Why The Snæfellsnes Peninsula Should Be On Your Iceland Itinerary

For more information about The Budir Hotel/Budir Church/ Photo Credit: Matlai Photography

We chose the Snæfellsnes Peninsula as our wedding day location because it offered exactly what we dreamed of: sweeping views, dramatic landscapes, and incredible variety — all within driving distance for a half day of unforgettable photography. With fewer crowds and more budget-friendly accommodations than Iceland’s more famous spots, Snæfellsnes turned out to be the perfect backdrop for our destination wedding and holds a special place in our heart. We may be bias, but here's why we believe the Snæfellsnes Peninsula should be added to your next Iceland Itinerary!

For more information about planning a destination wedding/elopement in Iceland!

Often called “Iceland in Miniature,” the Snæfellsnes Peninsula has it all — charming fishing villages, cascading waterfalls, rugged coastlines, and black sand beaches that rival any in Iceland. Just under two hours north of Reykjavík, it’s easy to visit on a day trip, but there’s so much packed into this stunning region that we wholeheartedly recommend giving it a few days on your itinerary, especially if you only have a few days and are based in Reykjavik.

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland and want a place that feels wild yet accessible, dramatic yet peaceful, here’s why the Snæfellsnes Peninsula deserves a spot on your Iceland Itinerary:

Variety: Experience Iceland’s iconic natural wonders — glaciers, lava fields, mountains, and beaches — in one compact area with manageable driving distances.
Wildlife: Keep an eye out for seals lounging on beaches, whales and dolphins just offshore, and even the elusive Arctic fox.
Fewer Crowds: Compared to the Golden Circle and South Coast, you’ll find plenty of space to explore in peace.

Where to Stay: Miðhraun Lava Resort

We are solely recommending the Miðhraun Lava Resort, not because there are not other great accommodations on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula but we just loved it that much and feel like it offers exceptional value for your hard earned dollar! Snæfellsnes is more remote with less options for accommodations but we wanted a location that included some amenities/things to do on the property AND a space that could accommodate a small celebration meal aka- a REALLY good restaurant! We also wanted to be centrally located on the peninsula for ease of exploring.

Miðhraun Lava Resort checked off all the boxes! We booked a large conference style house on the property with room for 15 people and included a large kitchen and dining area. One of the families booked their own two bedroom apartment on the property as well. We really liked the variety of options on the resort that could accommodate everyone but still allow everyone to be together on the same property. Miðhraun Lava Resort is one of the major reasons the Snæfellsnes Peninsula should be added to your Iceland itinerary. We booked through Booking.com/Expedia which allowed us to book well in advance but still have the option of altering the reservation in case family or friends changed their mind or others wanted to join at the last minute.

Some of our favorite family memories were made at Miðhraun Lava Resort — soaking in the steamy hot tub and sauna, kids running wild on the playground, and lazy evenings watching sheep wander by. Miðhraun has that laid-back, welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home. One of our best moments? Our youngest went fishing and came back with enough catch to cook up the freshest, tastiest dinner for everyone — it doesn’t get more Icelandic than that! After our wedding ceremony, we celebrated with a cozy private meal in the resort’s loft — amazing food, big laughs, and just when we thought the day couldn’t get better, the sky lit up with the brightest rainbow. A perfect reward for surviving Iceland’s wild wind and rain!

"Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future: he lives as if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived."

Dalai Lama- Quote on the Wall of Miðhraun Resort

Things to Do In The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

There are so many incredible options of things to do in The Snaefellsnes Peninsula in a mush more compressed area. Simply driving around will afford you stunning views of waterfalls, rocky coastline and black sand beaches. Dubbed "mini-Iceland" - Snaefellsnes contains so much beauty and variety packed into 350 square miles. And did we mention, with significantly less crowds!

Arnarstapi

We chose Arnarstapi for our ceremony for its dramatic cliffs and stunning ocean views, reminiscent of the Maine coastline. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The Gatklettur to Hellnar trail is a 2.1 mile, easy hiking trail that takes you along the coastline and we consider a MUST SEE when exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Stop in at the Snjofell Restaurant for a great outdoor lunch or dinner.

Photos by Matlai Photography

Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell is considered the most photographed mountain in Iceland. We missed this on our first trip but snuck this in before our whale watch. There are so many places in Iceland where you will wonder if you have arrived on another planet and Kirkjufell feels like another world- Kirkjufell was featured in the Game of Thrones! Popular at sunset and sunrise, we recommend at least a quick stop off to see this iconic Icelandic mountain.

