Snaefellsnes is a treasure-trove of ethereal landscapes! If you don’t believe us, just google it and see whether it looks real to you! Heavenly isn’t it? Maybe that’s what happens when natives actually care for their environment.
Apart from getting an EarthCheck certificate and discarding plastic, Snaefellsnes is home to everything that Iceland has to offer – a volcano, snow, Northern Lights, fishing villages and biodiversity. And that’s the reason why it's called “Miniature of Iceland.” Looking for more reasons to visit the place? Keep reading!
Folklore shapes culture and culture shapes folklore. The same is true for Snaefellsnesl. If one traces back time and looks for the earliest records of the place, they wouldn’t be disappointed. Interesting folklore awaits history fanatics for sure!
Snaefellsnes is a part of the famous Icelandic Baroar Saga, which is about Barour who is half ogre and half man. A large sculpture of Baraor located in Arnarstapi, a scenic fishing village of Snaefellsness, supports the lore. And if one wishes to get a first-hand experience of it, visiting the place is a must. While this was all about the age-old narrative, more contemporary records are there to behold Snaefellsnes.
Undoubtedly, Snaefellsnes owes its popularity to the glacier volcano, Snaefellsjokull. However, the book Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne also needs to be credited for the reputation the peninsula commands today. Not to say that Snaefellsness is dependent on cinematic publicity and recognition for its swoon-worthy features. However, one cannot forget to mention that the place has been portrayed in several movies throughout decades. One as recent as 2008! Stars like Icelandic actress Anita Briem and Brendan Frases, have featured in them too.
While movies are just one aspect of the artistic presentation of the book, there are adaptations of the same in several plays, radio shows, theme parks, video games, and television series.
Snaefellsness is a favorite among vacationers. However, its strategic placement makes it an ideal one. Stykkisholmur is just 165km from Reykjavik and 96km from Borgarnes. And other interesting spots like Mt. Kirkjufell and Arnarstapi are 172km and 186km away from Reykjavik, respectively. Hellnar, on the other hand, is 4.3km away from Arnarstapi and 188km away from Reykjavik.
Commuting in Snaefellsnes is extremely easy. Whether you opt for public or private means of transportation, road trips in Snaefellsnes Peninsula are going to be fun.
There are two major driving routes to travel to Snaefellsness Peninsula, one through Reykjavik and the other one through Akureyri. The former is just a 1.5 to a 2-hour ride that goes through Ring Road 1 via Mosfellsbaer, Borgarfjorour Valley and the town of Borgarner. Once you reach the border of Borgarnes, turn toward road 54 and continue your ride to Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
The latter, that is, Akureyri, involves a 4.5 to a 5-hour drive via the horse mecca of Iceland, Skagafjorour and Reykholt.
The serenity and calmness of Snaefellsnes Peninsula is what attracts most people, but what most people tend to overlook is the fact that it's actually a playground for explorers. Small towns and fishing communities, including Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Rif Grundafjorour, Stykkisholmur, Olafsvik and Buoardalur, are major crowd pullers for the destination.
With that being said, below is a list of must-try activities in Snaefellsnes that make it ideal for tourists of all age ranges.
Catch a sneak peek of the artistic feats of Snaefellsnes at the Londranger rock formations.
Get a dose of cuteness at the Ytri-Tunga seal colonyTaste the fresh waters of Rauomelsolkelda mineral spring and take some back home too.
Bathe in the Lysuholslaug mineral water pool and rejuvenate in the hot spring Icelandic waters.
Game of Thrones fanatics, Rauofelsgja Gully is an ultimate stop for you. If this doesn’t find a place in your social media feed, you don’t qualify as a real GOT fan!
The Gerouberg Basalt Cliffs is blessed with an intriguing topography and naturally formed sculptures, so you can’t afford to miss out on this too!
Icelandic cuisine can be best explored with a simple mantra – First South, then West, followed by North and East.
FROM BORGARNES TO THE FIRST VILLAGE VIA ROUTE 54
ARNARSTAPI AND HELLNAR RESTAURANTS
HELLISSANDUR & RIF RESTAURANTS
ÓLAFSVÍK RESTAURANTS
GRUNDARFJÖRÐUR RESTAURANTS
STYKKISHÓLMUR RESTAURANTS
Hotels
Hostels
Guesthouses, B&B and Farmstays
Cabins and Cottages
Apart from the soul-reviving views of the mountains and terrestrial sceneries, camping at Hellnar, the Snjofell at Arnastapi offers a glimpse of the colorful world below the ground.
A camping day at Hellissandur is surely packed with breathtaking vistas. However, you can be assured you’ll have all of the amenities like running water, toilets, showers, and electricity too. It is also in close proximity to a gas station, a museum, a supermarket and a swimming pool.
Once winters drape Snaefellsnes Peninsula in ivory-hued snow, the pristine terrain of the peninsula is surreal and serene. Admiring the snow-capped mountains and the immaculate layout is one thing but to witness the frozen avatar of Kirkjufell and Bjarnarfoss is another. Nothing compares to the captivating backdrop of this frozen landscape, so keeping your cameras handy would be a good idea. Don’t forget, layering with cozy clothing equals a Snaefellsnes Peninsulavacation well enjoyed.
Guess what, this isn’t all! Northern Lights are a blessing to the world, and admiring them during the winters of Snaefellsness is just pure bliss. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with the tricky business here... driving. Driving in the snow isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, so Arctic Adventures is here to help. Whether you chose day or multi-day tours, our representatives are here to assist you in planning and experiencing memorable trips throughout the year.
Films
2. Journey to the Center of The Earth (2008) stars Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, and Anita Briem. It is centered around Snaefellsjokull Glacier and portrays it as the center of the earth.
TV Shows
Music Videos
