Exactly How to Do a Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip from Reykjavik

Traveled in July 2026

Visiting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula as a day trip from Reykjavik was a last minute decision but ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The peninsula packs a surprising variety of stunning scenery into one day! It’s no wonder the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature.” You see black sand beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs, and magical waterfalls all in one day. Most people visiting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula pass through it while completing the whole Ring Road around Iceland. However, we visited as a self-driving day trip from Reykjavik. While it made for a long day (especially with a kid in the car), it was so worth it! If you want to see the Snafellsnes Peninsula without doing the whole Ring Road, read on for all the practical information you need to make the most of one day from Reykjavik.

Is a Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip from Reykjavik Worth It?

For me? ABSOLUTELY. The coastal landscapes and waterfalls that we saw on this day trip were some of my favorites of our entire Iceland trip. Between staying in Reykjavik and visiting museums or doing this Snaefellsnes Peninsula day trip, the day trip wins hands down. And because it takes a bit more driving to get to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, it didn’t feel as crowded as the other sights we visited in Iceland. We never had trouble finding parking, and some of the parking was free!

This self-driving day trip is not for everyone though because it is a long day in the car. The main decision point is if you are willing to spend a 10-12 hour day driving. If not, then you may be better off joining a group tour if you still want to see the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. However, while it is a long drive it’s not necessarily a hard drive. In the summer the roads are smooth (with the exception of short stretches when they are repaving) and easy to drive, without very much traffic. My husband actually found the drive to be very therapeutic compared to his local commute at home because of the gorgeous views everywhere you look.

How Long Does a Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip Take?

From door to door, we were out for a full 12 hours on our Snaefellsnes Peninsula day trip from Reykjavik. However, this also included a stop for dinner before heading back to Reykjavik. So if you were to drive straight back to Reykjavik after the last sight, it could be a 10 hour day. We also visited each sight at a slower pace because we were traveling with our preschooler. (And parents know that every walk can take double the time when your kid gets distracted by a rock or flower.)

I’ve included all the drive times between sights in the itinerary below. But to give a high level overview to help decide if it’s worth it, here are some approximate drive times:

• From Reykjavik to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: 2.5 hours
• Drive times between sights: 10-30 minutes
• Time spent at each sight: varies based on your interest, but generally 10 minutes for the sights where the parking lot is right next to the sight, and up to an hour for the sights that require a bit of walking .

When Is the Best Time to Do a Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip?

If you’re planning a self-driving Snaefellsnes Peninsula day trip, then summer is definitely the best time. The roads are clear and the days are long, so the drive is easy and you have enough daylight to cover all of the sights in one day. We rented a regular car for our trip and it handled the roads around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula without problems.

In the winter, a 4WD vehicle is definitely recommended. The roads can be icy, windy, and with poor visibility. I probably wouldn’t attempt it unless you’re very comfortable driving in snowy conditions. In inclement weather, a group tour is definitely the way to go.

Our Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip Itinerary

Ytri Tunga Beach

• Parking: parking lot located right next to the beach
• Parking fees: paid through Check-it online or using the machines at the lot.
• Distance: 2 hr 15 min drive from Reykjavik
• Bathrooms: none available

Ytri Tunga Beach is known for the seal colony that likes to sunbathe on its rocks. It’s best to visit during low tide to see the seals. Low tide changes every day, and you can look it up here. We decided to start our day trip here to coincide with low tide. But if low tide occurs later in the day on the day you visit, you could make this the last stop and go the other way around the peninsula.

Budakirkja

• Parking: parking lot located right next to the church
• Parking fees: free
• Distance: 20 min drive from Ytri Tunga Beach
• Bathrooms: none available

Budakirkja is mostly a photo stop, since the church is closed most of the time. However, on the drive there you can already start to appreciate the beauty of the landscape around the area. Just driving along the road, you see so many beautiful waterfalls.

Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoints

• Parking: parking lot located a short walk to the viewpoints
• Parking fees: free
• Distance: 20 min drive from Budakirkja
• Bathrooms: paid public restroom available across the street from the parking lot (this is when the Krapp.is app came in handy to find a nearby restroom).

The Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoints were my first wow moment of this day trip. The Gatklettur arch rock is the first arch you’ll see along the path. A little further down the path is the Stone Bridge, an arch over the ocean that you can walk over. The bridge is wider than it looks, but it does take your breath away when you have the crashing ocean waves on one side, and a cave full of nesting birds that plunges into the sea on the other side. The trail continues past the Stone Bridge, but we turned back to give our kid some time at the small playground by the parking lot.

Londrangar Viewpoint

• Parking: parking lot located a short walk to the viewpoint. Google Maps overshoots the parking lot, so just turn in when you see the parking lot. (We followed the map instead of our gut and had to backtrack!)
• Parking fees: free
• Distance: 8 min drive from Arnarstapi
• Bathrooms: none available

The Londrangar Viewpoint looks out to two dramatic basalt sea stacks rising out of the ocean. I thought it looked like a dragon and my kid thought it looked like a pirate ship. There is a hiking trail that leads down closer to the sea stacks, but we just appreciated them from the viewing platform. There’s something about these epic views with the seabirds soaring all around that makes you feel like you’re in a movie.

