The Snæfellsnes peninsula rises up in the west of Iceland, between jagged fjords and moss-covered lava fields. Dominated by the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano, this strip of land boasts a rare diversity of landscapes.
Here we detail all the ways to reach the Snæfellsnes peninsula, whether you’re planning a day trip from Reykjavik, a full road trip around the island or a detour out of the Golden Circle.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Summary: How to get to the Snæfellsnes peninsula
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- Peninsula in western Iceland, approx. 2h-2h30 drive from Reykjavik
- Accessible on organized day trips from Reykjavik (summer and winter)
- Strætó bus line no. 82 Reykjavik-Stykkishólmur (limited service, mostly in summer)
- By rental car: day trip from Reykjavik, extension of the Golden Circle, part of a tour of the island on Route 1 or direct from Keflavík Airport (approx. 2h15).
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is the country’s gateway – compare available flights
Where the Snæfellsnes peninsula is located
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula juts out into the North Atlantic from Iceland’s west coast. Approximately 90km long and 15km wide, it forms an east-west arm of land. At its tip is Snæfellsjökull, a glacier-topped volcano with a peak of 1,446m.
Route 54 circles the entire peninsula. It links the main villages – Borgarnes to the east, Stykkishólmur to the north and Hellnar to the far west – and provides access to most natural sites. We consider this route to be one of the most beautiful in Iceland.
Allow around 2 hours’ drive from Reykjavik to reach the entrance to the peninsula at Borgarnes, then a further 1h30 to 2 hours to circumnavigate without stops.
Good to know: the Snæfellsnes peninsula is often referred to as “Iceland in miniature”. Within a small area, you’ll find volcanoes, glaciers, basalt organ cliffs, black sand beaches, lava fields and colonies of seabirds. This is one of the reasons why we recommend it to travelers with limited time.
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Organized excursions from Reykjavik
A day trip from Reykjavik is the easiest way to discover Snæfellsnes without renting a car.
We like this formula, as the guide provides a wealth of information on the geology and Icelandic sagas associated with each location. What’s more, you don’t have to drive, so you can enjoy the scenery. On the other hand, the pace is set and stops are limited to 20-30min per site.
Itineraries vary from provider to provider, but most cover the peninsula’s highlights: the Black Church of Búðir, the cliffs of Lóndrangar, the beach of Djúpalónssandur, the fishing village of Arnarstapi and, of course, the magnificent Kirgkjufell mountain range and its waterfalls.
- See Snæfellsnes 1-day excursions
- Rare are the 2-day excursions, they are often combined with the Silver Circle or the Golden Circle. See options.
By rental car
A car is the most flexible way to explore Snæfellsnes at your own pace. The peninsula lends itself to several approaches depending on your itinerary in Iceland. The most common scenarios are described below.
The roads around the peninsula are easy and in good condition.
No major difficulty in reaching 90% of the attractions.
Only 3-digit inland roads require 4WD.
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
By car, excursion from Reykjavik
From Reykjavik, the Snæfellsnes peninsula can be reached in a day. The outward journey takes Route 1 to the north, then Route 54 from Borgarnes.
Allow around 2 hours to reach the entrance to the peninsula, and between 4 and 5 hours of driving in total over the day (round trip), not including stops.
Summer (May-September): long days – up to 22 hours of daylight in June – give you plenty of time to drive all the way around the peninsula on Route 54 and make many stops along the way. We recommend leaving before 8 a.m. to take advantage of the early morning calm at popular sites such as Kirkjufell and Djúpalónssandur beach.
Winter (October-April): daytime is still feasible, but natural light is limited to 5-7h depending on the month. Roads can be snowy or icy, especially the mountain pass between Ólafsvík and Borgarnes. A 4WD vehicle is not compulsory on Route 54 (tarmac roads), but it does offer an appreciable margin of safety. We recommend that you visit road.is on the morning of your departure to check road conditions.
Good to know: the most reliable gas station on the peninsula is in Grundarfjörður. Fill up before leaving Borgarnes if you’re driving in winter, as some remote stations close early.
Following the Golden Circle
Combining the Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes is an itinerary we often recommend. After visiting Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, you can head north on Route 1 to Borgarnes, then turn off onto Route 54 towards the peninsula. The distance from Gullfoss to the entrance to the peninsula is around 170km, a 2h15-hour drive.
