Rauðasandur is one of the most unique beaches in Iceland, with red and golden colored sand that looks completely different from the country’s famous black sand beaches. The colors really only show when the sun is out and when it's low tide, so a sunny day makes a big difference here.

Getting to Rauðasandur is definitely part of the experience. The road down is unpaved, steep, and very winding, and many people consider it one of the scarier drives in the Westfjords. You can technically reach it in a 2WD if the road is dry, but there are potholes and rough sections, so we’d strongly recommend a 4×4 if you have one. The road is only open in summer, and it’s always smart to check conditions before going (use https://umferdin.is/en to check current road conditions).

Once you’re on the beach, you may need to walk through shallow water channels, so rain boots are a good idea if you don’t want wet feet. Try to visit at low tide, which is when the beach is easiest to explore. There are wooden signs along the beach that help guide where to walk and explore.

It’s a bit of effort to get here, but that’s exactly why Rauðasandur is so special!

If you want to see what the drive is like, here is a YouTube video of it!