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If you like the thought of waking up to glacial peaks, wild sheep roaming around, breathtaking views of volcanoes, and golden sand beaches (an oddity in Iceland), then Snæfellsnes should be your go-to when visiting the island. And you also don’t need to “rough it” when going camping in Snæfellsnes. If you rent a campervan to road trip the Peninsula, you can go camping in comfort and convenience, and add a little extra uniqueness to your road trip adventure.
If this will be your first time exploring Snæfellsnes, this article will tell you exactly which campsites to consider for your overnight stays, what’s considered absolute must sees-and-dos in the area, and we’ll even give you a 2-day road trip itinerary you can use as is or use as inspiration for customizing your own!
The Best Campsites in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Below are our recommendations for some of the best campervan stays in Snæfellsnes:
Stykkisholmur Campsite
Location: Stykkisholmur, West Iceland
Opening Period: May to October (service house open May-Sep; toilets open year-round)
Price:
- 1600 ISK ($13.30 & €11.20) per adult per night
- 1100 ISK ($9.10 & €7.70) for senior citizens and the disabled per night
- Kids 15 years and younger stay for free
Facilities and Amenities:
- Campervan dump station
- Washing machine and dryer
- Communal bathrooms
- Electricity (at an additional 1100 ISK/$9.10/€7.70)
- Communal Pool
- Playground
- WiFi
Stykkisholmur Campsite sits next to a golf course and is far enough from the town for that wilderness feel and peace and quiet, but also close enough for you to do a quick drop-by whenever you need to stock up on essentials. Except for being a campsite with ample facilities and amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, you also have the added benefit of breathtaking ocean views.
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Arnarstapi Campsite
Location: Arnarstapi, West Iceland
Opening Period: End of May to September (seasonal)
Price:
- 2300 ISK ($19.05 & €16.11) per adult per night
- 1800 ISK ($14.90 & €12.65) for senior citizens per night
- 500 ISK ($4.15 & €3.50) for kids between 14 and 17 years
- Kids 13 years and younger stay for free
Facilities and Amenities:
- Campervan dump station
- Communal bathrooms
- Electricity (at an additional 1100 ISK/$9.10/€7.70)
- WiFi
Arnarstapi Campsite is another “room with a view,” sitting right beneath the Stapafell mountain with panoramic views over the ocean. The campsite is also not too far away from its namesake, Arnarstapi Village, a quaint little coastal village where you can find all the essentials you need.
Arnarstapi Campsite is considered a bit more primitive when it comes to all sorts of modern facilities and amenities, since the focus is placed on immersing yourself in nature, and the village is just a short distance away.
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Hellisandur Campsite
Location: Hellissandur, West Iceland
Opening Period: April to September (peak season)
Price:
- 1800 ISK ($14.90 & €12.65) per adult per night
- 1300 ISK ($10.75 & €9.10) for senior citizens and the disabled per night
- 600 ISK ($5.00 & €4.20) for kids between 14 and 17 years
- Kids 13 years and younger stay for free
Facilities and Amenities:
- Campervan dump station
- Communal bathrooms
- Communal kitchen
- Electricity (at an additional 900 ISK/$7.45/€6.30)
- Playground
- WiFi
Glacier-capped mountain tops, breathtaking views of the Snæfellsjökull National Park landscape, sunsets over the ocean… we’re not describing some made-up paradise – this is Hellissandur Campsite! And if you’re avid hikers, there’s a myriad of trails to choose from to explore the surrounding area further.
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Grundarfjördur Campsite
Location: Grundarfjördur, West Iceland
Opening Period: All year round (with reduced services in winter)
Price:
- 1800 ISK ($14.90 & €12.65) per adult per night
- 1300 ISK ($10.75 & €9.10) for senior citizens and the disabled per night
- Kids 16 years and younger stay for free
Facilities and Amenities:
- Campervan dump station
- Communal bathrooms
- Electricity (at an additional 1300 ISK/$10.75/€9.10)
- Playground
- Sports Ground
- Communal Swimming Pool
Nestled between rolling green hills and the deep-blue ocean, Grundarfjördur Campsite makes you feel like you’re miles from civilization despite the nearest town being just a 10-minute walk away. This campsite should also be the go-to for any families since there’s more than enough on-site to keep young and old entertained.
