Malarrif Lighthouse
About Malarrif Lighthouse
Malarrif Lighthouse is a tall white concrete tower on the southern tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, standing on a lava headland almost directly below the summit of Snæfellsjökull. It makes a quick and easy stop in Snæfellsjökull National Park, and it is the start of one of the best short coastal walks on the peninsula.
The first light here was built in 1917, and the current tower replaced it in 1946. It still works as a navigation light, so you cannot go inside, but you can walk right up to its base and along the cliff edge. People fished from Malarrif for centuries, and the national park has an exhibition about nature and the old fishing station in its visitor center beside the lighthouse.
From the lighthouse, a marked path follows the coast east to the basalt sea stacks of Lóndrangar, which rise from the shore just over a kilometer away. It is an easy walk on mostly level ground. Head west by car instead and you reach Djúpalónssandur beach in a few minutes.
Malarrif is about 2 kilometers down a side road from Route 574, about 10 minutes west of Arnarstapi and roughly 3 hours from Reykjavík. The park is open all year and free to enter. According to the Environment Agency, the visitor center opens daily from 11:00 to 16:00 in summer, so check before you go at other times of year.
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Good to know
Where is Malarrif Lighthouse?
It is on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, inside Snæfellsjökull National Park. A short side road leads to it from Route 574, about 10 minutes west of Arnarstapi.
Can you go inside Malarrif Lighthouse?
No. The lighthouse is still in use and closed to the public, but you can walk around it and along the coast.
When was Malarrif Lighthouse built?
The current tower dates from 1946. It replaced the first lighthouse at Malarrif, which was built in 1917.
Is there a visitor center at Malarrif?
Yes. Snæfellsjökull National Park has a visitor center beside the lighthouse with an exhibition on the area's nature and its old fishing station. The Environment Agency lists it as open daily from 11:00 to 16:00 in summer.
Can you walk from Malarrif to Lóndrangar?
Yes. A marked coastal path runs east from the lighthouse to the Lóndrangar sea stacks, and it is an easy walk on mostly level ground.
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