2 Day Snaefellsnes Peninsula & West Iceland: Lava Cave & Northern Lights

Today your two day sightseeing of the west begins. You will go from Reykjavik to exploring lava fields, waterfalls, lava caves, white and black beaches and much more. 

On your way from Reykjavík you will drive along mount Esja that looks over the whole city of Reykjavík. Soon you will enter the scenic fjord of Hvalfjörður (whale fjord). Once you are out of Hvalfjörður you will enter another fjord, Borgarfjörður.

The first attraction of the day is Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, where bailing water is bubbling from the ground, you will feel the heat from the hot steam. Next stop is Reykholt, one of the most important historical locations in Iceland. This was the home of Snorri Sturluson who was one of the most significant figures of the Middle Ages. After leaving Reykholt you will see two waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is a series of rivulets that stream through the dark lava field. Barnafoss waterfall is a light blue waterfall that rushes through a narrow gorge. 

You will stay the night in Borgarfjörður area. Since this is a winter tour, you will have a chance of experiencing the northern lights if the weather and northern lights forecast allows. 

Today you will explore the magical peninsula Snæfellsnes. The first stop of the day will be Gerðuberg cliffs, from there you will go to Ytri-Tunga white sand beach. White beaches are not common in Iceland so this is a really interesting stop. Then it's off to Arnarstapi with its magical coastline. This area is surrounded by basalt ravines and caves, you can see the Atlantic ocean rushing against the dramatic cliffs. 

Next stop will be Djúpalónssandur, black pebble beach. Yo get to the beach you will have to walk through a maze of free standing lava pillars.

Throughout the day you will have Snæfellsjökull glacier watching over you. Snæfellsjökull was used as the entrance to the center of the earth in Jules Verne's classic sci-fi novel. You will actually have the chance of entering the center of the earth through Vatnshellir cave if you fancy. 

The last but not at all least stop of the day is the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell. On your way back to Reykjavík, you will drive through a stunning fjord called Hraunsfjörður where you will see the dark lava field of Berserkjahraun lava field. On your way back make sure to keep an eye on the sky as you might be able to experience the magical northern lights along the way back to the city.