Westman Islands vs Snaefellsnes: Volcanic Islands or Glacier Peninsula?

Both the Westman Islands and Snaefellsnes Peninsula offer dramatic Icelandic landscapes, but they are about as different as two destinations on the same small island can be. One is an archipelago defined by a volcano that erupted in living memory; the other is a glacier-capped peninsula rooted in myth and literary history. Which you choose depends largely on how much time you have, what kind of landscape you are drawn to, and how much ferry uncertainty you are willing to accept.

Overview

The Westman Islands — Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic — are a group of 15 islands sitting about 10 kilometres off Iceland’s south coast. Only one, Heimaey, is inhabited, with a population of around 4,500. The islands were formed by submarine volcanic activity, and in January 1973, Eldfell volcano erupted without warning in the middle of the night. Within hours, the eastern part of Heimaey was buried under lava and ash. The town mobilised within days, and the eruption eventually extended the island’s land area by roughly 20 percent before stopping five months later. Around 400 homes were destroyed, but thanks to an extraordinary evacuation, no one died in the initial eruption. The 1973 event defines how Heimaey presents itself to visitors today, and it is a genuinely compelling piece of modern history.

Snaefellsnes, by contrast, is a peninsula about 80 kilometres long on Iceland’s west coast, roughly 90 minutes from Reykjavik. Its glacier-capped volcano, Snaefellsjökull, was used by Jules Verne as the entrance to the earth’s interior in his 1864 novel. The peninsula has ancient lava fields, black pebble beaches, basalt sea cliffs, and Kirkjufell — the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Every road on the peninsula is paved, and the whole thing is accessible in a standard rental car.

Getting There

The practical differences between these two destinations begin with the journey itself.

To reach the Westman Islands, you take the ferry from Landeyjahöfn harbour on the south coast, which is about 130 kilometres from Reykjavik — roughly an hour and forty minutes’ drive. The crossing takes about 40 minutes, runs year-round with two to four departures daily, and costs from around 2,800 ISK per adult one-way, with a car adding approximately 8,500 ISK. The complicating factor is weather. The Westman Islands sit in open Atlantic waters, and rough crossings are common enough that the ferry diverts to Þorlákshöfn when conditions deteriorate — a three-hour crossing that significantly changes your plans. This happens several times a month in winter and periodically in summer. A domestic flight from Reykjavik’s domestic airport takes about 20 minutes and costs from around 8,000 ISK one-way, which removes the weather uncertainty but adds cost.

Getting to Snaefellsnes is entirely straightforward. The drive from Reykjavik via Route 54 takes about two hours and is fully paved throughout. There is no weather-dependent crossing, no special vehicle needed, and limited-service buses run from Reykjavik if you would rather not drive. This makes Snaefellsnes a realistic day trip in a way that the Westman Islands are not quite, given that ferry timing constrains your day considerably.

Key Attractions

The Westman Islands’ draw is concentrated around its volcanic history and wildlife. Eldfell, the volcano that erupted in 1973, rises to 226 metres and can be climbed in about 45 minutes each way. The ground remains warm in places — you can press your hand into the soil near the summit and feel heat rising from below. There is no entry fee. Eldheimar museum, known informally as the Pompeii of the North, is built around a house that was excavated from the lava after the eruption, with the original objects still inside as they were left during the evacuation. Entry costs around 3,000 ISK and the exhibition is one of the most affecting in Iceland. The puffin colonies are another major draw — the Westman Islands host the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colony, with chicks (locally called pufflings) leaving their burrows in late August and early September; young birds attracted by town lights are collected by residents and released on the coast, and visitors can participate. Whale watching tours run from the harbour, and the Sæheimar aquarium (around 1,200 ISK) has a live puffin on display year-round. Our guide to things to do in Westman Islands covers the full range of activities, and day trips from Westman Islands includes boat tours of the outer islands.

Snaefellsnes offers a different kind of spectacle. Snaefellsjökull National Park at the western tip of the peninsula is free to enter, and the glacier can be visited on guided tours from around 15,000 ISK in summer. Kirkjufell mountain near Grundarfjörður provides the peninsula’s most iconic photograph, particularly at dawn or dusk. Djúpalónssandur on the south coast is a black pebble beach with basalt lifting stones and sea stacks — free to visit and worth an hour of your time. Arnarstapi has accessible coastal rock formations and a short cliff walk. The whole peninsula rewards slow driving between small stops rather than rushing to a single headline sight. More detail on planning your time: things to do in Snaefellsnes.

