SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula encapsulates the essence of Iceland’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance. Its varied landscape makes it an ideal destination for those who wish to experience the diversity of Iceland without travelling far from the capital. Whether you’re looking for adventure, tranquillity, or a journey through history, Snæfellsnes promises an enriching and unforgettable experience.

You might recognise the Snæfellsnes peninsula if you’ve ever looked closely at a map of Iceland. It is the long, narrow peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic on the west coast of the island. To the north, it sits on Breiðafjörður Bay, while Faxaflói Bay (which stretches all the way to Reykjavík) lies on the south coast of the peninsula. Snæfellsnes is around 135 kilometres (83 miles) from Reykjavík and the drive is around two and a half hours.

To reach the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you can drive from Reykjavík, which is the most common starting point for trips to the peninsula. The drive typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours one way, depending on the route and weather conditions. You'll want to head north from Reykjavík on Route 1 before turning onto Route 54, which will take you along the southern edge of the peninsula.

Alternatively, for those who prefer not to drive, there are organized day tours available from Reykjavík. These tours often include transportation and a guide who can provide insights into the area's unique geology, history, and folklore. Day tours can be a convenient and informative way to experience the highlights of Snæfellsnes without the need to navigate or plan an itinerary yourself.

The best time of year to visit Snæfellsnes depends on what you want to do when you get there. If spotting puffins is on your bucket list, then visiting Snæfellsnes between May and August is the best time of year when the birds are most active and you might see little puffin chicks. If hiking on the Snæfellsjökull glacier is your top priority, you’ll want to visit in the summer months when the daylight hours are at their longest, giving you the most time for the hike. Between September and March, glacier hikes do not run on Snæfellsjökull. Whale watchers should consider visiting Snæfellsnes between December and April when you’re most likely to spot orca whales out in Breiðafjörður Bay. Winter can be a beautiful time of year to visit the peninsula, when Kirkjufell mountain is covered in snow and you have the chance to spot the Northern Lights in the long hours of darkness, away from the lights of Reykjavík.

It really depends on how much time you have. Seeing most of the region’s highlights on a day tour is possible. Some travellers spend an afternoon in Snæfellsnes, while others plan for multiple days.

Perhaps stop off at the Gerðuberg cliffs, which are formed from striking basalt columns, like the kind you might see at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Check out traditional Icelandic architecture at Búðakirkja – a dramatic black wooden church that sits within a lava field. But the most iconic sight on the peninsula is Kirkjufell Mountain which has featured in Game of Thrones and makes for a beautiful photograph due to its bright green hue, conical shape and ocean backdrop. There’s also plenty of opportunity to see wildlife at Snæfellsnes, like seals on Ytri Tunga beach, arctic terns and kittiwakes on the dramatic sea cliffs of Arnarstapi, and whale watching and puffin spotting boat trips from Grundarfjörður.

Driving the entire Snæfellsnes Peninsula, following the main road that loops around, takes about 3 to 4 hours without stops. However, you might want to allocate a full day or more with stops at significant sights to enjoy the area thoroughly.

There are plenty of overnight accommodation options across the Snæfellsnes peninsula, from guesthouses and cabins out in the stark wilderness to hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Stykkishólmur is the largest town on the peninsula, so it has the widest selection of accommodation and a handful of restaurants and grocery shops. You can also find campsites across the peninsula and places to stay in the heart of the wilderness. Almost at the very tip of the peninsula, there are a few places to stay around Arnarstapi where the dramatic rock features of the coastline attract keen hikers.

From Keflavik Airport, it is around 178 kilometres (111 miles) to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Driving to Snæfellsnes from Iceland’s main airport takes approximately two hours and twenty minutes.

Don’t let the ‘æ’ intimidate you, Snæfellsnes is quite an easy Icelandic word to pronounce. It is said like Snay-fell-snes.

The Snæfellsnes peninsula is a great place to take the kids on a day’s adventure – you can introduce them to Icelandic folklore and let them experience the island’s unique scenery in one small space. There are short hikes suitable for families with kids and a smattering of towns and villages to stop and refuel throughout the day. You can rent a family-sized car and drive to Snæfellsnes peninsula yourself, or join a family-friendly Snæfellsnes peninsula tour that departs from Reykjavík.

