Today I’m taking you on an unbelievable journey in Iceland as we explore the wonders of Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

So, buckle up and get ready to have your mind blown as I uncover the must see sights on a road trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Get a Rental Vehicle in Iceland

Having a rental vehicle is by far the best means of travel in Iceland. Offering freedom to explore the island's breathtaking scenery at your own pace. That’s why Snæfellsnes peninsula is such a perfect place to visit in Iceland. With its diverse landscape and natural beauty, like no other place on earth.

From Reykjavik you can easily drive around Snæfellsnes Peninsula in one day but it’s also well worth it to take a longer trip in this unique part of Iceland. 

Here are my suggestions of interesting places to visit when driving to Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

The Stone Bridge of Arnarstapi

The southern side of Snæfellsnes Peninsula is full of incredible sights, you can easily reach on your rental vehicle in Iceland. The first stop I recommend is the small village of Arnarstapi. 

Sitting on the footsteps of Snæfellsjökull Glacier, Arnarstapi has a stunning shoreline featuring the Gatklettur stone arch and the Stone Bridge.

Hellnar is another small community in the area I recommend visiting. There you can walk to a small beach and see amazing pillar rocks and caves carved by the Atlantic Ocean. Sitting on the top of the sea cliff above the beach is a café where you can enjoy their famous waffles with the breathtaking view.

Mysterious Snæfellsnes National Park

When driving to Snæfellsnes Peninsula you must visit Snæfellsnes National Park on the most western part of the peninsula. The national park is home to Snæfellsjökull Glacier as well as other interesting sights such as Djúpalónsandur, Vatnshellir, Lóndrangar and Öndverðarnesviti Lighthouse.

Not only is Snæfellsnes National Park packed full of gems, it's also surrounded by mystery. Snæfellsjökull Glacier is said to be a gateway to other worlds and a UFO hotspot. So keep a lookout for elves and other strange beings.

The Iconic Mountain Kirkjufell 

Flipping over to the north side of Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Passing through charming fishing towns until you see a tall and lonely mountain rising up from the sea in the shape of a cone. 

This is of course the famous mountain Kirkjufell. This iconic scenery is Iceland’s most photographed mountain and guaranteed to impress. Sitting just outside the town of Grundarfjörður, the mountain and its beautiful Kirkjufell waterfall, are a symbol of Iceland’s natural beauty and an absolute must see!

Bjarnarhöfn: Home of the Fermented Shark

Bjarnarhöfn is a legendary place. As the home of the Icelandic Shark it features all sorts of interesting things connected to Iceland’s most famous food, the fermented shark.

Bjarnarhöfn has been a harbor for shark processing for centuries. There’s a museum on site dedicated to shark hunting in Iceland and there’s still sharks being fermented there. This is arguably the best place to try fermented shark, Iceland’s must try food. 

Charming Town of Stykkishólmur

Stykkishólmur is a small town in Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Once Iceland’s main merchant hub it had an unusually strong connection to the Danish crown. The town has preserved many beautiful houses from this era. Giving Stykkishólmur a unique and glamorous old time look.Going there is like traveling back in time.

From Stykkishólmur you can also catch a boat tour to Breiðafjörður bay. Sailing between hundreds of islands, witnessing Iceland’s wildlife such as puffins and other seabirds. Some tours also offer passengers fresh scallops from the sea, caught in the tour.

In conclusion

Snæfellsnes is Iceland in a nutshell. Offering a little bit of everything. From epic scenery of glaciers and waterfalls to friendly fishing villages with its own unique culture. Making it the perfect destination when renting a car in Iceland.

The short distance from Reykjavik makes taking a tour of Snæfellsnes Peninsula ideal for both day trips and extensive adventures. These are just my suggestions for stops but there are countless other highly interesting sights there. If you have time, I highly recommend taking time to explore them as well.

If you want to learn more about Iceland, please check out our blog and read about other natural wonders in Iceland and extra practical info. 

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