Where to Stay

On the Westman Islands, staying at least one night is strongly recommended. The ferry schedule limits a day trip to perhaps four or five hours on the island, which is not enough time to climb Eldfell, visit Eldheimar, and see anything else. Guesthouse Hamar costs around 22,000 ISK per night for a double room. Hotel Vestmannaeyjar runs from approximately 30,000 to 38,000 ISK per night and is the largest hotel on the island. Sunna guesthouse offers more basic accommodation from around 20,000 ISK. Our guide to where to stay in Westman Islands covers what is available and how to book ahead in peak season.

Snaefellsnes has more accommodation spread across a longer peninsula. Hotel Búðir is the most remote and atmospheric option — doubles start around 40,000 to 55,000 ISK per night. The Freezer Hostel in Grundarfjörður occupies a converted fish factory and has dorm beds from around 6,000 ISK, making it one of the more affordable bases with easy access to Kirkjufell. Our where to stay in Snaefellsnes guide covers the full range from budget to splurge.

Food

The Westman Islands has a small but decent selection of restaurants for a town of its size. Slippurinn, housed in a converted fish machinery shed, is the most ambitious, with mains running from around 5,000 to 7,000 ISK and a menu that changes with the season — worth booking ahead. Einsi Kaldi is a reliable seafood option with mains around 4,500 ISK. Gott is a more casual restaurant in the town centre. Our best restaurants in Westman Islands guide covers your options with practical booking advice.

On Snaefellsnes, Fjöruhúsið café at Hellnar is the standout — its lobster soup has become well-known across Iceland and costs around 3,500 ISK for a substantial bowl with bread. Hotel Búðir has a formal restaurant for special occasions. Our best restaurants in Snaefellsnes guide covers the peninsula’s eating options in more detail.

Weather and Access

The Westman Islands are fully exposed to the North Atlantic. Wind is a near-constant presence, and the combination of swell and wind means ferry cancellations happen regularly — particularly in autumn and winter, but not exclusively. If you are booking the Westman Islands into a tight itinerary, allow flexibility on either side of your visit. The flights are less weather-dependent but more expensive. On the island itself, hiking in strong wind requires appropriate clothing and some caution on cliff edges.

Snaefellsnes is considerably more predictable. The paved roads remain open year-round, conditions at the viewpoints are manageable with standard outdoor clothing, and there is no transport link that can be cancelled by the weather. The glacier itself generates its own local weather — the Snaefellsjökull area can be fogged in when the rest of the peninsula is clear — but this affects the glacier tour rather than your ability to reach the peninsula at all.

Budget

For a comparable two-night stay, costs are broadly similar between the two destinations. The Westman Islands adds a return ferry per person (around 5,600 ISK) and per car (around 17,000 ISK return) or flights (around 16,000 ISK return per person) on top of accommodation and food. Eldfell is free to climb; Eldheimar (3,000 ISK) is the main paid attraction. Snaefellsnes adds fuel costs for a longer drive but no ferry fare; the glacier tours are the main discretionary spend at around 15,000 ISK per person if you want to get onto the ice.

Browse Snæfellsnes Peninsula tours — full-day tours from Reykjavík covering Kirkjufell, the glacier, and coastal highlights.

Book Iceland attraction tickets — skip-the-queue entry for geothermal baths, cave tours, and top attractions.

Compare car hire in Iceland — a 4WD or campervan gives the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

The Verdict

Choose the Westman Islands if you want to understand Iceland’s volcanic present rather than its geological past — Eldheimar is one of the most genuinely moving museums in the country, Eldfell still radiates heat, and the puffin colonies are unlike anything on the mainland. If you are visiting in August or September and have children, the puffling rescue season alone makes the trip worthwhile. Plan for at least one night, ideally two.

Choose Snaefellsnes if you want a reliable, scenically rich destination with no ferry uncertainty and the flexibility to turn it into a day trip or extend it into a longer stay. The glacier, the coastal lava landscapes, and Kirkjufell together make a strong case for it as one of the best two or three days anyone can spend in Iceland.

Both destinations are within reach of Reykjavik, and with careful planning — spending three days on Snaefellsnes before looping south to Landeyjahöfn for the ferry — it is possible to see both in a single eight to ten day trip. More on each: Westman Islands and Snaefellsnes.