Olafsvik Campsite
Location: Olafsvik, West Iceland
Opening Period: June to August (summer season)
Price:
- 1800 ISK ($14.90 & €12.65) per adult per night
- 1300 ISK ($10.75 & €9.10) for senior citizens and the disabled per night
- 600 ISK ($5.00 & €4.20) for kids between 14 and 16 years
- Kids 13 years and younger stay for free
Facilities and Amenities:
- Campervan dump station
- Communal bathrooms
- Communal kitchen
- Electricity (at an additional 900 ISK/$7.45/€6.30)
- WiFi
Olafsvik Campsite is also considered to be a fairly primitive campground, with the focus firmly placed on the beautiful natural surroundings and the peace and quiet you can immerse yourself in here.
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Snæfellsnes Peninsula Camping Rules
|
Rule / Restriction |
Applies on Snæfellsnes / in Iceland |
Penalty / Fine |
|
No overnight stays in campers, vans, motorhomes or caravans outside official campsites or urban areas, unless you have landowner permission. |
Yes — national law for all Iceland. |
Fine: 20,000 – 400,000 ISK (approx.) |
|
Wild camping (tent) allowed only under strict conditions: uncultivated land, no campsite nearby, no prohibition signs, one night only, maximum three tents. |
Yes — applies everywhere in Iceland, including Snæfellsnes. |
Same fine range if rules are violated. |
|
Camping in national parks or protected areas allowed only in designated campsites or with a special permit. |
Yes — includes Snæfellsjökull National Park on Snæfellsnes. |
Fines apply for illegal camping. |
|
Off-road driving or parking is strictly prohibited. Vehicles must remain on roads, tracks, or campsites. |
Yes — nationwide rule. |
High fines or vehicle confiscation in serious cases. |
|
Littering, damaging moss or vegetation, and uncontrolled fires are forbidden. |
Yes — applies everywhere on Snæfellsnes and in Iceland. |
Environmental fines, depending on severity. |
Our 2-Day Snæfellsnes Peninsula Camping Itinerary
Don’t know where to begin planning your road trip trip itinerary? Then why not use our jam-packed Snæfellsnes Peninsula camping itinerary? Use as is or customize to suit your specific preferences and needs:
Day 1
Total drive time = 4 to 5 hours
Depart from Reykjavik and pass through Borgarnes (your last stop for supplies!) Get on Route 54 and let the adventure begin!
Highlights:
- Ytri Tunga Beach (don’t stay more than 30 minutes)
- Budakirkja (don’t stay more than 30 minutes)
- Raudfeldsgja Gorge (don’t stay more than 45 minutes)
- Arnarstapi (don’t stay more than 60 minutes)
- Londrangar (don’t stay more than 30 minutes)
- Djupalonssandur Black Sand Beach (don’t stay more than 45 minutes)
- Saxholl Crater (don’t stay more than 20 minutes)
- Skardsvik Beach (don’t stay more than 30 minutes)
Sleep over at Hellisandur Campsite
Day 2
Total drive time = 3 to 4 hours
Highlights:
- Kirkjufell Mountain and Waterfall (don’t stay more than 45 minutes)
- Grundarfoss Waterfall (don’t stay more than 60 minutes)
- Berserkjahraun Lava Field (don’t stay more than 30 minutes)
- Stykkisholmur (don’t stay more than 1.5 hours)
The final stretch of your trip is just a 2.5-hour drive back to the capital city. So, you can either extend your trip with a night at Stykkisholmur Campsite and start heading back the next day, or you can end Day 2 back in Reykjavik.