You can see this from the road as you’re driving. So if you’re pressed for time, you can skip the actual stop (unless you really want photos).

Djúpalónssandur Beach

• Parking: parking lot located a short walk to the beach
• Parking fees: free
• Distance: 10 min drive from Londrangar Viewpoint
• Bathrooms: available next to the parking lot

Djúpalónssandur Beach is a black pebble beach surrounded by interesting rock formations. There are a couple different paths leading from the parking lot around the beach so that you can appreciate it from different angles. We took the short 5 min path that led down to the beach. Just be careful that kids don’t get too close to the shore because the sneaker waves can be dangerous! The bits of iron scattered around the beach are from a shipwreck that occurred there many years ago. We didn’t spend too long here, but it was a nice stop for our kid to have a fun activity (throwing rocks into the ocean) after all of those viewpoints.

Svöðufoss Waterfall

• Parking: parking lot located a 15 min flat walk to the waterfall. Part of the road to the waterfall is a gravel path, but the gravel is not that rough.
• Parking fees: free
• Distance: 30 min drive from Djúpalónssandur Beach
• Bathrooms: none available

It’s really hard to pick a favorite waterfall in Iceland, but Svöðufoss is definitely a top contender for me. This was another waterfall that we had almost all to ourselves! And the approach to the waterfall is part of the charm. The boardwalk leading to the waterfall winds through peaceful pastures with Icelandic horses and sheep grazing, and the only sounds you hear are the rushing waterfall, gentle baaing of the sheep, and the birds chirping. I’m not usually a super sentimental mom, but walking towards the waterfall in this idyllic scenery, holding my kid’s hand while he chattered away about Icelandic horses, will forever be a special memory for me.

Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss

• Parking: parking lot right next to Kirkjufellsfoss
• Parking fees: pay through EasyPark app or using the machines in the lot
• Distance: 30 min drive from Svöðufoss
• Bathrooms: none available

Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss have always been striking. But now they are even more famous because they were in the Game of Thrones. And with fame comes fees. The parking fees here felt a little steep considering it’s only a quick couple minute stop to snap some photos, but you can’t drive all the way here and not stop for photos. It did look like there was a free gravel parking lot a little further down the road if you are willing to walk a bit further to avoid the fee.

Dinner at Bara Bogarnes

From Kirkjufellsfoss it’s about a 2.5 hour drive back to Reykjavik. We broke up the drive by stopping in Bogarnes for dinner. Bara Bogarnes is a cozy pub serving local lamb, fish, and local produce. The lamb chops were tender and lamb burger was juicy – probably because of all the free range grazing they get to do.

Bogarnes is a good place to fill up on gas before heading back to Reykjavik. From Bogarnes, it is a 45 minute drive back to Reykjavik.

Should You Visit Snaefellsnes on Your Own or Take a Tour?

We did this self drive day trip with a kid and still thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved having the flexibility to depart whatever time we wanted, stop for as many potty breaks as needed, and spend as little or as much time in each sight as we wanted. If you’re traveling with kids, definitely visit Snaefellsnes on your own for the added flexibility. Trying to stick to a rigid tour schedule with an unpredictable child would make it a more stressful and less enjoyable experience.

Self-driving is the better option for people who don’t mind driving, want to set your own pace, and have the flexibility to visit whatever sights you prefer. If you’re not a strong driver or are not used to driving long distances, then a group tour is a good compromise to still get a taste of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula with less time behind the wheel. However you do it, you won’t regret taking this day trip from Reykjavik.

Where to Stay If You Want More Time on Snaefellsnes

The towns on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula are quite small, so accommodations and amenities are limited. If I were to choose where to stay on the peninsula to break up the trip, these are the two towns that have a bit more amenities for tourists.

Grundarfjörður

Grundarfjörður is the town right next to Kirkjufell. It’s one of the bigger towns on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and even has a small grocery store, but it’s only considered big in comparison to the other towns. However, there is a gas station and more restaurants

Stöð Guesthouse & Apartments – standard rooms are a bit tight, but they also have family rooms and apartments that have more space and kitchenettes

Kirkjufell Guesthouse – rooms are basic, but they have a variety of room types. Some even have views of Kirkjufell mountain and some have kitchenettes

Arnarstapi

Arnarstapi is a very picturesque place to stay because of the dramatic coastal views. However, it’s a small town with just a few restaurants that are only open during the summer season. But for a one night stay, it is perfectly fine

• Arnarstapi Cottages – modern standalone cottages right next to cliff viewpoints
• Arnarstapi Hotel – modern and basic rooms with a variety of room sizes and ocean views.

