Snæfellsnes gets called Iceland in miniature, and after a day there you see why: sea cliffs, a black pebble beach, a lava field and that famous pointed mountain everyone has seen on a screensaver, all on one peninsula west of Reykjavík.

Arctic Adventures runs this Snæfellsnes day tour in a small group, with transfer from Reykjavík and back. It is rated very easy, so it is about looking and short walks rather than hiking.

What you'll see on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour

• Gerðuberg cliffs
• Ytri Tunga (not visited in December and January, when daylight is too short)
• Arnarstapi, a small village where you can walk along the coastline and have your lunch break
• Djúpalónssandur, a black pebble beach with a wide view
• A view of Kirkjufell
• Berserkjahraun, a dramatic lava field and the last stop of the day

What's included

• Transfer from Reykjavík and back
• Stops at Kirkjufell, Gerðuberg cliffs, Ytri Tunga, Arnarstapi and Djúpalónssandur

Lunch is not included. The break is at Arnarstapi, so bring a packed lunch.

Good to know before you go

Bring warm clothes, sturdy shoes and a packed lunch. The west coast catches the wind straight off the Atlantic, and the beach at Djúpalónssandur is round, loose pebbles, which are no friend to thin-soled trainers. In December and January the day is shorter on light, which is why Ytri Tunga drops off the route in those months.

Pro tip: pack more food than you think. It is an 11-hour day, lunch is not included, and the source lists no other food stop, so snacks for the drive home are a good idea.

Who this tour suits

Travellers who have already done the Golden Circle or South Coast and want a quieter corner of Iceland, photographers with Kirkjufell on their list, and anyone without a car who wants to see the west in a single day.