsnes National Park – or anytime of the year as a base for self-drive exploration around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. When you collect your hire car at the start of this self-drive holiday, you’ll also receive our iDiscover app – your very own personalised digital travel companion, packed with inspiration for places to visit, hidden gems and much more.

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Summer Itinerary

Arrive in Keflavik and collect your rental vehicle at the airport and enjoy a scenic drive, perhaps taking a fjord-side route along scenic Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord), into West Iceland, where you can visit the Settlement Centre and pick up some supplies from the supermarket at Borgarnes, enroute to the Glacier Lodge, your self catering accommodation for the next few nights.

Explore the scenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, walking among the fantastic coastal formations at Arnarstapi and visit the fjords and fishing villages along its north side. With good weather you may have views of the mystical cone-shaped volcano and Snaefellsjokull icecap.

iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi basalt columns rth
iceland snaefellsnes kirkjufell beautiful sunset istk
iceland snaefellsnes kirkjufell hikers adstk

Explore the Snaefellsjokull National Park in the western tip of the peninsula. There are numerous long and short hikes to choose from and climb up to the Saxholl crater for views. On the northern side of the peninsula you will find the iconic Kirkjufell mountain and a waterfall of the same name. In Olafsvik join a whale watching tour or take one of the hikes in the mountains behind the town.

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iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi rock stacks rth

Make your way back to Keflavik Airport, possibly making a stop at the mystical Blue Lagoon (at additional cost). Return your vehicle to the Europcar depot (at the airport) before your afternoon flight home. If you have an early morning flight to London or Glasgow, we recommend staying an extra night near the airport.

Extend your Stay

Explore the Golden Circle & South Coast

iceland south west gullfoss summer view istk

Stay in Hveragerdi or the south coast to explore the famous Golden Circle route: Thingvellir National Park with its lake of the same name, the ancient assembly site and Law Rock, which is also known for its flora and geological features; Gullfoss the thunderous 2 tiered waterfall; Finally, the hot springs and geothermal wonders of Geysir.

Iceland’s south coast offers further highlights with some of the most iconic waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrafoss and Skogafoss. Photograph the moody black sand beaches and drive to the top of Dyrholaey bird cliffs for fantastic views of the strange basalt formations, the sea and the black sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.

Winter Itinerary

Fly from the UK to Keflavik. Collect your rental vehicle at the airport and enjoy the scenic drive to Reykjavik, just under an hour away, where you will overnight at a hotel in Reykjavik on a breakfast basis.

Hotel Klettur, Reykjavik

iceland reykjavik hotel klettur superior room
iceland reykjavik hotel klettur reception

Hotel Klettur is situated a short walk from the heart of Reykjavik.

Read more

With the luxury of having your own transportation, you are free to either explore Iceland’s capital city, or head out immediately into the Icelandic countryside. Perhaps drive a fjord-side route along scenic Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord) into West Iceland, where you can visit the Settlement Centre and pick up some supplies from the supermarket at Borgarnes, en route to the Glacier Lodge, your self catering accommodation for the next three nights.

Explore the scenic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, walking among the fantastic coastal formations at Arnarstapi and visit the fjords and fishing villages along its north side. With good weather you may have views of the mystical cone-shaped volcano and Snaefellsjokull icecap.

iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi cliffs winter istk
iceland snaefellsnes aurora sky march rth
iceland snaefellsnes arnarstapi rock arch winter istk

Explore the Snaefellsjokull National Park in the western tip of the peninsula. There are numerous long and short hikes to choose from and climb up to the Saxholl crater for views. On the northern side of the peninsula you will find the iconic Kirkjufell mountain and a waterfall of the same name. In Olafsvik join a whale watching tour or take one of the hikes in the mountains behind the town.

iceland snaefellsnes kirkjufell winter istk
iceland snaefellsnes horses in winter astk
iceland snaefellsnes olafsvik winter istk

Make your way back to Keflavik Airport, possibly making a stop at the mystical Blue Lagoon (at additional cost). Return your vehicle to the Europcar depot (at the airport) before your afternoon flight home. If you have an early morning flight to London or Glasgow, we recommend staying an extra night near the airport.

Prices and Departures

Price from £808 excluding flights

Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play or EasyJet. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »

Iceland Volcano Disruption Protection
We are proud of our excellent reputation for looking after our clients, without question. Should the unexpected occur our team of dedicated Travel Specialists are on call 24/7 to make any necessary alternative plans at no cost to you.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
  • No charge for additional driver
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £808 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

* Choice of Vehicles

We can offer a wide range of rental vehicles for this holiday – our team will be happy to talk you through the options and provide a quote for the most suitable category based on your individual requirements.

  • 4WD

    We would always recommend a 4WD for winter travel, but many clients also prefer the greater security and comfort that a larger vehicle provides year round – upgrade your vehicle from as little as £10 per person, per day.

  • Go electric

    With a selection of electric cars now available including the Kia Niro and Volkswagen ID.3, you can choose to upgrade from as little as £12 per person, per day. We recommend this option for summer only, due to the colder temperatures in winter affecting battery range.

As Standard, Complete Piece of Mind

We’re listening. We always care what our fellow travellers think and love building strong customer relationships so we continuously focus on improving future experiences based on feedback. How incredible for the last three years we have received the Feefo Platinum Award.

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The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.