This extension requires at least one extra night. We suggest you spend the night in Borgarnes or Grundarfjordur, then devote the next day to exploring Snæfellsnes before returning to Reykjavik.
Trying to do the Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes in the same day is far too ambitious.
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
On a road trip around Iceland
If you’re touring Iceland via Route 1 (Ring Road), the Snæfellsnes Peninsula represents a one-day detour from the main itinerary. The junction is in Borgarnes, at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 54. Allow a full day to circumnavigate the peninsula and return to Borgarnes, or two days if you want to take your time.
See our itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
We consider this one of the most rewarding detours of the Icelandic road trip. The density of landscapes on a limited perimeter has no equivalent elsewhere on Route 1.
Good to know: from Stykkishólmur, a ferry (the Baldur) links the peninsula to the village of Brjánslækur in the West Fjords. If your road trip includes this region, it’s a great alternative to the long overland route. The crossing takes about 2h45 and is suitable for vehicles. See ferry schedules and availability.
Following the Silver Circle
Combining the Silver Circle and Snæfellsnes is an itinerary we often recommend. After visiting Hraunfossar and the Vidgelmir lava tube, you return to Borgarnes, then turn off onto Route 54 towards the peninsula.
This extension requires at least one extra night. We suggest you spend the night in Borgarnes or Grundarfjordur, then devote the next day to exploring Snæfellsnes before returning to Reykjavik.
Trying to do the Silver Circle and Snæfellsnes in the same day is too ambitious.
Directly from Keflavík Airport
If Snæfellsnes is your first destination in Iceland, you can drive directly from Keflavík Airport without passing through Reykjavik. The route takes Route 1 north around the capital, then Route 54 to the peninsula. The total distance is around 200km, or 2h15 to 2h30 of driving.
This option works well if you land in the morning and want to save time. Car rental agencies are located in the immediate vicinity of the Keflavík terminal – most have free shuttles to their parking lots.
By public bus
The Strætó public bus network serves the Snæfellsnes peninsula via Borgarnes and Stykkishólmur.
However, this is not a very practical option for visiting the peninsula. Frequencies are low – one or two departures a day in summer, even fewer out of season – and stops do not directly serve natural sites. The bus will drop you off in the villages (Stykkishólmur, Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík), from where you’ll need to find a way to reach the points of interest.
How to get to Iceland: Keflavík International Airport
Keflavík International Airport (IATA code: KEF) is Iceland’s air gateway. Located on the Reykjanes peninsula, around 50km southwest of Reykjavik, it handles almost all the country’s international flights.
Main flight connections to KEF
- From France: direct flights from Paris (Icelandair, PLAY, Transavia), seasonal flights from Lyon, Bordeaux and Nice.
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (Icelandair, easyJet in season)
- From Belgium: Brussels (Icelandair, PLAY)
- From the UK: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow (Icelandair, easyJet, PLAY, Wizz Air)
- From Scandinavia: Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki (Icelandair, SAS, PLAY, Norwegian)
- From North America: New York, Boston, Washington, Toronto, Seattle and other cities (Icelandair, PLAY, Delta). Iceland is a frequent stopover on transatlantic routes – Icelandair offers a free stopover in Reykjavik.
- From Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich (Icelandair, PLAY, Eurowings)
Connections are more numerous from April to October. In winter, supply is reduced, but Icelandair and PLAY maintain regular flights from the main European and North American capitals.
And once on the Snæfellsnes peninsula…
Once on the peninsula, there’s plenty to explore. Here are a few highlights:
- Snæfellsjökull, a glacier volcano in the heart of a national park
- Kirkjufell and its waterfall, Iceland’s most photographed mountain
- Lóndrangar cliffs and Djúpalónssandur beach
- The Black Church of Búðir, isolated on the edge of a lava field
- The fishing village of Arnarstapi and the coastal promenade to Hellnar
- Ytri Tunga seal colony (especially in summer)
- Stykkishólmur, a charming fishing port in the north of the peninsula
See the peninsula’s top attractions.
PLAN YOUR SUMMER TRIP TO iceland
- Best of
What to do in Iceland
The most beautiful waterfalls
The most beautiful black sand beaches
Volcanic craters to climb
Lava caves to visit
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Summer travel tips
How to rent a car in Iceland
Driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
What to do in Reykjavik
Best attractions in the Golden Circle
South Coast attractions
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Silver Circle
Lake Myvatn attractions
