Going to Iceland? The Reykjanes Peninsula travel guide I compiled is a jammed-packed, yet relaxing, day trip from your Reykjavík home base. Crammed with details and insights, you won’t miss any wonders of the lava-strewn peninsula with this guide as your co-pilot!

ABOUT REYKJANES PENINSULA

In many ways this region is not entirely different from other areas of Iceland. It’s full of stunning geological formations, cute towns, history, and views of the sea.

The peninsula is often overlooked because it’s well-known as the home of the Keflavík International Airport and Blue Lagoon.

However, Reykjanes is a remarkable region populated with active volcanoes and sprawling lava fields. Hot springs and sulphur springs dot the landscape; as do geothermal power stations that distribute heat and energy to homes.

What makes the Reykjanes Peninsula truly unique is its majorly accessible location. Compact, with short distances between points of interest, you can see so, so, so much in a single day.

Have more time? Slow it down or add in some of the side trips I recommend to extend your adventures to two days.

If you answer YES to just one of these questions, I guarantee that the Reykjanes Peninsula will be the ideal place for you to stretch your legs in Iceland’s unique landscapes.

• Enjoying a 1-2 day stop-over on Icelandair?
• Inexperienced with driving in Iceland or in winter weather?
• Have plans to spend your days in Reykjavik, soaking up city life?
• Traveling with children?

So let’s get started on your road trip around the Reykjanes Peninsula!

Receive a printable itinerary for Reykjanes Peninsula with suggested times and GPS coordinates!

OFF ROUTE 41

STEKKJARKOT

Want to get a taste of what Icelander homes from centuries past resembled? Jump off route 41 and check out this turf house at Stekkjarkot!

Thick turf walls and roof keep the bone-chilling wind out and the warmth of the cook stove in. Stekkjarkot was once home to families who rented the dwelling on a farmer’s land, and thus were not permitted to raise livestock. Instead, they relied on fishing from the sea whose currents crept toward the croft with the tides.

Only 3 families lived in the turf house between 1855 and 1924. It was abandoned for 30 years until 1917 when floor boards and an addition was added. A few years later, it was abandoned again.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• To see inside the turf house (which I highly recommend), set up an appointment with Reykjanes Heritage Museum at 354-865-6160 or byggdasafn@reykjanesbaer.is. Admission is free.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Parking lot

SIDE TRIPS FOR YOUR ITINERARY

KÁlFATJÖRN

Unusual for Iceland, this church once belonged to the Catholic Church and was dedicated to Saint Peter. The white wooden church is an ideal spot if you are hunting for Northern Lights from September-April. Located 30 minutes from Reykjavík and Keflavík, you can easily fit into your itinerary regardless of where you are starting or ending your adventure.

STAÐARBORG

A sheep shelter, constructed of lava rocks about 8 meters in diameter and 2 meters high. It’s age is unknown, but according to legend, a man named Gudmundur built it for the reverend at the nearby Kálfatjörn.

OFF ROUTE 45

HÓLMSBERGSVITI

The nice thing about the Icelandic language is its insistance on describing the landmark: viti = lighthouse; foss = waterfall; vatn = water. You get the idea.

The lighthouse at Hólmsberg is one of identical sextuplets designed by Axel Sveinsson. Hólmsbergviti is hidden behind recycling facilities and other industrial-type buildings. I swear you are heading in the right direction, even though it doesn’t appear that way!

The orange beacon stands out above the cliffs and crashing waves. Like most lighthouses in Iceland the building is closed to the public.

HVALSNESKIRKJA

While I haven’t been everywhere, I have seen enough of Iceland to state with certainty, that this church is unlike any others.

Hvalsneskirkja is a stone church, contrasting with most rural churches comprised of wood. Located beside a few homes and along the coast, it’s just south of the village of Sandgerði.

Hvalsneskirkja was built in 1887 using basalt rock collected from the local area. Although unable to enter the space (most rural churches in Iceland are closed to the public due to past episodes of vandalism) I’ve read that interior is made from driftwood collected from the shoreline, since timber is scarce in Iceland.

