The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often referred to as Iceland in miniature. Home to the Snaefelljokull National Park, this 90 kilometer stretch of land is dotted with glaciers, black sand beaches, soaring cliffs, thundering waterfalls and magical canyons. The wildness and contrast of the dramatic landscape will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into another world.
The peninsula is not only known for its scenic beauty but also the important role it plays in Iceland’s culture.
We recently spent 2 days in April exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Although we didn’t have much luck with the weather, the peninsula quickly became one of our favorite stops in Iceland; lucky for us the bad weather is just the excuse we need to go back someday.
Read on to find out our favorite stops along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and everything you need to know to plan your own trip.
Best Places to See on Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula
1. Bjarnarfoss
For the best view, take the 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot to the bridge that crosses over the river. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see this waterfall in all of its glory because it was engulfed in fog
We didn’t really get to see most of the waterfall because of the fog
2. Budir Black Church
A single hotel and a small black church are the only buildings that you will come across in the tiny town of Budir. The village’s original church dates back to 1703 and has been re-built several times over the years. The current church was built in 1987 and houses several relics of its predecessors, including a chalice and door knocker. The unique color of the church comes from the black pitch painted on the exterior to protect it from Iceland’s harsh climate.
The contrast of the black church against the backdrop of moss covered lava fields and snow-capped mountains is a photographer’s dream. This is a popular spot for pictures so avoid the mid-day influx of tour buses if you want to capture people-free photos of the church. The church is still active today, you might even have the chance to witness the wedding of some happy couple.
You can explore the area further on the hiking paths through the surrounding lava fields that lead to nearby sea cliffs.
3. Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
It might not look like much from the road but you won’t regret stopping at the Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge. The hike from the parking lot to the entry of the gorge takes about 15 minutes; it’s an uphill but easy walk, the only challenge was the two slushy snow fields that were a bit sketchy to cross. As you walk up to the gorge, look up to see the seabirds swooping around the cliffs.
Make your way through the narrow crack in the mountain’s face into a glistening green moss-covered black rock cavern; the inside is lit by small bits of daylight that sneak through the fissure in the canyon ceiling. Follow the stream to explore the depths of the several kilometers long canyon; to do so, you’ll be walking through the water and will need a raincoat and sturdy waterproof hiking boots, even on a sunny day.
Our whole family easily made it up to the entrance together (with the 3 year old in the hiking backpack) but only one of our 11 year olds felt comfortable exploring further with me. Going into the narrowing depths of the canyon involves climbing and hopping between wet, mossy rocks so we recommend saving venturing deeper into the canyon for pre-teen aged kids and older.
4. Arnarstapi Cliff Walk
The shoreline between the town of Arnarstapi and Hellnar is one of the most scenic parts of the peninsula. Black basalt formations tower up from the ocean, surrounded by swooping seabirds and huge crashing waves. There is a footpath that you can follow to the most spectacular viewpoints of the cliffs.
The kids will enjoy a visit to the Bárðar Snæfellsáss, easily spotted as your enter Arnarstapi. The stone statue depicts the mythical protector of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, said to have been half man, half troll.
We’ve heard that the walk from Arnarstapi to neighboring Hellnar is a must-do; unfortunately we didn’t have the time (or nice enough weather) to check out the walk ourselves.
5. Malarrif Lighthouse and Londranger Basalt Cliffs
The Malarrif Lighthouse has guarded the southern shores of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula since 1917; it was re-built in 1947 it was re-built to what you see today. You can take a nice walk along the beach to the lighthouse; from the beach, the lighthouse looks like a rocket ready for take-off. The girls had fun looking for different washed up marine-life on the black sand beach along the way. We were a little disappointed when we learned that you can’t visit the inside of the lighthouse.
Take a few minutes to pop into the Snæfellsjökull National Park Visitor’s Center; there are a number of displays on local wildlife and volcanoes that we all found interesting. Our girls loved the mini zipline that we stumbled upon on our way to the lighthouse; there were several other small playground structures for younger kids to enjoy.
Don’t miss the nearby Londranger Basalt Cliffs, a unique rock formation jutting dramatically out of the Atlantic. During the summer, the cliffs are home to a wide variety of seabirds. Take a 20 minute walk along the beach to view the cliffs; there is also wheelchair/stroller accessible viewing area 5 minutes east on Route 574.
6. Djúpalónssandur Black Beach
Djúpalónssandur Black Beach was once home to as many as 60 boats and a thriving fishing culture. Today, all that remains of that era are the black pebble beach, the sound of crashing waves and twisted metal remnants of a wrecked British ship.
There is a handicap/stroller accessible overlook of the beach a couple hundred yards from the parking lot. From the parking lot, a short hike down a natural stone staircase will take you to the black pebble beach; check out the amazing lava rock formations along the way. You can spot two freshwater lagoons behind the lava rock, long believed to have healing abilities by the Icelandic people.
One of the first things you’ll see on the beach are the 4 lifting stones once used to test the strength of potential fisherman. It’s a fun family challenge to see what stones everyone can lift, they’re heavier than they look!
The beach is stunning but keep a close eye on kids during your visit. The rusty shipwreck remains are a memorial to the 14 sailors who lost their lives and should not be touched. Also, stay far enough away from the water, the waves and current are extremely powerful in this area.
