Snæfellsnes or the South Coast: which day trip should you choose?

Once the Golden Circle is ticked off, most visitors to Reykjavík face the same question: should the next long day trip go south along the coast to the waterfalls and black sand beaches, or north-west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with its glacier-capped volcano, lava fields and fishing villages? Both are full-day outings, both are spectacular, and both are realistic from Reykjavík without staying overnight.

They are also very different days. The South Coast is a string of famous, easy-to-reach sights along the Ring Road. Snæfellsnes is a loop of smaller, quieter stops around a peninsula that is often called “Iceland in miniature”. This guide compares the two honestly, so you can pick the one that fits your interests, your season and your energy levels, or decide that you really want both.

The two day trips at a glance

Here is the short version before we go into detail. All times are approximate and depend on the weather, the season and how long you linger at each stop.

The South Coast

• Direction: east from Reykjavík along the Ring Road, as far as Vík.
• Drive: about 1.5 hours to Seljalandsfoss and roughly 2.5 hours to Vík, each way.
• Typical length: 9 to 10 hours door to door with stops.
• Signature sights: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach and the village of Vík.
• Feel: big, famous landmarks close to the road; busy in high season.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

• Direction: north from Reykjavík past Borgarnes, then west along the peninsula.
• Drive: about 2.5 hours to Kirkjufell on the north coast, each way.
• Typical length: 10 to 11 hours door to door with stops.
• Signature sights: Kirkjufell, Arnarstapi and Hellnar, Djúpalónssandur, Búðir church and Snæfellsjökull glacier.
• Feel: many smaller stops around a loop; noticeably quieter than the South Coast.

In short: choose the South Coast if you want Iceland's most iconic waterfalls and beaches on a straightforward route. Choose Snæfellsnes if you want variety, fewer people and a more remote atmosphere, and you don't mind a slightly longer day.

What you see on the South Coast

The South Coast route follows the Ring Road east through farmland, past the volcano Eyjafjallajökull and under the edge of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. The sights come one after another, most of them just a short walk from the car park, which is a big part of the appeal.

• Seljalandsfoss: a slender waterfall dropping over an old sea cliff. In the warmer months a path leads behind the falling water. Expect spray and slippery steps, and the path behind the fall can be closed in icy conditions.
• Gljúfrabúi: a smaller waterfall hidden in a narrow gorge a short walk from Seljalandsfoss. Waterproof shoes help.
• Skógafoss: a wide, powerful curtain of water with a staircase climbing to a viewing platform at the top. On sunny days you often see a rainbow in the spray.
• Sólheimajökull: a glacier tongue reachable by a short walk from a car park. Only walk onto the ice with a qualified glacier guide and proper equipment.
• Dyrhólaey: a headland with a large rock arch and wide views along the coast. Access can be restricted during the nesting season.
• Reynisfjara: the black sand beach with basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore.
• Vík: a small village with a red-roofed church on the hill, a good place for a meal before the drive back.

The South Coast is a day of big moments. You will remember standing in front of Skógafoss and the roar of the surf at Reynisfjara. Our South Coast day trip guide and the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss guide go into each stop in more detail.

What you see on Snæfellsnes

Snæfellsnes sticks out into the Atlantic north-west of Reykjavík, between Faxaflói and Breiðafjörður bays. At its western tip stands Snæfellsjökull, a glacier-capped volcano inside Snæfellsjökull National Park. Around it, the landscape changes every half hour: lava fields covered in moss, golden and black beaches, sea cliffs full of birds in summer and small harbour towns.

• Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss: the cone-shaped mountain near Grundarfjörður with a small waterfall in front of it, one of the most photographed views in Iceland.
• Arnarstapi and Hellnar: a coastal path of a few kilometres along basalt cliffs, rock arches and, in summer, nesting seabirds.
• Djúpalónssandur: a black pebble beach reached through a lava field, with old lifting stones and rusted pieces of a shipwreck.
• Lóndrangar and Svörtuloft: basalt pinnacles rising from the coast and a bright orange lighthouse above the sea.
• Búðir: a small black wooden church standing alone on a lava plain, beautiful in every light.
• Ytri Tunga: a beach where seals are often seen resting on the rocks, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Gerðuberg: a long wall of basalt columns beside the road on the way to the peninsula.

Snæfellsnes rewards curiosity more than a checklist. There is no single headline sight that everyone queues for. Instead, the day builds up from many smaller places, and you will often have a viewpoint almost to yourself, especially outside the summer peak. Our Snæfellsnes Peninsula day trip guide explains the route in full.

