Snæfellsnes Peninsula

On the way to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, we will pass a wonderful little town called Borgarnes. The journey to this place is absolutely phenomenal – we will drive through a fjord and many scenic mountains. Borgarnes was one of the first places Norwegian Vikings settled when they arrived in Iceland.

We might make a short stop for some snacks and continue the drive more to the north – getting extremely close to the Arctic Circle.

Our first stop in Snæfellsnes will be a heavenly place for animal lovers – a place where the wild seals live. 

Ytri-Tunga is a sandy beach that has a little secret hidden away down by the sea, behind the farmhouses… a seal colony! Seals love to spend their time on the rocks of this beautiful beach. They are friendly and curious and will climb up on the rocks for you to spot them from a distance.

In the old days seals used to be killed for food or for fashion, however nowadays Icelanders see seals as a beautiful addition to the culture and encourage visitors to come and visit them as well.

Our next stop will be an old village located in the middle of huge lava fields – Búðir. In the old times the village used to be called Hraunhofn, which meant ‘“The Harbor of Lava” in Icelandic. 

Nowadays, in the once thriving town, the only standing building is a tiny wooden black church called Búðakirkja – better known as Black Church of Búdir.  Also a modern Hotel Búðir has been recently built.

Búdakirkja was built in 1703 and is considered to be the most beautiful church in Iceland.

The reason to build this church in the middle of a lava field is quite unique. Legends say that an elderly lady asked a man to hold an arrow and spin in circles until he felt dizzy. After many spins, he shot the arrow into the air. The location of where the arrow landed meant that the location of the church had been decided.

Our next stop is a small fishing village at the bottom of a mountain, with one of the most beautiful harbors in the country.  

This tiny fishing village has picturesque coastal cliffs which derived from glowing magma, hit by the wild waves of the Atlantic. Thousands of years later, erosion has formed beautiful stone arches and a remarkable marine geyser. 

We will visit the coastline as we share some extremely fascinating stories about Bárður, the half-man half-troll, and his stories in the area.

Afterwards we will stop at a beautiful Gatklettur, also known as “Hellnar Arch”. 

Gatklettur is a beautiful naturally formed stone arch. Gatklettur is a spectacular place for photographers, and videographers. 

Djúpalónssandur is a striking black sand beach on Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Its volcanic pebble shoreline, shipwreck remains, and ancient lifting stones create a captivating and mysterious atmosphere. Nearby Dritvík Cove offers breathtaking views and is a haven for birdwatchers. Djúpalónssandur is a place where Iceland's coastal beauty and rich history come together.

The beach derives its name from the nearby fishing hamlet of Djúpalón, which was once a thriving fishing community during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it stands as a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into Iceland's rich maritime heritage.

One of the most striking features of Djúpalónssandur is its unique black pebble beach, formed over centuries by the relentless force of the ocean waves. These smooth, volcanic stones create a striking contrast against the crashing waves and the rugged cliffs that surround the area.

As you explore the beach, you'll come across remnants of a shipwreck that serve as a haunting reminder of the perils faced by fishermen in the past. The rusted iron remains of the British trawler, Epine GY7, which ran aground in 1948, now lie scattered along the shoreline, adding an air of mystery and intrigue to the landscape.

Another intriguing feature of Djúpalónssandur is the four ancient lifting stones that were once used to test the strength and agility of aspiring fishermen. Each stone has a different weight, ranging from the "Amlóði" (useless) stone, weighing a mere 23 kg, to the mighty "Hálfdrættingur" (weakling) stone, weighing a hefty 154 kg. It is said that those who could not lift the Hálfdrættingur stone were deemed unfit for the demanding life of a fisherman.

The Lóndrangar are a pair of gigantic (75-meter high) basalt pinnacles, which are remains from a volcanic crater from ten of thousands of years ago. They can be seen emerging over the entire southern coastline. In the area we might find a huge variety of seabirds, northern fulmars and Iceland’s beloved puffins.

Icelanders have been visiting this place ever since vikings settled in Iceland – roughly 1200 years ago. However farmers do not farm here, because Icelanders strongly believe that elves live in the area.

We will end our day with Kirkjufell - the most famous mountain in Iceland, which was featured multiple times on Game of Thrones.

Kirkjufell is by far the most beautiful mountain in the Arctic, peaking at 463 meters. At the bottom of the mountain, you will find a lake which reflects a perfect mirror image of Kirkjufell.

We will then start heading back to Reykjavik and are expected to arrive around 8pm, though this may be subject to change depending on weather and road conditions.