Discover dramatic landscapes on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The 100-kilometre-long headland juts into the Atlantic Ocean and cradles a wonderland of sandy beaches, soaring volcanic peaks and shimmering fjords. Visit eye-popping Game of Thrones filming locations, visit local history museums and try Icelandic delicacies like fermented shark.
Things to do in Snæfellsnes
The lively town of Stykkishólmur is an ideal base to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Colourful wooden warehouses line the harbour and give Stykkishólmur a postcard-perfect look. Learn about the town’s maritime heritage at Norska Húsið, a small museum housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building. Scenic boat tours depart from the harbour and take you to magnificent Breiðafjörður Fjord and Flatey Island.
Hike through otherworldly lava fields in Snæfellsjökull National Park. The park is on the western tip of the peninsula and anchored by a glacier-capped volcano. Guided expeditions take you to the 1,446-metre-high summit. On clear days, the sparkling glacier can be seen from Reykjavík. Easier trails take you to destinations like Djúpalónssandur Beach, an arc of jet-black volcanic sand framed by towering cliffs.
Challenge your palate at the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum. The museum is housed on a working farmstead and produces “hákarl” fermented shark meat, a traditional Icelandic delicacy. Exhibits cover the fishing, fermenting and drying processes. Tours end with a sample of hákarl and a glass of throat-tingling schnapps.
The larger-than-life Gerduberg Cliffs look like they’ve been carved by giants. Ancient lava flows formed the hexagon-shaped basalt columns, which create a soaring rock wall. Some of the tallest columns are 14 metres high.
Spot seals sunbathing on Ytri Tunga Beach. Instead of the volcanic black sand you’ll see at most beaches on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Ytri Tunga features a strip of golden sand. In addition to its spectacular coastal scenery, it’s one of the best places in Iceland to see seals.
Also known as Church Mountain, Kirkjufell is one of the most photographed attractions in Iceland. It’s featured in Game of Thrones, as well as countless other films and TV shows. You can climb the peak with a guide, though most people admire the mountain from the cascading Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall.
Getting around Snæfellsnes
Rental cars offer the freedom to explore Snaefellsnes at your own pace. The peninsula has well-maintained roads and is a two-hour drive from Reykjavík. Local buses run between towns and villages across the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.