Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Iceland in a day

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what you can expect if you sign up for our small group Wonders of Snæfellsnes tour. Spending a day travelling around this dazzling peninsula won’t disappoint and the relaxed pace of our itinerary means you won’t feel rushed as you take a look at some of the most beautiful places in the country.

Much attention is paid to the Golden Circle, and justifiably so, as it features some of Iceland’s most striking natural landmarks. Yet this can overshadow other areas, which is perhaps an explanation for why the Snæfellsnes Peninsula flies relatively under the radar. Take a moment to find out about this intriguing corner of West Iceland and you’ll discover a mix of breathtaking coastal and volcanic landscapes with a fascinating historical and cultural back story.

The most obvious difference between the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Golden Circle is of course its geography. Surrounded on three sides by water, it boasts standout beaches and rocky cliffs teeming with seabirds. Given its finger-like shape, you don’t have to travel far inland to appreciate how the terrain differs away from the ocean. At its most spectacular, the Snæfellsjökull glacier and the mountain which it shrouds are worthy of their national park status.

What you won’t find on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, however, are geysers. If your main reason for visiting the Golden Circle is to watch Strokkur erupt, then you’ll find the understated hot springs out here in the west don’t make the same impact. What you do get, however, is the sense of being off the beaten track. Visitor numbers to natural pools like Landbrotalaug and Rauðamelsölkelda pale in comparison, but their relative seclusion is an irresistible prospect for those who come.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula can’t compete with the national historical significance of Þingvellir National Park, either. The Alþing met in this central spot for many centuries before Iceland’s parliament finally moved to Reykjavik; when you stand at the spot scholars believe might have been the Lögberg (Law Rock), it’s not hard to imagine a time when chieftains came from all over the country to debate policies which shaped a nation.

Yet Snæfellsnes is also an area where the past is never far away, a window onto what life would have been like before the age of modern conveniences and technological advances. You’ll experience this as you learn how the lifting stones at Djúpalónssandur were once such a vital tool in ensuring the safety of seafarers or discover that the famously black Búðakirkja houses exhibits from earlier structures. It’s an area rich in folklore and literature too, from the sagas to its role in inspiring novelists such as Jules Verne.

The appeal of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is apparent as soon as you travel through it, so if you can only spare a single day to explore this part of Iceland don’t feel like you’d be selling yourself short. Many first-time visitors opt to see the peninsula’s highlights on our Wonders of Snæfellsnes day trip and you’ll get a clear sense of its main characteristics and landmarks if you do the same.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula day trip from Reykjavík lasts about twelve hours, meaning there’s plenty of time to loop the peninsula and get to and from the capital. Nevertheless, as with many parts of Iceland, the longer you can spend in a place, the more of its secrets it will reveal. If you’re fit enough, consider summiting Snæfellsjökull, an extraordinary glacier atop a volcano; for something a little less challenging, you could add on a sightseeing tour of the Silver Circle by super jeep.

With twelve hours to play with, we cover a lot of ground on the Wonders of Snæfellsnes tour. Your guide is expert at setting the right pace, however, so you won’t feel like you are clock-watching. Because this is a small group tour, there’s also far less chance of having to wait for tardy arrivals; you’ll be on friendly terms with your fellow passengers in no time at all. Let’s find out what you’ll explore together:

Ytri Tunga

Ytri Tunga is unusual by Icelandic standards as it doesn’t have the black sand that you may have become accustomed to elsewhere in the country. Instead it is distinctive, not only for its golden hue but also for the seal colony you might encounter there. While wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed, it’s well worth scanning the rocks just offshore to see if you can spot any of these adorable creatures.

Arnarstapi

Arguably nowhere in Iceland does dramatic coastlines quite like the Snæfellsnes peninsula. That’s certainly going to be on your mind as you take in the scene at Arnarstapi. A striking wave-cut arch dominates the shoreline, pounded by the ocean over the decades to create a jaw-dropping landform. Birds are just as enamoured with it; summer is nesting season when the number of species swells.

