Snæfellsnes
Photographers wanting Iceland's most iconic aurora foregrounds within a convenient self-drive from Reykjavik
About Snæfellsnes
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often called 'Iceland in miniature' — a 90km finger of land west of Reykjavik that packs extraordinary geological, glacial, and coastal variety into a single accessible drive. The centrepiece is Snæfellsjökull, a glaciated stratovolcano that Jules Verne chose as the entrance to the Centre of the Earth in his 1864 novel — and which Halldór Laxness described as mystical in his Nobel Prize-winning work. The glacier crowns the peninsula's western tip at 1,446m and is Iceland's most westerly glacier. Kirkjufell mountain, rising sharply from the coast near Grundarfjörður, is the most-photographed mountain in Iceland and an iconic foreground for aurora photography. Whale watching in the peninsula's sheltered northern bays produces excellent minke and orca sightings. At 64.8°N aurora viewing is solid though slightly less reliable than north Iceland destinations — coastal weather brings cloud more frequently. The peninsula is close enough to Reykjavik for a 2-3 night self-drive circuit, making it Iceland's most accessible aurora photography destination.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan★ Best | -1°C | 15h | Med |
| Feb★ Best | -1°C | 11h | Med |
| Mar★ Best | +1°C | 7h | Med |
| Apr | +4°C | 3h | Low |
| May | +7°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jun | +10°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jul | +12°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Aug | +12°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Sep | +8°C | 4h | Med |
| Oct★ Best | +4°C | 9h | Med |
| Nov★ Best | +1°C | 13h | Med |
| Dec★ Best | -1°C | 15h | Med |
Activities
Getting There
Drive from Reykjavik (2h west via Route 54). Car rental essential — no public transport year-round to remote areas. Day tours from Reykjavik available but staying overnight is strongly recommended for aurora.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Farm guesthouses
- ✓Kirkjufell lodges
- ✓Boutique hotels
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $140/day in Snæfellsnes. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
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Hotel Stundarfridur
341, Iceland
hotel
Hótel Kvika
816 Þorlákshöfn, Iceland
hotel
Hótel Snaefellsnes
Vegamót, 54 311, 342 Borgarnes, Iceland
hotel
Hótel Búðir
Búðir 356, 356 Búðir, Iceland
hotel
Miðhraun - Lava Resort
Miðhraun 2, 342 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
guest houseSeljavellir Guesthouse
8Q4R+6J2, Seljavellir, 781 Höfn, Iceland
lodgingHotel Studlagil
8V8M+RMV Skjöldólfsstadaskóli, 701 Egilsstaðir, Iceland
hotelHotel Laxnes
Haholt 7, 270 Mosfellsbaer, 270 Reykjavík, Iceland
hotelSkúlagarður Country Hotel & Restaurant
Skúlagarður, 671 Ásbyrgi, Iceland
hotelHotel Glymur
Skólasetursvegur 5010, 301, Iceland
hotel🍽️Where to Eat(3)
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🎯Things to Do(10)
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Simply the West
Plássið Laugabrekku, Hellnar, 356 Snæfellsbær, Iceland
point of interest
Snæbýli Excursions
Snæbýli 1, 881 Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland
point of interest
Snæfellsnes Excursions
Sólvellir, 350 Grundarfjörður, Iceland
point of interest
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Sandhraun 5, 360 Hellissandur, Iceland
national park
Snæfellsnes Adventure
Norðurgarður, 350 Grundarfjörður, Iceland
travel agencyRauðfeldsgjá Gorge
Q9X3+M7V, 356 Hellnar, Iceland
tourist attractionDrangey Tours
Hesteyri, 550 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland
tourist attractionGatklettur
Q98H+54H, 356 Arnarstapi, Iceland
tourist attractionVatnshellir Lava Cave
Road 574 Snæfellsjökull National Park - Snæfellsnes, 356 Snæfellsbær, Iceland
tourist attractionSnæfellsnes Visitor Center
342, Iceland
tourist information centerNearby Destinations
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