In winter, the magnificent Snaefellsnes peninsula is covered in a heavy blanket of white, highlighting its volcanic formations and natural treasures: waterfalls, mountains, lava fields, caves…
Here’s our selection of the best attractions to discover around Snaefellsnes in winter.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Snaefellsnes Peninsula winter attractions: Map
To get you started, here’s some guidance: a map with our attractions listed in this article (Malariff is almost in the same place as Londrangar):
The Sanefellsnes Peninsula is one of our favorite regions in Iceland, even in winter.
The scenery is less impressive than on the south coast or in the Golden Circle, but the atmosphere is, in our opinion, more magical, with beaches, fjords, volcanoes and lava fields.
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Tips for visiting Snaefellsnes in the snow
How long
A day trip from Reykjavik is possible, but in winter it’s a bit tight. The roads are tougher and the days shorter.
If you’re on a road trip around the Ring Road. A day trip from Borgarnes is ideal. But if you’ve got two days to enjoy the place, that’s even better!
By car: Driving in South Iceland in winter
For more freedom to visit what you want, we recommend renting a car and exploring on your own. Just driving around the peninsula is superb!
Normally, the roads are cleared quickly enough for access. But during snowstorms, roads may be closed at the last minute – always check the status of roads on Umferdin.
There are two major difficulties on this peninsula:
- It’s a very windy region
- To reach the northern part of the peninsula, turn from Route 56 to Route 54. This passes through a “mountain pass” which can be covered in snow. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any doubts. And read the last conditions.
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Organized tours from Reykjavik
If you don’t want to drive, you can join an organized tour.
There’s less choice than in summer, but you’ll still find interesting programs, always with a stopover in Kirkjufell and Arnarstapi.
Almost everyone is in small groups, no large buses.
See day tour options – see availability on your dates
View multi-day tour options – see availability on your dates
Where to stay in Snaefellsnes in winter
Whether in summer or winter, the places to stay are similar, even if not all B&Bs and guesthouses are open.
The two main options are:
- Borgarnes, inland at the junction between Route 1 and the access road to Snaefellsnes
- Grundarfjordur to be right next to Kirkjufell and admire the northern lights with a bit of luck.
See our article on where to stay on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
We really liked the Hamar hotel in Borganes (photos above) – see photos and availability
Accessibility in winter
There are marked trails with varying degrees of clearance, depending on weather conditions, so you can easily get to the attractions.
Be careful, with snow and ice on the ground, it can be slippery. We recommend you always carry cleats with you to add to your shoes. See our article on winter packing (coming soon)
And now we’re sharing our favourite places on the peninsula!
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
1. View of Kirkjufell
Why we love it
The 463-metre-high Kirkjufell mountain rises majestically on the shores of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. This is one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains. Its shape is surprising, and the place seems to have a special energy.
In winter, its striking pyramid shape is accentuated by a blanket of snow, its layers of stratified rock contrasting with the white. It’s an enchanting winter landscape.
At the edge of the fjord, you’ll find a completely unobstructed vantage point from which to admire it.
And in the opposite direction, you can see the waterfalls where we’ll be heading next!
Access and useful tips
- North coast of the peninsula
- Along Route 54
- Just west of the town of Gundarfjordur
- From Grundarfjordur = 2min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h20
- From Reykjavik = 2h20
- Roadside
- No installations, only explanatory panels
2. Kirkjufellsfoss in winter
Why we love it
Kirkjufellsfoss isn’t the most impressive of waterfalls, but it’s one of the most magical places with the Kirkjufell mountain behind it. It’s a series of two waterfalls over a height of around 16m.
In winter, the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall takes on a fairytale appearance. The falls are partially frozen, creating formations of ice and stalactites clinging to the rock face. The river is also partially frozen and snow-covered, with its pastel or intense blues.
Access and useful tips
- On the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking along Route 54, clearly signposted and unobstructed.
- From Grundarfjordur = 5min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h20 drive
- From Reykjavik = 2h30 drive
- 5-minute walk from the parking lot to reach the high waterfall
- It’s a great place to see the northern lights.
- Not available in winter, but Grundarfjordur is nearby
- Allow 1 hour
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
3. Saxholl
Why we love it
Saxhóll is a magnificent small crater, 109m high, with a metal staircase that makes it easy to climb. And when you reach the crater rim, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama.
In winter, it’s a magical place (weather permitting). The stairs are covered with a layer of snow. At the summit, lava formations contrast with the white of snow, and the surrounding landscapes of Snæfellsjökull National Park stretch out glistening with frost.
Access and useful tips
- On the west coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking along the road to the end of the peninsula
- From Grundarfjordur = 40min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h45 drive
- Just under 400 steps
- No winter installations
- Allow 1 hour
4. Vatnshellir
Why we love it
Vatnshellir cave is accessible in both summer and winter.
It’s not our favorite cave, but if you like going underground, it’s a unique place (and sheltered from the wind!).
Descending the spiral staircase, you find yourself in a world protected from the cold of winter – the 8,000-year-old lava tube maintains a constant temperature of around 5°C.
During the tour, your guide uses his flashlight to illuminate the multicolored lava formations in brilliant shades of red, green and yellow, formed by iron, copper and sulfur deposits.
You can also turn everything off to enjoy the deep silence and total darkness 200m below ground.
Access and useful tips
- On the southwest coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking along the road to the end of the peninsula
- Near Londgrangar
- From Grundarfjordur = 50min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h35 drive
- Difficult spiral staircase for people with vertigo or bad knees. And the cave is not for the claustrophobic.
