Enjoy a private driving tour that combines invigorating hiking with a visit to Mount Esja before continuing on to Hvalfjörður and the relaxing Hvammsvík Hot Springs. This journey takes you to locations off the beaten path in West Iceland, only about an hour from Reykjavik.
Your expert local driver-guide from Your Friend in Reykjavik picks you up and leads the way. After a short 25-minute drive, you reach Mount Esja, the proud guardian of the city. Here, you take on a rewarding two-hour hike up and down the mountain and enjoy sweeping views before continuing toward Þórufoss, a waterfall made famous by Game of Thrones.
Next, you travel into the scenic Hvalfjörður, also known as Whale Fjord. As you admire the dramatic landscape, your guide shares stories about the region’s history and the folklore tied to these peaceful shores. Soon after, you stop by Steðji, a well-known Elfstone where an elf called Staupasteinn is said to live.
Then it’s time for Hvammsvík Geothermal Baths. This acclaimed experience, voted the number one thing to do in the world by Time Out, offers eight natural hot pools set right beside the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures range from the cool ocean waters to 42°C in the original spring. You can even dip into the sea, enjoy the steam baths, and warm up under outdoor showers.
Once you feel refreshed, you head to Höfuðstöðin Restaurant for a comforting bowl of Icelandic lamb soup made with local ingredients. A vegan option is available. The meal includes fluffy sourdough bread with butter and sea salt, baked on-site.
Finally, with warm muscles and a full stomach, you return to your accommodation feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and inspired by West Iceland’s quiet beauty.