Djupalonssandur Black Sand Beach

We were so excited to have some photographs taken at this Black Sand beach with literally no one else in sight! Raining, windy and cold- we hiked down onto the beach with our chins to our chest. Although Reynisfjara is incredibly impressive, the crowds really take away from the grandeur and this beach all to ourselves felt like a Game of Thrones kind of moment. On a sunny day or at sunrise, this would be the most incredible spot to spend a few hours!

Ytri Tunga Beach

Even without the seals, the views from Ytri Tunga are impressive on their own. Add in watching these little sea creatures frolic in the sea and you'll be mesmerized for hours! There are many vantage points to see the seals and kids will love looking for them amongst the rocks. Wear sturdy shoes to walk out on the rocks but keep your distance, you are a guest in their home!

Snaefellsjökull National Park

At the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula sits Snæfellsjökull National Park — a wild, otherworldly landscape dominated by the mighty Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. This mystical peak has inspired writers and dreamers for centuries — most famously serving as the gateway to the Earth’s core in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. Unfortunately the Glaciers of Iceland continue to recede and this specific glacier is predicted to disappear as early as 2050- according to Arctic Portal.

The park is a playground of dramatic contrasts: black lava fields blanketed in moss, towering sea cliffs teeming with birdlife, hidden caves, crashing waves, and beaches where you’ll feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world. On clear days, the glacier glows like a crown above it all, visible from miles away — some locals even believe it’s a source of spiritual energy.

Whether you’re hiking coastal trails, exploring Vatnshellir lava cave, spotting seals along the rugged shoreline, or just standing still to feel the raw power of Icelandic nature, Snæfellsjökull National Park is a place that makes you believe in legends — and maybe even create your own.

For information about booking a tour to some of Snæfellsjökull National Park's wonders consider one of Trip Advisor's Guided Tours.

Murals of Hellissandur

A quick drive through Hellissandur will afford you views of some beautiful large scale murals that celebrate Iceland. Great a little detour with multiple stops, plan to spend a half an hour admiring these incredible pieces of art!

Excursions:

There is really no need to plan excursions in Iceland and this makes Iceland a great option for planning large group travel. So much can be easily seen on a self driving tour and it's easy to linger longer in places that you love and just do a quick drive by on attractions less interesting to you. There are two things you may want to book as excursions that can't be experienced on your own: Fishing trips and whale watches.

The Whale Watch From Hell....

This will forever go down as one of my biggest travel mistakes. Planning an entire 8 day excursion for 16 people takes a lot of coordination and communication. When I was booking a Fishing Trip excursion and a Whale Watch excursion for two different groups I was trying to line up the timing and was vetting multiple time slots. I thought I had booked the whale watch for a morning slot but when we arrived it turns out I had actually booked one later in the afternoon.

Unfortunately the morning boat was full and we had to wait for the afternoon boat. The staff was amazing and did everything they could to try and accommodate my mistake but in the end, the seas continued building all day and by the time we went out, the seas were incredibly rough. This is Iceland... they do not cater to the weak stomachs of Americans and we spent the 3 hours incredibly sea sick. We had also taken the same excursion in 2021 where we were blessed with calm seas and sunshine but on this particular day, Mother Nature had a different plan. Luckily, our counterparts on the fishing trip pulled in an incredible haul and we were rewarded with a fresh fish dinner after our rough day at sea. Lesson learned...double check your bookings and bring Dramamine! The real lesson is that sometimes things do not go as planned despite careful planning and I was incredibly grateful that my family was understanding. We have a fun story to tell and a memory that will not soon be forgotten!

Design Your Own Itinerary... make it Your Adventure

We have not provided a specific driving route recommendation for a reason. There are so many variations of itineraries that everyone should create their own based on their interests and time. We use a simple color coded method when planning our itineraries. Use a piece of blank paper for each day and color coded sticky notes with attractions that interest you. As you research and find inspiration, start plotting these on your sticky notes. One color for accommodations, one color for priority destinations and tours and one color for "would be fun to see if there's time". Add in one more color for restaurants. Start plotting these on the blank pieces of paper based on location and distance and VOILA - you now have a custom made itinerary! This really helps us prioritize our MUST SEE DESTINATIONS and allows us to pivot/switch gears when things might not go as planned. It also helps us to see what's realistic in the time we have devoted to each area and to have a ready made list of add- on activities if time allows. Looking for a multi-day itinerary for Iceland? For more information on visiting the South Coast of Iceland!