Snæfellsnes Peninsula has been getting more and more attention from tourists in recent years. And for a good reason. Snæfellsnes offers some diverse and beautiful scenery in a fairly small area. Some even call it Iceland in miniature as here you’ll find different kinds of mountains, volcanoes and lava fields. A glacier, waterfalls (no big ones though), beautiful black beaches and more. A little bit of everything, Iceland as a whole has to offer.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula is Perfect for a Day Trip from Reykjavík
It takes about 2 hours to reach Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavík. Then it takes a little less than 3 hours to drive all the way around it. That is if you also include a visit to Stykkishólmur, which is a short detour. You can easily see all the major sites in one day so a daytrip from Reykjavík could be perfect for you. Or perhaps a one day detour when driving the Ring Road.
Besides the major attractions there are plenty of other places to explore. So if you have the time you could easily spend a few days in the area. Especially if you plan some activities like a snowmobile tour on the glacier or maybe a visit to Flatey Island. A small charming island on the bay out of Stykkishólmur.
So, what are the places you definitely don’t want to miss on Snæfellsnes Peninsula?
There are so many noteworthy places on Snæfellsnes and this isn’t an exhaustive list. But these are the places I personally think you should not miss if you have to prioritise and can’t see it all.
- Stykkishólmur
- Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
- Street art in Hellissandur
- Gilbakki Café
- Djúpalónssandur Beach
- Arnarstapi & Hellnar
Stykkishólmur | The Biggest Village on Snæfellsnes
Stykkishólmur is the biggest town or village on Snæfellsnes peninsula with a population around 1.290. It’s my favorite village in the area with its charming houses which are either renovated original old houses or new ones built in the same old style. I will actually go so far to say it’s the most charming village in all of Iceland. Or you know, at least in the top three 😊
Restaurants in Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur also offers some really good restaurants where I say Narfeyjarstofa and Sjávarpakkhúsið are the best ones. Sjávarpakkhúsið (seafood restaurant) down by the harbor is my absolute favorite. I really like the ambiance of that restaurant where the beautiful design is thought out down to the smallest detail. I for example love their menu which is a fish skeleton carved out in wood with a QR code on it. Clever and tasteful. And yes, the food is also delicious! I love eating delicious food in a beautiful environment as I think the environment is a big part of the total experience.
Ocean views from Súgandisey Island
Take a stroll around the old town to explore the many charming houses the village is famous for. Then take a walk down to the harbor and climb to the top of Súgandisey, a small island that shelters the village from the cold north wind. The island is now connected to the harbor and you can easily walk up there and enjoy the amazing views over Stykkishólmur and Breiðafjörður Bay. Just be aware that it can get pretty windy up there!
The Norwegian House | An Interessant Regional Museum
The Norwegian House was built in 1832 and serves now as a regional museum for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. There you’ll find rotating exhibitions and a museum shop with handicraft, sweets and products from the area.
This house itself was the first wood-frame residence with two full-sized storeys in Iceland. As there weren’t (and still aren’t) many trees in Iceland, the wood to build the house was imported from Norway. Hence the name.
Sea Tours from Stykkishólmur
The ocean plays a big role in the lives of the people in Stykkishólmur and that reflects in the activities there are available in the village.
There are a few different options when it comes to sea tours from Stykkishólmur. I don’t doubt they all are fun and interesting. I haven’t been on any of them since I was a kid but recently I read about one I really want to try out. It’s a small boat tour with a man who calls himself “Kristján the Captain”. I’ve heard good things about his tour and hopefully I will get a chance to try it this summer. If I do, I will tell you all about it.
At last it’s worth mentioning that there is a nice swimming pool in Stykkishólmur. An outdoor heated swimming pool along with two hot tubs and a water slide.
You can read more about what to see and do in Stykkishólmur hereKirkjufell Mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
Kirkjufell Mountain, or the Arrow Mountain as it’s better known as, is one of the most famous mountains in Iceland. It became famous after appearing in the popular TV series Game of Thrones and that’s where the name Arrow Mountain comes from.
There are countless photos of this mountain on the internet and I think it’s pretty safe to say that Kirkjufell along with Búðakirkja (the black church) and the house by the harbor at Arnarstapi are the most photographed places on Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
On the other side of the road from Kirkjufell, you’ll find Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall. It’s usually photographed from an angle where you can see both Kirkjufell and the waterfall.
I, on the other hand, love the mountains behind the waterfall. Think they are an amazing backdrop for a stunning picture of the falls.
Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss are located just outside a village called Grundafjörður.
Hellissandur | The Tiny Village that Has a Surprise for You
The Street Art Capital of Iceland?
This tiny village doesn’t look much but you simply have to stop by and check out the street art on the walls of the buildings down by the ocean. Actually you’ll find some murals all over the village but most of them are down by the sea.
In 2018 a man named Kári, got the idea of making Hellissandur the street art capital of Iceland. May sound like a bold idea but a great one too!
Kári got 10 artists from all over the world to help him with this and you can enjoy the results of their work on the walls of Hellissandur. Very cool if you ask me 😊
You can read more about this project, and what Kári is otherwise up to, here.
Gilbakki Café
Another thing not to miss in Hellissandur is Gilbakki Café. I love this little café.
