06 Oct Everything to Know: Stokksnes / Vestrahorn in Iceland

Stokksnes Peninsula has some of the most striking views in all of Iceland. The grassy sand dunes seem to jump out of the black sand beach while the Vestrahorn mountain looms in the background.

It rained continuously only one day while we were in Iceland, and it was in fact the day we visited Stokksnes. Unfortunately, this meant we could not see the mountain in all its glory. However, the trip there was well worth it as we explored an old viking movie set and walked along the black sand beach.

Looking for additional recommendations on attractions to visit during your trip to Iceland? Then check out my (very detailed) nine-day Iceland road trip itinerary as well as my list of the top three things to do in Iceland. 

Contents:

1) Location of Stokksnes / Vestrahorn

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) The Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts

5) Background 

6) Sites to See 

7) Photography Tips

8) Recommended Items to Bring

1) Location of Stokksnes / Vestrahorn

• Region: Eastern Iceland 
• Location

Stokksnes Peninsula and Vestrahorn mountain are on the east coast of Iceland. For reference, the peninsula is just over an hour north of the Glacier Lagoon (aka Jökulsárlón) and 22 minutes east of the town of Höfn. You can thus spend the beginning of your day kayaking on the glacier lagoon and then follow it up with exploring the Stokksnes Peninsula. 

The peninsula is located just off Route 1, which wraps the entire way around Iceland. Put the location in google maps, and it will take you right where you need to go. Once you turn off Route 1 onto the road to the peninsula, you can then continue driving straight until you reach the café. 

Parking

First, there is parking located at the café. This is where you can buy your entrance ticket. Second, there is parking located at each of the various attractions on the peninsula. You will either find a parking lot or room for parking along the side of the road. 

Lodging

For nearby lodging, we stayed the previous night at Laekjarhus Farm Holidays. After visiting Stokksnes, we headed a little north to spend the following night at Eidavellir Apartments and Rooms.

On the other hand, you can turn your Iceland trip into a romantic getaway and book a room at one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland.

Walking among the sand dunes on Stokksnes Peninsula

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

• Opening hours: 24/7
• Entrance fee: 800 ISK (~$6) per person

Opening Hours – Stokksnes / Vestrahorn

Do you want some good news? Well, then I have some for you. The Stokksnes Peninsula is open to visitors all day, every day. However, when you visit does dictate where you can purchase your entrance ticket.

You can purchase tickets at the café counter when it is open. For reference, it is open from 9:00am to 8:00pm on Monday through Saturday and 9:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday. However, there is a machine outside where you can purchase tickets with a credit card if the café is closed. Then drive through a small gate; insert the ticket and the gate will rise. 

Entrance Fee

To officially enter and see the attractions of the peninsula, we had to stop at the Viking Café to pay the entrance fee. The end of the peninsula is private property, and the owner thus collects a small fee of 800 ISK (~$6) per person to maintain the area.

Contrast of the grassy sand dunes against the black sand beach

3) The Best Time to Visit Stokksnes / Vestrahorn

• Time of day: sunset
• Season: any!
• Estimated visit time: 2 hours +

The best time of day to visit the Stokksnes Peninsula and to photograph Vestrahorn mountain is during golden hour (aka sunset). The colors of sunset light up the sky and offer a beautiful background behind the mountain.

Furthermore, the best season to visit truly depends on what you are looking for. Autumn provides a few colors, such as orange and red, in the vegetation on the peninsula as well as visible snow on the top of the mountain. On the other hand, the peninsula looks like a winter wonderland in the winter months. It thus provides some beautiful landscapes for photography at that time.

As a tip, the peninsula is an excellent location to view the northern lights in autumn, winter, and spring.

Did you know that Stokksnes Peninsula and Vestrahorn came in at number 10 on my list of the top 10 things to do in Iceland? Check out the article to find out the other nine!

Old Viking Village set from a movie

4) Quick Facts

1. The entrance fee to the peninsula is 800 ISK (~$6) per person.

2. The best time to photograph Vestrahorn mountain is at golden hour / sunset.

3. Stokksnes Peninsula was one of the first farm settlements in Iceland before it was later utilized as an army base during World War II.

4. Vestrahorn mountain has been featured in multiple movies, including Stardust.

5. The main attractions on the peninsula are the Viking Village, H3 Radar Station, Stokksnes Lighthouse, black sand beach, and Vestrahorn mountain.

Another portion of the old Viking Village

5) Background of Stokksnes / Vestrahorn

• British army base during WWII
• Featured in movies, such as Dilwale and Stardust 
• Brunnhorn nickname: Batman Mountain

Stokksnes Peninsula has some significant history behind it. First off, it was one of Iceland’s first farm settlements, dating back to the 9th century. During World War II, the British then utilized the area as an army base. Shortly after the end of World War II, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) built a radar station on Stokksnes. The goal was to monitor air traffic, specifically that of the Soviet Union. However, they no longer utilized the station for such purposes after the Cold War ended. Instead, Iceland now uses the radar station for general air traffic control. 

