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ArnarstapiNational parks

Our most recommended Arnarstapi National parks

Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell Day Trip

1. Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell Day Trip

Visit the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on this guided day trip from Reykjavik. See what Iceland has to offer on one trip including the Berserkjahraun lava fields, Snaefellsjokull volcano, and Kirkjufell mountain. Learn about local legends and see a seal colony. Begin your trip in the local town of Borgarnes. Grab some snacks before heading to the peninsula and try to catch a peak of the ice-capped Snaefellsjokull stratovolcano. Arrive at the Berserkjahraun lava field, and learn the origin of its name. Next, head to Kirkjufell, famously known for its role on the "Game of Thrones" television show, and for being the most-photographed mountain in the entire country. Visit the neighboring waterfall, and be swept away by the magic. Then climb the staircase to the top of Saxholl (visited only from March – November), a 100-meter-high volcanic crater. Reach the top and be rewarded by the stunning views of this 3000-year-old feat of nature. Learn local legends and the history of strong Icelandic ancestry. Venture into the uninhabited settlement of Djupalonssandur, and test your strength as local men used to on the beach. Head to the fishing village of Arnarstapi and witness the beautifully eroded cliffs and the sculpture of Barour Snaefellsas. Finally, discover a more in-depth understanding of Icelandic history at Budakirkja, or the "Black Church." View historical artifacts from the 19th century. Continue to the enchanting golden-colored beach of Ytri-Tunga (only from March - November). Witness a huge seal colony, laying on the rocks and enjoying the sun.

From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour

2. From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour

Depart Reykjavik and head to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on a bus day trip to experience Iceland's diverse natural beauty. Take in the dramatic landscape of volcanic peaks, sea cliffs, golden beaches, and sparkling fjords. Visit charming fishing villages, such as Grundarfjordur, Arnarstapi, and Hellnar. Admire the spectacular mountains and volcanic craters, including Kirkjufell and Ljósufjöll. Cast your eyes on the black sand beach at Djúpalónssandur, and see the majestic glacier of Snæfellsjökull. Take a photo stop at the famed Black Church at Budir, and spot seals lolling in the sea at Ytri Tunga beach. Tour at a leisurely pace and experience the magnificent scenery of the peninsula at ease. This tour visits a variety of landscapes in a compact region which was immortalized by Jules Verne in his book, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth." 

Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell Small-Group Tour

3. Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell Small-Group Tour

See colorful wildlife throughout your 12-hour tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. See the picturesque Kirkjufell Mountain, rising 463 meters out of the sea. Stop at the charming village of Arnarstapi to see the breathtaking cliff formations. Visit the black-pebbled beach of Djúpalónssandur in Snæfellsnes National Park. Hear interesting stories from your guide of shipwrecks and adventures. Travel past impressive landscapes on the way to the northern side of the peninsula. Enjoy views of Gerðuberg Natural Heritage Site and the dramatic lava field of Berserkjahraun. Stop by the picturesque black church, Búðakirkja

