Basalt Cliffs on the shore of Sneafellsnes Peninsula.

April 21, 2026

Snæfellsnes Peninsula – A Complete Guide and Top Things to See.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula is sometimes called “Iceland in miniature” for its incredible landscape and variety of places to see – breathtaking cliffs, dramatic lava formations, black sand beaches, charming fishing villages and of course the majestic Snaæfelsjökull glacier.

It is also home to Snaæfelsjökull National Park, one of only three National Parks in Iceland (the other two are Þingvellir and Vatnajökull National Parks).

It was one of my favorite day trips during our first visit to Iceland.

In this guide I’ll give you a list of top things to see in this incredible area, as well as the lesser-known ones (also worth visiting), with all the details you need to easily plan your Snæfellsnes Peninsula self-drive day trip.

Let´s get right to it!

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Where is Snæfellsnes Peninsula?

Snæfellsnes Peninsula is located in West Iceland and it’s an easy road trip from Reykjavik. And if you’re traveling the Ring Road, and have some extra time in your itinerary, it is a perfect place for a detour.

See the map below for easier navigation:

Google Map image of Snaefellsness Peninsula in Iceland. — *Snæfellsnes Peninsula map – click the image for directions!*

How to get to Snæfellsnes Peninsula?

By car

The best way to explore this region is by car, which will give you flexibility to see everything you want at your own pace.

Like I mentioned, it’s an easy picturesque drive, and – like most road trips in Iceland – a pleasure in itself!

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You can visit it clockwise (that’s what we did), visit all the coastal attractions and either end with the famous Kirkjufell Mountain, or keep going past it to see more charming fishing towns and have a drive through the Beserkjahraun lava field.

In this case your drive time from Reykjavik to the first attraction (Gerðuberg Cliffs) is about 90 minutes (120 km)

You can just as easily do this drive in the opposite direction. You’d start with Kirkjufell Mountain and work your way around the coast counterclockwise.

In this case your drive time from Reykjavik to your first attraction (Kirkjufell) will be about 2.5 hours (180 km)

There is no right or wrong here, it all depends which spots you choose to see on your visit and how you plan your day.

We did this as a day trip from Reykjavik (see Day 3 of our “Taste of Iceland” 6-day itinerary for first time visitors) and did not get to see all the sites listed in this article. To see it all and possibly do some other activities this area has to offer, you should plan on spending an extra day or two here.

If you have a rental car, the fastest and easiest way to get to Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik is through Hvalfjördur tunnel (Hvajfjarðargöng). It’s just under 6 km long and it takes you about 165 m under the fjord. Opened in 1998, it connects Reykjavik area with the western part of Iceland, cutting down the drive by some 45 km (about an hour), as opposed to going around the fjord.

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Driving through the tunnel is pretty amazing as it gently slopes down and starts going back up about halfway. It’s free, no tolls required.

Helpful tip: fuel up in Borgarnes – the last of bigger towns you’ll encounter once you emerge from the tunnel and enter the peninsula.

Get some last-minute snack shopping done at Bónus or Nettó there and get ready for a great day!

Just follow rt. 54 and then rt. 574 along the coast.

With a tour

If you’d rather take a guided tour, here are some options you may enjoy:

Things to do on Snæfellsnes Peninsula

There is so much to see and do, it’s hard to choose, especially if you only have a day to spend here.

Here is a list of 15 amazing places to visit on your drive through the Snæfellsnes Peninsula :

1. Gerðuberg Cliffs

Gerðuberg Cliffs will be the first attraction after you actually enter Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Like I mentioned above, it takes about 90 minutes to reach them from Reykjavik.

A sign for Gerduberg Cliffs on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Be on the lookout for a small sign directing you to a dirt track leading to the cliffs. It’s not far, you can see them from the road.

Park opposite the cliffs and explore!

View of the parking area for Gerduberg Cliffs on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

You can walk along those nearly perfect hexagonal basalt columns, or up to the top by following a path around the cliff.

