5 Day Tour - Sagas of Snaefellsnes Peninsula Iceland

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Reykjavik
3 stops
1
The Settlement Exhibition
Be ready to meet downtown in the morning. We'll explore the Settlement Age and traverse the city together on foot. You'll need to book accommodation for this night yourself. Once you've booked your tour, we provide suggestions on places to consider.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
National Museum of Iceland
Visit the museum and learn the stories behind the artifacts with Dr. John Sexton and Dr. Andrew Pfrenger, saga scholars and hosts of the Saga Thing podcast.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
3
Reykjavik
Our Reykjavik city walk will include both common and off-the-beaten-path highlights of the city with a focus on contextualizing the Viking Age in Icelandic history. Local tour guide Björn Grímsson, together with John and Andy, will set the stage for our journey to Snaefellsnes.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Reykholt and the Legacy of Snorri Sturluson
5 stops
4
Reykjavik
The tour begins with convenient pickup from several central locations in Reykjavík before traveling north to Reykholt, home of medieval scholar and writer Snorri Sturluson. After exploring this historic site, the journey continues to our accommodation on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where you’ll settle in for the next few nights. Lodging is included as part of your tour package.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring
Near Reykholt is the incredible Deildartunguhver, Europe’s highest-flowing hot spring that has sustained nearby communities for centuries. Feel the heat rise from the earth and the steam on your face as you learn how the land around this natural marvel figures into the life of young Snorri Sturluson and helps set him on the path to becoming one of Iceland's most important figures.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Snorrastofa museum
Step into the heart of Iceland’s medieval literary world with a visit to Reykholt, home of the 13th-century scholar, poet, and chieftain Snorri Sturluson. One of Iceland’s most remarkable figures, Snorri lived and worked here during the early 1200s, composing much of the Prose Edda (our most important source for Norse mythology) and chronicling the history of Norway’s kings in Heimskringla. At Reykholt, you’ll walk the same grounds where Snorri wrote, ruled, and ultimately met his violent end. Explore the remains of his medieval farmstead, including Snorralaug, a beautifully preserved hot pool mentioned in medieval records, and visit the Snorrastofa Cultural and Research Center, which offers insight into his life, writings, and lasting influence on world literature. This stop offers not only a glimpse into the world of saga-age politics and creativity but also a rare chance to connect directly with the mind behind some of the greatest stories ever told.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Barnafoss
Weather permitting, we’ll pause for lunch beside the stunning Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, where bright glacial water spills through lava fields and channels. In addition to being the stomping grounds of Snorri Sturluson, this is also the land of Bjarnar saga Hítdœlakappa.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
8
Borgarnes
Visit Borgarnes, the homeland of Egil Skallagrimsson. View the spot where his father Skallagrim first came ashore, the farmstead Egil and Thorolf called home, the mound where Egil laid both his father and son to rest, and other sites from Egil's saga. Time permitting, you’ll also have the option to visit the fascinating Settlement Center (admission not included), which offers an immersive look at Iceland’s early history and Egil’s enduring saga.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
The Land of Eyrbyggja Saga
7 stops
9
The most sacred spot on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Helgafell is where Eyrbyggja saga begins. In addition to serving as the home to powerful saga figures like Snorri goði and Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, Helgafell was also the site of a productive medieval monastery. Ancient stories tell of wishes granted and the mountain opening to reveal hidden secrets . . . but will it open for us?
