Planning a Snæfellsnes day trip is one of the best ways to experience “Iceland in miniature” – dramatic coastlines, black sand beaches, charming fishing villages, lava fields, waterfalls, and the iconic Snæfellsjökull glacier, all in one peninsula. With a bit of smart planning and the right base for the night, you can see a lot in a single day without feeling rushed.
A great way to structure your Snæfellsnes adventure is to combine it with a stay at one of Ourhotels.is properties in West Iceland. With Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður (near Borgarnes), Stykkishólmur Inn on the north side of the peninsula, and Ísafjörður Inn further up in the Westfjords, you can easily turn a simple day trip into a relaxed multi-day journey through the west.
Start by choosing your base. If you’re driving from Reykjavík, Hvítá Inn is a perfect first stop or overnight base. Located in Borgarfjörður, close to Borgarnes, it sits right on the natural gateway to Snæfellsnes. Staying here means you can get an early start, beat the tour buses, and enjoy a quieter, more flexible day on the peninsula. After breakfast, you can be on the road to Snæfellsnes in no time.
From Borgarfjörður, drive towards the town of Borgarnes and then continue west onto the peninsula. Many travelers like to do a loop: drive along the south coast of Snæfellsnes, circle around the tip near Snæfellsjökull National Park, and return along the north coast. This gives you a full taste of the region’s highlights in a single day.
On the south coast, plan short stops at places like Gerðuberg basalt cliffs, the golden sand beach at Ytri-Tunga (often with seals resting on the rocks), and the dramatic cliffs and sea stacks around Arnarstapi and Hellnar. These stops are close together, so you can walk, stretch your legs, and enjoy the scenery without spending all your time in the car. If you’re visiting in summer, the long daylight hours make it easy to linger; in winter, you’ll want to keep an eye on the clock and road conditions.
As you approach the tip of the peninsula, you’ll enter Snæfellsjökull National Park. Here, you can explore the black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur, walk among lava formations, and, if conditions allow, enjoy views of the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano. This area is wild and atmospheric, so it’s worth planning at least an hour or two here, especially if you enjoy photography or short hikes.
Continuing around to the north side, you’ll find picturesque fishing villages and sweeping views across Breiðafjörður bay. This is where Stykkishólmur Inn becomes a key part of your Snæfellsnes day trip plan. Instead of driving all the way back to Reykjavík or Borgarfjörður in one go, you can end your day in the charming town of Stykkishólmur and stay the night at Stykkishólmur Inn. This breaks up your driving, lets you enjoy a relaxed dinner in town, and gives you time to explore Stykkishólmur’s colorful harbor, old houses, and viewpoints without rushing.
Stykkishólmur is also a strategic base if you want to extend your “day trip” into a two-day Snæfellsnes and Breiðafjörður experience. From here, you can join boat tours among the islands of Breiðafjörður, visit nearby hot springs, or simply enjoy a slow morning before heading onward. Because Stykkishólmur Inn is part of Ourhotels.is, it’s easy to coordinate your stays if you’re also using Hvítá Inn as your first or last stop in the region.
For travelers continuing deeper into the Westfjords after Snæfellsnes, Ísafjörður Inn is the natural next step. While it’s beyond the peninsula itself, planning your Snæfellsnes day trip with Ísafjörður in mind helps you structure a beautiful west Iceland route: Reykjavík → Hvítá Inn (Borgarfjörður) → Snæfellsnes loop → Stykkishólmur Inn → Westfjords → Ísafjörður Inn. This way, your Snæfellsnes “day trip” becomes a highlight in a longer journey, rather than a rushed out-and-back drive.
When planning your timing, consider the season. In summer, you can comfortably start from Hvítá Inn in the morning, do the full Snæfellsnes loop with plenty of stops, and arrive in Stykkishólmur in the evening. In winter, shorter days and possible snow or ice mean you’ll want to start earlier, keep an eye on weather forecasts, and allow extra time between stops. One advantage of staying with Ourhotels.is is having local staff who know the roads and can offer up-to-date advice on conditions and realistic driving times.
To make the most of your day, decide in advance which type of experiences matter most to you. If you love coastal walks and sea cliffs, give extra time to Arnarstapi, Hellnar, and the national park coastline. If you’re more into photography, plan to be at key viewpoints during the best light, and consider staying overnight at Stykkishólmur Inn so you can catch sunset or sunrise over the harbor. If you’re traveling with family, choose a few easy, short walks and beaches where kids can explore safely, and use Hvítá Inn or Stykkishólmur Inn as comfortable, family-friendly bases.
Packing smart also helps your day go smoothly. Bring layers, waterproof outerwear, sturdy shoes, snacks, and water so you don’t have to rush between cafés or gas stations. Even if you’re staying at Hvítá Inn or Stykkishólmur Inn with breakfast included, having a few snacks in the car lets you be flexible with your schedule and stay longer at places you love.
Finally, think of your Snæfellsnes day trip not just as a checklist of sights, but as a relaxed journey through one of Iceland’s most varied regions. By anchoring your trip with Ourhotels.is – starting or ending at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, staying at Stykkishólmur Inn on the peninsula itself, and continuing on to Ísafjörður Inn if you’re heading into the Westfjords – you can enjoy the freedom of self-drive travel with the comfort of familiar, welcoming accommodations along the way. This combination of flexibility, local insight, and well-placed inns is what turns a simple day trip to Snæfellsnes into a truly memorable part of your Iceland adventure.
