Weather in Snæfellsnes Peninsula

About Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is Jules Verne's 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' territory: the Snæfellsjökull glacier crowns a volcanic mountain at the peninsula's tip, and the landscape feels like the Earth's raw throat. Black sand beaches, basalt columns, hidden coves, and a wildness that only occasionally concedes to tourism create one of Iceland's most dramatic and least touristy regions.

Country

Iceland

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

ISK

Language

Icelandic

Things to do in Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Snæfellsjökull glacier viewing and hiking Kirkjufell mountain photography and climbing Black sand beach exploration Basalt column photography (Svartifoss) Horseback riding on Icelandic terrain Hidden waterfall and cave exploration

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-5C

Cold, with regular rainfall.

February

-5C

Cold, with regular rainfall.

March

-4C

Cold, with regular rainfall.

April

-1C

Cold, with regular rainfall.

May

Cold, with regular rainfall.

June

Cold, with some rainy days.

July

Cold, with some rainy days.

August

Cold, with some rainy days.

September

Cold, with regular rainfall.

October

Cold, with regular rainfall.

November

-2C

Cold, with regular rainfall.

December

-5C

Cold, with regular rainfall.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often called 'Iceland in miniature' — a single compact arm of land with black sand beaches, lava fields, fishing villages, and the glacier-capped volcano Snæfellsjökull that inspired Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The iconic, almost too-perfect cone of Kirkjufell mountain near Grundarfjörður is one of the most photographed spots in the country.

Best areas to stay in Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Grundarfjörður

A small fishing town and the closest base to Kirkjufell mountain and waterfall.

Stykkishólmur

A picturesque harbour town on the north coast, with ferry connections to the Westfjords.

Ólafsvík

A working fishing port useful as a stop near the peninsula's western tip.

Hellnar and Arnarstapi

Coastal villages within Snæfellsjökull National Park, with dramatic cliff walks between them.

Getting to Snæfellsnes Peninsula

✈

Flights

Fly into Keflavík International Airport, then drive north-west to the peninsula.

⏱

From London

~3 hours by air from London to Keflavík, plus a 2-2.5 hour drive.

🚕

Getting around

A rental car is essential — the peninsula's sights are spread along a loop road with limited public transport.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Snæfellsnes?

It's a year-round destination; summer gives easier access to all sights, while winter adds the chance of Northern Lights reflecting off Kirkjufellsfoss.

How far is Snæfellsnes from Reykjavik?

About 2-2.5 hours' drive, making it one of the most accessible 'wild' regions for a day trip or overnight from the capital.

What is the most famous photo spot?

Kirkjufell mountain and its small waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss, near Grundarfjörður, are the peninsula's signature image.

Can I drive around Snæfellsjökull glacier?

Yes — a loop road circles the national park at the peninsula's tip, passing black lava cliffs, the Djúpalónssandur beach, and Arnarstapi village.

Is the peninsula good for a self-drive day trip?

Yes, though doing the full loop properly with stops is more comfortable over a relaxed day or with an overnight stay.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Kirkjufell at sunset was every bit as photogenic as the postcards promise, and the rest of the peninsula's loop road was full of surprises with barely any other cars.

Niamh C. · September 2024

★★★★★

Caught the Northern Lights reflected in Kirkjufellsfoss after a long day of driving the loop — easily worth the detour from Reykjavik.

Petter A. · February 2024

★★★★☆

The black sand and basalt boulders at Djúpalónssandur were unlike anything else we saw in Iceland, though the gravel road getting there was slow going.

Carmen V. · July 2023