Highlights Of Snaefellsnes

OVERVIEW

Discover the must-see attractions of the Snæfellsjokull Peninsula, a geological and natural wonderland famed for its harsh but beautiful volcanic landscape. You’ll begin with an immensely picturesque coastal drive, passing through one beautiful fishing village after another enroute to Snæfellsjokull National Park. This terrain in the setting Jules Verne’s used in his 1864 bestseller, Journey to the Center of the Earth – it looks the part. The park’s landscape looks primeval in every direction, especially at Djupalonssandur, a jagged coastline strewn with large boulders sailors once hoisted to prove their fitness to crew on ships. The remains of a sizable trawler wrecked in 1948 add to the edge-of-the-earth feel here. A visit to Malarrif and its majestic white lighthouse also brings an encounter with curious volcanic pillars some believe local elves use as churches. Passing the Lóndrangar Cliffs, you’ll stop for photos in tiny Arnarstapi, known for abundant birdlife and its own set of intriguing lava formations. In remote Búðir, you’ll visit a modest church of black painted wood, sitting in a lava field blanketed with lush grass. The visual contrast is stunning, especially with the park’s namesake glacier-capped volcano as its backdrop. Better clear plenty of storage on your camera.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a picture-perfect exploration of the Snæfellsjökull Peninsula by panoramic coach.
• Stop frequently to visit some of the highlights of this harsh but beautiful volcanic wonderland.
• See the park that inspired Jules Verne in 1864, walk a beach where the rocks have nautical history, gaze at a towering lighthouse near lava pillars said to have elfin inhabitants.
• See from outside a remote little Icelandic church see against lava fields with the backdrop of an ice-capped volcano.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a bottle of water, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.