From Reykjavik: 3 Day Family Package

4. From Reykjavik: 3 Day Family Package

On your first day, you will go to the Famous Golden Circle. Enjoy thehe Grand Golden Circle tour, a compact 8 hour tour that takes you to a series of remarkable and diverse sites in the Southwest of Iceland in a span of only eight hours. In the Geysir geothermal area, get the chance to observe the boiling hot spring Strokkur spout steaming water up to 30 meters into the air every 8 minutes. Next, head to the iconic waterfall of Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, only a 7 minutes’ drive from Geysir, located in the glacial river Hvítá. Marvel at it's elegant and majestic form which is like no other, where the torrential river water plummets in two steps down into a 32 meters deep canyon. After this, visit Þingvellir National Park which located at the intersection of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is not only a site of geological wonder, but also a place charged with history, as the site of the national parliament since 930. At Þingvellir, learn its stories of geographical and political struggles, compromises and ongoing evolution. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit the volcanic crater lake Kerið. On the second day, embark on a 10 hour Southern Iceland tour which will take you to diverse natural pearls along the enchanting south coast of Iceland. Take in a landscape characterised by strong contrasts, where grown plains meet coarse mountains and fire meets ice. Then, visit the waterfalls of Skógafoss, with its breathtaking 60m drop, and Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind and through to the other side. In Reynisfjara, or Black Sand Beach, experience the raw and alluring force of the North Atlantic and its masterfully shaped basalt column cliffs. The site is equally beautiful as it is dangerous, and should be approached with a healthy level of awe and respect. Next, take a short walk up to the glacier snout of Sólheimajökull, a sublet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, where you can witness the dynamics of Icelandic glaciers, their formation, behaviour and rapid melting. On the third and last day, experience the range of Icelandic natural beauty in just one area—the wonderfully diverse Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Discover the charming fishing villages of Grundarfjordur, Arnarstapi and Hellnar, spectacular mountains and volcanic craters such as Kirkjufelland Ljósufjöll, the black beach at Djúpalónssandur, the majestic glacier Snæfellsjökull and the seal colony at Ytri Tunga. 

Snæfellsnes: Small-Group Hidden Treasures of The West Tour

5. Snæfellsnes: Small-Group Hidden Treasures of The West Tour

In a small group, explore Snæfellsnes peninsula. Walk along the seashore near Arnarstapi and view this tiny fishing village from afar.  Next, you'll visit rock formations formed by the sea at Lóndrangar. You'll notice that Djúpalónssandur's pebbled beach is also the site of a 1948 shipwreck. For centuries, fishermen rowed out to the Atlantic Ocean from here. Try one of the "lifting stones" to see if your strength measures up! Then, check out Saxhóll Volcano, formed in an eruption nearly 4,000 years ago. For spectacular views of the lava formations and the national park, you can climb to the top via stairway. At the end, you’ll visit one of Iceland’s most famous mountains - Kirkjufell. You’ll recognize the hat shape when you see it. For the best view, walk around its circular path and see Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.  Fun Fact: Kirkjufell appeared in Game of Thrones (Season 6 and 7) as ”Arrowhead mountain.”

Arnarstapi: Snæfellsjökull Glacier and Volcano Hike

6. Arnarstapi: Snæfellsjökull Glacier and Volcano Hike

Put on your hiking boots and join the tour group on a wonderful hike to one of the most beautiful peaks in Iceland. Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-covered volcano located on Snæfellsnes peninsula in the west of Iceland and stretching 1446 m above sea level. Admire the stunning views over the peninsula, made famous by Jules Verne's book, Journey to the Center of the Earth. The entire hike from the base of the glacier usually takes about 5-6 hours.  Starting from Snæfellsnes road, hike along a rocky path for 1-hour to get to the base of the glacier. Stop to put on glacier gear, crampons, harness, ice axes, and ropes. The guides will show you how to use this equipment and there will be time to stop for a snack and water.  Hike for about 3 hours to the summit of Snæfellsjökull. On clear days the view is beautiful over the peninsula. Depending on your inclination, stop at around 1400 m or adventure all the way up to 1446 m. It is a steep slope to the top of the peak that is protected with ropes. Spend some time at the summit to eat some lunch and take in the stunning views. Head back down along the same trail which usually takes between 1-2 hours. 

Iceland: Complete Island Self-Guided Audioguide

7. Iceland: Complete Island Self-Guided Audioguide

With the Iceland complete audio guide, you get all the information that a tour guide would otherwise give you. Using GPS, the app recognizes where you are on your round trip and provides you with exciting information in the right places. So nothing stands in the way of your individual rental car tour. Your digital Iceland travel guide for the whole island of fire and ice! This audio guide offers more than 340 stations (7.5 hours of playing time) with information about the country, people, and sights in all parts of the country. It includes not only the Ring Road and the Golden Circle but also the Reykjanes and Snaefellsnes Peninsulas, the Westman Islands, the East and West Fjords, and the wild Icelandic Highlands.

From Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes National Park - Small Group

8. From Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes National Park - Small Group

Spend the day in Snæfellsnes National Park, described as “Iceland in Miniature,” on a full-day tour from Reykjavik. Following your transfer from the city center, travel along the coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Snæfellsnes Glacier, enjoying mountain scenery on one side, and the unique Breiðafjörður beach on the other. Locals call it the "Golden Beach" as it is one of the only beaches in Iceland that is not made of black sand. Pass small towns and fishing villages, including the hamlets of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, and see spectacular birds nesting in cliffs by the sea. Look out for other wildlife, including - if you are lucky - seals! End in the center of the park at the mighty Snæfellsjökull volcano glacier, made famous by Jules Verne in “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” On the north side of the peninsula you will see the famous church-shaped Kirkjufell Mountain, with the nearby waterfall of Kirkjufellfoss.

From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Private Day Trip

9. From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Private Day Trip

Discover the rugged beauty of the Snæfellsjökull National Park on this day trip from Reykjavik. After getting picked up from your hotel in the morning, travel through the region of Snæfellsnes. Enjoy panoramic views of the area's rolling cliffs, lava fields, and mountains. Upon arrival at your first stop, Ólafsvík, enjoy a wander through the streets of Iceland's oldest market town and stop for lunch at a delicious local restaurant. Next, continue to Stykkishólmur and take in breathtaking views of Breiðarfjarðarflói. Later, head to Snæfellsjökull Glacier. Listen to your local guide's stories about the elves and trolls who are said to live here and learn more about the glacier's mythical history before returning to Reykjavik.

From Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Small Group Tour

10. From Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Small Group Tour

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland. The landscape there is totally different from anything else in Iceland and very often you feel like you are on a different planet. Surrounded by lava almost all day, visiting the black mysterious church and walking on top of a volcanic crater. This awesome tour starts with a pickup from Reykjavik or its closest towns between 08:00 to 08:30 a.m. You can be picked up from your accommodation or your closest bus stop (see bus stops) in the downtown area. From there, you will head on to this volcanic journey to the center of the earth. Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall & Kirkjufell mountain are the first stops. There you will see a lot of various soils mixed together and a spectacular mountain shaped by old glaciers dating from the ice age. The old road on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula used to lead over to the waterfall and therefor, there’s an old bridge you can walk over to look down the waterfall. Hellnar has the oldest fishing harbour in Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Visit this abandoned old village, see the old ruins of the dock there and take a look at how the ocean has formed many caves and holes in the cliffs there. Absolutely marvellous place. Djúpalónssandur beach is the next stop. This beach is truly one of the most spectacular ones in Iceland. This is a black sand beach with volcanic rocks creating a unique atmosphere there. After a short drive to Arnarstapi you’ll take a walk to the coastline and marvel at the home of elves which towers over this magical old fishing village on one side, with the North Atlantic ocean on the other side. Búðir is the last stop before heading to Reykjavik. This place has a black old church located in the lava fields where the one and only serial killer in Iceland used to live. Take a walk to the beach there and see the black lava fields lying on the golden beach. Surreal environment. What a day this will be!

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What people are saying about Arnarstapi

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 100 reviews

Absolutely spectacular scenery, stunning sunrises and sunsets. Some of the most incredible photos I have ever taken were done on this tour. There was so much natural beauty all around, it is breathtaking. This tour was well organised, our guide had the timing done perfectly so that the light was just right for each new location. There were beaches, with snow and volcanic rock, a seal colony.

An outstanding day with AJ, our guide on this tour. He gave us plenty of time at each stop, we also had a few unplanned stops too which was much appreciated. AJ was welcoming, informative and passionate about what he spoke about. The locations were absolutely stunning and I loved visiting every one of them!

I don't know how to spell the name of the guide that starts with "M". He is very professional and took us to many special places, providing detailed explanations. He also managed time very well. I highly recommend him.

Amazing day on the peninsula, shout out to our tour guide HBO who was a really nice guy and really knew his stuff. The stops were amazing and made even better at one of them an Arctic Fox came out to say hello!

The guide/driver was very knowledgeable and informative. He was also considerate to those members of the party who were not so confident walking in thick snow. Great trip, would recommend.