One of the most famous regions in Iceland is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Here you'll find dramatic landscapes, a black sand beach, unique rock formations, and waterfalls just to name a few things you'll see and experience. I included a Snæfellsnes tour in my itinerary when I planned my trip to Iceland.
It was too expensive to rent a car as a solo traveler, so I settled for the second best thing and joined a day trip to Snæfellsnes from Reykjavik.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
"Iceland in Miniature" is a moniker that many gave to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula because it provides visitors with a little bit of everything that the country has to offer such as lava fields, beaches, captivating landscapes, glaciers, and mountain vistas. From Iceland's western region, Snæfellsnes stretches to around 90km. Dormant and active volcanoes dominate the peninsula's stunning landscape. The Snaefellsjokull glacier lies on top of a stratovolcano that erupted more than 1,000 years ago. This eruption carved and formed the terrain. You'll see the moss and vegetation-covered lava fields during your trip around the peninsula. This reveals the slow but steady healing process of nature despite the violent eruptions that took place over the centuries.
Read: budget and itinerary for Iceland
Day trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik
You can explore Snæfellsnes on your own or join a group tour. It depends on your budget and if you're traveling alone or with other people.
By Car
You can rent a car for multiple days and include other regions in Iceland such as the Golden Circle and South Iceland along with Snæfellsnes. You can rent a vehicle for around US$400 for three days. That's just a rough estimate that may or may not include insurance coverage. You can compare prices online or do it once you get to Reykjavik. However, I recommend booking a car rental early if you plan to visit the country in the summer.
On a Tour
Joining a tour might actually be a cheaper option if you're traveling alone. I joined a tour on GetYourGuide.
You can book a tour here: Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour
Let's Go to Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The first stop of my day trip was to a waterfall.
We took a short hike to see it.
We made a stop at one of the most famous spots in Iceland, Kirkjufell Mountain. It rises to 463m high and it also served as a landmark for travelers and seafarers. It's one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones, a hit TV show. You'll most likely have seen a photo of Kirkjufell online or in magazines. It's one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland.
Our group went to Djupalonssandur Black Beach. This beach had striking rock formations and an eerie and gloomy ambiance. It was windy and cloudy during our stop here, which was in contrast to the clear blue skies in another part of the peninsula. The guide said that Iceland had what they referred to as "window weather" wherein the weather outside looked perfect from inside a vehicle, but once you step out you'll feel the strong winds and freezing temperature.
Our group went to a few more stops such as the Londrangar Cliffs and the Gatklettur Rock, all of which were spectacular. The dramatic landscapes of Iceland were a sight to behold.
It was an awesome day out exploring the peninsula. I hope I could visit Iceland again to see its other regions and maybe during a different season. I'd recommend booking the tour if you're traveling alone. You might also want to go on a day trip to Landmannalaugar,visit the Golden Circle and/or explore South Iceland during your stay in Iceland. You can book a tour here for Snæfellsnes.
You can read more about my trip report about Iceland here: budget and itinerary for Iceland
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