Planning to visit the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in 1 day? It’s possible! Often dubbed “Iceland in miniature”, this peninsula concentrates a striking diversity of landscapes in just a few dozen kilometers: fjords, lava fields, waterfalls, cliffs, glaciers and fishing villages.
Here is our ideal itinerary for visiting Snaefellsnes in 1 day!
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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Practical tips for visiting Snaefellsnes in 1 day
What can you see in Snaefellsnes in 1 day? Is it long enough?
One day is enough to discover the peninsula’s five must-see sites: Kirkjufell, Saxhóll Crater, Lóndrangar, Arnarstapi and Búðakirkja. You’ll enjoy varied panoramas along the way, but you’ll have to make choices and not stop everywhere.
Map of must-see attractions
Just a 2-hour drive northwest of Reykjavik, Snaefellsnes lends itself perfectly to a day trip, whether as a stopover on a road trip around Iceland or as a getaway from the capital.
To help you find your way around our itinerary below, here’s our map of the main tourist attractions in Snaefellsnes:
And if you want to create your own itinerary, check out our article on the best attractions on the peninsula.
Getting around the Snaefellsnes peninsula
A car is essential for exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Route 54 circles the entire territory, and the main sites are just a few minutes from this main road. A classic car (2WD) is sufficient for most summer stops.
Only mountain roads (570, F575) require 4WD. For this one-day itinerary, a classic car is all you need.
Car option: See all our tips for renting a car in Iceland.
Guided option: If you don’t want to drive, day trips depart from Reykjavik. See available options.
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Where to sleep: in Borgarnes or on the peninsula
If you’re dedicating a day to Snaefellsnes as part of a road trip around Iceland, you have two options for the night. Borgarnes, located on Route 1, makes a good base before or after your exploration of the peninsula. You can also sleep directly on the peninsula, in Grundarfjörður, Arnarstapi or Stykkishólmur, to enjoy the morning or evening light over the landscape.
See our article on the best places to stay in Snaefellsnes.
Our ideal itinerary: 1 day in Snaefellsnes
This is our ideal itinerary. He imagines you’ve come on a road trip from Route 1.
We’ve tried to help you cover as many places as possible without overloading you with too much to really enjoy.
Start by heading north or south on Route 54 to reach Route 56.
Stop 1: Route 56 and Selvallavatn and Selvallafoss viewpoints
Selvallavatn is an excellent introduction to the peninsula. On a clear day, the panorama of Lake Selvallavatn and the colorful hills surrounding it offers a glimpse of Snaefellsnes’ geological diversity: lake, volcanic crater, lava field.
Either make a short stop or head downhill to see a small waterfall called Selvallafoss.
Allow 10 to 40min depending on your exploration.
Stop 2: Viewpoint over Kirkjufell
You’ve now reached the north coast. Stop short of the town of Grundarfjordur to admire the iconic mountain of Kirkjufell.
Take a look at its slender 463m-high form and its strata. Its conical silhouette rises from the water’s edge
Allow 10 minutes.
Stop 3: Kirkjufellsfoss
Continue to the peninsula’s most emblematic site, west of the village of Grundarfjörður. In the foreground, twin waterfalls, the Kirkjufellsfoss, complete a panorama with the mountain behind.
The site is best visited early in the morning, before the busloads of day visitors arrive. You’ll still find a few early-morning photographers, but the atmosphere will be much more peaceful. Footpaths run alongside the waterfalls on both sides.
Pay parking.
Allow 30min to 1h depending on your taste for photography
Read all our tips in our dedicated article.
OUR GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR Dream trip
Stop 4: Saxhóll crater
A 40-minute drive to the south-west takes you to the Saxhóll crater. This red volcanic cone, partially lined with moss, can be climbed using a metal staircase. From the summit, you can discover the interior of the crater, but above all an exceptional panorama of the tip of the peninsula and the Snaefellsjökull glacier. We found this short climb very rewarding for the view it offered, one of the widest of our day.
Allow 30-45 minutes.
Stop 5: Djúpalónssandur beach
Djúpalónssandur is one of the most beautiful black sand beaches on the peninsula and in Iceland. This highly photogenic area features dark, ocean-polished pebbles, coves framed by lava formations and the rusting remains of a former British trawler. The nearby cove of Dritvík completes the visit. We recommend that you take a few minutes to discover these two beaches side by side.
Allow 20 to 40min.
The site may be temporarily closed to preserve nature.
And beware of sneaky waves: don’t get too close to the water’s edge.
Stop 6: Lóndrangar cliffs
A few minutes’ drive further on, the Lóndrangar cliffs are among the peninsula’s most beautiful sites. Two basalt pillars, remnants of an ancient crater eroded by the ocean, face the waves. The spectacle is breathtaking: breakers crash against the foot of these columns, while seabirds nest in the walls.
We loved lingering here to watch the ballet between sea and rock, surrounded by a moss-covered lava field.
Duration: 15 to 30min
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Stop 7: Arnarstapi
Continue on to Arnarstapi, a small coastal village nestled at the foot of the Snaefellsjökull glacier. Its main attraction is the walk along the cliffs, revealing spectacular lava formations. The natural arch of Gatklettur, rock bridges and columns sculpted by erosion are a 15-minute walk one way. For those of us who love rock formations, this trail was a real treat, especially when the mountains loom in the background on a clear day.
Allow around 1 hour for the complete walk and return to the parking lot.
Enjoy lunch in Arnarstapi: the village has restaurants, cafés and a petrol station. It’s time to gather your strength for the rest of the itinerary.
Stop 8: Budakirkja, the black church
A few minutes’ drive east, Budakirkja is a small, all-black church, isolated in the middle of a lava field on the south coast. Its dark silhouette contrasts intensely with the green of the moss in summer. On a clear day, the Snaefellsjökull glacier can be seen in the background, completing a very photogenic setting. The church is closed to the public except for local ceremonies and weddings, and can only be admired from the outside. We’ve found that the atmosphere here is unique, whatever the weather.
Allow 5 to 15 minutes
Stop 9: Ytri-Tunga
If time permits, finish your loop with a stop at Ytri-Tunga, one of Iceland’s best places to observe seals in their natural habitat. Seals regularly bask on the beach rocks, on sunny or overcast days. We advise you to bring binoculars, as the rocks are slippery to get close to, and it’s best to keep your distance (at least 50m). The site also offers beautiful views of the peninsula’s mountains.
Allow 15min to 1h depending on the number of seals present
Stop 10: Gerduberg basalt columns
Gerduberg is a natural wall of hexagonal basalt columns, visible from Route 54 to the south of the peninsula. These regular formations are several metres high and seem to form a protective wall for the magnificent crater behind (Ytri-Rauðarmelskúla).
The site is quick to discover and an easy stop on any itinerary. We found the place interesting for its natural geometry, even if the visit remains brief.
Alternative 1: Hiking
If you like walking, you can replace some stops with short hikes:
- in the Raudfeldsgja canyon, a narrow gorge carved out of the mountains on the south coast.
- to Svödufoss waterfall, near Olafsvik
- Eldborg Crater
- Grundarfoss waterfall
Alternative 2: Local culture
To find out a little more about local life and the history of the peninsula, discover..:
- the town of Grundarfjordur and its fishing boats
- the Malarrif lighthouse and its small exhibition on the geology, flora and fauna of the coastal zone
Alternative 3: Off the beaten track
If you have a 4WD, you can get away from the crowds to discover Route 558, called Berserkjahraunsvegur, cuts through a vast moss-covered lava field to the north of the peninsula. This is one of Iceland’s most beautiful lava fields: the twisted shapes of the rock, softened by a carpet of intense green moss, create a landscape that seems frozen in time.
Alternative 4: Activities
For those looking for a more immersive experience, the peninsula also offers supervised activities. They generally take half a day to complete, and are designed to replace certain stops on the main itinerary:
- Vatnshellir Cave: an underground lava tube not far from Lóndrangar. The guided tour takes you 35m underground, via a spiral staircase. Inside temperatures are around 0 to 4°C: bring warm layers and sturdy shoes. Duration: approx. 1 hour. Not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia or vertigo. Book your visit.
- Viking Sushi cruise from Stykkishólmur: this boat trip takes you among the islands of Breiðafjörður, between basalt columns and surprisingly shaped islets. On the way back, enjoy freshly caught seafood. Duration: 2 to 3 hours. Book your cruise.
- Guided hike on the Snaefellsjökull glacier: the peninsula’s highest point (1446m) is the glacier-volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. The ascent takes around 7 hours round trip and requires a guide due to the crevasses. Good physical condition required. Reserve your place. Less physical alternative: ATV ATV or snow groomer tours (3h, January to September, departure from Arnarstapi).
- Kayak to Kirkjufell: from Grundarfjörður, this kayak tour offers a unique perspective on the iconic mountain as seen from the water. See availability and book.
Snaefellsnes in winter
If you visit in winter, not everything is so accessible. But on the whole, this itinerary can be followed. You’ll just be limited by the length of the day. See our article on the best winter attractions in Snaefellsnes.
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
