The Perfect 2-Day Snaefellsnes Peninsula Itinerary

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is one of Iceland's most beautiful regions, and it's easy to see why locals call it "Iceland in Miniature." In just two days, you can experience glaciers, black sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, charming fishing villages, and stunning waterfalls - basically everything that makes Iceland special, all packed into one incredible area.

This 2-day itinerary will help you explore the best of Snaefellsnes without feeling rushed. Whether you're driving yourself or joining a guided tour, you'll discover why this western peninsula should be on every Iceland traveler's bucket list.

Quick Trip Facts

• Duration: 2 Days
• Distance: ~250 km loop
• From Reykjavík: ~2.5 hrs
• Best Season: May – September
• Peninsula Length: 90 km
• Major Sights: 10+

Day One: The Southern Shore 

Route: Reykjavík → Ytri Tunga → Búðakirkja → Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge → Arnarstapi → Hellnar → Djúpalónssandur → Overnight near Hellissandur

Ytri Tunga — Iceland's Friendliest Seal Beach

Time: 45 – 60 min | Location: Route 54, south shore

Your first real stop on the peninsula is a golden-sand beach unlike any other in Iceland. Ytri Tunga is home to a permanent colony of harbour seals that lounge on the rocks year-round, napping in the sun or waddling into the surf. They are completely unbothered by visitors — but do stay at least 50 metres away to avoid stressing the animals.

Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to get the best views. This is a calm, beautiful place to shake off the drive and ease into Snaefellsnes life.

Búðakirkja — The Iconic Black Church

Time: 20 – 30 min  | Location: Búðir, south coast

Set alone on a wide lava field with the Snaefellsjökull glacier glowing in the distance, the black church of Búðir is one of the most photographed and otherworldly scenes in all of Iceland. While most Icelandic churches are white with red roofs, this one is entirely black — which makes it feel strangely dramatic and beautiful against the grey sky and volcanic landscape.

There's a small graveyard beside it and hiking trails that lead down to the beach and across the lava field dunes. If the clouds break enough to reveal the glacier behind the church, prepare to shoot an extraordinary photo.

Photo Tip: The classic shot frames the black church against the white glacier summit of Snaefellsjökull. Come in early morning or golden hour for the softest light and least wind.

Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge — A Hidden Canyon Worth the Scramble

Time: 45 – 75 min  |  Location: Route 54, easy to miss — watch for signs

This narrow crack in the mountainside is easy to drive past, and many people do — don't be one of them. Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge is a magical slot canyon carved into a moss-covered cliff face, with a small stream running through its floor and a cool, dripping waterfall at its deepest point. As you scramble further inside, the walls close in, the air cools, and the light turns green and silvery from the moss.

You'll need waterproof boots or be prepared for wet feet, as the stream runs across the path. The canyon is short — you can reach the waterfall in about 10 minutes — but the atmosphere is unforgettable. According to local legend, the gorge was named after the outlaw Rauðfeldur, who was pushed into the crevice by Bárðar, a half-man, half-troll who protected this part of the peninsula.

Arnarstapi — Basalt Arches, Cliffs & the Half-Troll Guardian

Time: 1 – 1.5 hrs  | Location: End of a short side road off Route 54

Arnarstapi is a tiny fishing hamlet perched on some of the most dramatic coastal geology in Iceland. The shoreline is covered in basalt columns and arches sculpted by centuries of Atlantic waves. Walking the cliffside path, you'll pass Gatklettur, a jaw-dropping arch of rock rising from the sea, and Bárður Snæfellsás — a striking sculpture of the legendary half-troll, half-man protector of Snaefellsnes, standing watch over the bay.

This is also a great spot for lunch. There is a small café and restaurant in the village serving hot soup and fish dishes. Arrive hungry after the gorge.

From Arnarstapi, there's a wonderful 45-minute coastal walk to the neighbouring village of Hellnar along a path that hugs the cliff edge with views of sea stacks and crashing waves. If you have the energy, this walk is one of the best on the peninsula. The famous Fjöruhúsið Café in Hellnar serves excellent fish soup and homemade cakes — check online before visiting as opening hours vary by season.

Djúpalónssandur — The Black Pearl Beach

Time: 45 – 60 min  | Location: Inside Snæfellsjökull National Park

As you move further toward the western tip of the peninsula and into Snæfellsjökull National Park, the scenery becomes almost otherworldly. Djúpalónssandur is one of the most striking beaches in Iceland — a cove of shiny black pebbles (called "sea pearls") hemmed in by towering lava rock formations that look like giant's furniture.

On the beach, you'll find four lifting stones of different weights that Viking-era fishermen used to test the strength of potential crew members. The heaviest weighs 154 kilograms — full strength. The lightest, at 23 kilograms, is called "useless." Try your luck. Scattered around the stones are the rusting remnants of the British trawler Epine GY7, which wrecked here in 1948 during a storm, killing 14 sailors.

Walk through the lava labyrinth above the beach for sweeping views over the Atlantic. This is a powerful, moody place — one of the true highlights of the peninsula.

Lóndrangar Sea Stacks & Svörtuloft Lighthouse

Time: 30 – 45 min each

Near Djúpalónssandur, a short detour brings you to the Lóndrangar sea stacks — two volcanic basalt plugs rising 61 and 75 metres from the ocean like broken cathedral spires. There's a viewing platform with an easy short walk. In summer, the cliffs are home to nesting fulmars and puffins.