I tried looking on several websites for a listing of when the church might be open for services, but I came up empty handed. Sorry! If you click on the word “interior” in the paragraph above you’ll see some photos I was able to locate of the inside.

The parish, not this exact church, was once the purview of the most-famed hymn writer in Iceland, Hallgrímur Pétursson. This is the man whom Hallmgrímskirkja, the infamous landmark in Reykjavík is named after. The walkway to the church is marked with the headstone of Steinunn Hallgrímsdóttir, his only daughter, who died in 1649 at age four.

A cemetery surrounds the church, creating a solemn reminder of the solace found in faith during a time when starvation and sickness were true threats to Icelanders of yesteryear. The cemetery remains in use, as evidenced by gravestones placed in December 2018.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Wheelchair accessible
• Parking lot

STAFNESVITI

A short drive from Hvalsneskirkja, the yellow lighthouse of Stafnesviti stands along the shore. In the 16th century, when Iceland was under Danish rule, the area was home to royal fishing operations. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Stafnes was the most populous fishing outfit on the peninsula.

Today, the lighthouse stands among a house and a few barns.

With picnic tables, you can stop and enjoy a snack or cup of coffee from your thermos. Icelandic horses graze in the paddock overlooking cliffs, lava rocks, and mountains. I imagine in the summer, there are sheep roaming the grassy fields. In the distance you can see the dim shade of Hvalsneskirkja to the north.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Parking lot
• Picnic tables

OFF ROUTE 425

BRIDGE BETWEEN THE CONTINENTS

Reykjanes Peninsula lies across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates are continuously drifting apart. This rift is particularly visible at Sandvík, where it is actually possible to walk between two continents via the Leif the Lucky footbridge.

This 15 meter bridge was built as a symbol of the connection between Europe and America. It’s named after Leifur Eiríksson, whom, according to to Icelandic sagas, was the first European to travel to the North American continent.

It’s a quick stop and a fun photo op. There were a few families on the bridge when we arrived and the kids seemed to really enjoy what the bridge symbolized.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Wheelchair accessible
• Parking lot

REYKJANESVITI

The most popular lighthouse in the land of fire and ice, according to a 2007 poll of Icelanders is Reykjanesviti. Located at the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, the lighthouse currently sits atop Bæjarfell hill, a short distance off the shore. It’s a close distance to Valahnúkamöl and Gunnuhver so you can spend a good bit of time in the area.

Reykjanesviti is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland. Originally it was built in 1887 closer to the rocky cliffs at Valahnúkamöl. Damaged a few years later by an earthquake, the current building was constructed in 1907 and has remained unchanged.

A parking area sits below the hill. A path guides you up the hill to the concrete lighthouse. Like other lighthouses, entry is not available.

From Bæjarfell hill you are greeted with sweeping views of Gunnuhver and Valahnúkamöl. Below at Gunnuhver geothermal area, the lighthouse is visible between the drifts of steam, as well as some distance away at Brimketill. If you want to see the remains of the original lighthouse, hike to the top of Valahnúkur.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Parking lot

Valahnúkamöl

Within walking distance of Gunnuhver and Reykjanesviti are the Valahnúkamöl cliffs. Comprised of tuff layers, pillow lava, and breccia the 30 foot cliffs have been pounded by waves for centuries. Pillars of rock jut upwards into the sea, where birds sit in the craggy clefts.

In the distance you can see Eldey, the island where the last known Great Auks were killed in 1844. A statue dedicated to the memory of these great sea birds can be seen among the rocks and cliffs. The feathers, fat, oil, and eggs of the Great Auk were sought after for centuries by many people in the northern areas of the hemisphere. Starting in the eighth century the luxurious down industry helped to begin to propel the bird to extinction. Because who wouldn’t want a feather pillow?!

Eldey is now home to one of the largest gannet colonies in the Atlantic with 16,000 pairs.

You can hike to the tip the cliff on a marked path. Although there are no facilities, you could spend hours in the area, hiking about and watching the waves. The day we visited the wind and waves were ferocious, but I was mesmerized at the sight.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Parking lot

GUNNUHVER

Iceland’s largest mud pool and named after the ghost of Guðrún. Here you will find walking paths and platforms to keep you safe in the steamy geothermal area. At Gunnuhver you’ll see multiple fumaroles, steam vents and mud pools.

