Often considered a place to stretch one’s legs on a trip around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Arnarstapi is so much more than just a rest stop. This tiny village packs a big punch. It embodies Icelandic culture, with a rich history and stunning nature.
Keep reading to discover why this quaint little village is a must-add to your Iceland holiday itinerary.
Quick Facts About Arnarstapi
The local nickname for Arnarstapi is “Stapi”.
A key factor in Arnarstapi’s development was the natural harbor and the abundance of herring in the surrounding waters.
Tourism has taken the place of the primary source of income after the herring industry slowed down.
Large plots of uninhabited land are in between the houses in Arnarstapi, showcasing how sparsely populated the area is.
Sparsely populated might be an understatement, given that there are only about 15 permanent residents.
Where is Arnarstapi in Iceland?
This picturesque little village sits snuggly at the foot of the Snæfellsjökull Mountain on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You can easily get to Arnarstapi from Reykjavik in about 2.5 hours, so it suits well as a day trip, especially in the summer in Iceland. Even though the long days make this a nice day trip, you should consider staying a night in Arnarstapi to get enough time to see and do all the cool things in the area.
Getting to Arnarstapi
You can easily visit Arnarstapi in one of two ways:
Going on a Guided Tour
There are plenty of reasons why you should visit Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as it has a myriad of amazing sights and places to visit. This is why many tours go to the area all throughout the year. Some tours are day tours, whilst others are multi-day tours that allow you to sleep in some of the towns in the area. Arnarstapi is often part of these tours, but just double-check if the particular tour you’re going on includes it or not.
Doing a Self-Drive
If you want to make the most of your trip and be at the helm of your adventure, we recommend a self-drive to Arnarstapi. This way, you will be able to stop and experience whichever cool sight you want, whenever you want.
When you finish the top things to do in Reykjavik, get on Ring Road 1, heading north to Borgarnes. When you reach Borgarnes, take a left onto Road 54, going past Budir and Lysuholslaug Swimming Pool before you get to the stunning little village Arnarstapi. This stretch is about 194 kilometers.
Arnarstapi Legends and Lore
The stories surrounding Arnarstapi date back to the settlement era, when Vikings came ashore over a thousand years ago. The most prominent stories are the ones about Bárðr Snæfellsáss, who settled down and built the farm Laugarbrekka just west of Arnarstapi. From here, the half-giant held his adventures on the peninsula with his family and friends.
When Bárðr suffered a series of misfortunes and conflicts, he left his life and went to Snæfellsjökull to watch over the people of the peninsula. He has been known to help people in need at sea, as well as on the treacherous Mount Snæfellsjökull.
Arnarstapi History in Short
The Arnarstapi area quickly became popular among fishermen and traders due to its natural harbor and herring-rich waters. Many of the buildings in Arnarstapi are the result of massive Danish investments made in the 1700s and 1800s.
Up until the Industrial Revolution, this area was a center for fishing and commerce, but as industries and urbanization grew stronger, the little village shrunk in size. It was only when Iceland got its independence that Arnarstapi got a second wind and started to come back to life. As the newly independent country invested in infrastructure and tourism began to pick up, Arnarstapi also grew in activity.
An interesting fact about Laugarbrekka is that the first white woman to give birth in America (Vinland, as the Vikings called it) was born here. Around the year 1000, Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir went with her husband to settle in the North Americas with roughly 60 other Vikings and some provisions. Somewhere between 1005 and 1013, her baby boy was born. The Vikings only left around 1015 after conflicts with the indigenous tribes escalated to unsustainable levels.
Things to Do in Arnarstapi and Surroundings
We recommend staying a night or two in Arnarstapi, and you’ll understand why once you see all the things you can see and do in and around this unique little village.
See the Gatklettur Rock Formation.
Take your binoculars and watch the birds at the Arnarstapi Cliffs.
Hike between Arnarstapi and Hellnar. It’s only 6.2 kilometers long and starts at the Arnarstapi parking lot. It takes about 2 hours to complete, so keep that in mind when you plan it out.
Visit the cute church Budakirkja in Budir.
See the statue of the guardian spirit of Snæfellsnes, Barðr. He is a half-giant (on his father’s side) and lives in Snæfellsjökull, where he can watch over the people of the peninsula.
Stroll along the black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur and the nearby Dritvik Cove.
Stop by Raudfeldsgja Ravine (where Barður threw down his niece Rauðfeldr).
Visit Bjarnafoss Waterfall.
Where to Stay in Arnarstapi
Despite the low number of permanent occupants, Arnarstapi has a wide selection of accommodation options for visitors. The Stod Guesthouse and Apartments is an affordable option for those who want to stay inside, while the Fosshotel Hellnar caters to those looking for a little more luxury on their holiday.
If you enjoy staying as close to nature as possible, the Hellisandur Campground will be your best option. Here, you can easily plug and park your camper home and get cozy without breaking the holiday budget. Simply rent a campervan in Reykjavik upon arrival so you can go camping without having to “rough” it.
Arnarstapi: A Small Village with a Lot Happening
There is an abundance of things to see and do in Arnarstapi and its surroundings, and given the village’s size, it has an impressive roster of entertainment. Just remember to keep to the outdoorsy activities in the summer, as you will have long days with plenty of sunlight to guide you and keep you warm.
Regardless of when you visit, Arnarstapi is always a delight, and you will meet the friendliest people here, so make sure to put it in your travel plans when you visit Iceland.