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Látrabjarg bird cliffs

WestfjordsCliffsFree entrySummer only
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Látrabjarg
Látrabjarg
LÁTRABJARG IN SHORT

Látrabjarg is a 14 km line of sea cliffs at the westernmost point of Iceland, rising to over 440 metres at its highest. It is about 400 km and 6-7 hours from Reykjavík by car, free to visit, and best known for its puffins, which nest here from mid-May to late August. Most people spend 1-2 hours walking along the clifftop.

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Quick factsGetting thereStep by stepOn the cliffsBest time to visitSafety tipsFacilitiesMapNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

About Látrabjarg

Látrabjarg is the largest bird cliff in Iceland and one of the largest in the North Atlantic. It stretches about 14 km along the coast of the Westfjords and is home to millions of seabirds in summer, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots and fulmars. Because the birds here are unusually used to people, this is one of the few places in the world where you can get close to puffins without disturbing them.

The cliffs mark the westernmost point of Iceland and of continental Europe. A lighthouse stands near the tip, and on a clear day the view stretches far out over the Atlantic. Getting here takes real effort: a long drive on mostly gravel road through the remote southern Westfjords, which is part of what keeps it quiet even in summer.

Quick facts

HeightUp to about 440 m at the highest point
LengthAbout 14 km of cliffs
RegionWestfjords, westernmost point of Iceland
From ReykjavíkA little over 400 km, around 6-7 hours by car
From PatreksfjörðurAbout 50 km, around 1-1.5 hours on Route 612
EntryFree (small charge for the toilets at the car park)
RoadRoutes 1, 60 and 62, then Route 612, which is mostly gravel, narrow and steep in places
Puffin seasonMid-May to late August
Time needed1-2 hours
ProtectedNature reserve

How to get to Látrabjarg

On a guided tourLátrabjarg is far from Reykjavík, so it usually features on multi-day Westfjords tours rather than day trips. A private tour lets you build it into a longer Westfjords itinerary.
By carFrom Reykjavík, follow Route 1 to just north of Borgarnes, Route 60 through Búðardalur to Flókalundur, and Route 62 towards Patreksfjörður. At the head of the fjord, before you reach the town, turn left onto Route 612 and follow it past Örlygshöfn and Hvallátur to the end. From Patreksfjörður town, drive back around the fjord to the same junction. Route 612 is mostly gravel, narrow and steep in places. A 2WD car can usually manage it in good summer weather, but a 4x4 is safer.
By public transportThere is no public bus to Látrabjarg. A rental car or a tour is the practical way to get there.
ParkingThere is a car park near the lighthouse. A small fee applies for the toilets on site.

The road to Látrabjarg is only realistically open from late spring to early autumn. It is not maintained through winter, so plan a visit for June to September.

How to get to Látrabjarg from Reykjavík, step by step

The drive is long but simple, with only three turns to remember.

Step 1: Reykjavík to BorgarnesDrive Route 1 north out of the city, through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, past Grundartangi and on to Borgarnes. Fill up and buy food here.
Step 2: Route 60 to FlókalundurNorth of Borgarnes, before you reach Bifröst, turn left onto Route 60, signposted for Búðardalur. It runs through the village of Búðardalur and then along the fjords of the southern Westfjords to Flókalundur. This is the long part of the day, a few hours of fjord driving.
Step 3: Route 62 over the passAt Flókalundur, take Route 62 along the Barðaströnd coast and over the Kleifaheiði pass. Some of the bends are sharp, so keep your speed down.
Step 4: Route 612 to the cliffsAt the bottom of the pass, turn left onto Route 612. You pass the beached ship Garðar BA 64, the cove of Örlygshöfn, the bay of Breiðavík and the farm Hvallátur before the road ends at the lighthouse car park. Most of this road is gravel.

Allow six to seven hours of driving from Reykjavík without long stops. Most people break the trip with a night on the way or in Patreksfjörður, and there are plenty of places worth a stop along the fjords.

