Travel Explore Enjoy

After enjoying the dramatic cliffs and sea arch at Arnarstapi (more on that in Part 1), we continued our scenic loop through the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland. The drive didn’t end there, some great views, more peaceful stops, golden beaches. 

Our Drive on Route 574: Second Half

We left Arnarstapi around 4:45 PM and drove about 14 km (13 minutes) along Route 574 to the Snæfellsjökull Viewpoint. Sadly, the clouds had rolled in, and the glacier was nowhere to be seen, no luck! 

Next, we drove to the Black Church at Búðir, just a 5 km (5 mins) drive from the viewpoint. It is a small, simple building with striking black color, but it really stands out being surrounded by lava fields and mountains.

That was the last stop on our Route 574 loop. From there, we got back on Route 54 and headed toward the east side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Just 3 km (about 6 minutes) from the black church, as soon as you got back on Route 54, we spotted Bjarnarfoss, a beautiful waterfall dropping from a high cliff. We didn’t hike up, just pulled over quickly to snap a few photos from the car. It’s pretty hard to miss.

Our next stop was Ytri Tunga, a beach known for its golden sand with lava rock shoreline and seal colony. It is just a short 17 km (about 13 minutes) detour off Route 54. It was windy and cold, and there were only a couple of other visitors around. And we were in luck, several seals were resting on the rocks when we got there!

Here’s a glimpse of our scenic drive through  West Iceland  on Route 574. Take a look at these photos from June 18, 2025.

Check out the map of our Route 574 drive with all the key stops, great for planning your own.

We still had one more place to visit that day, the unique and stunning Hraunfossar waterfalls, but that deserves a post of its own. Stay tuned!

If you’re planning your own adventure along Route 574, don’t forget to check out these quick facts and tips.

Quick Facts and Tips:

• Check road conditions at road.is and weather forecasts at vedur.is.
• Download offline maps. Cell signals may be weak in some areas, especially near Djúpalónssandur and between towns.
• Route 574, the main coastal road around Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is paved and suitable for 2WD cars.
• Headlights must be on at all times, day or night.
• All scenic stops are right off Route 574, easy to locate and close to each other.
• Allow at least 3 to 4 hours to enjoy all the stops without feeling rushed.
• Watch for single-lane bridges and tunnels, yield to oncoming traffic as marked.
• Be careful when pulling over, many scenic spots are close together, and some shoulders are narrow. 
• Watch for sheep near or on the road, they often wander into traffic.
• In any emergency, dial 112.
• Stay on marked paths to protect moss, lava fields, and fragile coastal areas.
• Drones are allowed in many areas, but check local signs for restrictions.
• Credit/debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. 
• Dress in layers. Bring warm, windproof, and waterproof clothing. Weather on the peninsula can change quickly. Some sights have uneven or rocky paths, so wear comfortable, sturdy shoes.
• Entry and parking are free at all stops, with no need for a ticket machine or app. (Exception: Ytri Tunga Beach may charge a small parking fee via kiosk or app like Parka or CheckIt.)
• Gas stations and food stops, including proper restaurants and cafés are available in Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Hellissandur, Arnarstapi, and Stykkishólmur (with a short detour). Still, bringing your own food and snacks can save both time and money, especially when covering multiple stops in one day. Gas stations are limited outside towns, fill up when you can.
• Towns like Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Hellissandur, Arnarstapi, and Stykkishólmur offer a variety of cozy accommodations, including hotels, guesthouses, cottages, and hostels. Many explore Snæfellsnes as a day trip, but staying overnight is a great option. Just be sure to book early in summer, as spots fill up fast.
• Restrooms are available at Malarrif Visitor Center (near the lighthouse), Hellissandur Park Center, Arnarstapi town center (both free and paid options), and Djúpalónssandur (summer-only facilities or basic roadside toilets). At other stops like Búðir, Ytri Tunga, Lóndrangar, and Bjarnarfoss, you may need to use restrooms at nearby cafés or gas stations.

We loved the whole stretch of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. From volcanic craters to black sand beaches, glacier views to dramatic cliffs, tiny fishing villages to striking churches. The calm, wild, and moody charm of the diverse landscape made it one of our favorite drives of the trip.