Gerduberg Cliffs on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The cliff is about 500 meters long.

A man climbing Geduberg Cliffs on a path to the top.

We chose to just climb – great fun and good warm up after 90 minutes in the car!

View from the top of Gerduberg Cliffs. — *This is the view from the top of the cliffs.*

Before your next stop you’ll see the Snæfellsnes Visitor Center (Gestastofa Snæfellsnes ) in Breiðablik.

There is a small 2 pump self-service gas station there, bathrooms (for which you can pay with a credit card) and helpful staff members to answer your questions and give you this handy map to follow:

A graphic map of Snæfellsnes Peninsula attractions.

2. Ytri Tunga Beach

Drive time: 30 min. (39 km) from Gerðuberg Cliffs

Sometimes called “Ytri Tunga Seal Beach”, it’s a beautiful beach with amazing glacier views in the distance.

And it’s not a black beach!

Usually in the summer months you can see seals here. It was super windy when we went, so we didn’t see but it was still worth a stop.

On a nice calm day it’s a great place for a stroll along the shore.

*We had a really windy day, so we kept this visit rather short!*

You can park at the end of a short gravel road that leads here from rt. 54 and head right down towards the ocean.

There is a parking fee of 750 ISK which you can pay onsite at the self-service pay station or by using this website.

3. Bjarnafoss

Drive time: 16 min. (18 km) from Ytri Tunga Seal Beach.

Rainbow over Bjarnafoss waterfall on Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland.

On your way to the next stop, Búðir Black Church, you’ll see a parking lot on your right for the Bjarnafoss waterfall.

It’s visible from the road, so we did not stop to explore it but you can easily leave your car in the designated parking area and follow the path to see it up-close.

4. Búðir Black Church (Búðakirkja)

Drive time: 5 min (3.5 km) from Bjarnafoss.

Budir Black Church - small wooden black church located in the village Budir in Iceland.

Búðir Church is a small wooden church, famous for the unusual black color.

It’s located in the vilage of Búðir among the lava fields of Búðahraun, near Hótel Búðir where you can park and walk over to see it. It does have its own little parking area as well.

Budir Black Church and a small cementery next to it with a rainbow in the distance. — *The church and the small cemetery next to it are beautiful in their isolation.*

Along with the hotel, they are the only buildings in Búðir.

Gravel path in the grass field leading to Budir Beach. — *You can take this path near the church and walk a few minutes to Búðir Beach.*

5. Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge

Drive time: 14 min. (15 km) from Búðir Black Church.

As you drive along rt. 574, you’ll see a mysterious looking mountain with a split in its wall.

Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The narrow opening leads you to a trail through a beautiful ravine with a waterfall. We didn’t hike here, only peeked inside, but it is definitely worth exploring if you have the time.

There is a sign with information and a legend explaining how the canyon got its name.

There is a parking lot here, from which you can follow a gravel path that to get close to the gap.

6. Arnarstapi to Hellnar Coastal Walk

Drive time: 6 min. (5 km) from Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge

This hike definitely tops my list of things to do at Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The views are stunning, and the landscape changes often, so the opportunities for amazing photo stops are endless.

You can start in either town, as it’s an out and back trail, we just happened to park in Arnarstapi and started there.

Arnarstapi coast on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

In Arnarstapi the start of the trail is marked by a statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, half-man, half – troll, after which the peninsula got its name.

Staue of Bardur Snaefellsas in Arnarstapi on Snaefellsness Peninsulla in Iceland.

The hike is easy, actually more of a walk, on a mostly flat, well-maintained path, about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long each way.

Arnarstapi - Hellnar walk path next to the cliffs of Snaefellsness Peninsula.

If you’d like to see the most famous stone arch of the Snaefelsness Peninsula coastline – Gatklettur, you have to take the path to the left of the statue, which will take you to the viewpoint. We missed it and it will definitely be on our “must do list” for next time!

