Snaefellsnes 3-day Seaside Stay - Iceland

From the northern town of Akureyri it takes about 5 hours to drive to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Many travellers skip this part of Iceland making it a real hidden gem, and with its vast grasslands it’s a nice counterpart to the more rugged interior. As you approach the Snaefellsnes peninsula you’ll have a stunning view of the towering volcano in the distance, which makes for a great picture. You will be welcomed by an Icelandic couple as you pull up to their small family guesthouse.

After a long drive yesterday, it’s time to get out and stretch your legs today. Take a walk along the deeply carved bird cliffs at Arnarstapi, where you can see fulmars and kittiwakes. Walk past bizarre lava formations and a waterfall to a coffee house with lovely terrace. They offer an incredibly tempting homemade chocolate cake and the waffles with whipped cream are delicious too. After your coffee stop, head back to the guesthouse for your trip to the lava cave.

Just a few miles away is a lava cave that was formed long ago when a volcano erupted. Equipped with a flashlight and helmet, you will walk into the cave and down some stairs. With all the torches turned off, it is pitch black except for the glittering red glow of the walls. Your guide will tell you how the cave came to be and which trolls are said to exist here. In the afternoon why not head over to the shark museum on the north side and explore the peninsula further.

In winter, large troops of orcas come along the coast, so dress warmly today as you will be heading out to sea in search of these majestic animals.  They are here to hunt the herrings that congregate in the fjords. Be ready, because they can be difficult to spot and you do, it’s a truly wonderful experience as the water spurts above the surface and you see a fin emerge. After about two hours on the water you’ll head back to harbour. Due to its remote location, Snaefellsnes is also ideal to see the Northern Lights, so a night walk is highly recommended to end the day with a little more excitement.

Hopefully by now you were lucky enough to have experienced all three highlights during your stay at Snaeffelsness: orcas, whales and the special northern lights. If you can’t get enough of it and want more walks along the cliff coast or if you want to go into the nearby lava cave, you can of course extend your stay here. Just let your travel specialist know.