Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland: Iceland in Miniature

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula lies about 120 kilometres north-west of Reykjavik, reaching out into the North Atlantic like a smaller version of Iceland itself. Locals call it “Iceland in miniature”, because a single day’s drive here takes you past lava fields, black sand beaches, fishing villages and a glacier-capped volcano – the kind of variety that elsewhere in the country would mean weeks on the road.

Filled with lava fields and volcanic craters, and steeped in the Icelandic sagas, the peninsula rewards travellers who give it a full day rather than a passing glance from the Ring Road. Let’s look at some of its natural wonders, and the practical questions worth answering before you go.

Getting to Snaefellsnes from Reykjavik

The peninsula is around 120 kilometres from Reykjavik, reached by Route 54. Allow roughly two hours’ driving each way before stops [VERIFY exact typical drive time], and treat it as a full day rather than a half-day excursion – the main sights sit on both the north and south coasts, so a loop around the peninsula covers real distance. Self-drive is possible, but most travellers see Snaefellsnes as part of an escorted tour, where a local guide handles the driving and the stops are already sequenced to make the most of a single day.

The Snaefellsjokull Glacier and Snaefellsnes National Park

The Peninsula is topped by the glacial summit (Snaefellsjokull glacier) of the 700,000-year-old Snaefellsjokull volcano, which is surrounded by the Snaefellsjokull National Park (or Snaefellsnes National Park).

The park is one of three national parks in Iceland and spans 170 square kilometres around the volcano. It is the only park in Iceland that extends all the way to the shore. The park is a good place to view otherworldly lava fields, with spots to stop and go bird- or whale-watching. The peninsula is also dotted with caves, though travellers are advised to avoid entering a lava cave unless accompanied by an experienced guide.

The Snaefellsjokull glacier and volcano dominate the park, standing 1,446-metre tall, high enough to be spotted from Reykjavik on a clear day. The glacier owes some of its fame to Jules Verne, who made it the entrance to the underworld in his novel – read the full story in our companion article, Snaefellsnes and Jules Verne: Journey to the Centre of the Earth in Iceland.

This is a good day tour from the capital, with guided hikes that can take you to the ice-topped summit.

Arnarstapi

A village located on the southern side of the peninsula, Arnarstapi was once an important fishing hub and trading port due to its natural harbour, but experienced a steep decline in population as its fishing industry was overshadowed by Reykjavik’s big fisheries. With travellers discovering its beauty, Arnarstapi is back on the map as a tourist destination. A gentle, mostly level walk takes you around the pier, past basalt formations and grottoes, and along the lava-formed coastline and bird cliffs.

Djupalonssandur Black Sand Beach

There are many black sand beaches in Iceland, and here on the peninsula you’ll find the gorgeous Djupalonssandur (Deep Lagoon’s Sand) near the base of the Snaefellsjokull volcano. Scattered on the beach, you’ll find the remains of a British trawler, the Epine GY7, which hit the rocks of Snaefellsnes in 1948. The wreck killed 14 men. The iron pieces are left on the beach as a memorial for the lives lost, and should not be removed from the area.

Other Stops on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and in Iceland

The Gerduberg Cliffs form one of the longest rows of basalt cliffs in Iceland. On the north side of the peninsula is the triangular-shaped Kirkjufell mountain and its nearby waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss – a familiar sight to fans of Game of Thrones, which featured it in an episode.

Snaefellsnes is usually paired with Iceland’s other headline sights – the Golden Circle, Vatnajokull National Park, Solheimajokull Glacier, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon – rather than visited in isolation. Odyssey Traveller’s small group tour to Iceland takes in Snaefellsnes alongside these destinations; the tour CTA above links through to the full itinerary.

Is Snaefellsnes worth a day trip from Reykjavik?

Yes, if you give it a full day rather than a few hours. The peninsula’s main sights – the glacier and national park, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur and Kirkjufell – are spread across both the north and south coasts, so a loop around the whole peninsula makes for a full and rewarding day rather than a quick detour [VERIFY typical loop duration].

How much walking is involved on a visit to Snaefellsnes?

Most of the peninsula’s highlights involve short, mostly level walks from a car park or along a coastal path – the walk around Arnarstapi and the visit to the black sand at Djupalonssandur are both well within reach of most travellers. The exception is the Snaefellsjokull glacier summit itself, a genuine hike onto glacial ice that should only be attempted with an experienced guide.

Can you visit Snaefellsnes without your own car?

It’s possible but not straightforward – public transport on the peninsula is limited, and most independent travellers either self-drive or join an organised tour [VERIFY current public transport options]. On Odyssey’s escorted small group tour, Snaefellsnes is built into Day 4 of the itinerary, so the driving and route are arranged for you.

Articles about Iceland published by Odyssey Traveller:

• Questions About Iceland
• Visiting Iceland for Mature Travellers
• Snaefellsnes and Jules Verne: Journey to the Centre of the Earth in Iceland
• Lunar Landscapes and Geology in Iceland
• The History of the Settlement of Iceland

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to Iceland:

• The Magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West-Iceland
• Ultimate Guide to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland: Things to Do, Itinerary & Map
• One Day Itinerary: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Inspired by Iceland: The official tourism website
• Travel + Leisure: How to travel to Iceland
• Ice, Fire and Feuds: On the Trail of Iceland’s Sagas
• Lonely Planet: Ten things to do in Reykjavík