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Snæfellsnes Peninsula Shore Excursion from Grundarfjörður

Name: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Shore Excursion from Grundarfjörður
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 108630
Price: 25340 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

About 5 hoursGroup: Small group, by minibusEasyGuided in English and SpanishMinibus from the cruise portAge 2+May–September

5.0(1 review)

Basalt cliffs and surf on the south coast of Snæfellsnes

The black pebble cove at Djúpalónssandur from above

Grundarfjörður town with Kirkjufell behind

A shore excursion around the Snæfellsnes peninsula timed to your cruise call at Grundarfjörður. In around 5 hours you see Kirkjufell mountain, the black sand beach at Djúpalónssandur, the cliffs at Lóndrangar and the coastal village of Arnarstapi.

Kirkjufell & KirkjufellsfossDjúpalónssandur black beachLóndrangar cliffsArnarstapiBúðir black church

Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most photographed mountains, with its own waterfall
Djúpalónssandur, a black sand beach with old shipwreck remains and lifting stones
Lóndrangar, twin basalt sea stacks good for birdwatching
Arnarstapi's coastal cliffs, sea arches and the Bárður troll statue
Búðir's small black church, standing alone on the lava field
Timed to get you back to the ship before it sails

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Pick-up at Grundarfjörður cruise terminalBoard the minibus for the drive to Kirkjufell.

Kirkjufell & KirkjufellsfossThe church-shaped mountain and its waterfall.

Kirkjufell, 'Church Mountain', is a 463-metre cone that rises straight from the shore just west of Grundarfjörður, next to the small waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss. Its shape, wide at the base and narrowing to a point, comes from layers of basalt and softer sedimentary rock that have eroded at different rates. The viewpoint by the falls is the classic place to see it. The climb itself is steep and dangerous, for experienced hikers only. Kirkjufell rises straight out of the coastline and is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, with the small Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in front of it.

Walking · short, flat path to the viewpoint

Read our Kirkjufell guide →

DjúpalónssandurA black sand beach with shipwreck remains and lifting stones.

Djúpalónssandur is an arched bay of black pebbles at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, reached by a path of about 300 metres through black lava formations. The pebbles are lava, broken up and polished by the surf of the open Atlantic. Four lifting stones, weighing 23, 54, 100 and 154 kg, were once used to test the strength of fishermen, and the rusted iron on the beach is from the trawler Epine GY7, wrecked in 1948.

Walking · uneven path down to the beach

Read our Djúpalónssandur guide →

LóndrangarTwin basalt sea stacks above the shore.

Lóndrangar is a pair of basalt pinnacles, about 75 and 61 metres tall, standing against the sea on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. They are the eroded remains of an old volcanic crater, worn down over thousands of years until only the harder plugs at its centre were left. The viewpoints are inside Snæfellsjökull National Park and free to visit.

Walking · short walk to the viewpoint

Read our Lóndrangar guide →

ArnarstapiCoastal cliffs, sea arches and the Bárður troll statue.

Arnarstapi, also called Stapi, is a small fishing village and harbour on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, at the foot of Mt Stapafell. It is known for its basalt sea cliffs, the Gatklettur arch and a coastal path of about 2.5 kilometres to the neighbouring village of Hellnar. It is free to visit and open all year.

Walking · cliff-top path, flat but exposed to wind

Read our Arnarstapi guide →

Búðir black churchA lone black timber church on the lava field.

Búðakirkja, the black church at Búðir, stands alone on a stretch of grassy coastline, with the Búðahraun lava field on one side and a beach of pale sand scattered with black lava rock on the other. The current building dates from 1848, though a church has stood here since 1703, and it is still a working parish church with room for around 50 people. Búðahraun has been a nature reserve since 1977. The church interior is not always open to visitors.

Time here · a short photo stop

Read our Búðir guide →

7Return to GrundarfjörðurDrop-off at the cruise terminal in time for departure.

About the Snaefellsnes shore excursion

Snæfellsnes is often called Iceland in miniature, since it packs mountains, lava fields, black beaches and a glacier-topped volcano into one peninsula, and this excursion is built to fit around a call at Grundarfjörður. You are picked up at the cruise terminal and dropped back with time to spare before departure.

The route starts at Kirkjufell, the mountain that appears in countless Iceland photos, then heads out along the peninsula's south side to Djúpalónssandur, a black pebble beach where you can still see rusting remains of a shipwreck and try lifting the old fishermen's strength-testing stones. From there it continues to Lóndrangar's basalt pillars and the village of Arnarstapi, with its dramatic sea cliffs, before a stop at the isolated black church at Búðir on the way back.

Walking at each stop is easy and on mostly flat or gently sloping ground, so the tour suits most ages and fitness levels. Snæfellsnes weather can turn quickly even in summer, with wind picking up along the exposed coast, so bring a proper waterproof layer.

Included

Pick-up and drop-off at Grundarfjörður cruise terminal
Small group transportation in a comfortable vehicle
Professional guide speaking English and Spanish
Free Wi-Fi on board the vehicle
All parking and entrance fees for listed attractions
Sightseeing stops as per itinerary

Not included

Food and drinks

What to bring

Waterproof jacket
Hat and gloves
Comfortable walking shoes
Snacks and water

Good to know

About 5 hours, timed to your ship's call at Grundarfjörður
Minimum age 2
Easy walking throughout, suitable for most fitness levels
Weather on the peninsula can change quickly, especially wind on the coast

Questions people ask

Will we be back before the ship sails?

Yes, the schedule is built around your ship's call and the minibus returns you to the terminal with time to spare.

How much walking is involved?

Not much, and it's all on flat or gently sloping paths, so it suits most ages and fitness levels.

Is food included?

No, food and drinks aren't included, so bring snacks and water or budget for a stop along the way.

What if the ship doesn't dock at Grundarfjörður as planned?

This excursion is designed around Grundarfjörður calls specifically; check with us if your itinerary changes.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

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1 star0

Loved this tour

Fantastic trip when we stopped on our cruise in May 2026. We had a stop in Isafjordur in the Westfjords and also here in Grundarfjordur and Akureyri. Booked all the tours on this website and we really really liked all of them and the service. Kirkjufell was my favorite stop but also Arnarstapi.

Hollie · May 2026

From25,340 ISKPer person