Now, if you have plenty of time, you can expand your camping route to other great places such as:
What to See and Do in Snæfellsnes
Drop-dead gorgeous views, breathtaking landscapes, and jaw-dropping natural wonders, Snæfellsnes is an absolute treasure trove of all sorts of exciting things to discover. Here are some of the sights and attractions that deserve a spot on your trip itinerary:
Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
If you were an avid Game of Thrones fan, you’d know about “Arrowhead Mountain.” But this is no fictional landmark; it’s our famous cone-shaped Kirkjufell Mountain. The mountain is a favorite amongst photographers, especially if you take a photo from the right angle, where you can include the beautiful Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall as well.
Arnarstapi Cliffs
The Arnarstapi Cliffs are black basalt column cliffs lining the coast, which have an abundance of birdlife, making it an absolute must for any avid birdwatcher (especially during spring and our famous Puffin season, May to August).
The Bardur Snæfellsas Statue
Standing 6 meters tall and entirely made from rocks, this impressive statue depicts Bardur, a famous character from the Icelandic Sagas, who is half man and half troll and believed to be the guardian of the region.
Djupalonssandur Black Sand Beach
Djupalonssandur is not just one of our most beautiful black sand beaches, but also a historic marvel. This bay was once a famous departure spot for local fishers and was also the testing ground for prospective fishermen. To this day, you’ll find four lifting stones there, each varying in weight from light to heavy.
It was said that only those who could lift stones 2 and 3 could be considered as a new crewman. Stone 4, which is the heaviest of them all, is rumored to have only been lifted by one fisherman in the history of the lifting stones.
Londrangar Rock Formations
As with the Arnarstapi Cliffs, these dramatic-looking basalt pillars, sticking out from the ocean, are not just impressive, but also home to many interesting bird species, including the Puffins during Puffin season.
Saxholl Crater
This inactive volcanic crater gives visitors the chance to climb its staircase to the top (it’s really not that high at 109 meters), from where you’ll have panoramic views of the Icelandic landscape.
Ytri Tunga Beach
Ytri Tunga Beach is famous for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it’s a white sand beach (something rarely found here in Iceland), and secondly, it’s home to the largest seal colony on the island.
Budakrikja (aka the Black Church)
A favorite spot for avid photographers, this dramatic black church truly has a sinister-looking quality to it, standing alone in the midst of rolling lava fields, especially on days when it’s overcast.
Raudfeldsgja Gorge
Raudfeldsgja is a narrow gorge with moss-covered cliff walls that can be explored via a short hike (not even 2 kilometers!). What’s more, the reward at the end of the hike is Raudfeldsgja’s hidden waterfall in a chamber with fairy-tale-like aesthetics.
Vatnshellir Cave
Vatnshellir is no ordinary cave. It’s one of our most famous lava caves and one of the oldest, clocking in at over 8000 years old! But please note that due to safety concerns, the cave can only be explored via a guided tour.
Bjarnafoss Waterfall
Bjarnafoss Waterfall is another of our famous waterfalls, but more for the legend behind it than its stocky frame, standing at just 80 meters tall. If you believe the cursed legend of Farmer Bjarni, then you should keep an eye out for his lost loot, which he threw into the waterfall’s pool after going mad.
Ingjaldsholskirkja
If you’ve visited the black church, it’s time to head to the extreme on the opposite side of the (color) spectrum: the white church on a hill. There is nothing sinister-looking about this church, which is the oldest concrete church in Iceland, having been built in 1903.
Skardsvik Beach
Skardsvik is yet another rarity here in Iceland, with its golden sand beach. Many actually say that you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve randomly teleported to the Mediterranean when you see this beach.
Time to Begin Your Wild and Whimsical Camping Trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula!
As you can see from our jam-packed and star-studded 2-day trip itinerary, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is an absolute treasure trove of must-sees and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. So, take our recommendations and advice in this article, plot your route, rent your campervan here in Iceland, and set out on the adventure of a lifetime!
