The Snaefellsnes Peninsula (pronounced like snī-fells-nes) is in West Iceland, a few two-hour drive from the capital metropolis of Reykjavik. Since many vacationers head within the different course — both southeast alongside the coast or by the Golden Circle — you gained’t discover fairly the crowds in Snaefellsnes which you can see in different elements of the nation.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is barely 90 kilometers lengthy, so technically you possibly can drive the whole factor in a few hours. Nevertheless, it would be best to give your self not less than a full day to scratch the floor of all of the issues to do one the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Snaefellsnes is one in every of my favourite areas in Iceland and it actually has every thing you would possibly need to see…glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, fishing villages, black and golden sand seashores, dramatic cliffs, spectacular rock formations, you title it!
There is sufficient to do on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to spend a couple of days, however since many individuals go to as a day journey from Reykjavik, I’ve put collectively a one-day Snaefellsnes Peninsula itinerary.
Attending to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
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I just lately took a women’ journey to Iceland and we spent in the future on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and stayed in a single day within the city of Stykkishólmur earlier than heading north to the West Fjords. You probably have already visited the south coast of Iceland like me, visiting West Iceland makes an ideal second or third journey to Iceland.
If you’re driving to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik, chances are you’ll need to make a pit cease for restrooms and snacks on the N1 in Borgarnes. The roads round Snaefellsnes are in good situation (though look ahead to deep potholes in parking tons that may strand your automobile and destroy the undercarriage so a 4WD may be preferable.)
Nevertheless, in case you are visiting after August, I’d extremely suggest following my suggestions for Iceland within the winter and examine the Safetravel.is app for highway situations and closures earlier than you head out.
Whereas it’s straightforward to self-drive on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we determined to ebook a non-public tour with Hidden Iceland of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the West Fjords. It was nice to tour these areas with a neighborhood and we received a lot nice data about volcanic exercise, Icelandic folklore, and geology — plus we didn’t want to fret about driving or discovering our method round.
In case you would like a guided, non-public tour, I extremely suggest my companion Hidden Iceland. Hidden Iceland affords absolutely personalized itineraries and skilled guides and by mentioning WE3TRAVEL while you contact them, they’ve graciously provided our neighborhood preferential therapy and a few further perks whereas on tour.
Most Snaefellsnes day excursions will journey counterclockwise, beginning in Stykkishólmur. Nevertheless, since we had been staying there in a single day after which heading north the next day, it made extra sense for us to go to the southern aspect of the peninsula first and finish in Stykkishólmur.
Map supply: Google My Maps
This timing labored out properly as a result of it meant we received to Kirkjufell earlier than sundown, which is a very talked-about time for photographers to collect to seize an iconic photograph. After all, it was fairly overcast once we had been there so we weren’t going to get superb sundown photos anyway.
Issues to do on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
In case you observe this itinerary and take this route alongside highway 54, the primary “must-visit” cease is in Búdir. You probably have extra time, you possibly can cease on the Bjarnarfoss waterfall or the Ytri Tunga seashore, however to offer your self extra time to benefit from the stops on this Snaefellnes itinerary, I’d say to skip them in case you are taking a day journey.
If you’re spending a few days on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, I’d additionally suggest spending an evening at Lodge Búdir and taking your time exploring the various trails and pure sights close by.
Budakirkja / Black Church
As troublesome because the Icelandic language is to pronounce (can I let you know the variety of occasions I jokingly referred to Snaefellsnes as Snuffaluffagus?), it will get simpler to decode when you study a couple of fundamentals. For instance:
- Kirkja = church
- Vik = bay
- Foss = waterfall
- Kull = glacier
Get it? That’s why so most of the names sound alike. So Budakirkja is a church in Búdir. A fairly well-known one too due to its black shade. Most of the church buildings in Iceland are white with crimson roofs, however there are a couple of of those black church buildings scattered all through the nation.
