Snæfellsnes Peninsula Holidays
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Holidays
Iceland in miniature — a 90km finger of land jutting into the North Atlantic, crowned by the glacier that Jules Verne chose as the gateway to the centre of the Earth, with black lava beaches, seal colonies, Viking history and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the country
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Flight Time
2h 45min to Reykjavík (KEF), then 2h by road to the peninsula
Best Time
June to August (best weather, long daylight, glacier accessible); September to October (autumn colours, Northern Lights, fewer crowds); accessible year-round but winter driving requires care
Country
Iceland
Suppliers
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Snæfellsnes Peninsula Holiday Guide
Snæfellsnes is the ideal choice for travellers who want to experience Iceland's most iconic landscapes without the crowds of the Golden Circle and South Coast. The peninsula is 2 hours from Reykjavík and can be done as a long day trip (covering the main highlights in 10-12 hours) but is far better as a 2-day itinerary with an overnight stay in Stykkishólmur or Arnarstapi — allowing you to see Kirkjufell at golden hour, explore the glacier area at a relaxed pace and walk the Arnarstapi-Hellnar coastal path without rushing.
Recommended route (clockwise from Reykjavík): Drive north on Route 1 then west on Route 54 along the south coast of the peninsula (Ytri Tunga seals, Búðir black church, Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Djúpalónssandur, Snæfellsjökull National Park, Lóndrangar, Malarrif). Continue north on Route 574 around the western tip, then east along the north coast (Ólafsvík, Grundarfjörður, Kirkjufell) to Stykkishólmur. Return to Reykjavík via Route 54 and the Borgarnes bridge. Total distance approximately 350km.
Getting there: A rental car is essential — there is no regular public transport on the peninsula. The road around the peninsula (Routes 54 and 574) is well-maintained and suitable for a standard car in summer; a 4WD is recommended in winter. The drive from Reykjavík to the start of the peninsula (Borgarnes) takes approximately 1.5 hours on the Hvalfjörður tunnel road.
When to visit: June to August for the best weather and longest days. September and October for autumn colours, fewer crowds and good Northern Lights chances. The peninsula is accessible year-round but winter driving on the exposed western tip requires care — check road.is before setting out.
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Popular Areas in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Average Temperatures
Jan
1°C
Feb
1°C
Mar
2°C
Apr
5°C
May
8°C
Jun
11°C
Jul
12°C
Aug
12°C
Sep
9°C
Oct
5°C
Nov
2°C
Dec
1°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The glacier volcano, the mountain from Game of Thrones, the seal beach, the black lava coastline and the Viking ruins that make Snæfellsnes the most rewarding peninsula drive in Iceland.
Snæfellsjökull — The Glacier at the End of the World
Snæfellsjökull is one of the most mythologically charged landscapes in Iceland — a 1,446m stratovolcano capped by a glacier that Jules Verne chose as the entrance to the centre of the Earth in his 1864 novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', and which has been considered a place of mystical energy by Icelanders for centuries. The glacier is visible from Reykjavík on clear days, floating above the horizon 100km to the north-west. The Snæfellsjökull National Park (the only national park in Iceland with a coastline) protects the volcano and the surrounding lava fields, sea cliffs and beaches. In summer, guided snowcat tours and glacier hikes reach the summit crater (extraordinary 360-degree views over the peninsula, the Westfjords and the Reykjanes Peninsula on clear days). The glacier has retreated significantly in recent decades due to climate change — glaciologists predict it may disappear entirely by 2050.
Kirkjufell — Iceland's Most Photographed Mountain
Kirkjufell ('Church Mountain') is a 463m isolated peak near the town of Grundarfjörður on the north coast of the peninsula — a perfectly symmetrical, steep-sided mountain that rises dramatically from the surrounding flat farmland and is reflected in the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground. The Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss composition is the most photographed scene in Iceland and one of the most recognisable landscapes in the world — it was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones (the 'Arrowhead Mountain' north of the Wall in seasons 6 and 7). The mountain is best photographed from the small car park beside the waterfall, particularly at golden hour (summer) or with the Northern Lights overhead (winter). The summit can be reached by experienced hikers (steep, exposed scramble, approximately 2-3 hours return) but is not a casual walk — a guide is recommended.
