Skagi Peninsula sits roughly 152 miles (245 kilometers) north of Reykjavik, between the towns of Blondous and Saudarkrokur in North Iceland. Visiting requires a car as there's no public transportation in the area. Most travelers who visit Skagi Peninsula do so as part of a longer route along the Ring Road or the Arctic Coast Way.
Booking self-drive tours, like a 7-day road trip along the Arctic Coast Way, is the easiest way to explore Skagi Peninsula and its surroundings.
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The full Skagi loop adds about 56 miles (90 kilometers) to a Ring Road trip and takes 2 to 3 hours with stops at the main viewpoints. highlights along the way include the basalt columns at Kalfshamarsvik, the sea cliffs at Ketubjorg, the geothermal pool Grettislaug, and the small fishing village of Skagastrond. The rest of the landscape is wide-open tundra, isolated farms, and quiet harbors.
This guide covers what to see on Skagi, how to fit the detour into a larger trip, the best time of the year to go, and practical tips for the drive. Read on for everything you need to plan your visit.
Key Takeaways
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Location: Between Blondous and Saudarkrokur in Northwest Iceland.
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Distance: About 152 miles (245 kilometers) from Reykjavik to Blonduos. The Skagi loop itself adds about 56 miles (90 kilometers) to a Ring Road trip.
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Known for: Basalt columns at Kalfshamarsvik, the Ketubjorg sea cliffs, the Grettislaug hot spring, and small fishing villages.
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Best time to visit: Summer for the drive and birdlife. Winter offers snowy coastal scenery and northern lights on clear nights.
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Getting there: Drive only. Best as a detour from the Ring Road or as part of the Arctic Coast Way.
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Wildlife: Seabirds and seals along the coast
What Makes the Skagi Peninsula Worth Visiting
Skagi is one of Iceland's least-visited regions. Most travelers prioritize the Golden Circle, the South Coast, or the headline stops of North Iceland like Akureyri, Lake Myvatn, and Husavik. Skagi Peninsula sits well off those main paths.
What makes it worth a detour is exactly that quietness. You can drive an hour along the coast without meeting another car, the basalt columns at Kalfshamarsvik often feel like a private viewpoint, and Skagastrond is one of the few places in Iceland where working fishing harbors aren't lined with tour buses.
The area is also rich in saga history. Grettislaug, the geothermal pool on the east side of the peninsula, is tied directly to the Saga of Grettir the Strong, one of the most famous of the Icelandic sagas.
Landscape and Wildlife on the Skagi Peninsula
Skagi Peninsula is defined by its coastline. Sea cliffs rise along the western side, while black-sand beaches, rocky shores, and quiet coves stretch along much of the route. Inland, the landscape is open and windswept, with low hills, grassy tundra, small farms, and wide views toward the sea rather than the dramatic mountains found on neighboring peninsulas.
The coast also reveals the peninsula’s volcanic origins. In some places, basalt columns formed by cooling lava stand beside weathered remnants of old coastal life, including small harbors, simple landmarks, and traces of former fishing activity. These quiet stops show how lava, waves, wind, and time have shaped the shoreline.
Skagi’s coastline supports a range of birds, especially in summer. You may see Arctic terns, fulmars, kittiwakes, and other seabirds nesting or feeding along the shore, along with seals resting offshore or swimming near rocky inlets. The birdlife and coastal scenery make the peninsula especially rewarding for slow travel, photography, and quiet nature stops.
Skagi is not a major puffin destination, despite some scattered colonies in the wider area. For serious puffin viewing, see our guide on where to find puffins in Iceland. For more on spotting seals along Iceland's coasts, see our guide to seals and seal watching in Iceland.
Best Things to Do on the Skagi Peninsula
Despite its remote setting, the Skagi Peninsula offers a variety of attractions that showcase the region's coastal scenery, local culture, and natural beauty. From basalt cliffs and geothermal pools to scenic villages and wildlife-rich coastlines, there are plenty of ways to experience this lesser-known part of North Iceland.
Visit the Kalfshamarsvik basalt columns
Kalfshamarsvik is the peninsula's most photographed site. The basalt columns here form a small volcanic landscape beside a harbor and lighthouse. The site is unstaffed and free to visit, with a short walking path along the cliffs. Early morning and evening light highlight the textures of the columns best.
Walk along the Ketubjorg cliffs
The Ketubjorg Cliffs sit on the western coast and feature dramatic basalt sea cliffs with a small waterfall dropping toward the ocean. The area is tied to Icelandic folklore involving trolls and is a good spot for seabird viewing in summer.