Gattklettur sine arch on Arnarstapi on Snaefellsness Peninsula. It's a stone arch. — *Gattklettur Arch in Arnarstapi.*

Come back to the Bárður statue, take the trail to the right of it, and you’ll be on your way to Hellnar. As you walk, you’ll be surrounded by incredible views of the cliffs, with a viewing platform at the beginning to admire the scenery.

A couple next to the cliffs on Arnarstapi - Hellnar Coastal walk.

After a while you’ll cross a lava field, then take a wooden walkway, eventually getting to Hellnar.

People crossing the lava field on the Arnarstapi

At some point during the hike you’ll pass the famous pyramid shaped Mt. Stapafell with the lonely little, blue-roofed house in front.

Mt. Stapafell on Snaefellsness Peninsula in Iceland.

At the end of the hike in Hellnar, you will see a small house slightly uphill from the trial – it’s the Fjöruhúsið Café.

A small red roof building - Fjorhusid cafe_ in Hellnar on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

It’s a family owned, great little place to have lunch.

Even if it looks closed from a distance, go up and check. If you’re visiting between May and October, they should be open. Sometimes the outdoor tables aren’t set up, but there is seating inside.

Before we went to the cafe, we spotted a small cove on the left side of the trail, called Baðstofa Cove.

view of Badstofa Cove in Hellnar on Snaefellsnes eninsula. It's a stone arch next to the trail.

Just step off the path and walk a short distance down a rocky shore – you can’t miss it! It’s a great rest stop and photo spot.

The cave is most famous for its lighting, changing the coloring inside the cave depending on the time of day.

After lunch at the café, we made our way back to Arnasrstapi.

A single-pump remote gas station on Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. — *If you need gas, you can fuel up at this gas station and be on your way to the next stop.*

Turf covered pizzeria in Arnarstai on Snaefellsnes Peninsula. There is also an Icelandic flag. — *Or have some pizza at a turf house pizzeria!*

7. Lóndragnar Cliffs

Drive time: 8 min (8.4 km) from Arnarstapi.

They are two striking basalt pillars located on the coast of Snæfellsjökull National Park (the oldest national park in Iceland) and remnants of an eroded volcano crater.

Londragnar Cliffs - tall basalt stacks on Snaefellsnes Peninsula

They stand 75 m (246 ft) and 61 m (200ft) high. Local legend say that the elves use them as their church and that’s why this area was never developed by farmers.

It’s a short walk from the parking lot to a spot offering a great view of these impressive basalt formations. You can follow the path along the cliffs for a closer view.

The cliffs are also a home to many birds – if you’re lucky, between May and August you may see puffins!

View of Snaefellsjokull glacier from the parking lot for Londragnar Cliffs.

Right from the parking lot you also get a great view of the Snæfellsjökull Glacier. This ice-covered volcano is famous for being mentioned in Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” novel. It is also believed to be one of the world’s ancient energy centers.

If you’d like to hike to the base of the cliff, drive another 2 km further up and follow the signs for Malariff Lighthouse and a Visitor Center. This is where the trail to the pillars begins.

8. Vatnshellir Cave

Drive time: 2 minutes (2.5 km) from Lóndragnar Cliffs.

Litterally next to the Lóndragnar Cliffs viewpoint parking, right on rt. 574, there is a pull out for Vantshellir Cave Tours.

A road sign for Vatnshellir Cave tours on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Literally next to the Lóndragnar Cliffs viewpoint parking, right on rt. 574, there is a pull out for Vantshellir Cave Tours.

Vatnshellir is a lava tube formed about 8000 years ago during an eruption, about 200m (650 ft) long, with its deepest point located about 32 m (110 ft) below the surface of the earth.

Spiral staircase for Vatnshellir Cave on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

To explore it you have to descent down a spiral staircase.

Visiting it is only possible with a tour and a skilled guide, familiar with the cave and the equipment you need to tour it safely.