Whereas the church and the connected graveyard make for a fairly photograph alternative, the actual shock at this cease is the mountain climbing trails that go right down to the seashore and throughout the dunes. You could possibly spend hours right here if in case you have the time, however remember to not less than depart your self an hour to soak within the views.
Raudfeldsgja Gorge
Raudfeldsgja will not be included in most excursions of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, however it’s properly definitely worth the cease in case you are self-driving or taking a non-public tour. It’s a slender canyon within the cliff wall, which jogs my memory a number of the Gljúfrabúi waterfall simply down the trail from Seljalandsfoss waterfall on the south coast.
It’s a little bit of an uphill climb from the parking zone to the gorge, however you can be rewarded with attractive views on the return hike. In the summertime it’s attainable to enter this slender ravine, however you’ll need to stroll by a shallow stream so it’s best to plan on carrying waterproof mountain climbing boots.
As soon as inside, you possibly can climb over some rocks to get to a small waterfall, however you’ll need actually good mountain climbing footwear and a few waterproof gear. Gloves are additionally helpful for gripping rocks. You may go so far as you’re feeling snug earlier than turning again. You’ll in all probability want not less than an hour at this cease as properly, relying on how far you need to climb.
Arnarstapi Cliffs
By this time, you’ll possible be getting hungry and there are a few meals choices at Arnarstapi. There’s a fish and chips meals truck, the place you possibly can eat outdoors (or in your automobile), or the Snjófell Restaurant on the Arnarstapi Middle. We opted for the restaurant for an opportunity to sit down and loosen up for a couple of minutes and in addition use their restrooms. The meals was good and the environment was pretty.
After lunch, it’s good to take a stroll alongside the cliffs. You may observe the trail out to the stone large. It seems historic however is comparatively new, and put there in honor of a neighborhood man who was very tall. I’d suggest heading left alongside the cliffs. Simply be ready to cease each few ft and marvel on the views.
There are fascinating cave formations throughout the basalt cliffs and the view jogs my memory of the Cliffs of Moher in Eire. As you stroll across the cliffs to the left, additionally, you will come to a land bridge. I’d use warning strolling throughout this in the event you select, however it does make for a enjoyable photograph alternative.
Remember that in Iceland, issues aren’t fenced off and also you gained’t discover any railings. It would be best to look out for cliff edges, unfastened gravel, and rogue waves.
In case you proceed alongside, you’ll come to a cute harbor, which is an effective spot to show again. You may as well stroll within the different course to Hellnar, or drive to Hellnar and stroll alongside the cliffs there. However in case you are quick on time, they’re comparable experiences and you’ll simply decide one.
In case you do need to prolong your time in Snafellsnes, you can too in a single day in Hellnar on the Fosshotel Hellnar. Fosshotel is an Icelandic resort chain that may be very dependable and never overpriced.
Lóndranga
The subsequent cease alongside the highway will likely be Lóndranga, which is a volcanic plug that juts up from the shoreline. You may as well see the place the lava has flowed into the see. The panorama is kind of dramatic.
It may be a fast 30-minute cease if all you need to do is stroll as much as the overlook and take some images. Nevertheless, give yourselves not less than an hour if you wish to observe the trail alongside the cliff. In case you stroll alongside the cliffs, keep away from strolling on the sting as it’s topic to erosion and is fragile.
After Lóndranga, you possibly can cease and take a tour of the Vatnshellir lava cave. Nevertheless, if time is restricted, there’s a higher cave expertise nearer to Reykjavik at The Lava Tunnel.
Djúpalónssandur
There are numerous black sand seashores throughout Iceland, attributable to the volcanic ash from over 130 volcanoes. Probably the most well-known is Reynisfjara, alongside the south coast. Nevertheless, you possibly can go to a black sand seashore on the Snaefellsnes peninsula at Djúpalónssandur.
Simply take into account that while you go to seashores in Iceland, there will be massive rogue waves and a robust undertow that may sweep you out to see. Keep alert and don’t get too near the sting, particularly together with your again turned for a selfie. In case you see a warning signal, it’s there for good motive!