The main thing you’ll want to do on Snæfellsnes peninsula is to explore the varied landscape – ice caps, lava fields, basalt cliffs and rugged hills. Those seeking active adventure can join a glacier hike at Snæfellsjökull National Park or perhaps descend into an 8,000-year-old lava tube at Vatnshellir Cave. If taking it easy is more your thing, you can embrace Iceland’s bathing culture in naturally-heated pools at Landbrotalaug hot springs. A different kind of bravery is involved at Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum where you can try the famous Icelandic delicacy of hákarl, aka fermented shark.

Snæfellsnes is not on the route of the Golden Circle, but it has its own selection of natural highlights. Day trips around the Snæfellsnes peninsula also leave from Reykjavik and some say the landscape is just as beautiful as along the Golden Circle. Stops along the Snæfellsnes peninsula include chasing tumbling waterfalls, the possibility of a glacier hike at Snæfellsjökull, visiting pretty fishing villages and spotting puffins on clifftop walks.

Apart from Stykkishólmur, the largest town on the peninsula, Grundarfjörður is a good option for an overnight stay. There’s a selection of simple hotels, guesthouses and apartments, a couple of places to eat and plenty of things to do on your doorstep. Whale watching tours out into Breiðafjörður Bay leave from Grundarfjörður’s little harbour and from the town, you can walk to the famous Kirkjufell mountain. Ólafsvík is another coastal town on the north shore of the peninsula where a scattering of simple hotels, hostels and apartments sit by the sea.

If you are planning a Snæfellsnes Peninsula self-drive from Reykjavík, you’ll need to take the main Route One road from the capital to Borgarnes and then join Road 54 to reach Snæfellsnes. Both are main roads and are often cleared of snow in December, but winter driving in Iceland can be challenging in general, especially if you get caught in a blizzard. The Snæfellsnes peninsula can experience high winds in winter. Always check the SafeTravel app before you leave to keep up to date with road closures and weather warnings. The safest and easiest way to get to the Snæfellsnes peninsula in December is to join an organised tour from Reykjavík. Let someone else take care of the driving and itinerary so all you have to do is enjoy the scenery.

Jutting out into the North Atlantic Ocean, there is often a bracing wind blowing across the Snæfellsnes peninsula, so dressing in a waterproof windbreaker jacket is a good idea. It’s all about outdoor adventures here and most people visit to hike along cliff tops or take a boat out to spot puffins and whales. In winter, you’ll want to wrap up warm with layers of woolly jumpers, hats, scarves and gloves, maybe even thermal layers in the coldest months. Sturdy, waterproof walking boots are the best footwear for Snæfellsnes.

Close to the Snæfellsnes peninsula and on the way to and from Reykjavík, there are plenty of must-see attractions. You can pause to refuel and refresh at Borgarnes and admire the beauty of the area around the Borgarfjörður fjord where the majority of the Icelandic Sagas were set. The nearby region of Húsafell is a short drive from Snæfellsnes where you can bathe in the naturally heated water of the Krauma Spa, which is geothermally powered by Europe’s most powerful hot spring. In Húsafell, you’ll also find Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull. Here, you can embark on a monster truck adventure onto the glacier’s surface or explore a man-made ice tunnel through the glacier which is open year-round.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is an excellent spot for viewing the northern lights when it is dark enough, with no cloud cover and plenty of solar activity, thanks to its dark skies and minimal light pollution.

A great stopping point between Akureyri and Snæfellsnes is Hvammstangi, known for its seal-watching opportunities, or the historic town of Stykkishólmur on the peninsula’s north side.

Snæfellsjökull translates to “Snow Mountain Glacier” in Icelandic, referencing its prominent snow-covered peak visible throughout the year.

Snæfellsjökull is considered a dormant volcano, having last erupted around 1,800 years ago, and is not currently active.

There is no entry fee for Snæfellsjökull National Park itself, but guided tours, especially those involving glacier hikes, can vary in cost based on the provider and length of the tour.

Yes, you can climb Snæfellsjökull, which is one of Iceland's famous glaciers and located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Climbing Snæfellsjökull is a popular activity for those visiting the area, offering a chance to experience the stunning views from atop the glacier.

The climb is typically done as a guided tour, which is highly recommended due to the challenging nature of glacier hiking and the specific safety equipment required, such as crampons and ice axes. These guided tours also provide valuable insights into the glacier's geography and the surrounding environment.

The hike itself can be quite demanding and is suitable for those in good physical condition. The weather can also significantly affect the climb, so it's important to be prepared for sudden changes in conditions and temperatures. Climbing Snæfellsjökull provides a unique adventure and a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes, making it a memorable part of visiting Snæfellsnes.