9. Djúpalónssandur Black Beach

Drive time: 9 min. (8 km) from Vatnshellir Cave

This was our first black beach we saw in Iceland!

From the large parking lot (with restrooms! take advantage as there aren’t many on this route through Snæfellsnes Peninsula) you just follow the slightly downhill path made of steps, through various lava formations.

The stone path leading to Djupalonssandur Black Beach.

The first thing you’ll see is a rock with a hole in it, through which you can peak at the lagoon on the other side of it and at the Snæfellsjökull glacier.

We had to brave the crowds to get a chance to look through it and take some photos (without other people in them!) but it was definitely worth the wait.

Stone arch with a hole in it at the entrance to Djupalonssandur Beach on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Further down the path, to the right you’ll find a small lagoon with pieces from the shipwreck of a British trawler, scattered on the beach there.

A small lagoon with pieces of a shipwreck at Djupalonssandur Beach.

Look at the view behind me!

Then the beach suddenly opens up in all its glory! It’s made of small black pebbles called “Pearls of Djupalon”, not the finer black sand we later found at other black beaches during our travels through Iceland.

They are protected so we had to resist the temptation to take one home as a souvenir!

Just keep walking towards the shore and admire the dramatic lava rock formations the beach is filled with.

Djupalonssandur black beach and basalt rock formations sticking out from the ocean on Snaefellsness Peninsula. — *Breathtaking views of the coastline….*

A basalt rock formation called "a singing rock" at Djupalonssandur beach on Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland.

On the way back you’ll come across the “lifting stones”– four differently sized stones used to measure the strength of the fishermen in the past.

Info sign explaining the "lifting stones" meaning at Djupalonssandur Beach on Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. — *If a man couldn’t lift the second lightest one, he was deemed unfit for life at sea*.

A couple lifting two of the "lifting stones" at Djupalonssandur beach on Snaefellsnes Paninsula. — *We did give them a try!*

10. Saxhóll Crater

Drive time: 13 min (14 km) from Djúpalónssandur Beach.

This is a really fun and relatively quick stop on your drive through Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

It’s right of the main road, down a short gravel (but easily drivable in any car) track.

Saxholl crater on Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland.

To reach the top you must climb the 385 metal steps.

View from the top of Saxholl Crater on Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Once there, you can walk around the perimeter, peak inside of the crater and enjoy magnificent views of the area.

Family on the summit of Saxholl Crater in Iceland.

You can also rest a little after the climb!

11. Svörtuloft Lighthouse

Drive time: 20 min. (13 km) from Saxhóll Crater.

This unique bright orange lighthouse is situated on a cliff wall, located at the end of a winding gravel road. It offers spectacular views of the west coast and also a chance to see various species of birds residing on the cliffs.

Svortufolt orange lighthouse on Snaefellsness Peninsula. — *Svörtuloft Lighthouse*

If you follow the gravel road in the opposite direction along the coast for about 2.65 km, you´ll find another, smaller, orange lighthouse – Öndverðarnes.

Öndverðarnes lighthouse on Snaefellsness Peninsula. — *Öndverðarnes* *lighthouse.*

On your way to the next stop you’ll pass a tiny but beautiful Skarðsvik Beach.

Skardsvik Beach with golden sand on Snaefellsness Peninsula.

One of a few golden sand beaches on Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Here is a map to help you find the lighthouses, so you don’t miss them like we did!

Google map picture of the road from Svortuloft lighthouse and Skardsvik beach. — *Click on the map for directions.*

12. Hellissandur

Drive time: 25 min. (11 km) from Svörtuloft Lighthouse

Hellissandur is a charming fishing town with an artistic flair. It is known as a “Street Art Capital of Iceland” due to beautiful murals covering the walls of different buildings in town.

Mural on the wall of the building in Hellissandur, showing a head of a ram.

