The Ultimate 2-Day Snæfellsnes Itinerary: Best Stops & Self-Drive Guide
Planning a Snæfellsnes road trip? This 2-day Snæfellsnes itinerary covers the best stops and must-see places – including Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur, and Snæfellsjökull National Park.
They call Snæfellsnes “Iceland in Miniature” for a reason. This 2-day Snæfellsnes itinerary takes you through glaciers, lava fields, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, fjords, and iconic mountains – all in just a couple of days. Unlike the long, open stretches of Iceland’s Ring Road, here you can slow down, explore hidden gems, and experience Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes at a relaxed pace.
With this Snæfellsnes self-drive itinerary, you’ll cover epic coastlines, legendary volcanoes, and some of Iceland’s most famous sights while still leaving time for spontaneous detours – the kind that make Icelandic road trips truly unforgettable.
Day 1: The Southern Shore & Snæfellsjökull National Park
Total Drive Time: ~4-5 hours, including stops
Route: Reykjavik → Ytri Tunga → Búðakirkja → Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge → Arnarstapi → Lóndrangar → Djúpalónssandur → Overnight in Hellissandur
Morning: Leaving Reykjavik & the First Stops on Snæfellsnes
The adventure kicks off with a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik to Snæfellsnes, passing through Borgarnes – this is your last major stop for supplies, fuel, and snacks before heading deeper into the peninsula so make sure to stock up. From here, take Route 54 west, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself in a land of windswept beaches, volcanic craters, and jagged cliffs plunging into the sea.
Stop 1: Ytri Tunga Beach – Seal Spotting by the Sea
Drive from Reykjavik: 2.5 hours
Average time needed: 20–30 minutes
Unlike Iceland’s usual black-sand beaches, Ytri Tunga surprises with golden sand and shallow tidal pools. It’s one of the best places in Iceland to see seals – they love lounging on the rocks just offshore, especially on sunny days. The best time to visit is early morning or late evening, when there are fewer people, and the seals are more active.
Stop 2: Búðakirkja – The Legendary Black Church
Drive from Ytri-Tunga: 10 minutes
Average time needed: 20–30 minutes
A short drive from Ytri Tunga brings you to one of Iceland’s most photographed landmarks – the tiny black church of Búðakirkja. Originally built in the 1700s, the current version dates to 1848 and stands alone against a backdrop of lava fields, mountains, and endless sky. The contrast between the pitch-black wooden exterior and the mountains behind it makes for an epic photo stop.
Stop 3: Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge – A Secret Slot Canyon
Drive from Búðakirkja: 15 minutes
Average time needed: 30–45 minutes (longer if you hike deeper into the gorge)
Tucked into the cliffs along Route 54, Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge is easy to miss, but don’t drive past it – this narrow canyon, carved into the mountainside, is one of the prettiest places on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The further you scramble inside, the darker and more magical it feels, with moss-covered walls dripping with water and a small waterfall at the end. You’ll need waterproof boots to wade through the river though.
Afternoon: Exploring the Cliffs, Gorges & Lava Fields of Snæfellsnes
Stop 4: Arnarstapi & the Hellnar Coastal Walk
Drive from Rauðfeldsgjá: 5 minutes
Average time needed: 45–60 minutes (for a short visit); 1.5–2 hours (if doing the Arnarstapi to Hellnar hike)
Arnarstapi is a tiny fishing village perched on dramatic sea cliffs, with basalt arches, crashing waves, and a legendary half-troll statue standing watch over the coastline. It’s the perfect stop for lunch, and you should be arriving at about that time.
Wandering around the cliffs in town is easy-going; if you’re after something more, there’s a trail that leads 45 minutes to the next village over, Hellnar. The views along the way are beautiful, with rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean while seabirds wheel overhead. This is one of the best Snæfellsnes hiking trails.
Stop 5: Lóndrangar – The “Castle” of Snæfellsnes
Drive from Arnarstapi: 10 minutes
Average time needed: 15–30 minutes
Back on the road, you’ll enter Snæfellsjökull National Park, home to the towering basalt sea stacks of Lóndrangar. These jagged formations look like the ruins of an ancient castle, but they’re the remnants of an eroded volcanic crater. It’s an amazing spot for birdwatching in summer, with thousands of birds nesting in the cliffs. Other than that, the views are simply fantastic.
Stop 6: Djúpalónssandur – A Black-Sand Beach with a Dark Past
Drive from Lóndrangar: 10 minutes
Average time needed: 30–45 minutes
The next must-see stop in the national park is this haunting black-sand beach. It’s famous for two things: the wreckage of a British trawler that ran aground here in 1948, and the lifting stones once used by Icelandic fishermen to prove their strength. Try lifting the stones yourself (use your knees!) – if you can manage the 23 kg (50 lb.) one, you would’ve been allowed on a Viking fishing boat.
Evening: Northwest Snæfellsjökull National Park
The afternoon drive through Snæfellsjökull National Park takes you deep into its volcanic heart – a landscape of lava plains, moss-covered craters, and rugged coastlines shaped by fire and ice. There are still a couple of incredible stops before you settle in for the night.