Even more remote is Svörtuloft Lighthouse, reached by a rough gravel track. This bright-orange beacon sits right at the edge of jet-black sea cliffs where the Atlantic hammers the rock with enormous force. It's one of the most rugged, wild viewpoints on the entire peninsula — arrive before sunset for a stunning end to Day 1.

From here, drive north to your overnight base near Hellissandur or Ólafsvík on the northwest coast. Both have guesthouses, campsites, and a small supermarket for dinner supplies.

Day Two: The North Shore

Route: Hellissandur → Saxhóll Crater → Vidgelmir Lava Cave → Kirkjufell & Grundarfjörður → Berserkjahraun → Stykkishólmur → Return to Reykjavík

Saxhóll Crater — Climb an Actual Volcano

Time: 30 – 45 min  | Location: Snæfellsjökull National Park

Start Day 2 with a quick burst of energy: climbing Saxhóll Crater, a small but perfectly formed volcanic crater right beside Route 54. A wooden staircase with 164 steps takes you straight up the rim in about 10 minutes. The view from the top is striking — a panorama of black lava fields stretching toward the glacial summit of Snaefellsjökull, with the cold Atlantic glittering beyond.

The inside of the crater is a beautiful rust-red bowl of ancient rock. This is also one of the best spots on the peninsula to photograph Snaefellsjökull glacier on a clear morning when the light is crisp.

Vidgelmir Lava Cave — Journey Underground

Time: 1.5 – 2 hrs  | Location: Borgarfjörður area (slight detour inland)

One of the most memorable experiences in West Iceland, Vidgelmir is the largest lava tube in Iceland — stretching more than 1,500 metres underground. Formed thousands of years ago when the outer shell of a lava flow cooled and hardened while the molten rock inside kept flowing, the cave is a geological time capsule.

Inside you'll find colourful mineral formations, shimmering ice crystals in winter, and walls stained pink, yellow, and black by different volcanic minerals. The cave is well-lit and walkable with a guided tour — all equipment including helmets and lights is provided. Book in advance, especially in summer, as tours fill up quickly.

Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss — Iceland's Most Iconic View

Time: 45 – 60 min  | Location: Near Grundarfjörður, Route 54

No trip to Snaefellsnes is complete without standing in front of Kirkjufell Mountain. Its arrowhead shape is one of the most recognised silhouettes in Iceland, and the classic shot frames it perfectly behind the three-strand Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall on the opposite side of the road. This is the view you've seen in every Iceland calendar, travel magazine, and yes — in Game of Thrones (it appeared as the "Arrowhead Mountain" in season 7).

There's a small paid car park (around 1,200 ISK) by the road. From there, it's just a short walk to the waterfall viewpoint. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic light and the fewest people — midday can get crowded. If you're visiting in winter and you're lucky, you might catch the Northern Lights dancing above the mountain's silhouette.

It is possible to hike to the summit of Kirkjufell, but it is a challenging and sometimes dangerous hike (there have been fatal accidents). If you want to reach the top, go with a qualified local guide only.

Grundarfjörður — Whale Watching & Puffins (Seasonal)

Time: 1.5 – 3 hrs  | Location: Small town on north coast

The small town of Grundarfjörður sits right below Kirkjufell and serves as the base for some wonderful wildlife tours on the bay. Between June and August, puffin-watching boat tours depart from the harbour — these charming birds return each summer to nest on the cliffs and are a delight to see up close from the water. Year-round, whale watching tours operate on Breiðafjörður bay, where orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins are regularly spotted.

Even if you skip the boat tour, Grundarfjörður has a lovely restaurant (Bjargarsteinn) with fresh fish dishes and a direct view of Kirkjufell — a great spot for lunch before continuing east.

Berserkjahraun — Walking Through a Viking Lava Field

Time: 20 – 30 min | Location: Route 54, between Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur

As you continue east toward Stykkishólmur, Route 54 cuts right through Berserkjahraun — the Berserker Lava Field. This ancient lava flow is one of the most visually striking landscapes on the peninsula, a sprawling field of craggy black and grey rock draped in thick green moss. It takes its name from a famous tale in the Eyrbyggja Saga, where two berserker warriors were killed by the farmer who had promised them land for clearing a path through it.

Pull over and walk a short way into the lava field to feel the scale of it. The moss is incredibly soft and vivid green — do not walk on the moss itself, as it takes decades to regrow.

Stykkishólmur — Colourful Harbour Town & Landbrotalaug Hot Pot

Time: 1.5 – 2 hrs | Location: Eastern end of the peninsula

Stykkishólmur is the largest and most charming town on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, built around a beautiful natural harbour dotted with small islands. The old wooden buildings along the harbour front, many over 150 years old, are painted in vivid colours and make for wonderful strolling and photography.

Cross the causeway to the tiny island of Súgandisey and climb up to the small red lighthouse for a panoramic view back over the town and the bay. The town also has a Volcano Museum with interesting exhibits on Iceland's geological history and eruptions. There are several good restaurants and cafés here for a well-earned final meal before the drive back to Reykjavík.

Before you leave the area, consider a quick stop at Landbrotalaug — a tiny, remote natural hot spring pool (fits 2 to 4 people) just east of Stykkishólmur near the sea. It's free, unmarked on most maps, and one of the most beautifully secluded hot dips in Iceland. Look for it near the shore off Route 57.

If time allows, the ferry from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords runs several times daily in summer. It's one of the most scenic ferry journeys in Iceland and a dramatic way to continue your road trip north if you have extra days.

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