Go off the grid in Western Iceland in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to discover beaches dotted with seals, green and glacial mountains, and stunning seaside cliffs.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is Western Iceland’s best-kept secret that’s not-so secret anymore. Compared to the south coast or the Golden Circle, there are significantly fewer visitors in Snæfellsnes. It feels like you have the whole peninsula to yourself, especially during shoulder season (April to May and September to October).
From the famous Kirkjufell hill to the cliffs of Arnarstapi, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula features stunning landscapes that you can’t miss. It’s only a two-hour drive from Reykjavík, making it a great day trip destination.
You can extend your stay on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula by spending the night at the Arnarstapi Hotel. The hotel has a view of Mount Stapafell and is only a five-minute walk from the ocean. I 100% recommend spending the night here if you have time. It was one of my favorite experiences during my trip to Iceland.
This guide will take you through a tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula’s must-see spots. We’ll explore the peninsula in a loop, starting on the south side and making our way around Snaefellsjokull National Park and ending in the harbor town of Stykkishólmur.
Let’s get into it.
Driving the Peninsula
When you hit the road on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you’ll be driving on Route 54. The peninsula isn’t as popular because it’s a detour from the Ring Road, but if you have an extra day in Iceland, you must go. It’s totally worth it.
To reach the tip of the peninsula where the national park is located, you’ll switch to Route 574. This route goes around Snæfellsjökull, the glacial volcano in the middle of the park. There isn’t much to do along this highway, but that’s the point. It’s protected land for wildlife and for you to enjoy the natural beauty of the area that surrounds the ancient volcano.
Ytri Tunga (Seal Beach)
The first stop along Route 54 on the southern part of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is Ytri Tunga, a beach with seals. Harbor and grey seals call Ytri Tunga home. You can see the gentle giants lying on rocks in the distance and playing in the shallow waters along the shore.
Búðir Church (Búðakirkja)
At the end of the road is the iconic black-painted church Búðakirkja. “Kirkja” means church in Icelandic. The church is a traditional Icelandic design. The black contrasts beautifully with the blue skies and lush green grass of summer. You can’t go into the church, but you can take as many photos as you want outside.
Arnarstapi
Arnarstapi looks like you’ve stepped into a postcard from a quintessential Icelandic fishing village. It was everything I wanted when visiting Iceland and more — peaceful, scenic, and quaint. It is arguably the best stop on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Arnarstapi sits at the bottom of Mount Stapafell with the Snæfellsjökull Glacier in the distance.
Arnarstapi Cliff Walk
The main thing to do in Arnarstapi is the Arnarstapi Cliff Walk. Along this path, you’ll get views of the ocean, cliffs, and the town. A cliffside trail connects the neighboring town of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, but a good starting point within town is the Bárður Snæfellsás Statue in Arnarstapi. The cliff walk within Arnarstapi takes less than an hour to complete. Although it’s not a loop, you can walk back to your car or hotel by cutting through town.
Bárður Snæfellsás Statue
Bárður Snæfellsás towers above the ocean as a statue made of rock. The creature is half-human, half-troll, and is said to be the guardian spirit of the peninsula. It marks the beginning of the cliff walk in Arnarstapi.
Gatklettur
Along the cliff walk, you’re bound to see Gatklettur, a rock formation that looks like a bridge. It’s the most popular sight on the walk.
Snæfellsjökull National Park
The tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula belongs to Snæfellsjökull National Park. There aren’t many places to stop, but it’s a beautiful drive through nature with a view of the towering glacier.
The visitor’s center is near Londrangar, a rock cliff formation. Candidly, if you’ve already seen the rock formations in Arnarstapi, Londrangar won’t be much different — it’s along the same coastline.
Malarrif Lighthouse
Within the Snæfellsjökull National Park is the Malarrif Lighthouse. It’s a lighthouse with a unique Icelandic design that I’ve never seen in any other part of the world. Arctic foxes hang out in the area of the lighthouse, so keep your eyes peeled on your walk to and from the lighthouse.
Kirkjufell
On the northern part of the peninsula is the famed Kirkjufell. This hill was featured in Game of Thrones as Arrowhead Mountain, which made it a tourist destination. In Icelandic, “Kirkjufell” means “church mountain.” It was given this name because the top looks like a church steeple, but it resembles more of a witch’s hat to me. You need to pay to park in the lot adjacent to Kirkjufell, but we just ran out for a quick photo.
Stykkisholmur
Stykkisholmur is the largest village in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s known for its harbor, but there isn’t much to do in the town. Before leaving the peninsula, make a pit stop at Nesbrauð ehf, a local bakery in Stykkisholmur. I had one of the best cinnamon rolls of my life here.
Whether you’re just staying in Reykjavík or exploring the entire island, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula needs to be on your Iceland to-do list. If you aren’t renting a car, there are many tour companies that will take you on a day trip to the peninsula. For the full experience, spend a night in Arnarstapi. It was the highlight of my week-long trip to Iceland.
Reply