Tips for Driving the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

1. Check weather and road conditions

Weather conditions change quickly in Iceland, and weather can turn an easy drive into a stressful one. We were lucky to have a sunny day when we visited the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is one of the reasons why we decided to make the day trip. SafeTravel is a helpful app for checking weather and road conditions all over Iceland.

2. Expect the drive to take longer than the Google Maps estimate

The highway around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is one lane in each direction. If the road is being repaved or if a sheep wanders onto the road, then the drive slows down considerably.

The scenery around the peninsula all along the drive is also beautiful. So you may want to leave time for pulling over for impromptu stops just to admire the view.

3. Fill up on gas when you see a gas station

This pretty much goes for everywhere in Iceland. It is good practice to always fill up on gas before your fuel tank runs low because gas stations are few and far between on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

4. Pack snacks and water

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula feels a little less touristy and developed than the Golden Circle or the sights around South Iceland. There are a few towns around the peninsula with restaurants, and some sights will have a food truck parked nearby so it’s not a food desert. But it’s always a good idea to have food and water when you’re out on the road for a 12 hour day (especially with a kid).

5. Download offline maps

We used Airalo to purchase Iceland Esims for our cell phones and the cellular coverage was generally very good along the Ring Road. However, because the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a bit more remote, we downloaded offline maps just in case. You can’t really get lost since it’s basically one road around the peninsula. But I like having Google Maps as a security blanket when driving in unfamiliar places.

6. Be flexible with the route

You can go clockwise or counterclockwise around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We were originally planning on visiting Kirkjufellsfoss first and going counterclockwise. However, I realized that visiting Ytri Tunga Beach at low tide was best for actually seeing the seals, and low tide was in the morning. So we ended up starting there and working the itinerary around that low tide.

What to Pack for a Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip

Packing for changing weather conditions and for the long car ride will make this long day trip smoother. The great thing about self driving is that you can bring as much as you want! These are the things we found helpful for this long day trip.

• Waterproof jacket: I put a packable waterproof jacket like this one into our bag for any unexpected rain showers while we’re out hiking. It doesn’t take up much space and keeps you dry!
• Fleece layers: we had sun, drizzle, and wind all in one day. Fleece layers are easy on and off and provide just enough warmth.
• Waterproof hiking shoes: the grip on hiking shoes makes me feel so much more confident while hiking. Waterproof hiking shoes are helpful in Iceland, because of the spray from waterfalls or having to step over stones in rivers while hiking.
• Water bottle: grocery stores are few and far between when road tripping Iceland. We brought our own water bottles everywhere to save money on buying water from restaurants.
• Snacks: most of the food options on the Ring Road are either food trucks or restaurants, both of which are expensive. Packing your own car snacks helps to save money during the long drive.
• Phone charging cable: we used our phone for mapping the route and taking pictures throughout the day. Having a car phone charging cable is a necessity to avoid running out of phone batteries.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses: when it’s sunny, the sun hits hard in Iceland. The wind makes it hard to wear a hat, so sunscreen and sunglasses are key.
• Tripod or selfie stick: to fully capture the sights with you in front of it, you need a tripod or selfie stick for more distance. We forgot ours and regretted it!
• Wet bag: just in case anything gets wet along the route, a wet bag is handy for keeping wet things separate from everything else.

Things to pack for kids

• Snack box: snacks are great for keeping kids entertained in the car. And a snack box will help keep those snacks from spilling.
• Car entertainment: if you’re ok with screens in the car, we use this mount to clip phones onto seat backs. Our kid also loves these stickers books. These travel magnatiles have a metal case so they won’t fall all over the place in the car. We also like to play I Spy, and there is no shortage of things to spy on this drive.
• Blankie or stuffy: bringing a blankie or stuffy makes the car a little more cozy and encourages more car naps.
• Kid’s sunscreen: this sunscreen stick has saved me so many fights with my kid over putting sunscreen on his face.
• Waterproof shoes: kids like to splash, so packing waterproof shoes to change into for any waterfalls is helpful to prevent soggy shoes and socks for the entire day.
• Waterproof jacket: a lightweight packable waterproof jacket is a great layer to throw into the backpack because the weather changes quickly in Iceland.
• Water bottle: we love this kids water bottle because our kid can open the straw easily on his own. This is especially helpful on long drives.
• Travel potty: the Snaefellsnes Peninsula isn’t as developed for tourists as the other sites in Iceland, so not every sight has a bathroom. We love our Oxo tot travel potty. We can deploy it anywhere for emergency potty breaks and it uses regular plastic bags. And you can use it on top of regular potties to make the potty opening smaller (or keep them from sitting directly on the public toilet).
• Hiking carrier: there are some walks involved on this Snaefellsnes Peninsula day trip. Most of the walks are pretty flat, but they’re definitely not stroller friendly. We love this hip seat carrier with straps (for up to 50 lb) for a smaller alternative to a hiking carrier that’s still comfortable for kids for longer distances.