SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA TOURS IN ICELAND

Located in the west of Iceland, with Breiðafjörður fjord at the north and Faxaflói at the south, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland thanks to its natural marvels. Snaefellsnes is known as "Iceland in miniature" as here you will discover many of the typical Icelandic landscapes and natural sites. In fact the diversity here is remarkable: lava fields, glaciers and iconic mountains, charming fishing villages, caves, beaches and much more. Come to the place where Jules Verne located the Centre of the Earth in his famous novel and discover the amazing places of the Snaefellsjökull National Park and the whole Snaefellsnes.

What is the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and where is it?

Snaefellsnes Peninsula is located in West Iceland; the closest point from Reykjavík is about 2 hours by car, which makes it great for a full one-day tour from the capital. Snaefellsjökull volcano and glacier is the best known place in the area thanks to Jules Verne's book "Travel to the center of the Earth" as it was precisely here where the characters entered to the center of the Earth. It is also said that it is is surrounded by a unique energy field and it has fascinated people from all around the world. The area of the glacier and volcano Snaefellsjökull has been designed as one of the four National Parks of Iceland and includes breathtaking places such as Djupalonssandur beach, Lóndrangar cliffs and Vatnshellir cave. In fact, Snaefellsnes Peninsula is known as "Iceland in miniature" due to the diversity here (lava fields, cliffs, beaches, fishing villages, mountains, caves...). Therefore, it is an excellent place for sightseeing and here you will find the most characteristic landscapes of Iceland.      

How can I explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula?

If you are planning to travel around Iceland on your own with a rental car, it is a good idea to spend at least 2 days in the area, which means you will need more than a week to do the classical tour around the island. 8 or 9 days around Iceland is ideal to include Snaefellsnes. You can see it at the end of your trip coming from the North or at the beginning departing from the capital.  If you are staying in Reykjavík, you can join one of our day tours to visit the Peninsula. These tours are going daily during the whole year and you will be able to discover the most important places on the Snafellsnes Peninsula. Any option you choose, don't miss the chance to see one of the most interesting areas in Iceland.   

What are the best places to see in Snafellsnes?

Snaefellsnes Peninsula is full of amazing places but here is our list of our favourite sites that you cannot miss while you are travelling around this famous peninsula in Iceland:  

Ytri Tunga beach:  Come to the golden sand beach of Ytri Tunga and see the seals that are frequently playing around on the coast. The best time to see them is in the summer months but it is possible throughout the year. We recommend being respectful, not making noise or getting too close so as not to scare them.

Budir: The church in Búdir was rebuilt in 1987. It has a historic cemetery and relics such as a bell and chalice from when it was first built in 1703. Its black paint and isolated location attract tourists, who can walk through the lava fields and go down to the coast, admiring landscapes that seem otherworldly.

Arnarstapi: A must see on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The sea breaks with force in front of Arnarstapi cliffs giving us an incredible picture of the strength of the nature. In the area you will also see summer cabins on the lava fields and two important monuments, one in homage to Jules Verne and another, in the shape of a troll, representing Bárður, the guardian spirit of the region.

Hellnar: The coastal walk links the cliffs of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. If the weather is good, it is without a doubt the route to follow until you reach the town of Hellnar, with a great fishing tradition in ancient times. Here you can find one of the most peculiar caves in Iceland, Badstofa, known for its special exposure to light and its colorful interior. Hellnar is also an ideal place to rest, as we can find a small hotel with a lovely café.

Vatnshellir: Vatnshellir Lava Cave is about 8000 years old and is located in the south of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It was created by the volcanic eruption of a nearby crater and is accessible by guided tours.

Djúpalón beach: The black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur is one of our favourite places on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The landscape here will for sure impress you. You can walk through its rock formations and discover the remains of the English trawler Eding, which was wrecked here in 1948 and which adds an even more surreal touch to the landscape. A series of rocks emerge from the ocean along the coast as you walk to the black sand beach of Dritvíka.

Snaefellsjökull glacier: The glacier and volcano Snaefellsjökull is not only known among Icelanders for being the place where Jules Verne's characters entered "the center of the Earth". The peninsula is one of the main settings of the Laxdœla saga and was, according to this saga, the birthplace of the first member of the Varangian Guard, Bolli Bollasson. For many people, both Icelanders and all over the world, this volcano is one of the world's energy centers and has a mystical power that is difficult to explain in words. The whole area of the glacier and its surroundings has been designed as one of the national parks in Iceland.

