June 15: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Wonders & A Cozy Italian Farewell


Early Morning: Setting Out on the Snaefellsnes Adventure

Today was our final full day in Iceland, and we made the most of it with Arctic Adventures’ Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell tour. After an early breakfast, we boarded our tour bus for an 11-hour journey through some of the most diverse and dramatic landscapes Iceland has to offer.

Berserkjahraun Lava Field: Saga and Stone

Our first stop was the Berserkjahraun Lava Field, a hauntingly beautiful expanse created by a volcanic eruption over 4,000 years ago. The jagged black rocks and mossy patches set the stage for local legends—most famously the tale of two berserkers from the Icelandic sagas, who cleared a path through the lava in a quest for love. The landscape felt both ancient and otherworldly, a perfect introduction to the peninsula.











Kirkjufell: The Iconic Arrowhead Mountain

Next, we arrived at Kirkjufell, known as the “Arrowhead Mountain” and one of Iceland’s most photographed peaks. Its striking, symmetrical shape rises dramatically above the coastline, with the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall providing a picture-perfect foreground. We took plenty of photos and enjoyed the panoramic views that have made this spot famous in films and travel guides alike, including Game of Thrones.









Ingjaldshólskirkja: The Red Roof Church

A short drive brought us to Ingjaldshólskirkja, a charming white church with a vivid red roof, set against a backdrop of mountains and glaciers. Built in 1903, it’s said to be the oldest concrete church in the world and offers a peaceful spot for reflection and photos.
















Arnarstapi & Búðakirkja: Fishing Village and Black Church

We continued to the picturesque fishing village of Arnarstapi, where we strolled along dramatic sea cliffs, watched seabirds soaring overhead, and admired the unique basalt formations. Not far away, we visited the iconic Búðakirkja (Black Church), a striking black wooden church standing alone on the windswept lava fields—a favorite for photographers and a symbol of the region’s stark beauty.




















Ytri-Tunga Beach: Seal Watching

Our final nature stop was Ytri-Tunga Beach, famous for its golden sands and resident seal colony. Unlike Iceland’s black sand beaches, Ytri-Tunga’s lighter shoreline made it easy to spot harbor and grey seals lounging on the rocks. It was a delightful wildlife highlight and a peaceful way to end our peninsula tour.



















Evening: Italian Farewell at Hafnartorg Gallery Food Hall

After returning to Reykjavik, we headed back to the Hafnartorg Gallery Food Hall for dinner. While we had hoped to revisit the creative bartender from earlier in the week, the bar was closed on Sundays. Instead, we enjoyed a cozy Italian meal—pasta at one of the food hall’s restaurants, savoring our last evening in Iceland with comfort food and a relaxed atmosphere. And then back to the hotel to pack.



From lava fields and legendary peaks to seals on golden sands, today’s journey across the Snaefellsnes Peninsula was a perfect finale to our Icelandic adventure.






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