Soak in the Grettislaug hot spring
Grettislaug is a geothermal pool on the eastern side of the peninsula, overlooking Drangey Island in Skagafjordur. According to the saga, the outlaw Grettir the Strong swam from Drangey to this pool to warm up. There is a small entry fee and basic changing facilities, and the pool is generally open year-round in good weather.
Stop in Skagastrond village
Skagastrond (Icelandic: "Skagaströnd") is the peninsula's main settlement, with around 500 residents, a fuel station, a shop, and a couple of cafes — the only services along the loop. The nearby Spakonufell Mountain is tied to a local legend about the prophetess Thorbjorg, known as the Sibyl of Skagastrond.
Drive the coastal loop
Driving the loop slowly is the main experience. The road follows the coast closely on the western side with regular pullouts, while the eastern stretch passes through farmland with views across Skagafjordur to the Trollaskagi Peninsula.
Getting to the Skagi Peninsula
Skagi can only be reached by car. There is no public transportation, no scheduled tours that visit it directly, and the nearest sizable airport is in Akureyri.
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From Reykjavik: About 152 miles (245 kilometers) to Blonduos, taking 3 to 4 hours via the Ring Road.
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From Akureyri: About 71 miles (115 kilometers) to Saudarkrokur, taking around 1.5 hours.
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The loop itself: About 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Blonduos around to Saudarkrokur (or the reverse), taking 2 to 3 hours with stops.
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Vehicle: A standard 2WD car is sufficient in summer. Some stretches are gravel. In winter, a 4x4 is recommended due to ice, snow, and strong winds. See car rentals in Iceland for options.
Most travelers visit Skagi as part of a longer trip, either self-drive tours of Iceland or the 7-day Arctic Coast Way self-drive tour.
Best Time to Visit the Skagi Peninsula
Skagi can be visited year-round, but the experience varies sharply by season.
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Spring: Quieter roads and lengthening daylight as the snow melts. Birds return to the coast. The weather is still unpredictable. See our guide to Iceland in spring.
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Summer: The best time to visit. Mild weather, near 24-hour daylight, all roads open, and active birdlife along the coast. See our guide to Iceland in summer.
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Autumn: Golden landscapes and fewer visitors. Northern lights begin to appear toward the end of the season. See our guide to Iceland in fall.
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Winter: Snow and ice make the loop more challenging, but the coast is dramatic, and northern lights are visible on clear nights. Daylight is short, so plan around it and check road conditions before driving. See our guide to Iceland in winter.
Attractions Near the Skagi Peninsula
Skagi fits naturally into a wider North Iceland route. Within an hour or two's drive, you can reach:
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Hvitserkur: A 49-foot (15 meters) basalt sea stack across Hunafloi Bay on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. Often paired with Skagi as a two-peninsula loop off the Ring Road.
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Saudarkrokur: The largest town near Skagi and the cultural hub of Skagafjordur. Offers restaurants, accommodation, and access to Drangey Island boat tours.
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Trollaskagi Peninsula: The next peninsula east, with dramatic mountains, mountain-pass roads, and the towns of Siglufjordur and Dalvik. Continue along Trollaskagi to reach Akureyri.
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Akureyri: Iceland's largest town outside the Reykjavik area and the natural base for North Iceland, about 2 hours from Skagi.
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Diamond Circle: North Iceland's main sightseeing route, covering Godafoss Waterfall, Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss Waterfall, and Husavik. Often paired with the Arctic Coast Way for a fuller North Iceland itinerary.
Travel Tips for the Skagi Peninsula
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Fuel up in Blonduos or Saudarkrokur. There is no fuel on the loop itself.
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Check road conditions on road.is before driving, especially in winter.
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Wind can be strong on exposed coastal roads, so it's important to check the forecast at vedur.is.
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Allow at least half a day for the loop with stops, or a full day if you swim at Grettislaug.
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Services are limited: Skagastrond is the only village with a shop and cafe.
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Dress in layers. The coast is exposed, and the weather can change within minutes.
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Bring a camera. The light along the coast shifts quickly.
Plan Your Trip to the Skagi Peninsula
The Skagi Peninsula isn't a headline destination, but it's one of the more rewarding detours in North Iceland if you have the time. The basalt columns, saga-era hot pool, and empty coastal road give a side of Iceland most travelers miss.
If you're already heading north, see our guide to the 8 must-see places in North Iceland to plan the rest of your route, or start with a 7-day Arctic Coast Way self-drive tour that includes Skagi alongside the wider region.
