Snæfellsnes is a peninsula in west Iceland, 2 hours from Reykjavik. It's called «little Iceland» because along 90 km of road you meet almost every Icelandic landscape type: Snæfellsjökull glacier (mentioned in Jules Verne's «Journey to the Center of the Earth»), volcano, black beaches, lava fields, fjords, whale coast.
It's the perfect 1-day route if you have little time in Iceland or want to «sample» the country on the first day.
Day route
Leave Reykjavik at 8:00, return by 20:00. Clockwise around the peninsula. Points in visit order:
1. Ytri Tunga (10:00)
Sandy beach with a seal colony. May to August seals are almost guaranteed — sitting on rocks near the shore, sometimes swimming close. Free, €0 parking.
2. Búðakirkja (10:45)
Black wooden church from 1703, against bright green fields and lava flows. One of Iceland's most photographed churches. €5 parking.
3. Arnarstapi → Hellnar walking trail (11:30)
2.5 km walk along ocean cliffs. Basalt columns, natural arches, seabird nests. Easy trail, ~1 hour one way. Can return by car (~15 min).
4. Djúpalónssandur (13:30)
«Deep lake in black sand» — beach of black smooth pebbles, debris from a 1948 shipwreck scattered across the beach. Famous «lifting stones» — 4 stones from 23 to 154 kg, used to test future fishermen's strength. Free parking, 10 min walk down.
5. Saxhóll Crater (14:15)
Volcanic crater with steps to the top. 10 min climb, views of the peninsula and Snæfellsjökull. 109 m high crater, 320 m wide.
6. Skarðsvík (14:45)
Rare for Iceland — a golden sand beach. Everything around is black, this one is golden. Brought by winds from the Sahara over millennia. Small, quiet.
7. Kirkjufell + Kirkjufellsfoss (16:00)
The main photogenic point — a 463 m pyramid mountain by the water plus a waterfall in the foreground. Recognized from «Game of Thrones» (Arrowhead Mountain north of the Wall). Path to the waterfall 5 min from parking.
8. Stykkishólmur (17:00)
The peninsula's main town. Fishing harbor, Súgandisey lighthouse with views over Breiðafjörður islands. Seafood dinner option — restaurants from €25 per person. Refuel before return.
9. Return to Reykjavik (18:30 → 20:00)
1.5 hours via roads 54 → 1. On the way you can stop at Eldborg geothermal area or Berserkjahraun lava field.
Alternative spots if you have time
- Lóndrangar — basalt «towers» in the ocean, near Djúpalónssandur
- Vatnshellir cave — lava cave, tours every 30 min, €30
- Helgafell — «holy mountain», legend says 3 wishes made at the top come true (if you follow the rules)
- Bjarnafoss — waterfall near Búðir, usually few tourists
What to bring for the day
- Full tank of fuel (refuel in Borgarnes on the way)
- Water 1.5-2 L, snacks (cafés on route only in Hellnar, Hellissandur, Olafsvik, Stykkishólmur)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket — wind is always present on the peninsula
- Hiking shoes — Djúpalónssandur and Arnarstapi-Hellnar have rocky terrain
- Camera + tripod for Kirkjufell
When to go
| Season | Notes |
|---|---|
| Summer (June–August) | Daylight 24/7, can extend the route to 22:00. Most tourists. |
| September–October | Ideal season — golden tundra, clear days, fewer people. |
| Winter | Short days (4-6 hours of light), some roads may be closed. But aurora. |
| Spring (April–May) | Melting snow makes dirt roads muddy. Better in summer. |
One day or two?
If you can spare it — 2 days is better. Overnight in Stykkishólmur. Day 1: south side (Búðakirkja → Djúpalónssandur). Day 2: north side (Skarðsvík → Kirkjufell). You'll have time to eat properly, walk Arnarstapi-Hellnar both ways, visit Vatnshellir cave.
In one day — the schedule is tight but doable. Just don't spend more than 30-40 min at any point.
Related guides
- Top 10 Iceland waterfalls — waterfalls near the route
- Iceland packing list — seasonal packing
- Iceland budget 2026 — how much a self-drive trip costs