Iceland Road Trip: The Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Golden Circle

Difficulty

454 km

Distance

8-10

Recom. Days

Adventure

Trip type

Hannah is a frequent traveller and road trip enthusiast from the UK that works as a freelance journalist at Indie Campers.
Hannah Hilton

Freelance travel writer and road trip enthusiast based in York, UK. When Hannah isn’t climbing mountains or hopping overseas on an adventure, you can find her at home with her crazy puppy Red.

Iceland Road Trip Itinerary: Reykjavik Round-Trip

Golden Circle Trip map itinerary

Google Maps

This Iceland road trip begins and ends in the world's northernmost capital on the southern shores of Faxa Bay, Reykjavik.

From Reykjavik, your itinerary heads north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula where you’ll embark on coastal walks, whale watching tours, and horseback riding before heading back south and joining the Golden Circle to visit a number of Iceland’s natural wonders.

Get ready to dine on fresh seafood, soak up mountain views, and sip cold Icelandic beer in your campervan after a long day of bracing the elements. 

Woman in the middle of a road on a cloudy day, a typical landscape on an Iceland Road Trip

Pick-up in
Reykjavik Depot
1

Eat, Drink, and Explore on Foot in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a city famous for its colourful houses, hipster cafes, and a growing population of men wearing cosy knitwear and showcasing full Icelandic beards.

However, look beyond the hipster, and you’ll find a city brimming with arts, culture, and history, all of which can be explored at any one of the numerous museums and galleries found across town.  

Green northern lights looking over the Reykjavik

Your first activity on this Golden Circle Drive in Iceland is bathing in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and banishing all jet lag. From here, take the short drive into town and brush up on Iceland’s 1,200 years of human history at the National Museum, take a stroll around Lake Tjornin, and swing by Sandholt for a coffee.

If you’re feeling adventurous, take to the skies for a birds-eye view of the city on a Reykjavik Summit helicopter tour! 

Visiting

Reykjavik

2

Recom. Days

Main route

31 miles

from Reykjavik Depot

45 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Hallgrimskirkja

Modern cathedral, tallest building, city views.

Harpa

Concert Hall, modern architecture, culture.

Micro Bar

Variety of microbrews, underground bar.

Signal

Eat at

Forrettabarinn

$$$$$

Seafood, Scandinavian, romantic.

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Parking

Street Parking Reykjavik

$$$

Zones 1-4

Signal

Stay at

Eco Campsite Reykjavik

5-star, bus into town, access to kitchen.

2

Hike along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Arnarstapi

Your Golden Circle Drive in Iceland continues north out of the city and up to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula where you’ll find the small fishing village, and former trading post, of Arnarstapi.

The town, which hugs the southern coastline, is home to a number of old houses and is considered to be the gateway to the beautiful Snaefellsnes National Park and a number of coastal walks.

Coastal walk in Arnarstapi, a Golden Circle Drive in Iceland waypoint

On your road trip to Arnarstapi stop at the iconic Budhir Church, a small black church that sits isolated on a rocky lava field and overlooks the ocean. Continue to the town and park your campervan before heading off on the Arnarstapi to Hellnar coastal walk.

This two-hour round trip takes you past the Hellnar Viewpoint, the Arnarstapi Sea Cliff rock formation, and the Primus Kaffi (perfect for those seeking a hot beverage or hearty bowl of soup).

Visiting

Arnarstapi

1-2

Recom. Days

Main route

121 miles

from Reykjavik

2h30min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Budir Black Church

Iconic church, incredible sea views, dramatic scenery.

Arnarstapi Sea Cliffs

Rock formation, harbour, sea views.

Gatklettur

Arched rock, awesome views.

Signal

Eat at

Fosshotel Hellnar Restaurant

€€€€

Scandinavian, sea views, fish soup.

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Parking

Road Side Parking

$

Car parks at attractions.

Signal

Stay at

Snjofell Campsite

$$$

Peninsula campsite, Arnarstapi Center.

3

Explore Iceland’s Wonders Around Grundarfjordur

The small town of Grundarfjordur sits on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula and has become famous the world over for its majestic Kirkjufell Mountain. 

As such, this small fishing village makes the perfect base camp for a road trip around the peninsula and allows easy access to nearby hiking trails and waterfalls. Get your cameras at the ready! 

Person wearing red coat standing at Grundarfjordur waterfall

While Kirkjufell Mountain is the most popular attraction accessible from Grundarfjordur, your day can also be spent at sea embarking on a whale watching tour off the shores of the peninsula. Sea-angling and bird watching tours are also available in various months across the year.

When departing Grundarfjordur, and continuing your Golden Circle Drive to Thingvellir, be sure to stop at Sturlureykir Visiting Horse to greet and ride Icelandic horses. 

Visiting

Grundarfjordur

2-3

Recom. Days

Main route

37 miles

from Arnarstapi

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Kirkjufell Mountain

Mountain, waterfall, volcano.

Kirkjufellsoss

Cascading waterfall, mountain and sea views.

Vestur Adventures

Outdoor excursions, water sports, boat tours.

Signal

Eat at

Bjargarsteinn Mathus

$$$$$

Scandinavian, seafood, ocean and mountain views.

RV icon

Parking

Road Side Parking Grundarfjordur

$

Parking spaces at attractions

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Stay at

Campground Grundarfjordur

Basic facilities, well-maintained, quiet.

4

Marvel at Geysirs and Waterfalls in Thingvellir National Park

From Grundarfjordur your road trip heads back south to join the famous Golden Circle, a circular route home to some of Iceland’s most visited attractions.

The gateway to the Golden Circle and the first stop on the route is the glorious Thingvellir National Park, a protected historical site and popular filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones. If you’re ready for an outdoor adventure to boot, Thingvellir is just the ticket!

White houses along the river as your last Golden Circle Drive waypoint

Thingvellir is home to two impressive natural attractions, Oxarafoss Falls and Silfra. While the first is a mighty cascading waterfall, the latter is one of the world’s most unique scuba dive sites located between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

From here your Golden Circle Drive in Iceland heads east to visit Gullfoss Falls and Stokkur Geysir, two bucket-list Iceland attractions. At the end of your road trip, head back to Reykjavik via the Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths.

Visiting

Thingvellir

2-3

Recom. Days

Main route

118 miles

from Grundarfjordur

2h30min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Oxarafoss Falls

Cascading waterfall, trail walk, natural attraction.

Silfra

Diving spot, snorkelling, underwater adventures.

Extreme Iceland

Snowmobiling, glacier hikes, and ice caving tours.

Signal

Eat at

Efstidalur II

$$$$$

30-min drive, farm restaurant, fresh beef burgers.

RV icon

Parking

Road Side Parking Thingvellir

$

Parking spaces at attractions.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Thingvellir

$$$

Lake views, basic facilities, peaceful.

Drop-off in
Reykjavik Depot

53 Miles

from Thingvellir

1h20

drive