Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour: A Detailed Review

Okay, so you’re thinking about doing a Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour in Iceland, right? I get it. It’s almost like everyone who goes to Iceland hears about this area eventually, and for what feels like pretty justifiable reasons. It’s called “Iceland in Miniature,” after all, and that, in a way, sounds awfully intriguing. Now, I recently took a tour myself, and I wanted to provide you with the lowdown, that is, my own experience with the excursion, too. That should assist you in figuring out if this trip is the correct pick for your Iceland exploration, clearly.

Why Snaefellsnes Peninsula is Worth it

You know, Iceland has some of the planet’s really amazing stuff to gaze at. Even so, something sets Snaefellsnes apart. Maybe it’s how this area feels like it is crammed with almost every sort of landscape Iceland can deliver. You’ve got that majestic Snaefellsjökull glacier at the tip of the peninsula; it is that enormous and white. Some places are filled with rugged coastlines that are beaten by the North Atlantic waves. Then you also have peaceful fishing villages and lava fields that stretch onward into the skyline. The ambiance almost always shifts suddenly from peaceful to dramatic, yet feels real.

Is that what really grabs people? It very well might be the sense that everything is very easy to get to. You won’t, generally, spend hours on rough roads to witness one spectacular location. Everything feels so close together. The entire region gives off this vibe, it really does, almost like somebody condensed Iceland into a handy bundle. Now, if your timeframe is, a bit, cramped and you can’t witness Iceland fully, that peninsula tour may just scratch that exploration itch in your soul.

That’s especially nice, also, considering you’re not stuck seeing the exact same rocks over, and over, and over again on a three day hiking excursion. No! Not here at all! It’s more of “Bam! Majestic glacier! Bam! Coastline! Bam! Fishing town!” It gives, arguably, so much sensory information to grab, so it seems impossible to bore yourself out of your mind at any stage in the trek.

Choosing the Correct Snaefellsnes Tour: Guided or Self-Drive?

Here, then, is an item to mull over. Would you choose a guided tour, or go exploring yourself, too? There’s hardly any right solution here, but there is stuff that works for unique types of tourists. As I went with a guided tour, that might have shaped what I have to convey next, yet stick to me; I’ll give you some unbiased thinking here.

Guided tours, especially the tiny bunch excursions, really, truly eliminate every stress regarding preparation and “road logistics”. No concerns over directions, trying to figure out where the heck to park, or having any awareness of Iceland’s weather patterns, in that case, if it might all of a sudden turn sideways on you. Typically, these guides additionally bring along expertise regarding the area that you really cannot, like, access easily someplace else. Did you want ghost stories? Local stories? Geology insights? Just maybe a terrific recommendation for what kind of food is delicious on a day such as this one? Your local tour guide should know this, too, and that can prove to be absolutely neat.

Nevertheless, traveling all alone grants total freedom. Basically, you decide what itinerary you wish to create. So you choose how little or how much you would like to discover something. It will require work in scheduling plus having more certainty driving on unknown streets. You are probably taking on somewhat more possibility regarding your own welfare during tough weather. All the same, for a few individuals, that autonomy renders all that hardship worthwhile. Like you know, figuring things out can add a great amount to one’s own trip enjoyment.

Also, should you hate, genuinely hate, folks? Perhaps this would be the answer. I’ve got social stress, and there are times when I would rather drive alone and go absolutely mad, instead of sitting around with “other tourists.” Is that cynical of me? Possibly, or seemingly. If I didn’t want a lot of interaction, a self drive tour of that peninsula seems like the path I’d probably consider most of the time, truthfully.

Snaefellsnes Must-See Spots

Okay, now let us dig into just where the tour took us! Like I have mentioned earlier, lots can be seen around here, typically. These spots felt like those tourist traps, like where buses pull up every fifteen mins to drop folks. Luckily, because I got lucky and snagged myself a small tour company, things actually felt cozy as opposed to overwhelmed. My tour had almost all of these below destinations, incidentally, in addition to I’d almost wager all guided tours do the same. So if they did not make this list, consider choosing others!

