Best of Snæfellsnes peninsula

Thrainn Kolbeinsson - (thrainnko)
Itinerary created by
Thrainn Kolbeinsson
What you’ll do

The Snæfellsnes peninsula has it all - waterfalls, volcanic craters, a glacier, epic mountains, black sand beaches and an abundance of history and culture. This guide makes sure you don't miss any of the classics in the area while also taking you to some of the hidden gems. There's no need for a 4x4 vehicle (but during winter I always recommend a 4x4).

PACE: It is common when people travel around Iceland that they want to see and do as much as possible during their stay. I design my itineraries in a way where you can get the most out of every day – but still having reasonable time at each location. That being said, we all travel at different speeds and you can easily squeeze or stretch the itineraries by a day or two.

SUMMER VS WINTER: During summer, we have pretty much endless daylight here in Iceland. That means you have the maximum amount of time to explore and enjoy. The opposite is true for winter when the days can be as short as 4-5 hours. That means you will have less daylight and driving can also be more difficult so I recommend stretching the itineraries a day or two or prioritising the spots you're the most excited about.

Snæfellsnes is one of those regions where you can spend a lot of time exploring each location. We all travel on our own speed so don’t worry if you won’t make it for all the stops. The itinerary is just for inspiration so take the time you have and prioritise what you’re most interested in.

I also suggested some accommodation and food options along the way but feel free to adjust those according to your needs! I’ll add a note where ever you might want to make a reservation beforehand so go through the itinerary as soon as you can before the trip.

Have a great journey!

1

Blue Car Rental
Blue Car Rental
Car rental - get 5% off
Category
Car Rental

91.2 km (56.7 mi)

1 hr 14 min

In case you're driving from Reykjavík I added a choice between Guðlaug Baths and Glymur hike on your way to Snæfellsnes. So whether you want to drive straight to the peninsula, enjoy a natural hot tub and/or do a fun hike you have all the information you need!

2

This one is optional

Gudlaug Baths
Gudlaug Baths
Seaside geothermal tub in Iceland
Category
Spa
Est. Price
€16
Glymur Waterfall
Glymur Waterfall
Spectacular waterfall in Iceland
Category
Sightseeing

73.7 km (45.8 mi)

57 min

3

Eldborg Crater
Eldborg Crater
Volcanic crater hike with views
Category
Sightseeing

51 km (31.7 mi)

38 min

4

Ytri Tunga
Ytri Tunga
Seal-watching beach
Category
Sightseeing

20.5 km (12.7 mi)

19 min

5

Búðakirkja
Búðakirkja
A beautiful black church
Category
Sightseeing

9.1 km (5.7 mi)

10 min

6

Cabin / Shelter
Cabin / Shelter
One of my favourite A-frames in Iceland
Category
Sightseeing

19.7 km (12.2 mi)

17 min

7

Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
An epic gorge
Category
Sightseeing

4.7 km (2.9 mi)

5 min

8

Arnarstapi
Arnarstapi
Beautiful Icelandic village with history and nature
Category
Sightseeing

560 m (0.3 mi)

1 min

9

Arnarstapi Rock Bridge
Arnarstapi Rock Bridge
The iconic rock bridge in Snæfellsnes
Category
Sightseeing

182 m (0.1 mi)

10

Gatklettur
Gatklettur
Natural stone arch
Category
Sightseeing

498 m (0.3 mi)

2 min

11

Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoint
Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoint
Epic coastal views
Category
Sightseeing
12

Arnarstapi waterfall view
Arnarstapi waterfall view
A unique view of a small waterfall
Category
Sightseeing

135.4 km (84.1 mi)

1 hr 44 min

If you're up for it and feel you have the time, there's a fun trail along the coast all the way from Arnarstapi to Hellnar (where there's a café during the summer). It's around 2.5 km / 1.5 miles one way.

13

Choose the option that fits you the best

Arnarstapi Hotel
Arnarstapi Hotel
A nice stay in an awesome spot
Category
Hotel
Est. Price
€320

Want to see more?

I have created curated mapsand itineraries for travellers that want to travel like me.