Djúpalónssandur — The Black Pebble Beach & Shipwreck
Djúpalónssandur is one of the most atmospheric beaches in Iceland — a small cove of jet-black pebbles (not sand, despite the name) on the south-western tip of the peninsula, surrounded by dramatic lava formations and sea stacks. The beach was once a major fishing station — at its peak in the 19th century, up to 60 fishing boats operated from here. Four lifting stones (Dvergasteinar) on the beach were used to test the strength of prospective fishermen: the heaviest (Fullsterkur, 154kg) was 'full strength', the lightest (Amlóði, 23kg) 'useless'. The rusted remains of the British trawler Epine, which wrecked here in 1948 with the loss of 14 of its 19 crew, are scattered across the beach — a sobering reminder of the power of the North Atlantic. The 20-minute walk from the car park passes through extraordinary lava formations.
Arnarstapi & Hellnar — Coastal Lava Arches & Birdlife
Arnarstapi and Hellnar are two small fishing villages on the south coast of the peninsula, connected by a 2.5km coastal walking path that is one of the most scenic short walks in Iceland. The path passes through a dramatic landscape of lava arches, sea caves, blowholes and basalt columns carved by the Atlantic surf — the Gatklettur arch (a natural lava arch framing the sea) is one of the most photographed features on the peninsula. The cliffs between the two villages are home to one of the largest Arctic tern colonies in Iceland (aggressive during nesting season, May to July — a stick held above your head deters attacks) and large numbers of fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots. The Arnarstapi harbour has a striking statue of Bárður Snæfellsás — a half-man, half-troll figure from Norse mythology who is said to guard the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Ytri Tunga — Iceland's Most Reliable Seal Beach
Ytri Tunga is a small sandy beach on the south coast of the peninsula — the most reliable place in Iceland to see harbour seals and grey seals at close range. A colony of 30-50 seals hauls out on the rocks and sand at Ytri Tunga year-round, and they are remarkably unbothered by human visitors — it is possible to get within a few metres of the seals (though approaching too close disturbs them and should be avoided). The seals are most numerous from June to August when the pups are born. The beach is a 5-minute walk from a small car park on Route 54 — there is no entrance fee and no facilities. The surrounding farmland is typical of the Snæfellsnes south coast — green fields, turf-roofed farm buildings and the glacier looming above.
Búðir Black Church — Iceland's Most Romantic Landmark
The Búðakirkja (Búðir Black Church) is one of the most photographed buildings in Iceland — a small, jet-black wooden church standing alone on a lava field beside the sea, with the Snæfellsjökull glacier rising behind it and the vast Búðahraun lava field stretching in every direction. The church was built in 1703 (the current building dates from 1848) and is one of only a handful of black-painted churches in Iceland — the colour was traditionally used to preserve the wood. The surrounding Búðahraun lava field is extraordinary — a vast, moss-covered expanse of 8,000-year-old lava with a network of walking trails through the lava formations. The Hótel Búðir (one of Iceland's most romantic hotels, built beside the church) serves excellent food and is a popular base for exploring the western peninsula.
Lóndrangar & Malarrif — Twin Volcanic Plugs & Lighthouse
Lóndrangar are two dramatic volcanic plugs (75m and 61m high) rising from the sea cliffs on the south-western peninsula — the eroded remnants of a volcanic crater, left standing after the softer surrounding rock was worn away by the Atlantic. The taller plug (Stóri-Lóndrangi) can be climbed by experienced scramblers; the views from the base are extraordinary regardless. The nearby Malarrif lighthouse (a short walk from the Lóndrangar car park) sits on a headland above a black pebble beach with excellent views of the sea cliffs and (in summer) large numbers of nesting seabirds. The Snæfellsjökull National Park visitor centre at Malarrif has an excellent exhibition on the geology, ecology and folklore of the peninsula — worth 30-45 minutes before exploring the surrounding coastline.
Stykkishólmur — The Colourful Harbour Town
Stykkishólmur is the largest town on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (population approximately 1,100) and the most charming — a cluster of brightly coloured houses around a natural harbour, with a distinctive red lighthouse on the rocky island of Súgandisey (connected to the town by a causeway) and views over the extraordinary island-studded Breiðafjörður bay. The town is the departure point for the Baldur ferry to the Westfjords (a spectacular 2.5-hour crossing through the islands of Breiðafjörður) and for boat tours of the bay (excellent for bird watching — white-tailed eagles are regularly seen). The Norwegian House (Norska Húsið) is Iceland's oldest timber-frame house (1832) and now houses the regional museum. The Library of Water (Vatnasafn) — an art installation by Roni Horn featuring 24 glass columns filled with water from Icelandic glaciers — is one of the most unusual cultural attractions in Iceland.
Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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