It’s located in a beautiful old house right by the main road so you can’t really miss it. It’s decorated in a way that suits it’s original style and I felt like I was walking into my grandmother’s house when I came there. So nice. Even the music I heard played in the background was obviously carefully picked out. It all added up and made a wonderful experience.
Yes, and the refreshments were also very yummy!
Please note that unfortunately, Gilbakki is only open during summer and some weekends before Christmas.
Djúpalónssandur Black Beach
Djúpalónssandur is one of the absolute must-see places on Snæfellsnes. I would say it’s in the top three along with Arnarstapi and Kirkjufellsfoss/Kirkjufells Mountain.
This black pebble beach is surrounded by old lava fields and on the beach itself you’ll find some beautiful lava formations. The combination of these traces of volcanic eruptions and Snæfellsjökull Glacier standing tall in the background, makes this small beach pretty amazing.
If you go for a relatively short walk/hike from Djúpalónssandur you can also visit a small and beautiful cove called Dritvík. It’s a really nice and easy hike through an old lava field with the ocean on one side and Snæfellsjökull Glacier on the other. And it’s not long. Just about 3 km/1.8 mi out and back.
You can read more about these two places and the hike between them here.
Arnarstapi & Hellnar | A Scenic Hike between Two Tiny Villages
Arnarstapi and Hellnar are two tiny old fishing villages on Snæfellsnes Peninsula. I always think of these two as one because I love the old trail that connects them.
The trail takes you along the gorgeous shore line with a view of the ocean and extraordinary basalt columns and lava cliff formations on one hand and stunning mountains and Snæfellsjökull Glacier on the other.
If you can’t or don’t want to complete the whole trail, you can always visit these two villages separately. If you have to choose between them, I say you choose Arnarstapi but if you’re traveling in summer I hope you can squeeze them both in so you can check out Fjöruhúsið, the very nice little café down by the beach in Hellnar (unfortunately it’s only open in summer).
The rocky beach in Hellnar is one of my favorite spots on the trail between Arnarstapi and Hellnar. It’s filled with gorgeous rounded rocks in all sizes and different shades of grey. Everything from very dark grey to almost white. And then there are the cliffs with their diverse textures and colors. A piece of art made by Mother Nature.
Here you can read more about Arnarstapi and Hellnar along with the trail that connects them.
And there Is Even More Snæfellsnes Peninsula Has to Offer
As I mentioned before, there are plenty of places to see and explore on Snæfellsnes Peninsula. In my opinion the places I listed above should be prioritized but you might also be interested in the following places.
Svöðufoss Waterfall
I didn’t know about this waterfall until I found it by an accident in spring 2022. Then my husband and I were driving to Hellissandur, a tiny village nearby. We saw a sign and decided to check it out.
It’s a pretty cool waterfall with some basalt columns around it. Nothing big or mind blowing but a nice and relatively short walk if you have the time.
Vatnshellir Cave
Vatnshellir is an 8.000 year old Lava Tube that reaches 35 meters below the surface. You can only go down there with a guide and guided tours are offered year round.
For further information, click here.Lóndrangar
Lóndrangar are remains of a volcanic crater that slowly is being destroyed by the ocean. They tower over the horizon and give a great photo op.
You can either stop at a viewing point close to the road and admire them from afar or see them up close by taking an easy walk from the Visitor Center close by. It’s a very scenic walk but can be very windy so be prepared for that.
Rauðfeldsgjá | A Fissure for the Adventureous
A crack or a very narrow fissure in a mountain called Botnfjall close to Arnarstapi. Most people just enter the first “room” or a cave you get into when entering through the first crack. It’s a beautiful cave with moss covered walls.
For those who are adventurous (and dressed for the occasion) it is possible to squeeze oneself into another narrow and more dangerous gap. It’s a bit tricky to climb in the water but if you can make it, you’ll be rewarded with a waterfall.
It’s important to note that even to just enter the first crack/gap you have to step around some stones in the water so there is a risk of getting your feet wet. It’s also worth mentioning that as there isn’t much space in the fissure, the people going back and forth might cause somewhat of a traffic jam. It’s a very cool place though so many think it’s worth it 😊
Búðakirkja | The Famous Black Church
The famous black church you might have seen pictures of on the internet.
Bjarnarfoss Waterfall
You can see this waterfall from the road but according to those who have hiked up to it and even up along it, it’s a way better experience. I haven’t done it yet myself but it’s definitely on my bucket list. It’s located in the area around Búðir where you’ll find the black church.
Seal watching at Ytri Tunga Beach
The beach near the farm Ytri-Tunga is a well-known seal colony. The best time to see seals there is in June and July.
Flatey Island | Where the Time Stands Still
Then there is the possibility to take a ferry boat from Stykkishólmur to a tiny charming island called Flatey. Technically not a part of Snæfellsnes but close enough 😊
Visitors are not allowed to bring their cars there and the atmosphere is very relaxing. Many even say it feels like time stands still on this little island. The island is also a paradise for bird watching with over 30 different species during the breeding season.
You can either do a day trip and stop there for a few hours or you can stay the night at the hotel.
As you can see, there are plenty of noteworthy places to visit on Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The only question is how much time do you have?
Well, that’s it for now. If you liked this post and think some of your friends might be interested in reading it too, please help me spread the word. I’d really appreciate it if you’d share it on social media or just send it directly to a friend.
Until next time!
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