Head to head: drive time, crowds, walking and weather

Time in the car

Both trips involve a lot of driving, and that is the first thing to accept. On the South Coast the first big stop, Seljalandsfoss, comes after about an hour and a half, and the stops are spaced out along one road, so you never drive for very long without a break. On Snæfellsnes you drive about two and a half hours before reaching Kirkjufell, though a coffee stop in Borgarnes and the basalt columns at Gerðuberg break up the journey. Once you are on the peninsula, the stops come thick and fast.

Crowds

The South Coast is one of the most visited routes in Iceland. In summer, car parks at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara can be full by late morning, and coach tours tend to arrive at similar times. Snæfellsnes is well known but sees fewer visitors, and apart from Kirkjufell it rarely feels crowded. If avoiding people matters to you, Snæfellsnes has the edge.

Walking

Neither day requires a real hike. On the South Coast most sights are a few minutes from the car park, with optional extras such as the steps up Skógafoss or the path behind Seljalandsfoss. Snæfellsnes has a little more walking if you want it: the coastal path between Arnarstapi and Hellnar, the descent to Djúpalónssandur and short scrambles around Lóndrangar. Both work for most fitness levels if you choose your stops.

Weather and winter

The South Coast follows the Ring Road, which is a main route and usually a priority for winter road service, although storms can still close sections at short notice. Snæfellsnes roads are quieter and more exposed, and some side roads and viewpoints can be hard to reach after snow or in strong wind. In winter, with only a few hours of daylight around December, both days are tight. The South Coast is the easier one to shorten: you can simply turn back after Skógafoss.

Whatever the season, check the weather forecast and road conditions on the official Icelandic services on the morning of your trip. Our guides to Iceland in winter and driving in Iceland in winter explain what to expect.

Which trip suits you?

Choose the South Coast if…

• It is your first visit and you want to see the waterfalls you know from photos.
• You prefer short walks and sights close to the car park.
• You are travelling in winter and want a route that is easier to shorten.
• You love dramatic beaches and are happy to share them with other visitors.
• You might continue further east later in your trip, for example to Jökulsárlón.

Choose Snæfellsnes if…

• You have already seen the South Coast or plan to see it on another trip.
• You want quieter viewpoints and a sense of remoteness.
• You like variety: mountains, lava, beaches, cliffs, villages and a glacier in one day.
• Photography is a priority, especially Kirkjufell.
• You enjoy short coastal walks and spotting seabirds or seals.

Families with younger children often find the South Coast easier, because the first stop comes sooner and the sights are big and exciting. Couples and repeat visitors often say Snæfellsnes was their favourite day, precisely because it felt less busy. There is no wrong answer.

Can you do both?

Yes, if you have at least four or five days. A common plan is the Golden Circle on one day, the South Coast on another and Snæfellsnes on a third, with a rest day or a day in Reykjavík in between, because three long days in a row are tiring. Our 5-day Iceland itinerary and 7-day Iceland itinerary show how the days fit together.

Another option is to stay overnight. On the South Coast, Vík makes a good base, and on Snæfellsnes, towns such as Stykkishólmur, Grundarfjörður and Arnarstapi have accommodation. Staying a night turns a long day into two relaxed ones and gives you a better chance of evening light or, in the darker months, the northern lights if the sky is clear and activity is high.

If you are heading straight out of Keflavík Airport to stay on one of these routes, we drive there directly. See the fixed price for Keflavík Airport to Vík, Keflavík Airport to Skógar, Keflavík Airport to Grundarfjörður, Keflavík Airport to Arnarstapi or Keflavík Airport to Stykkishólmur. If you would like a short stop on the way, agree it with us in advance.

Why a private tour works well for both

Both routes are long, and much of the day is spent on the road. With a private tour you have your own driver and vehicle for your group only, with pick-up at your hotel in Reykjavík. You don't need to navigate, watch the clock or find parking at busy car parks, and you can spend longer where you like it and skip what doesn't interest you.

• Your pace: linger at Kirkjufell for the light, or leave Reynisfjara early if the weather turns.
• Your start time: an early start helps you reach the busiest South Coast stops before the coaches.
• Your vehicle: Economy (Tesla or similar) for 1 to 4 passengers or a Van (Mercedes Vito) for 5 to 7. Groups of 8 to 16 can ask about a minibus on WhatsApp at +354 777 3949.
• One price per vehicle: not per person, which makes a big difference for families and small groups.

See the South Coast & Vík private tour and the Snæfellsnes private tour for the itinerary and price. If you want to go further east, the South Coast and Jökulsárlón tour is a very long but memorable day.

10–11 hours · private

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Kirkjufell · Arnarstapi · Djúpalónssandur · Snæfellsjökull

Car

1–4 people

123,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

151,000 kr

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Frequently asked questions

Is Snæfellsnes or the South Coast better for a first visit?

Which day trip is longer?

Is Snæfellsnes less crowded than the South Coast?

Which is better in winter?

Can I see both in one day?

Can I see a glacier on either trip?

Do you offer private tours to both?