Arnarstapi

Arnarstapi is a small fishing village on the southern coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. Though tiny, this coastal spot packs in natural beauty that would make any photographer's jaw drop. The rugged coastline features fascinating basalt column formations and natural stone arches carved by centuries of Atlantic waves pounding against the shore.

The village sits in the shadow of the imposing Snæfellsjökull glacier, which was made famous as the entrance to the center of the Earth in Jules Verne's classic novel. According to local folklore, Snæfellsjökull is home to various mystical energies, and some even consider it one of the Earth's seven major energy centers.

While exploring the area, you'll likely spot the monument to Bárður Snæfellsás, a half-human, half-troll character from Icelandic sagas who is said to be the guardian spirit of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The village is also connected to its neighbor Hellnar by a spectacular coastal trail that takes about an hour to hike. Along this path, you'll see incredible lava formations, bird cliffs teeming with kittiwakes and fulmars, and if you're lucky, maybe even catch glimpses of seals lounging on the rocks below.