Destinations Magazine

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

By Wanderingjoshua

One of the most famous regions in Iceland is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Here you'll find dramatic landscapes, a black sand beach, unique rock formations, and waterfalls just to name a few things you'll see and experience. I included a Snæfellsnes tour in my itinerary when I planned my trip to Iceland.

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

It was too expensive to rent a car as a solo traveler, so I settled for the second best thing and joined a day trip to Snæfellsnes from Reykjavik.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

"Iceland in Miniature" is a moniker that many gave to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula because it provides visitors with a little bit of everything that the country has to offer such as lava fields, beaches, captivating landscapes, glaciers, and mountain vistas. From Iceland's western region, Snæfellsnes stretches to around 90km. Dormant and active volcanoes dominate the peninsula's stunning landscape. The Snaefellsjokull glacier lies on top of a stratovolcano that erupted more than 1,000 years ago. This eruption carved and formed the terrain. You'll see the moss and vegetation-covered lava fields during your trip around the peninsula. This reveals the slow but steady healing process of nature despite the violent eruptions that took place over the centuries.

Read: budget and itinerary for Iceland

Day trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

You can explore Snæfellsnes on your own or join a group tour. It depends on your budget and if you're traveling alone or with other people.

By Car

You can rent a car for multiple days and include other regions in Iceland such as the Golden Circle and South Iceland along with Snæfellsnes. You can rent a vehicle for around US$400 for three days. That's just a rough estimate that may or may not include insurance coverage. You can compare prices online or do it once you get to Reykjavik. However, I recommend booking a car rental early if you plan to visit the country in the summer.

On a Tour

Joining a tour might actually be a cheaper option if you're traveling alone. I joined a tour on GetYourGuide.

You can book a tour here: Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour

Let's Go to Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The first stop of my day trip was to a waterfall.

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

We took a short hike to see it.

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

We made a stop at one of the most famous spots in Iceland, Kirkjufell Mountain. It rises to 463m high and it also served as a landmark for travelers and seafarers. It's one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones, a hit TV show. You'll most likely have seen a photo of Kirkjufell online or in magazines. It's one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland.

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Our group went to Djupalonssandur Black Beach. This beach had striking rock formations and an eerie and gloomy ambiance. It was windy and cloudy during our stop here, which was in contrast to the clear blue skies in another part of the peninsula. The guide said that Iceland had what they referred to as "window weather" wherein the weather outside looked perfect from inside a vehicle, but once you step out you'll feel the strong winds and freezing temperature.

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Our group went to a few more stops such as the Londrangar Cliffs and the Gatklettur Rock, all of which were spectacular. The dramatic landscapes of Iceland were a sight to behold.

Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day Trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

It was an awesome day out exploring the peninsula. I hope I could visit Iceland again to see its other regions and maybe during a different season. I'd recommend booking the tour if you're traveling alone. You might also want to go on a day trip to Landmannalaugar during your stay in Iceland. You can book a tour for Snæfellsnes.

You can read more about my trip report about Iceland here: budget and itinerary for Iceland


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