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
This tranquil fjord once belonged to Thorolf Twist-Foot and his son Arnkel goði, influential figures whose feuds and fates are central to Eyrbyggja saga. Nearby lies the site said to be Geirríðr’s hall, where, according to the saga, a table laden with food was always ready for travelers passing through.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Where exactly were those Swedish berserkers buried? We’ll trace the old path across Berserkjahraun, walking the same ground where Eyrbyggja saga tells of their dramatic efforts to win the hand of Killer-Styr's daughter. Along the way, we’ll connect local landmarks to their saga counterparts and see how legend and landscape intertwine.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
12
Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum
Sample traditional hákarl (fermented shark) and learn about Iceland’s unique food traditions at the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum. This small museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the island’s coastal life and ingenuity.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
13
Kolgrafarfjördur Viewpoint
Pause at the Kolgrafarfjörður Viewpoint to take in sweeping views of the northern coastline and imagine the landscapes that shaped Eyrbyggja saga. An interpretive sign, complete with striking illustrations, highlights the saga’s most memorable stories and characters.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Kirkjufell Mountain
Perhaps Iceland’s most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell is an iconic landmark on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It even has a nearby waterfall. And while the mountain itself isn’t mentioned in the sagas, the surrounding landscapes feature in numerous saga stories. We’ll pause here to admire the sweeping scenery.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
15
If time and conditions allow, we’ll pause near Bugfoss, a picturesque waterfall cascading over the cliffs. Close by are Mávahlíð and Fróðá, sites steeped in Eyrbyggja saga history. Here, we’ll recount tales of witches, uncanny hauntings, and moral reckonings that make Eyrbyggja saga so memorable.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
The Land of Bárðar Saga
6 stops
16
Ingjaldscholskirkja
The day begins at Ingólfshólskirkja, a serene church site overlooking sweeping views of snow-capped mountains and the North Atlantic. The area was first settled by Ingjald, a companion of Bárðr Snæfellsáss, but it is best known as the home of Viglundr Þorgrimsson, the warrior poet whose love of Ketilríð was worthy of its own saga.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Saxholl Crater
Climb the short but steep Saxhóll Crater for panoramic views of Snæfellsjökull, lava fields, and the coastline.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
18
Djupalonssandur Beach
Descend to Djúplóssandur, a black pebble beach scattered with remnants of old shipwrecks. According to Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss, this is where Bárðr first landed, beginning his settlement of the region. Explore this dramatic shoreline and imagine how these treacherous waters shaped both real and legendary seafaring life in Iceland.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
19
We’ll stop at Malarrif Visitor Center, where cliffs meet the sea in dramatic basalt formations. Nearby, the towering Lóndrangar pillars rise from the ocean, a striking example of volcanic erosion and a site steeped in local legend. This combined stop offers breathtaking views, an informative exhibition, and a vivid reminder of how Iceland’s rugged coastline has inspired storytelling for centuries.
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket free
20
Laugarbrekka, the historic farm where Bárðr once lived before withdrawing from society to become the guardian spirit of the region. The site includes an archaeological settlement, where the remains of a medieval farmstead offer a tangible connection to the people behind the sagas. Nearby, Bárðarlaug, a small crater lake, is said to be where Bárðr rested and bathed after exploring the peninsula for the first time. Together, these sites provide a fascinating glimpse into both the legendary life of Bárðr and the landscapes that shaped his story.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
21
Arnarstapi
Finish the day at Arnarstapi, a coastal village framed by dramatic cliffs, striking rock formations, and abundant seabirds. The area is rich in saga history, featuring a statue of Bárðr Snæfellsáss, the guardian spirit of Snæfellsnes, and stunning views of Snæfellsjökull. This scenic location provides a fitting conclusion to a day exploring the peninsula’s rugged landscapes and legendary past. Travelers may choose from several local restaurants for dinner and enjoy a walk along the cliffs.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Lost Treasures
4 stops
22
Ytri Tunga Beach
We'll start with visit to Ytri Tunga Beach, a beautiful stretch of southern coastline known for its resident seals. These playful creatures are often seen lounging on the rocks or frolicking in the waves. Of course, you'll want to be careful here. The sagas tell of ghostly seals and other supernatural beings from the sea, including a particularly strange ghost seal in Eyrbyggja saga. This charming spot combines wildlife viewing, a stunning landscape, and a good reminder of how the lived-space helped shape some of the most entertaining stories of the sagas.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
23
Finish the story of Egil Skallagrímsson in Mosfell valley where he spent his final years. This location marks Egil's withdrawal from public life after years of raiding and feuding. We'll climb the hills and speculate about Egil's final resting place and the location of his buried treasure. Mosfell is also home to one of Iceland's most famous archaeological excavations. Researchers have uncovered evidence of a high-status residence, including longhouses, farm structures, and Viking Age graves. This unassuming site is an excellent spot to connect saga story to Iceland's history.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
24
Pingvellir National Park
The final stop of the tour is Þingvellir, one of Iceland’s most iconic and historically significant sites. Here, the Alþingi, Iceland’s national assembly, was established in 930, making it the heart of medieval law and governance. Þingvellir and the surrounding landscapes feature prominently in most sagas, providing the dramatic backdrop for political intrigue, family feuds, and legal disputes that makes the sagas so much fun. Geologically, Þingvellir lies along the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, where cliffs, fissures, and lava fields reveal the island’s volcanic origins. Walking through this extraordinary place, you experience the intersection of history, legend, and the raw forces of nature that shaped both the land and the stories told upon it.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
25
Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant
Final Judgements at the Final Feast! We'll celebrate the tour's conclusion together, then drop off at hotels in Reykjavik.
2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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