Djúpalónssandur

Another popular stop is Djúpalónssandur, where geology, history and culture come together to tell a remarkable story. In the past, many people hoped to make a living from the ocean but conditions were tough and only the strongest and most able were up to the task. Crew members couldn’t be a liability as this would threaten the safety of everyone on board.

To sift out the weaklings, a test was devised. Four lifting stones, each weighing a different amount, were placed on the beach. If you wanted to go to sea, you had to be able to lift the second lightest – even that was a challenge. Try it for yourself: the stones are still here, amid the smooth lava pebbles.

Hólahólar

One of the things that makes the Snæfellsnes Peninsula so interesting is the variety of landscapes. It’s surprising, therefore, that this part of Iceland isn’t crowded with tourists. But when you do venture of the beaten track, as you will when you visit Hólahólar, it’s highly satisfying. These volcanic craters are proof of the immense power and beauty of nature.

According to local folklore, the Huldufólk (hidden people) live here. It was once a farm, but when the humans left, they saw their opportunity. Whether you believe in the existence of a parallel community living alongside regular Icelanders is up to you – but without proof, can you truly say they can’t be there?

Ólafsvík

Numerous fishing villages line the coast of Iceland and that’s equally true of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Places such as Ólafsvík and Stykkishólmur are charming places to take a stroll; you’ll get a flavour of what it’s like to live and work here. During our stop, why not take a walk down to the harbour and see which boats are in?

Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell mountain is for many visitors, a highlight of a Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour. Iceland has a lot of highland areas, but the shape of this particular peak is a crowd-pleaser, not least because of the nearby waterfall (Kirkjufellsfoss). It’s a common destination for Northern Lights chasers during aurora season, but no matter whether you come at night or during the day, this place makes a lasting impression on those who set eyes on it.

That’s a tricky question to answer as the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is magical at any time of the year. It dazzles under blue skies, yet looks incredible under a blanket of snow. Even wet and windy weather seems appropriate given the extent to which water has shaped its coastline. Every season has its pros and cons: the paucity of visitors in winter makes this place feel special, while the long hours of daylight in summer mean you won’t miss a thing during the journey. Pick a date, and then consider coming back at a different time of year to view it all over again.

As with anywhere in Iceland – in any season – weather conditions can change quickly. This is especially true of the more exposed parts of the peninsula. Of course, you’ll have the warm and cosy bus to return to after each stop, but you’ll need to dress appropriately for what’s going on outside.

The important thing is to stay warm and dry. Temperatures can fluctuate, but often it’s the wind chill that makes the difference. For that reason, you’ll want to choose outer garments that are windproof as well as waterproof. Having a thermal base layer – remember to cover your legs as well as your torso – helps trap heat close to the skin.

Your extremities also need attention, so make sure you don’t forget a pair of gloves, preferably easy to pull on and off if you plan to take lots of photographs. A hat is another must; make sure it will stay put in gusty weather – hoods tend to blow off which can be irritating.

As rain is fairly common, make sure that you wear waterproof boots, but also ditch fabrics that once wet, stay wet – such as denim, for instance. Performance gear is often designed to be quick-drying, so consider buying or renting some specialist clothing if you’ll be outdoors a lot during your stay. There’s a convenient rental outlet in the BSI bus terminal which is where our tours depart from.

Don’t forget your camera. Often described as Iceland in Miniature, Snæfellsnes is photogenic at every turn and you’ll want to capture those jaw-dropping landscapes to show friends and family. Batteries drain much more quickly in cold temperatures, so this may be something to think about if you’ve booked your tour outside the relatively mild summer months. Switching your phone to low battery mode helps; bring a power bank or charging cable if necessary.

A day tour of Snæfellsnes in Iceland is a chance to experience the diversity of the country’s landscapes. Majestic landforms rooted in folklore and history will enchant and intrigue – there is far more to this place than simply its looks. On our small group tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula[J5] , you’ll get a fascinating insight into what the area was like in the past, what makes its present inhabitants tick and what the future holds for the region. If you’re still shaping your itinerary, we’d recommend you find a space to squeeze this one in – you won’t regret it.