A Complete Guide to Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Snæfellsnes Peninsula is called “Iceland in Miniature,” and now I understand why. In just one day, I found mountains, lava fields, black beaches, jagged cliffs, calm fishing villages and seals! It is located on Iceland's western coast, between the Reykjanes Peninsula (the one near Reykjavik) and the Westfjords. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland is prominently featured in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Specifically, Stykkishólmur, the capital of the peninsula, was used as a stand-in for Greenland in the film. Another famous spot here is Kirkjufell mountain featured prominently in the Game of Thrones series.

This day, though just a sliver of my Iceland trip, felt like a full journey in itself. I joined a small group tour from Troll Expeditions early in the morning — the kind I love, where you're not rushed, and there’s time to stop, breathe, and take it all in. The road out of Reykjavik stretched into quiet blue skies. Iceland sky in March is rarely this blue but I did hit a jackpot with the weather all through my stay.

We drove through small towns and lava fields, and I felt that familiar solo travel feeling: though not alone but surrounded by chatty fellow travellers. Even chattier was our entertaining guide who not only shared a lot about the area but also played DJ with back to back bangers in our minibus.

1. Ytri Tunga Beach: Seal Colony

At Ytri-Tunga, we stopped by a golden beach (rare in Iceland!) to spot seals lounging on rocks. It felt almost unreal to see them so close. They were playful, peaceful, and entirely unbothered by us. For the best view without getting too close, don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars — they’ll make your seal-spotting adventure even more exciting!

At Ytri-Tunga, the seals were playful and peaceful. After a quiet moment watching them bask on the rocks, we continued on.

2. The Black Church of Búðir

Somewhere along the way, we pulled over at Búðakirkja, the small black church standing alone against a wide-open landscape. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Iceland but being there in person, it felt more than just a postcard. There was something hauntingly beautiful about it. Black wood, white windows, and all around it — endless lava fields and silence. There’s a kind of solitude in places like this that makes you feel deeply held. It reminded me again why I travel- not just to see, but to feel.

3. The Coastal Walk from Hellnar to Arnarstapi

   The trail, just over 2 km, follows the coast and feels more like a gentle meander than a hike. But it took me longer than it should’ve — because I kept stopping. The trail was easy to walk, mostly flat and gravel. Every few minutes, I’d come across something that made me pause: the snow mountains around, birds singing along the cliffs, and just the vastness of the sea stretching out forever.

   Every few steps, I’d stop not because I was tired, but because the views demanded attention. The end point was the statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, a half-man, half-troll guardian spirit of the region.

   

4. Djúpalónssandur Beach

Djúpalónssandur Beach, also known as the Black Lava Pearl Beach, is covered in beautiful black pebbles that wash ashore with the ocean waves. These pebbles are valuable to the Icelanders, who prefer to keep them on the beach. So, visitors need to understand that taking these pebbles is not allowed. There is a peculiar rock here with a hole in it, called Gatklettur. Through the hole, you can see  Snæfellsjökull glacier. It's important to be cautious because the ocean here can be dangerous. Sneaker waves are a real risk, and the powerful suction of the Atlantic Ocean can easily pull you out to sea. Instead, it's best to admire the beach from a safe distance.

5. Kirkjufell Mountain

No trip to Snæfellsnes is complete without Kirkjufell — that famous mountain that looks like it belongs in a fantasy novel. It's often called the most photographed mountain in Iceland, and it's easy to see why. Nature really took its time shaping this one. At 463 meters, Kirkjufell isn’t the tallest mountain, but its shape makes it unforgettable — like an arrowhead or a sharp hat just rising from the earth. I had seen countless photos as well of this mountain, esp. in summer, but there was something surreal about it in winters with the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. Kirkjufell has been in TV shows too — if you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you might remember it as the “Arrowhead Mountain” beyond the Wall. But honestly, no screen can do it justice. You have to feel the cold air on your face, hear the waterfall, and just be there. And that’s what I did.

Snæfellsnes wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t ticking off bucket-list boxes. It was raw, real, and intimate. It reminded me that travel doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful. It just needs to make you feel something.