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275 km
About 4 h 20 min
Car 1–4 · Van 5–7
Free cancellation 24 h
Westfjords · from KEF
About Hólmavík and the drive
Hólmavík is the largest village in Strandir, the remote eastern coast of the Westfjords, set on a small point in Steingrímsfjörður. It has a harbour, a church on the hill, a shop, a swimming pool and a few places to stay and eat. The village is best known for the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, which tells the story of the witch trials of the 17th century, and it is the gateway to the quiet fjords and driftwood-strewn shores further north along the Strandir coast.
From Keflavík Airport the drive heads through Reykjavík, north on Route 1 under Hvalfjörður and past Borgarnes, then over the Holtavörðuheiði mountain pass. At the head of Hrútafjörður you leave Route 1 and follow the road north along the Strandir coast to Steingrímsfjörður. It is a long day by car, and a break for food on the way is normal; tell the driver when you would like to stop.
Hólmavík suits travellers heading into Strandir, visiting family, or taking the road on towards Ísafjörður along Ísafjarðardjúp. Your driver takes you to the door of your guesthouse, farm stay or holiday house. If you are going on further into the Westfjords, some travellers compare the drive with a domestic flight to Ísafjörður; read our domestic airport transfers guide.
Seasons and roads
Holtavörðuheiði and the roads in Strandir can be snowy, icy and windy in winter, and passes may close for a while in storms. Daylight is very short in December and January. We watch the forecast and road conditions and will contact you if the time or date needs to move.
