Private Tours
Private Mystical Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Icelandic Love Balls
Tour Overview
Your full-day tour to the fabulous Snæfellsnes starts with a pick up at your hotel. Snæfellsnes Peninsula is known for its beauty, mystical energy and also for representing a Miniature version of Iceland. Luckily this tour is available all-year-round so regardless of when you come to Iceland, you can get to explore the magical Snæfellnses peninsula.
The magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier is located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and can be seen from Reykjavik when conditions are right. If you are familiar with the sci-fi novel of Jules Verne ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ you might know that it took place at the Snæfellsjökull glacier. The glacier sits on top of a stratovolcano, other known stratovolcanoes are Vesuvius in Italy and Mt Helen in Washington.
There is a small settlement at the historical Búðir where we will make a short stop to admire the black wooden church Buðarkirkja. Its location had a significant importance as it sits within the lava field of Búðahraun which has a natural harbour that made it a commercial hub in the peninsula, during the Danish trade monopoly some centuries ago. In Iceland you will only find a few black churches, this particular church dates from 1848 and is painted with resinous sap from trees in order to protect the wood from the harsh climatic conditions of Iceland.
Snaefellsnes is a treasure trove of a location, an area of exceptional geological beauty – lava fields, idyllic hidden coves, craters and peculiar rock formations waiting to be explored and discovered.
Tour Highlights
- Departure from you hotel or accommodation in Reykjavík
Our first stop will be at a beautiful beach where huge seal colonies can normally be found.
- Celebration for the tastebuds
Then we will head to a warm and cosy farm, where we will stop at a world class country restaurant, for an authentic and elegant farm meal, an absolutely unmissable experience of the tour. Lunch is not included in the price of the tour. This can be changed, depending on your desires.
- Búðir helmet and the photogenic black church
There is a small settlement at the historical Búðir where we will make a short stop to admire the black wooden church Buðarkirkja.
- Rugged coastline and mythical stories
You will then make your way to the coast of Arnarstapi with Gatklettur rock, an eroded circular stone arch and the mythical protector of the peninsula; Bárður Snæfellsás, a statue built by the sculptor Kjartan Ragnarsson in 1974.
- Black sand beach and lava formations
Iceland is famous for its black sand beaches, Djúpalónssandur or the Black Lava Pearl Beach will be our next stop, where epic lava formations and also some iron pieces, the remains of a shipwreck of the British trawler from 1948, can still be seen.
- Kirkjufell mountain the most photographed mountain in Iceland
Your next stop will be the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, the most photographed mountain in Iceland. It is surrounded by streams and small but beautiful waterfalls and was chosen to be one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones, featuring the “Arrowhead Mountain”.
- Berserkjahraun
On our way back, we will drive by the Bersekjahraun, a 4.000 years old extremely thick and decorative lava field creating beautiful rock formations and carrying exciting viking tales, which definitely add to the importance of Snæfellsnes in the history of Iceland.
- Íslenskir Ástarpungar – Icelandic love balls
If time and weather allows, we will make a quick pitch stop at Borgarnes to purchase some Icelandic love balls. The story says they were a local ´lostæti´or delicacy first mentioned in a magazine in the mid 1930´s. There is a local bakery that makes some of the finest ástarpungar, an ideal munchies on your way back while pondering on the vistas of the day!
In the Snæfellsnes tour, folk stories, local legends, volcanic phenomena and dramatic coastline are intertwined, and make it an essential element of this mystical day-tour.
Tour Details
- Flexible Pickup Time and Locations: The tour begins with a convenient pickup from your accommodation or a location of your choice within Reykjavik. Pickup time is in conjunction to your schedule, ensuring a relaxed and hassle-free start to your evening.
- Customised Duration: The tour duration is tailored to your needs, allowing you to spend as much time as you wish in each location, still allowing you to arrive in time for your dinner and experiences. Whether you prefer a brief excursion or an extended adventure, your guide will accommodate your desires to maximise your experience.
- Professional Guidance: Led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide, you will be equipped with insights into the history and folklore of each event
- Comfort and Convenience: Travel in a comfortable, private vehicle equipped for the Icelandic weather conditions. Enjoy the offered beverages and snacks during the tour to keep you cosy as you enjoy the unique experience.
- Stops for lunch and snack breaks: where everyone chooses what they like, but not included in the tour price, except the ástarpungar/love balls.
The climate of Iceland is unpredictable, so please dress according to the weather. The order or availability of attractions may change due to road or weather conditions. During the winter, due short daylight, we may have to adjust timings and stops. Djúpalónssandur for example might be skipped due to the dangerous access.