They were inspired by local stories and painted by artists working at “The Freezer”, a Hostel and Culture Center in Rif, about 5-minute drive from Hellissandur, offering both accommodation options (hostel and apartments), and various cultural events.

13. Ólafsvík

Drive time: 10 minutes (10 km) from Hellissandur.

An aerial view of colorful houses of Olafsvik - a fishing village in Iceland.

Ólafsvík is a charming fishing village on the north coast of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, best known for its w hale watching tours.

14. Kirkjufell Mountain

Drive time: 20 min. (23 km) from Ólafsvík.

Also known as the “Church Mountain”, the famous Kirkjufell Mountain was pictured on many calendars, postcards and also appeared in the “Game of Thrones” series.

Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall - a moss-covered red pointy mountain with a double stream waterfall near it.

Standing about 465m (1519 ft) tall, it is the most photographed mountain in Iceland.

Continuing your drive east from Ólafsvík, you’ll reach the parking lot on the right side.

Kirkjufell Mountain, the waterfall and the bridge from the parking lot to the mountain viewpoint.

Cross a bridge to the other side of the road and after a 5-minute walk you’ll get to a perfect spot to admire the views of the mountain and a small but beautiful waterfall in front of it (Kirkjufellsfoss).

It is too dangerous to climb to the summit of Kirkjufell Mountain. You can, however, walk around its base. It will take you about 3 hours to complete the walk.

You can also kayak around the bay and get amazing views of Mt. Kirkjufell – maybe even meet some seals along the way!

15. Beserkjahraun Lava Fields

Drive time: 20 min. (20 km) from Kirkjufell Mountain.

Beserkjahraun Lava Fields on Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland.

Beserkjahraun is a 4000-year-old lava field that can be easily reached by turning into rt. 558 from rt. 54. The road through is unpaved but is said to be worth the bumpy ride for its lunar landscape made of dramatic lava formations that will make you feel like you’re on another planet.

We didn’t get to visit the lava field – we simply ran out of time, but it’s definitely planned for our next trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Other activities on Snæfellsnes Peninsula

This part of Iceland offers plenty of activities beyond just exploring its breathtaking nature.

Lýsulaugar

It’s a unique geothermal mineral algae pool, located in Lýsuhóll (between Ytri Tunga Beach and Búðir). Open from June till August, it’s a very affordable place to soak after a day of exploring. Check their official website for current pricing and opening times.

Horseback riding

Riding Icelandic horses (remember – NOT ponies!) is one of those not-to-miss experiences when visiting Iceland. You need a guided tour with a guide, however you yourself don’t need any experience to enjoy the ride! We did it near Reykjavik and had a great time, not ever having ridden before!

Here are some great tours offering a variety of options:

Lýsuhóll Horseback Riding – they offer a beach and/or lava tours for all riding levels, even multi-day tours for the experienced equestrians.
Stóri – Kambur Horseback Riding – beach and glacier tours for any experience level.

Glacier activities

The majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier is only accessible with a guide to guarantee a safe experience for everyone.

Arnarstapi: Snæfellsjökull Glacier and Volcano Hike – this tour will get you to the summit of the glacier for a one-of-a-kind experience and unforgettable views.

For more information about how to visit Snæfellsjökull and other glaciers in Iceland READ THIS GUIDE to the glaciers in Iceland!

Where to stay on Snæfellsnes Peninsula?

As you see there is SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO on Snæfellsnes Peninsula that you can easily plan to spend 2-3 nights here and be busy every day.

Borgarnes makes an excellent base with the most choices for different kinds of accommodations. It’s only a 35-minute drive from the first stop on my list of Snæfellsnes Peninsula attractions – Gerðuberg Cliffs.

If you prefer to stay on the actual peninsula, the iconic Hótel Búðir has beautiful rooms, breakfast and free parking.

For other options, check out Arnarstapi – Hellnar area hotels.

If you need something closer to Mt. Kirkjufell, Grundarfjordur is a very convenient spot to stay.

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