7. Saxhóll Crater
The Saxhóll Crater was created by an eruption that is thought to have occurred about 3000 years ago. To get a peek inside, climb the metal stairs that wrap around the left side of the mountain. The climb takes 5-10 minutes from the parking lot, depending on how often you stop to catch your breath. The staircase, built to protect the mountain from damage by hikers, has been internationally rewarded for its design.
We didn’t find the crater itself all that interesting, but the views of the Snæfellsjökull Volcano made the climb worthwhile.
8. Skarðsvík Beach and Svörtuloft Lighthouse
By now you may have noticed that the beaches of Iceland are all made of black sand; Skarðsvík Beach at the tip of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the one of the few exceptions. Surrounded by black lava cliffs and turquoise blue waters, the orange sand is another example of Iceland’s stark contrasts. The beach is small and waves can be dangerous here, so it’s recommended to visit at low tide.
You can reach the beach by taking Route No. 579, this is a gravel road but most cars can easily navigate it; there are some sharp turns so go slow. If you keep driving further down the road you’ll get to Svörtuloft Lighthouse; this bright orange lighthouse is a must-see against the backdrop of mossy green lava fields and snow-capped mountains. The Atlantic’s waves smash into the coastline, creating giant sprays of water against the cliffs. Orcas are occasionally spotted in this area, we didn’t see any ourselves though.
9. Kirkjufell Mountain
Game of Thrones fans will likely recognize Kirkjufell Mountain (aka Church Mountain) from Season 7; if you haven’t watched the show, you’ve probably seen the mountain on just about every Iceland travel website out there. Kirkjufell Mountain and the nearby waterfall are two of the most photographed sites in Iceland and it’s easy to see why with the unique shape of this 463 meter high mountain and the ever changing colors surrounding it. This is another spot that you want to hit either early or late in the day to avoid the tour buses.
It’s not recommended to climb the mountain without a knowledgable guide, several people have died trying; alternatively, you can take a 3 hour hike around the base of the mountain to take in the views from all sides.
Planning Your Trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Best Time of Year to Visit
That all depends on what you are looking for. Winter is the best time to see the northern lights but you run the risk of challenging driving conditions and unpleasant winter weather. If you want a better chance at warm days and seeing the peninsula in its green splendor, plan your trip for the summer months, between May and September.
We visited in April and got extremely lucky with the weather but did experience the peninsula’s winds on our first night and let us tell you, they are intense. We also loved that there are fewer people this time of year, we had several places all to ourselves.
Driving Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula
An easy 2.5 hour drive north from Reykjavik puts you right in the heart of the Snaefellsness Peninsula. Head out of Reykjavik on Route 1 (the Ring Road), in Borgarnes you’ll make a turn onto the southern section of Route 54. You can also reach the Snaefellsness Peninsula from the north by taking Route 586 from the Ring Road to Route 54. You can drive around the entire peninsula by following Route 54 to Útnesvegur road (aka Route 574) which loops you around the Snæfellsjökull National Park before hooking back up with Route 54.
We had no problems navigating the roads on the peninsula with our small 4×4 SUV; most of the roads are paved and the few that aren’t were just a bit of a bumpier ride.
How Much Time Do You Need?
While it’s possible to drive the whole peninsula loop in about 3 hours without making any stops, we recommend dedicating at least 1.5 to 2 days to experience everything this region has to offer (especially if traveling with kids). There are so many trails, cliffs, beaches and small towns to explore, we found ourselves wishing we had more time at each stop.
Where to Stay on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Despite its sparse population, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula has a variety of lodging options to choose from. There are hotels in several towns around the peninsula, including:
- Hótel Búðir in Budir
- Fosshotel Hellnar in Hellnar
- Hotel Egilson in Stykkishólmur
There are also plenty of guesthouses and AirBNBs available on the peninsula. We spent two nights at the Hellnafell Guesthouse right outside of the town of Grundarfjörður. We loved this cottage’s spectacular views of Kirkjufell mountain through the back windows, fully equipped kitchen, 4 bedrooms and plentiful living space.
Places to Eat on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
There aren’t a lot of restaurants on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula but you won’t be disappointed in the ones that are there. Most options can be found in Stykkishólmur but many of the peninsula’s villages also have a couple of restaurants to choose from. These are the restaurants that we tried ourselves:
Bjargarsteinn Mathús (Grundarfjörður): We felt right at home in this quaint little restaurant located along the water with views of Kirkjufell Mountain. The hand-drawn menu specializes in Icelandic cuisine; the seafood soup is perfect on a cold day and you can’t go wrong with any of the fish dishes. There is no children’s menu but half-sized/half-priced portions are available for kids; our girls loved the lamb with vegetables and roasted potatoes.
Sker Restaurants (Olafsvik): This restaurant had good food and a good ambiance. The varied menu includes options ranging from fish and chips to langoustine tacos to beef tenderloin. There is a children’s menu available or kids under 12 can get a half-sized/half-priced meal off the adult menu.
Stapinn (Arnastapi): A good spot to grab a coffee, slice of cake or quick lunch.
Are you looking for more information to help plan your Iceland adventure? Check out these posts to find out more about…
- A 6-day family-friendly itinerary for Iceland’s South Coast
- Traveling to Iceland with kids
- Traveling to Iceland with food allergies