Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour: Kirkjufell & Shark Museum

Eleven hours across lava, waterfalls, coastal cliffs and a family-run shark museum

This full-day guided tour of Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula covers six major stops (the Berserkjahraun lava fields, a hidden waterfall in summer, the Shark Museum with hákarl tasting, Kirkjufell mountain, the Malariff lighthouse walk, and Arnarstapi village) by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Pickup is included. The 11-hour itinerary is fixed, so the route and timing hold together without you building it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula highlights

• Visit Berserkjahraun lava fields
• Discover hidden waterfall in lava fields
• Tour the Shark Museum and taste hákarl
• See Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls
• Walk coastal path to Malariff lighthouse
• Explore Arnarstapi village and shoreline
• Visit Bjarnarfoss waterfall and footpath

The experience

Eleven hours means you leave early and return late, but the day stays contained. A private vehicle picks you up, and your guide handles the route. You move through five distinct landscapes without breaking the thread. The Berserkjahraun lava field opens the tour: a vast black expanse formed over 4,000 years ago by volcanic eruption, stretching across the peninsula and bordering a tranquil lake. Your guide shares the Viking legend behind the name (berserkers, love, betrayal), while you take in the panoramic views. In summer months, the route dips down a lesser-known path to a hidden waterfall nestled in moss-covered lava, a quiet moment most travelers miss.

The Shark Museum sits on a remote coastal farm and belongs to a family that has fermented Greenland shark for generations. Your guide walks you through the exhibits and explains the fermentation process: the age-old techniques, the history of shark fishing, and why it mattered to Icelandic survival. If you're willing, you taste hákarl, the pungent traditional delicacy. If not, you skip it. Either way, you meet the family behind the operation and see how these methods have been passed down. It's an authentic stop, not a tourist attraction dressed up as one.

Kirkjufell mountain comes next: Iceland's most photographed peak, a conical landmark that became famous worldwide after Game of Thrones. You approach the best viewpoint and pass two picturesque waterfalls, Kirkjufellsfoss, where cascading water frames the mountain's dramatic backdrop. From there, the tour moves to Malariff on the wild southern coast, where you walk a scenic coastal path to the Malariff lighthouse, a white structure standing against dark lava fields and open sea. On clear days, Snæfellsjökull glacier is visible in the distance. The final stop is Arnarstapi, a rugged village where you can see the statue of Bárður, the legendary first settler, and walk among rock formations that shape the dramatic shoreline. In summer, birdlife fills the cliffs. Bjarnarfoss waterfall (an 80-meter plunge fed by glacial meltwater) appears along the route, and a footpath leads closer to feel the mist and see wildflowers blooming around mossy rocks.

What’s included

• Private vehicle transport for the full day.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to the Shark Museum with optional hákarl tasting.
• WiFi on board.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• parking fees at all stops.
• pickup from your Reykjavik hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Lilja Tours ehf.

Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment means you sacrifice most of the rest of your day, but it also means you see six distinct stops (lava fields, waterfalls, a working shark farm, Iceland's most famous mountain, a lighthouse walk and a coastal village) without piecing the route together yourself or waiting for group departures. Book this if a full immersion in the peninsula's geology, folklore and coastal character matters more than flexibility.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is hákarl and will I have to taste it on this tour?

Hákarl is fermented Greenland shark, a traditional Icelandic delicacy with a pungent smell and flavor. The Shark Museum visit includes the chance to taste it, but it is optional. You can explore the exhibits and learn the fermentation history without trying it.

Is Kirkjufell mountain included on this tour, and can I hike it?

Kirkjufell is a major stop on the tour, and you visit the best viewpoint where two waterfalls, Kirkjufellsfoss, frame the mountain. The itinerary focuses on viewing and photography from the scenic overlook rather than hiking to the summit.

How long does the tour take and what time does pickup happen?

The tour runs 11 to 12 hours total. Pickup is included in the price, though the specific pickup time depends on your hotel location in Reykjavik. Confirm the exact time when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The tour operates in most weather conditions typical to Iceland, and the vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped for the climate. Your guide will adjust the pace and stops based on conditions, but the route and major attractions remain the same unless severe weather makes travel unsafe.

Is the hidden waterfall in the lava fields guaranteed, or does it depend on the season?

The hidden waterfall in Berserkjahraun is a summer-only stop: the route ventures down a lesser-known path to reach it only during the warmer months. Winter tours visit the lava field but follow the main route instead.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation, WiFi on board, entry to the Shark Museum, and the English-speaking guide are included. Meals are not covered, so bring food or plan to eat in one of the villages you visit.