Kirkjufell Mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall: As a matter of fact, this mountain feels iconic, which is seemingly due to it is probably being snapped endlessly. With a trio of gentle waterfalls within the foreground, the mountain makes for incredible postcard-worthy pictures. Really, I observed about ten visitors there at almost the same time who definitely got those photos! Even though crowded at times, there really is a buzz here given folks seem pretty at peace to watch this scene with you, too.
Arnarstapi & Hellnar Cliffs: This specific coastline has unusual rock formations, including a stone arch termed Gatklettur. Here is something great; there is, like, a hiking trail which attaches Arnarstapi as well as Hellnar, typically leading you via crazy lava fields and even viewing platforms. The wind rushes quite loudly around this space, which feels thrilling! The drops could be brutal, right? So be extra wary when you are walking.
Djúpalónssandur Black Beach: Do you have an interest in something historical plus a pretty somber reflection about being alive? Once, this beach served, essentially, like a fishing station, right, yet that time feels long since past. Currently, it’s dotted having rusty remnants originating from a British trawler wreck which has run aground almost ages ago. What truly provides something eerie has always been the “lifting stones” – truly, old rocks that fishermen will try to raise in order to demonstrate strength. Seeing it nowadays tends to make you think.
Vatnshellir Cave: You understand what? Going beneath ground inside of an 8,000 year old lava tube actually blew me away. Tours inside of this cave emphasize its distinct geologic background with cool information plus light. It’s kind of chilly and definitely dark inside of here! If tight spaces allow you to get anxious, take this advice! Give this cave trip a miss.
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge: I wonder if any of you like things to feel truly ancient, basically as they feel almost secret. As a matter of fact, you definitely shouldn’t skip on over this one! Seriously, be certain to grab this short walk, so that you are wading slightly within just a narrow canyon crack! Water trickles throughout its walls, adding just a feel to it that I couldn’t discover elsewhere on such a day, literally. That specific location almost feels reverent due to the way sunshine moves, somewhat. Also, seemingly, take more precautions there because there are moments there when I was very nervous on just how slimy all that place might turn on me, and in a blink, I will fall head first on to what seemed like particular death!

Accommodation and Food Recommendations

Generally, your trip is perhaps structured being back within your resort spot through evening, okay? At least, if one is coming through Reykjavík! In some ways, if you desire something that seems really deeper than normal, think about having an overnight in one spot closer across that Peninsula. Then that offers far more flexibility regarding slow exploration! So below, just simply keep some tips on resorts to use.

Fosshotel Hellnar: On this very lovely hotel near these cliffs around Hellnar, arguably, one of its perks involves incredible ocean landscapes. Like literally, how can one go wrong?! If they could somehow assure you good Aurora watching, there could exist absolutely no reason for any guests to vacate again.
Hotel Snaefellsnes: Want anything downtown near Stykkishólmur village, for that case? Usually you get those gorgeous views of such bay waters too. By the way, it might feel really useful given there are boat journeys originating from right near here.
The Freezer Hostel & Culture Center: Usually one prefers much more reasonable priced destinations such as for backpacking all over Iceland, eh? This Hostel provides something cozy combined with interesting arts activities occurring for everyone at certain times, in short. Oh and sure, expect some roommates in that room that you rented.

If anyone asks me about food then one ought to try regional cuisine to enhance that tour, in this case, especially for me, if a town does something authentic or unique to itself. The way my tours unfolded, such foods weren’t often discussed as much, and that does genuinely strike me as almost an omission!

Narina Bryggjan Restaurant: How about any fish that gets so perfectly delicious it has guests going all crazy about it?! If you are in Stykkishólmur then this is usually your place! I would suggest halibut; many folks swear they like those above practically other foods for the whole land, as I heard.
Listhús Gallerycafe: Okay that area is on Ólafsvík which I just sort of happened on there due mostly just feeling super hungry. But apparently everything smelled just extremely delectable while I passed so that, in turn, convinced me inside this café straightaway. From what you will discover for your trip is the place showcases neighborhood art. Oh yeah. As a matter of fact, some individuals love what they provide like various pies/cakes much! But yes of course. Always eat what the locals eat. This seems extremely vital to feel closer, in certain ways, towards your tour location for such time.

Essential Tips for Your Snaefellsnes Adventure

And now, I’ve just several suggestions left that anyone should just contemplate right before heading there!

Check the Forecast: By the way, Iceland is almost known, perhaps even sadly, for almost always having unpredictable temperature shifts; So often double checking that climate so early could assist one out with all the right garments for you! Layers are good too! Like almost always, seemingly!
Wear Proper Footwear: In truth it shouldn’t be hard envisioning it: So usually you are trekking here throughout bumpy and somewhat soggy environments. If not prepared your ankles or probably, something so dreadful, get sprained. I swear I am hardly being extra at this juncture. Also there has just been a number of events as it were over where visitors arrive without adequate grip in all their sneakers or boots, perhaps just putting themselves inside particular real jeopardy that something scary transpires on the rugged hill tops, seriously.
Book in Advance: Like if considering exploring using directed excursions specifically via peak trip seasons so plan these early because usually people book things beforehand like way ahead to actually receive a spot as needed especially on smaller sized group dimensions.
Pack Snacks: I’d state for your long haul, there is not many options, or usually really no chance whatever, and yes people are just bound eventually that’s sure to arrive being absolutely starving. Always. Also grab anything whether something fairly healthful probably rather some goodies; Always prepare!
Respect the Nature: Clearly, remember all natural habitats continue really being usually incredibly weak: Always take care, usually comply around many specific trail markings/regulations constantly to preserve the terrain immaculate on following people visiting after one exits. You recognize what?! This planet cannot endure for prolonged periods around whenever a massive amount are trashed. So remember, for absolutely what happens! Handle our nature areas with kindness or they can just get diminished fast now during trips. Do your thing there always, please.

I hope this helps folks reading by perhaps really choosing whatever adventure. So have actually some enjoyable journeys from wherever your upcoming vacations eventually lead one day now!