Snæfellsnes Peninsula driving tips

Although the main Snæfellsnes attractions are accessible in conventional cars, several areas have unpaved roads that can be dangerous. If you want to access these more remote parts of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, I recommend renting a 4×4.

The best time to visit Snæfellsnes depends a lot on your interests. In the summer, you can see puffins and different species of whales. It’s also easier to do things in Snæfellsnes because the landscapes are more accessible.

That said, if you visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in winter, you can see orcas and unbelievable snowscapes. If it’s the Northern Lights you want to see, then you should travel between the end of August to the beginning of April.

During your Snæfellsnes road trip, you won’t have problems finding a gas station. To be on the safe side, I recommend checking the Snæfellsnes attractions map to see how far each place is from a gas station. You want to be sure that you’ll have enough gas between trips, especially if you take a detour or two.

Most of the restaurants in Snæfellsnes are in urban areas. As I mentioned above, some accommodations have restaurants, too. In general, I don’t think you’ll have any issues finding a grocery store or a place to eat on the peninsula.

If you want to plan a complete Snæfellsnes day trip itinerary with meals, I have some restaurant recommendations. My top three choices are Bjargarsteinn Mathús, Langaholt Guesthouse & Restaurant, and Viðvík.

Yes, it’s safe to drive on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in winter as long as you take proper precautions. If you’re going to self-drive in Snæfellsnes, rent a 4×4 and check the weather conditions before heading out. I recommend Vedur.is for weather updates and Road.is for current road conditions.

If you’d like to take a Snæfellsnes road trip, the shortest route is about 210 miles. Of course, if you don’t want to see all the Snæfellsnes attractions I mentioned, you’ll travel less. The total time depends on how long you stay at each attraction.

While touring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, be sure to respect the speed limit. Paved roads typically have a speed limit of 55 mph, while unpaved roads are reduced to 50 mph. If you visit Snæfellsnes attractions in the cities, be aware the speed limit is usually 30 mph.

Everyone should always wear their seat belt, not only in Snæfellsnes but throughout Iceland. Also, you should keep your lights on during the day as well as at night.