- No winter installations
- Allow 1 hour
- Book your visit
UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter
- Visit an ice cave
- Glacier hiking
- Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)
5. Malariff lighthouse
Why we love it
A visit to the Malariff lighthouse and museum in winter offers a glimpse of Iceland’s maritime history in a spectacular coastal setting. The tower stands resolutely on the windswept peninsula.
Nearby, the small museum offers a respite from the elements, with exhibits on the geology of the area, the workings of the lighthouse, and the lives of the former keepers who braved these remote shores.
And, as a teaser, you can see the top of Londrangar’s basalt chimneys.
Access and useful tips
- On the southwest coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking along the road to the end of the peninsula
- Near Londgrangar
- From Grundarfjordur = 50min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h35 drive
- Easy access, flat
- Allow 30min
6. Londrangar
Why we love it
At Londrangar, the lava cliffs are dominated by two imposing basalt rock formations, one 75 metres high and the other 61 metres. These are the remains of an ancient volcanic crater carved out by the relentless waves of the Atlantic over thousands of years.
In winter, the black lava field (normally partly green due to moss) is covered with white snow, creating a striking contrast.
According to local folklore, this region is home to elves and supernatural beings. We want to believe it!
Access and useful tips
- On the southwest coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking along the road to the end of the peninsula
- From Grundarfjordur = 55min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h30 drive
- Marked path to an observation platform
- No winter installations
- Allow 15 to 30 minutes
7. Arnarstapi
Why we love it
Arnarstapi is the other famous place to visit in Snaefellsnes. A pathway allows you to observe the iconic basalt cliffs and rock formations that line the shoreline, including the famous Gatklettur Arch. What’s more, as you look inland, you’ll have a magnificent view of Arnarstapi mountain.
In winter, the landscape is even more enchanting. The mountains in the background are covered in snow, but all the lava formations in the foreground remain clearly visible.
Access and useful tips
- On the south coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking along Route 574 at the end of the peninsula
- From Grundarfjordur = 45min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h30 drive
- Marked paths all along the seafront, regularly cleared
- Allow 1 hour
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8. Budakirkja
Why we love it
You can also plan a short stop at Iceland’s most photographed church (excluding Reykjavik Cathedral). Its simple structure is typical of the country.
In the depths of winter, Budakirkja, the emblematic black church, is even more astonishing in the snowy landscape. Its anthracite wood exterior contrasts sharply with the immaculate whiteness of the snow.
Access and useful tips
- On the south coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- A short detour from Route 54
- From Grundarfjordur = 35min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h20 drive
- Parking right next door
- No winter installations
>> More photos in our dedicated article
9. Ytri Tunga beach and seals
Why we love it
Winter is not the best time to see the local wildlife. But this beach is one of your best chances. Here you can see seals relaxing on the rocks.
We saw some from a distance, but because we were so tired, we didn’t climb the rocks to get close, so we don’t have any good photos.
But apart from the beach, and the photos, we found the landscape inland one of the most beautiful on the whole peninsula. Here’s a photo:
Access and useful tips
- On the south coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Parking close to Route 54
- From Grundarfjordur = 45 min drive
- From Borgarnes = 1h drive
- No winter installations
10. Simply admiring the scenery while driving
But the whole peninsula is magnificent. Just driving between the sites, you’ll be fascinated by the landscape of lava fields, fjords, waterfalls and volcanoes.
Several times, for example, you’ll see walls covered with hundreds of stalactites!
And on a clear day, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to discover the Snæfellsjökull glacier at the heart of the peninsula. It rises to an altitude of 1446m and is famous for being the starting point of Jules Verne’s Journey to Earth.
Activities in Sanefellsnes
In summer, you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities on the peninsula and, in particular, on the glacier: quad biking, kayaking, Viking cruises, puffin watching…
But in winter, almost everything closes down.
Some hot springs remain open in winter, such as..:
- Gudrúnarlaug, but parking is difficult in winter
- Lýsuhólslaug but only on certain weekends
Towns on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
Grundarfjordur
Grundarfjordur is the heart of Snaefellsnes in winter, next to the iconic Kirkjufell. Its colorful houses and charming port are covered in snow, and surrounded by beautiful black and white mountains.
Olafsvik
Ólafsvík is a picturesque fishing village also located on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. In winter, its colorful houses and boats disappear, covered in snow. It’s a very small village. But on a clear day, we recommend a quick stop to admire the view from the black pebble beach.
Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur, a town on the north coast, is surprising with its futuristic church and colorful houses that stand out against the white of the snow. Stroll through the runes and soak up the warm, wintry atmosphere of this charming Icelandic village.
Combine with Cercle d’Argent
From Borgarnes, you can also do another one-day loop: Iceland’s Silver Circle.
This scenic route is accessible all year round, even in winter. The main winter attractions are
- the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls with their intense blue water
- Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, whose water smokes at almost 100°C and gushes out at 180L/s.
- The Vidgelmir lava tube, where in winter you can see amazing ice formations such as frozen stalagmites created by drops of water.
- The “Into the Glacier” experience, which takes you in a 4WD truck on a glacier and then into a tunnel dug into the Langjökull glacier.
>> Read more in our Winter Silver Circle article (coming soon).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Snaefellsnes peninsula worth a visit in winter?
Yes, absolutely. The Snaefellsnes peninsula is a wonderful region that is just as magical in winter. You’ll find glacier-carved fjords, waterfalls that partially freeze in winter, giant lava formations where you might see a troll, volcanic craters, black sand beaches… It’s Iceland in miniature.
When is the best time to visit Snaefellsnes in winter?
The winter season in Iceland generally runs from November to March. February and March offer the best winter conditions: longer days for sightseeing and good conditions to see the Northern Lights over Kirkjufell!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
