You Can Play Golf Between Volcanoes And The Atlantic Ocean In Iceland

The Icelandic landscape is incredibly beautiful and has everything from fjords and glaciers to waterfalls and lava fields. However, while Iceland and golf may not seem like a likely combination, the island’s golf courses will make you think differently.

Have you ever dreamed about playing golf during the midnight sun with lava fields surrounding you? In Iceland, that’s a possibility. The slow pace of golf is the perfect activity to take in the landscape of a place with so much incredible scenery. This is especially the case for Iceland’s most well-known golf course on Heimaey, the largest island in the Westman archipelago located off the south coast.

In July of 1973, a famous volcano eruption nearly caused a permanent evacuation of the whole island as the lava almost destroyed the harbour. Houses that were buried by the volcanic ash have been preserved as museums to this day.

The Westman Islands Golf Club was established in 1938 as a nine-hole golf course, which was expanded to 18 holes in the early 1990s. Because of its course, which meanders through the remnants of an extinct volcano, it is one of the most unique golfing experiences you can have with tees set up against the backdrop of the volcano walls.

Golf course in Westman Islands, Iceland.

This course is well-known for its incredible views of the sea and active bird life on the coasts. It’s easy to get to the islands by taking a ferry from the south coast. Here, the puffins arrive in the summer to mate and form the world’s biggest puffin colony, making it a popular bird-watching destination.

The golf course has hosted many championships and opens since it established itself as an 18-hole course. The Icelandic Championship was hosted there in 1996 and 2008 as well as the Scandinavian Championship for Amateurs in 2000. Each year, the Icelandair Volcano Open is held in July in dedication to the 1973 volcano eruption.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.