Snæfellsnes & Kirkjufell: Small Group Day Trip from Reykjavík

Summary

Seals at Ytri Tunga black church by glacier cliffs and Kirkjufell

You’ll ride out from Reykjavík into wild landscapes — golden-sand beaches with seals at Ytri Tunga, lonely Búðakirkja against glacier views, basalt cliffs at Arnarstapi, and finally Kirkjufell with its iconic waterfall. Expect real weather, stories from your guide, and moments where Iceland feels bigger than you expected.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect our guide, Jón, to start the day by joking about elves hiding in lava fields. But there we were, leaving Reykjavík before sunrise, watching the city lights fade while he pointed out shapes in the dark that “might” be trolls. I was still half asleep when we rolled into Borgarnes for coffee — honestly, I just remember the smell of pastries and this old guy by the window who nodded at us like he’d seen a thousand tour buses come and go. The fjord outside was glassy and quiet. It’s funny how quickly you feel far from the city here.

Ytri Tunga beach was next, and it smelled like seaweed and salt — not unpleasant, just real. We saw seals flopping around on the rocks; someone in our group tried to count them but gave up. The sand was golden (not black for once), and I got sand in my boots trying to get closer for a photo. After that came Búðakirkja, that little black church everyone posts online. It’s smaller than I thought — kind of lonely out there with nothing but wind and moss for company. Jón told us it’s been rebuilt more than once since 1703. I tried to imagine what weddings must feel like inside when there’s a storm outside.

Arnarstapi had these crazy basalt cliffs where birds nest — you can actually hear them if you stand still long enough, which most people didn’t because it was freezing. There’s this statue of Bárður (some half-man-half-troll) right by the path; Li laughed when I tried to say his name in Icelandic — probably butchered it. Then Djúpalónssandur beach: black pebbles everywhere, bits of rusted shipwreck poking through like something out of an old movie. Some folks tried lifting those Viking stones; I couldn’t even budge the lightest one without looking ridiculous.

Kirkjufell was our last big stop — that mountain that looks like a wizard hat (or so Jón said). The waterfall in front was half-frozen but still running loud enough to drown out everything else for a minute or two. Light kept changing every few seconds; sometimes blue-grey, sometimes almost gold. I took too many photos but none really caught how weirdly peaceful it felt standing there with cold fingers and wet shoes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula highlights

• Pick up in Reykjavík
• Drive through Borgarnes, coffee stop
• Visit Ytri Tunga Beach, see seals
• Stop at Búðakirkja black church
• Explore Arnarstapi coastal village
• Visit Djúpalónssandur beach, try lifting stones
• View Snæfellsjökull volcano from distance
• Visit Ingjaldshólskirkja concrete church
• Photo stop at Kirkjufell mountain and waterfall
• Return drive to Reykjavík, drop off

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Reykjavík to Snæfellsnes Peninsula?

The day trip lasts approximately one full day with morning pickup and evening drop-off in Reykjavík.

Is hotel pickup included for this Snæfellsnes & Kirkjufell tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from select spots in Reykjavík are included.

Will we see seals on this tour?

You’ll visit Ytri Tunga beach, known for its friendly seal colony.

Are there restrooms available during the tour?

Restrooms are available at stops like Djúpalónssandur beach but may not be serviced during winter season.

Is lunch included on this Snæfellsnes day trip?

No lunch is included; you’ll have stops where you can buy food or bring your own snacks.

What is special about Búðakirkja church?

Búðakirkja is a historic black wooden church set against dramatic lava fields and glacier views.

Can children join this small group tour?

Children aged 6 years or older can join if accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

Your day includes morning pickup and evening drop-off in Reykjavík, guided touring in a comfortable minibus with WiFi onboard, all entrance fees along the route, stories from an experienced English-speaking guide (sometimes about trolls), plus time at each stop to wander or take photos before heading back to town together.