What to see on the cliffs

A path runs uphill from the car park along the clifftop. You do not need to walk far to see birds.

Four cliffs in oneThe 14 km line of cliffs has four named parts: Keflavíkurbjarg, Látrabjarg, Bæjarbjarg and Breiðavíkurbjarg. The highest point is 441 metres.
Bjargtangar lighthouseThe small lighthouse by the car park stands at Bjargtangar, the westernmost tip of Iceland. It is often called the westernmost lighthouse in Europe.
The birdsMillions of seabirds nest here in summer: guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes, gulls and puffins. The cliffs are said to hold up to 40% of the world's razorbills. Arctic foxes cannot reach the ledges, which is one reason the birds are so unafraid of people.
Puffins up closePuffins nest in burrows along the top of the cliff, often a few metres from the path. Evening is usually the best time, when they come back from the sea.
The white lineA white line is painted near the edge to warn you off. Stay behind it. The edge is undercut by burrows and can give way.

If you want to look over the edge, lie down on the grass well back from it and move forward slowly. Never stand at the edge.

Best time to visit Látrabjarg

Summer (June-August)The only practical season to visit. Puffins are present, the road is open, and daylight is long. Wind can still be strong, so dress warmly.
Outside summerThe road is generally not passable from around October to May, when snow closes it, and the birds have left. Late autumn has dark skies and can be good for Northern Lights if the road is still open and the forecast is calm. Most visitors should plan for June to August.

Safety and practical tips

  • Stay well back from the cliff edge. There is no fence, the ground can be soft near burrows, and gusts of wind are common.
  • Never approach or touch the puffins. Use a zoom lens instead of walking closer.
  • After rain the clifftop path is muddy and slippery. Wear boots with grip and walk carefully.
  • Bring a windproof jacket even in summer; it is exposed and often breezy.
  • Allow extra time for the drive, especially the gravel section of Route 612.
  • Fill up on fuel before you set off; there are long stretches with no services.
  • Check road conditions on umferdin.is before driving, since the route can close outside summer.

Facilities and accessibility

There are toilets at the car park near the lighthouse (small fee). There is no café or shop at the cliffs themselves; the nearest services are in Patreksfjörður.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

RauðisandurRauðisandurRed-gold sand beach, about 40 minutes awayPatreksfjörðurPatreksfjörðurNearest town, north of the cliffs, with a swimming pool, restaurants, cafés, guesthouses and a campsiteTálknafjörðurTálknafjörðurSmall fishing village with a hot poolGarðar BA 64Garðar BA 64Beached steel ship beside Route 612, on the way to the cliffsÖrlygshöfnÖrlygshöfnCove on Route 612 between the fjord and the cliffsDynjandiDynjandiThe big waterfall in Arnarfjörður, the second-largest fjord in the Westfjords

Where to stay near Látrabjarg

Most visitors base themselves in Patreksfjörður, which has hotels, guesthouses and a campsite, or in guesthouses elsewhere in the southern Westfjords, since Látrabjarg is a long drive from anywhere else. With a weekend you can add Rauðisandur beach and Arnarfjörður with the Dynjandi waterfall.

Látrabjarg FAQ

Is Látrabjarg free to visit?

Yes, there is no entrance fee. A small charge applies to use the toilets at the car park.

When can I see puffins at Látrabjarg?

Puffins are present from mid-May to late August, with the best chances in June and July.

Do I need a 4x4 to get there?

A 2WD car can usually manage the gravel Route 612 in good summer conditions, but a 4x4 is more comfortable and safer.

Is Látrabjarg the westernmost point of Europe?

It is the westernmost point of Iceland, and it is often described as the westernmost point of continental Europe.

How long does it take from Reykjavík?

Around 6-7 hours of driving, so most people visit as part of a multi-day Westfjords trip, not a day trip from Reykjavík.

See Látrabjarg with a local

Tours and trips that include Látrabjarg, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.

3 Day Westfjords Tour from ReykjavikMULTI-DAY3 Day Westfjords Tour from ReykjavikFrom 129,990 ISK per person
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