Explore Arnarstapi

Arnarstapi is a small village located on the southern side of Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is not as touristy as other places in Iceland, and really allows you to get a feel for what most of Iceland is like. Today the small town is a fishing village. Although summer months are a much busier than the winter ones, the village has much beauty to offer during the colder season.

Once you arrive in the village, Bardur Snaefellsas, a giant rock statue is immediately visible. Bardur is a character from ancient Icelandic saga. His monument is a perfect starting point to exploring the area. You can begin to see incredible rock formations as close as the Gatklettur "Arch Rock", which is a giant rock that formed into an arch. The arch is just down to the left of Bardur, if you are facing the water.

Along the coast is a hiking path called Nedstavatn you can take from Arnarstapi to Hellenar. This hike is a beautiful path of lava fields and stunning rock formations. The hike is about 2.5 km long, point-to-point, which takes about 1h to complete in one direction. When you arrive to Hellenar, you can grab a bite to eat at the Fjöruhúsið café, a popular place to enjoy the view.

This small town is a magnificent gem, and if you are in the area, well worth the stop.