Kirkjufell mountain: This Snaefellsnes symbol is one of the most photographed places in Iceland and appears in series such as "Game of Thrones". But the ascent to this mountain can be very dangerous so it is better to enjoy the incredible views from the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and take a break in the fishing village of Grundarfjordur, from where you can also go on whale watching tours.

Grundarfoss: One of the largest waterfalls on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The hike to the waterfall is a bit rocky and takes about 15 minutes to get there. Without a doubt, it is worth visiting and even climbing to the top. The water here falls down in front of a huge basalt wall.

Stykkishólmur: Coming from the north of Iceland, the first stop on the Snaefellsnes peninsula can be the town Styhhishólumur, with its beautiful views of the small islands that are nearby. In 2008 he received a planning award for the renovation of old houses. In addition, it has been the pioneer in environmental awareness in Iceland and in the city center you can visit three unique museums: the Volcano museum, the Water Library and the Norwegian House. The view from the church over Breidarfjordur is really nice.

What activities can I do in the Snafellsnes Peninsula?

If you are coming on your own to Iceland, there are plenty of activities to do in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula apart form sightseeing. For example you can book the guided tour inside Vatnshellir cave (it is not everyday we have the opportunity to enter an authentic lava cave!) or a whale watching tour at the fishing villages of Holmávik, Ólafsvík or Grundarfjordur, depending on the season.  If you are really adventurous, you can also try the trekking on Snaefellsjökull glaicer (climbing to the top of the Snaefellsjökull glacier is only suitable for the most experienced ones). And of course, if you are coming in winter and stay in the area, let's hope you are lucky with the weather and spend the nights hunting the magic Northern Lights.  

What kind of tours can I join to see the Snaefellsnes Peninsula?
From Reykjavík there are two different tours that you can book to see the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in one day (see all the details clicking on each tour above). Both Snaefellsnes Peninsula tours are guided in English and include the most important places in Snaefellsnes Peninsula but with one of them you will also have the chance to enter Vatnshellir cave. If you want even a better experience try the Snaefellsnes Peninsula private tour. This tour visits the best locations and ends with a whiskey tasting at the one and only Icelandic whiskey distillery before going back to Reykjavík.

How many days do I need to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on my own?  
As we always say, the more, the better! But if you are not planning any special activity, two days are enough to see all the attractions in Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Spend at least one night in the area or you will regret it as you will have no time to see all these amazing places if you spend the previous and the following night somewhere else. Also take into account the season you are travelling to Iceland and the daylight hours you will have each day. 

Where should I stay in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula? 
There are great places to stay both at the North or at the South of Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Some of the accommodations are located in the middle of the nature in idyllic landscapes, other ones are in some of the nicest towns in the area such as Hellnar or Stykkishólmur. You have to book it in advance as the places are often full during summer.

When should I visit the Snaefellsnes Peninsula?
You can get to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula during the whole year but of course during winter the weather can be hard sometimes so the access to Snaefellsnes can get difficult or even impossible. Normally, if the weather allows, the tours from Reykjavík are running almost everyday. But if you come in summer, you will have more daylight hours and more chances to see animals like seals or puffins.

 

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a scenic and diverse area located in western Iceland, approximately two hours from Reykjavik. The peninsula is known for its stunning landscapes, which include volcanic mountains, black sand beaches, glaciers, and fishing villages.

One of the most iconic landmarks on the peninsula is Snaefellsjokull, a glacier-capped volcano that is believed to be one of the earth's spiritual centers. The glacier served as the inspiration for Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Visitors can hike to the summit of the glacier or explore the surrounding national park.

Other popular attractions on the peninsula include the Kirkjufell mountain, often referred to as "the most photographed mountain in Iceland," the picturesque fishing village of Arnarstapi, and the black sand beach at Djupalonssandur.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is also known for its wildlife, including seals, whales, and a variety of bird species. Visitors can take boat tours to explore the coastal waters or hike along the many trails in the area.

 

Pictures from the SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA TOURS in Iceland: