2-Day Snaefellsnes Peninsula Itinerary

Iceland is a one-of-a-kind destination packed with otherworldly nature. We’re talking lava fields, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, incredible wildlife, and more. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is one of the most diverse regions you can visit, and because it’s small, you can fit in a ton in just a few action-packed days. This 2-day Snaefellsnes Peninsula itinerary takes you from Reykjavik and back on an incredibly scenic road trip around the coast of the peninsula, stopping at 10 top sites along the way (mapped below). It also includes a seasonal option to add on a puffin or whale-watching tour!

Check out the Top Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tours and more Iceland travel guides!

After driving from Reykjavik down incredibly scenic coastal highways, the first stop on the peninsula is Ytri Tunga beach. It has a year-round resident seal colony! This experience was such a highlight for me. I could have spent hours watching the seals playing in the water and flopping along on their bellies on the shore. The fact that tourists respected the request on signs to not disturb the animals by keeping quiet, at a distance, and keeping the beach clean made for a really peaceful and enjoyable experience in harmony with nature.

Drive Time to Get Here: 2 hours and 10 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 1 hour

This remote, wooden black church in Búðir is striking against the sky, sea, and lava fields that surround it. Make sure to peek inside the windows if the church is closed!

Drive Time to Get Here: 20 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 30 minutes

Arnarstapi is covered in lava fields with a lovely harbor, dramatic coastal cliffs, and basalt columns. While walking the town’s coastline, you’ll pass the statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, a legendary half-troll, half-man in Icelandic folklore. He’s said to have been an early settler in the region and the protector of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. There’s also a jaw-dropping, arch-shaped rock formation above the water called Gatklettur. Photos don’t do it justice!

There’s a scenic and relatively easy 45-minute coastal hike from Arnarstapi to Hellnar. Hellnar’s seafront Fjöruhúsið Cafe is known for its fish soup and baked goods, so makes a good lunch stop once you get there (by hiking or a 10-minute drive). If the cafe’s closed (always check before, most restaurants aren’t open year-round!), have lunch in Arnarstapi.

Drive Time to Get Here: 20 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 45 minutes-1 hour in Arnarstapi; 1.5 hours for the roundtrip hike between Arnarstapi and Hellnar; 45-minute lunch

Lóndrangar’s striking basalt cliffs are nicknamed “the rocky castle” for the two peaks that tower high in the sky. Local farmers never cultivated the fields around the cliffs because, according to Icelandic folklore, the land belongs to the elves that live there!

Drive Time to Get Here: 10 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 30 minutes

Djúpalónssandur is one of Iceland’s black sand beaches. It has two lagoons, distinct rock formations, and ancient “lifting stones” used long ago to test fishermen’s strength! You’ll also find the remains of an English ship that was shipwrecked on the beach in 1948.

Drive Time to Get Here: 10 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 45 minutes

Hellissandur is a street art lover’s dream! It’s filled with incredible murals reflecting the country’s rich natural surroundings and wildlife. The town is small enough that you can park and walk around looking for murals. But if you’re tired, you can cruise through in the car.

Drive Time to Get Here: 20 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 30-45 minutes

Grundarfjörður is a picturesque fishing village with a view of Kirkjufell mountain. The town has a great restaurant, Bjargarsteinn Mathús, so it’s a good place for dinner and to spend the night.

Drive Time to Get Here: 30 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: Overnight

Start day two exploring charming Grundarfjörður. There are stone sculptures around town by local folk artist Lúðvík Karlsson. You can visit him at Liston Art Gallery and Workshop. Bæringsstofa, inside the Saga Center, is a photo exhibition that showcases Grundarfjörður-native Bæring Cecilsson’s photography of the town from the years 1938 to 2000.

Between February and September, you can go on a 3-hour whale-watching tour! The tour departs from Olafsvik, which is 20 minutes away, at 10:00 AM daily during the season. Olafsvik is the best place in Iceland to see orcas! The same tour operator, Láki Tours, offers shorter puffin-watching tours from June to August that depart from Grundarfjörður in the morning. Note that they’re not able to offer this tour in 2024 due to an issue with their boat.

Drive Time to Get Here: N/A | Estimated Stop Time: 1 hour in Grundarfjörður; 1.5-3 hours for the puffin or whale-watching tour

Kirkjufell mountain is famous for its iconic shape (and being featured in Game of Thrones). It’s one of Iceland’s most photographed spots. Next to it are the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls. Visit during sunrise, sunset, or under the Northern Lights for the best photo opportunity.

Drive Time to Get Here: 5 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 30 minutes

Stykkishólmur is a picturesque town by a bay of islets. Highlights are walking around the harbor where most of the wooden buildings are 150 years old and crossing the causeway to Súgandisey to see views from the lighthouse. You can visit the Norska Húsið museum for a glimpse of 19th-century Iceland. Stop for lunch by the harbor at Hafnarvagninn Fish & Chips.

Drive Time to Get Here: 35 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 2 hours, including lunch

The Landbrotalaug hot spring is surrounded by nature and can fit 2-3 people. It’s free, very rustic, and has no facilities for changing or washing off, so it may not be for everyone. You can visit year-round. Wear a bathing suit, waterproof shoes to walk to the spring, and bring towels. From the parking lot, walk straight ahead across the stream to reach the right hot spring!

Hot spring etiquette: Though there are no facilities here, you should always be clean going into hot springs. Don’t bring any glass or litter, and try not to take too long if others are waiting.

Drive Time to Get Here: 45 minutes | Estimated Stop Time: 30-45 minutes

After the hot spring, it’s a scenic 1 hour and 40-minute drive back to Reykjavik!