- From Reykjavík
- ~2 h
- Day trip round trip
- ~350 km
- Snæfellsjökull
- 1,446 m
- Kirkjufell
- 463 m
The Snæfellsnes loop
The peninsula juts 90 km into the sea north of Reykjavík. From the capital, drive Route 1 through the Hvalfjörður tunnel to Borgarnes (75 km, 1 hour), then Route 54 west along the south coast of the peninsula. Most visitors drive the loop clockwise: the south coast and Snæfellsjökull National Park first, round the western tip, and back along the north coast past Ólafsvík, Grundarfjörður and Kirkjufell, ending in Stykkishólmur or returning to Reykjavík via Route 56.
Allow a full day of 10 to 12 hours from Reykjavík, or better, spend a night on the peninsula. Roads are paved, though Route 56 across the mountains and the short road to Lóndrangar can be icy in winter.
Highlights
- Kirkjufell: the arrowhead mountain with a waterfall in front, especially striking at sunset and under the northern lights.
- Arnarstapi to Hellnar: an easy 2.5 km cliff walk between two villages, past basalt arches and nesting kittiwakes.
- Djúpalónssandur: black pebbles, shipwreck debris and lifting stones on a dramatic cove.
- Snæfellsjökull National Park: lava fields, craters and the Vatnshellir lava cave. Summer snowcat tours go onto the glacier.
- Búðir black church and the golden beach at Ytri Tunga, where seals often haul out.
- Stykkishólmur: a charming harbour town and the start of Breiðafjörður boat tours with sea eagles and fresh scallops.
Vatnshellir lava cave tours take about an hour and go 35 m below the surface. Helmets and lights are provided.
Book Vatnshellir cave ↗Where to stay on Snæfellsnes
Accommodation is spread thin. Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur have the most choice, Arnarstapi and Búðir have a few hotels near the national park, and Ólafsvík and Hellissandur are convenient for the western tip.
Staying overnight lets you photograph Kirkjufell at sunset without the day-trip crowds.
Hotels on Snæfellsnes ↗Continuing to the Westfjords
The car ferry Baldur sails from Stykkishólmur across Breiðafjörður to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords in about 2.5 hours, saving a long drive. Book ahead for a car in summer.
Plan your trip to Snæfellsnes
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Snæfellsnes from Reykjavík?
Arnarstapi is about 190 km from Reykjavík, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes by car. Kirkjufell is about 180 km via Route 56 across the peninsula.
Can you do Snæfellsnes in one day?
Yes. A loop from Reykjavík is around 350–400 km and takes 10 to 12 hours with stops. Staying one night makes it much more relaxed.
Where is the Kirkjufell parking?
The car park for Kirkjufellsfoss is on Route 54 just west of Grundarfjörður. Parking is paid by app or machine.
When can you see seals at Ytri Tunga?
Seals are most reliably seen at Ytri Tunga in June and July, especially around low tide.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.