Tjaldsvæðið á Arnarstapa
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About Tjaldsvæðið á Arnarstapa
Arnarstapi camping means the campsite in Arnarstapi, a small harbor village on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, with Stapafell and the Snæfellsjökull glacier rising behind it. Known locally as Tjaldsvæðið á Arnarstapa, it is run by Arnarstapi Center, the village hotel and restaurant.
Sleeping here puts you on the coastal cliffs before the tour buses arrive and keeps you there after they leave. Evenings and early mornings are the quietest times on the shore, which is the best argument for staying rather than visiting on a day trip.
Facilities are simple: toilets, showers and electricity, with camping equipment for rent if you arrived light. You can book a pitch ahead through the Parka app or pay on arrival at the Arnarbær restaurant, and arriving after reception closes costs extra. Pets are allowed if kept under control, and quiet hours run from 23:00 to 07:00.
The Arnarstapi campsite is open from late May to September. Its published price list is out of date, so check the current per-person rate and electricity fee with Arnarstapi Center before you go. Children 14 and under camp free, and seniors get a discount.
The coast is a few minutes' walk from your tent. Gatklettur, the rock arch, and the stone statue of Bárður Snæfellsás stand close to the harbor, and a marked path of about 2.5 kilometers follows the lava shore to Hellnar past sea caves and nesting seabirds. In early summer the arctic terns dive at walkers, so wear a hat.
Arnarstapi is about 190 kilometers from Reykjavík, roughly two and a half hours via Borgarnes. Rauðfeldsgjá gorge is a few minutes up the road, and Lóndrangar, Vatnshellir lava cave and Djúpalónssandur beach are all within about 20 minutes.
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Good to know
When is Arnarstapi campsite open?
Arnarstapi Center gives the season as late May to September. Confirm exact dates with the operator if you are traveling at either end of the season.
How much does it cost to camp at Arnarstapi?
The rate is charged per person, with children 14 and under free and a discount for seniors. The operator's published price list is out of date, so check the current rate before you arrive.
Can you book Arnarstapi campsite in advance?
Yes, pitches can be booked through the Parka app. Otherwise you pay on arrival at the Arnarbær restaurant.
What facilities does Arnarstapi campsite have?
There are toilets, showers and electricity hook-ups, and camping equipment can be rented on site.
How far is Arnarstapi from Reykjavík?
It is about 190 kilometers, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive via Borgarnes.
What is there to see near Arnarstapi campsite?
Gatklettur arch and the Bárður Snæfellsás statue are a short walk away, and the coastal path to Hellnar is about 2.5 kilometers. Rauðfeldsgjá gorge is a few minutes' drive.
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