Stop 7: Saxhóll – a Volcanic Crater
Drive from Djúpalónssandur: 10 minutes
Average time needed: 15–20 minutes
Saxhóll is one of the easiest volcanic craters to explore in Iceland, thanks to a sturdy metal staircase leading straight to the top. No scrambling over loose lava rock here – just a short climb (about five minutes) to a sweeping view over the surrounding lava fields and the distant Snæfellsjökull Glacier. The crater itself is a deep rust-red, a stark contrast to the moss-covered lava that stretches out below.
Stop 8: Skarðsvík Beach – Coastal Views
Drive from Saxhóll: 10 minutes
Average time needed: 20–30 minutes
Skarðsvík is a strange and stunning sight – tucked between jagged lava cliffs, with pale yellow sand spilling into crashing Atlantic waves. It feels more like something from the Mediterranean than Iceland, except for the wind (and the fact that swimming here would be a terrible idea).
If you’re after one last dramatic view before calling it a night, there’s one more detour worth considering.
Optional Detour: Svörtuloft Lighthouse
Drive from Skarðsvík Beach: 10–15 minutes down a rough gravel road
Average Time needed: 30–45 minutes
If remote and wild is your thing, keep driving deeper into the lava fields. The road isn’t great, but at the end of it sits Svörtuloft Lighthouse – a bright-orange beacon standing at the very edge of jet-black cliffs. It’s one of the most rugged and isolated viewpoints on the peninsula, where the Atlantic slams into volcanic rock with full force.
Overnight Stay: Hellissandur or Rif
By now, the sun will be sinking low, if you’ll be and it’s time to find a place to stay. Hellissandur is the best option, home to one of Iceland’s most scenic campsites, as well as a few cozy guesthouses.
Day 2: The Northern Coast & Kirkjufell
Total Drive Time: ~3-4 hours, including stops
Route: Hellissandur → Kirkjufell → Grundarfoss → Beserkjahraun → Stykkishólmur → Landbrotalaug
Morning: The Most Photographed Mountain in Iceland
Stop 1: Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss
Drive from Hellissandur: 25 minutes
Average Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Snæfellsnes saves its most famous stop for last. Kirkjufell, with its perfect arrowhead shape, is one of the best places in Iceland for photography. The best viewpoint is from across the road at Kirkjufellsfoss, where the small waterfall frames the peak perfectly.
After you’ve spent some time at the mountain, head into Grundarfjörður, a beautiful little village. There’s a great spot to get some coffee (Valeria Specialty Coffee), and the surrounding countryside is stunning.
Stop 2: Grundarfoss – A Hidden Waterfall Gem
Drive from Kirkjufell: 5 minutes
Average Time needed: 45–60 minutes
On the other side of town, most visitors drive straight past Grundarfoss, but this 230-foot waterfall tumbling over sheer basalt cliffs is worth the short detour. It’s peaceful, wild, and often empty, making it a great spot for a quiet moment in nature. Park at the road and make the 20-minute walk to the waterfall.
Afternoon: Waterfalls, Lava Fields & a Coastal Fishing Town
Stop 3: Berserkjahraun – A Lava Field with Viking Legends
Drive from Grundarfoss: 15 minutes
Average Time needed: 20–30 minutes
This twisting, eerie lava field is tied to one of Iceland’s most dramatic Viking sagas. The story goes that two berserker warriors carved a path through the lava in a doomed attempt to win a maiden’s hand in marriage. There’s a rough dirt track that leads you through the area, cutting through huge swathes of obsidian lava rock covered in moss. Whether or not the saga is true, there’s an eerie stillness to the place.
Stop 4: Stykkishólmur
Drive from Beserkjahraun: 20 minutes
Average Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Stykkishólmur is the kind of town that makes you want to stay longer. Colorful Danish-style houses line the waterfront, fishing boats bob in the harbor, and the whole place has an easy-going, almost storybook feel. It’s also the gateway to the Westfjords, with daily ferries crossing Breiðafjörður Bay to the wild, remote coastlines beyond.
Make sure to climb Súgandisey Cliff for sweeping views over the bay, where tiny islands dot the water like stepping stones. And if you’re hungry, head to Sjávarpakkhúsið, a cozy little spot serving some of the best seafood on the peninsula.
From here, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive back to Reykjavik; if you have one more stop in you, pull over at Landbrotalaug on the way back and you might have it to yourself if you’re lucky.
Is Snæfellsnes Worth It? Absolutely.
Two days on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is enough to convince you why this region is often called “Iceland in Miniature.” From glacier-capped volcanoes and black-sand beaches to lava fields and towering sea cliffs, it’s a concentrated dose of everything that makes Iceland so unforgettable.
Unlike the Golden Circle or South Coast, Snæfellsnes has a wilder, more untamed feel – you’ll still find iconic spots like Kirkjufell and Arnarstapi, but it’s also a place where you can pull over on a whim, hike into a hidden gorge, or sit in silence on a windswept beach with nobody else around.
Whether you’re road-tripping in a campervan, staying in cozy guesthouses, or just passing through on a longer Iceland itinerary, Snæfellsnes delivers.