At Djúpalónssandur, there are numerous areas to discover however positively observe the trail right down to the seashore. Watch your step among the many rusted stays of an previous shipwreck. You’ll discover this seashore largely manufactured from volcanic pebbles. Whereas they appear gray, in the event you polish them sufficient to take away that layer of volcanic ash, they shine up a deep black.
It would be best to allot for not less than an hour at this cease, particularly in the event you love photographing the black sand seashore and rock formations!
Saxhóll Crater
Saxhóll is a volcanic crater left by a volcanic eruption 3,000 years in the past. Watch out within the parking zone because it has its personal craters and we noticed one automobile caught hanging because the undercarriage was caught on a rock and the tires had been off the bottom.
The crater rises 109 meters above sea degree, so the climb up the steps to look into the highest is a bit steep. The steps are additionally an odd form, too broad to take two steps at a time however too quick for a pure climb. The views from the highest are neat, however in case you are getting drained and lower than a climb, you possibly can skip this cease. Personally, I discovered the crater at Grábrókargigum in West Iceland extra fascinating. In case you do cease, it shouldn’t take greater than half-hour to discover.
Snaefellsjökull
Snaefellsjökull is the volcano with the glacier on high that dominates the panorama as you loop across the Snaefellsnes peninsula and the Nationwide Park. That’s when it isn’t obscured by clouds, which is it a lot of the time.
We by no means received a transparent view on our journey, which was disappointing, as I used to be trying ahead to seeing the place that so impressed Jules Verne that’s the place the characters in Journey to the Middle of the Earth enter the earth’s core.
It’s attainable to hike the volcano to the Snaefellsjökull Glacier on a guided tour, however that takes a full day.
Kirkjufell / Arrow Mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss
Kirkjufell, additionally referred to as Arrow Mountain as a result of its form, is that iconic picture that individuals affiliate with Snaefellsnes and probably the most photographed mountain in Iceland. You will note photographers lining up with their tripods on the far aspect of the waterfall (Kirkufellsfoss) an hour or two earlier than sundown to seize the picture of the solar happening behind the mountain.
You may as well see this mountain in Recreation of Thrones in Season 7, episode 6 the place they head north of the wall, and in Season 6 the place they present the creation of the White Walkers. This in fact has made an already in style spot much more closely visited.
After an extended day, we needed to proceed on to Stykkishólmur and examine into our Airbnb earlier than the eating places closed so we didn’t wait round for sundown. Even with out hanging out for sundown, you’ll possible need to spend not less than half-hour right here.
Professional tip: Remember that the parking zone may be very small and in the event you park on the road or within the discipline throughout the road, you can be ticketed. If you’re going for sundown, I’d get there very early to be sure you can get into the parking zone.
Stykkishólmur
I utterly fell in love with the small city of Stykkishólmur. The colourful homes, charming harbor, nice eating places, and free city WiFi. It makes an important in a single day cease or residence base for exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Even in case you are simply stopping for dinner earlier than heading again to Reykjavik, plan a while in Stykkishólmur. There are just a few eating places on the town so it would be best to name forward for reservations. I’d extremely suggest Sjávarpakkhúsid for dinner. This small seafood restaurant options the freshest catch and the mussels and seafood stew are price each penny (and I don’t even like mussels!)
In case you keep in a single day, Cafe Nú is a captivating espresso store that provides espresso, tea, pastries, and different breakfast objects earlier than you head out within the morning.
You may keep in a single day within the Fosshotel Stykkishólmur, or do what we did and lease a flat. Our trip rental had three bedrooms and an enormous lounge and kitchen space — excellent for teams or households.
I actually liked our time in Snaefellsnes with Ryan from Hidden Iceland. We realized a lot about glaciers, volcanoes, and lava flows and the most effective half was not needing to navigate or drive — we may simply sit again and luxuriate in (or nap!) If you’re seeking to do a day tour from Reykjavik, I extremely suggest the consultants at Hidden Iceland.
The place to Keep in Snaefellsnes Peninsula
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.