Speaking of air traffic control and planes, head to the south coast to see the remains of a DC-3 plane wreck on the black sand beach. The remains will not be there forever, so make sure you visit them soon.

Vestrahorn Mountain

Vestrahorn mountain is featured in movies such as Dilwale, a Bollywood film, and Stardust, a romantic fantasy. Brunnhorn mountain, which is positioned just behind and to the right of Vestrahorn mountain, is also known as “Batman Mountain”. Look closely, for its peaks resemble Batman’s symbol. 

Another one of the most famous mountains in Iceland is Mt. Kirkjufell. It was featured in Game of Thrones; see if you can recognize it!

Looking at the foggy view on Stokksnes Peninsula

6) Sites to See

• Viking village
• H3 radar station
• Stokksnes lighthouse
• Black sand beach, sand dunes, and Vestrahorn

There are many sites to see on the Stokksnes Peninsula. I recommend setting aside time to visit each of them.

Additionally, Iceland boasts multiple other black sand beaches, including Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Diamond Beach.

Viking Village

First, turn left out of the café, drive to the nearby parking lot, and then take a short walk to the Viking Village. It was built in 2010 for the Icelandic film director, Baltasar Kormakúr. However, they never filmed the movie. The abandoned set still sits in Stokksnes and attracts all kinds of curious visitors. Feel free to roam around the set and walk up stairs or in buildings as they are open. However, take care if you do so, for no one is maintaining the buildings. 

Panoramic view of the Viking Village

H3 Radar Station

Second, check out the H3 Radar Station (from a distance). It had a past in monitoring air traffic from the Soviet Union and now monitors general air traffic.

Stokksnes Lighthouse

Third, make a stop at Stokksnes Lighthouse, which is right next to the radar station. It was constructed in 1922 and was previously used as a military base. Every 30 seconds it flashes a sequence of white, red, and green lights for navigational and protection purposes. 

Black Sand Beach and Vestrahorn

Fourth, visit the main attraction of Stokksnes: the sand dunes along the black sand beach with Vestrahorn mountain in the background. The mountain is about 454 meters or 1,490 feet tall with sharp edges, making it a fairly distinct sight. Walk around the grassy sand dunes and along the black sand beach. However, do not go in the water, for Iceland’s shores are fairly dangerous due to sneaker waves. These waves often come out of nowhere and can pull unsuspecting visitors out with the tide (hence their name “sneaker waves”). 

Unfortunately we visited on a cloudy day. It only rained one full day during our Iceland road trip, and it just so happened to be the day we visited the Stokksnes Peninsula. I was pretty excited to see the details of Vestrahorn mountain and to hopefully get a photograph of the mountain’s reflection in the water. While that did not exactly work out as I had planned, I still enjoyed my visit here nonetheless. The peninsula is quite beautiful even with a bunch of clouds blocking most of the view.

Fog blocking the view of Vestrahorn Mountain

7) Photography Tips

I am not a professional photographer by any means (shout out to my iPhone 8 camera as well as my boyfriend, for he took the majority of our Iceland photos). BUT I did read a bunch of articles before traveling that highlighted photography at Vestrahorn due to its popularity and beauty. There is practically no light pollution in the area when it is dark, thus making it the perfect spot to catch the northern lights. 

Tips and Tricks

• Remember to bring a tripod, for Stokksnes can be very windy at times. Check out the Amazon Basics 50-inch lightweight camera mount tripod.
• One of the best times to visit for photography is at golden hour / sunset, as it offers great lighting.
• Necessary items to bring include a wide angle lens and neutral density filters.
• Check the weather before visiting to avoid clouds blocking the Vestrahorn mountain.

Walking among the sand dunes on Stokksnes Peninsula

8) Recommended Items to Bring

For additional recommendations, check out my Iceland summer road trip packing list and Iceland hiking essentials.

1. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will come in handy if you plan on walking around the Viking Village or along the sand dunes / beach area.

2. Hiking poles: Hiking poles are not a necessity for this location, though they might come in handy if you intend on walking a lot and would like the extra support.

3. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice on the ground. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

4. Photography equipment: As mentioned in the previous section, Vestrahorn mountain is one of the most photographed locations in Iceland. Come prepared with all of the photography equipment you own.

PIN IT to save it for later!

Check out my favorite attraction in Iceland: Stuðlagil Canyon in northern Iceland.

Start booking your Iceland excursions today: Best Tours for Iceland Excursions.