2 Day Snaefellsnes Peninsula & West Iceland: Lava Cave & Northern Lights

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Borgarfjörður Valley, Waterfalls, and Viking Heritage

During the drive to Borgarfjörður, we’ll pass along side Hvalfjörður fjord, translating to “whale fjord”. You will enjoy the features of the area, towering snow capped mountains and open fields.
We’ll arrive to Borgarfjörður, a region filled with historical heritage, where Viking sailors reached land and settled there after leaving their homeland.
Reykholtsdalur valley is your next location, there you can learn all about the forces of Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. From there you will journey to the village of Reykholt, where Snorri Sturluson, the poet, lawmaker and historian used to live during the Middle ages. Snorri wrote many codices that are invaluable records of mythology and the Old Norse language.
Not far from there are you will find two very different but equally beautiful waterfalls: Hraunfossar, a series of streams rushing through dark lava fields and Barnafoss, a bright blue stream speeding through a narrow ravine.
You will then head to your accommodation where you can keep an eye out for the magical Aurora at night, especially if the sky is clear.

Day 2

Ytri Tunga Beach and Seal Colony

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.

Búdakirkja, the Black Church of Búdir

On the south coast of the peninsula, there’s a village with only a hotel and a tiny black church called the Búðakirkja that sits alone among a field of lava rocks. Búdakirkja was built on the spot in 1703 and reconstructed in 1987 after a claim by a single member that lobbied to have it back. It has a historic graveyard, a bell and chalice from the time it was erected. It is a listed building, owned by the National Museum of Iceland, but it is in the care of the Búdir parish. Without a doubt, this picturesque chapel has a romantic air about it and is a real attraction to the site.

Arnarstapi Fishing Village & Hellnar Arch

This tiny fishing village has picturesque coastal cliffs which derived from glowing magma hitting the wild waves of the Atlantic. Known in Iceland as the most beautiful harbor of the country. Thousands of years later erosion has formed beautiful stone arches and a remarkable marine geyser. Enjoy a walk along the coastline while your guide tells you all about Bárður, half-man half-troll, and his misdeeds in the area.

The Journey to the Centre of the Earth

As the Professor Otto Lidenbrock from Jules Verne’s novel, you will venture into the volcanic tube towards earth’s core into Víðgelmir lava cave. Do not worry, you won’t reach the center of the Earth but you will follow a path of lava that was created thousands years ago.

Lóndrangar and Basalt Cliffs

The Lóndrangar are a pair of rock pinnacles in Iceland and are remnants from a bigger crater which has mostly eroded away. Looming over the entire southern coastline, Lóndrangar, a set of 75-meter high basalt pinnacles set the tone for what’s to come. They host a variety of seabirds, northern fulmars and puffins, and others.

Djúpalónssandur

A beach of black volcanic sand and stones where for centuries Icelandic fishermen rowed out to the fertile fishing grounds of the Atlantic ocean. Still today we find the so-called “lifting stones” which fishermen of yore used to test out their strength and prove themselves worthy of the physically straining life of Atlantic rowboat fishing. You can try to lift them yourself! In 1948 a British fishing trawler stranded on the sand reefs of Djúpalónssandur. Five men perished while 14 were rescued by local rescue squads. The remains of the ship are still there, strewn across the beach as an eerie reminder of the awesome power of nature.

Saxhóll Volcanic Crater

Formed over 4,000 years ago, this volcanic crater has now been made accessible via an iron staircase giving you the option of hiking it. The hike is not too challenging and gives you a 360° view of the lava fields with Snæfellsjökull glacier looming over.

Kirkjufell, “The Church Mountain”, and Kirkjufellfoss waterfall

This iconic narrow mountain has become the landmark of Snæfellsnes in recent years. It became famous after being presented as the “Arrowhead Mountain” on Game of Thrones. The erosive powers of the glaciers during the last ice age about 12,000 years ago gave this mountain its shape. Due to this unique look, it is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland and just across you will see the beautiful waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss which completes your perfect shot of the mountain. There are numerous vantage points for the perfect photograph.

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