The story of the area revolves around Guðrún, a crofter who failed to pay her rent. One day, her landlord came and took her cook pot, the only property she had left. She became so furious that she dropped dead. A few nights after her death, the dead body of the landlord was found bruised with broken bones. The specter of Guðrún was blamed and she continued to wreak havoc on the entire peninsula for some time. Finally, two farmers, with the help of a priest drunk on brennivín, tricked her into following a ball of wool, until she was pulled into the hot spring.

About a decade ago, activity in the area flared (maybe it was Guðrún trying to escape her boiling pot). The viewing platform was devoured by the steam and sputtering mud pools. You can still see the wreckage of this 2 year spike in activity with the remnants of a wooden platform among the steam and pools.

You can access Gunnuhver from two directions- from the roadway that takes you to Reykjanesviti and further south on route 425.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Wheelchair accessible (with new ramps being built in 2019 the area appears to become even more accessible for those with limited mobility and for guest safety)
• Parking lot

BRIMKETILL

Brimketill is an alluring surf cauldron or natural pool at the shore’s edge, just a short drive from Grindavík. This lava formation is also known as Oddnýjarlaug, as tradition holds that it was a bathing pool for a troll named Oddný.

Waves are constantly beating against the lava rocks. The lava around Brimketill is extremely rough, with sharp edges and surfaces. Geologists assume that the lava field was formed during the Reykjanes Fires that raged from 1210-1240.

A new viewing platform provides dramatic (and safe) views of the lashing waves. In winter, high winds ravage the area, threatening to knock visitors off balance. In photos the area appeared serene, but on the day we visited it was anything but. Great waves rolled in and crashed along the soft lava rock; the sound of the ocean filling our ears.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Need 4WD to traverse dirt road
• Parking lot

GRINDAVÍK

A fishing town located on the south coast of the peninsula, Grindavík was settled in 934 according to the The Book of Settlements. With one of the most active harbors in the country, Grindavík provides more than 40% of Iceland’s salt fish production.

Drive down to the harbor to take in the views of fishing vessels. Spend some time at the Icelandic Saltfish Museum. Here you can learn more about the most important industry in Iceland’s economic prosperity. 

Enjoy a bowl of lamb stew or lobster soup at Bryggjan Café, located in the heart of the harbor. Your soup comes with a refill and bread. Or grab a plate of the best fish and chips at Papa’s Pizza (yes I know the name is deceiving).

About 3 miles from the center of town sits the Blue Lagoon. You can choose to include a respite at the tranquil waters or splurge on a night at the Silica Hotel.

You can easily hike from Grindavík to the Blue Lagoon (we did so on Christmas Day 2016). On your hike you’ll pass Þorbjörn, a lone mountain. Don’t miss the path to Þorbjörn’s peak for a view of the entire Reykjanes Peninsula.

Accommodations are available in Grindavík, including a campground if you are looking for a place to stay overnight.

RELATED: Guide to Camping in Iceland

OFF ROUTE 427

SELATANGAR

Once a major fishing outlet for near to four centuries; today only ruins stand along the shores at Selatangar. Stacked lava rocks outline the rugged living quarters and storehouses.

To live here during the February to May fishing season, must have been terribly trying. With short daylight hours, exposure to the elements, and violent storms crashing just feet beyond, the area does not appear to have ever been a welcome home.

Abandoned since 1880, the landscape surrounding Selatangar is haunting; low mountains, moss-covered lava-fields, and black sand create a mystical atmosphere.

In fact, there is a tale of a malevolent spirit that inhabits the area. Despite the improbability of its existence, walking alone in the lava field, waves crashing in the background with driftwood and seaweed scattered among the rocks, it’s no wonder that folklore could be devised.

A rugged road takes you to a car park. From there you can walk about 15 minutes to the huts. That’s if you’re not stopping every second to take photographs of the supernatural landscape.

The day we visited the waves were strong and coming in high on the shores, so we did not go all the way to the shelter ruins. Driftwood and plastic trash from the ocean, litters the beach at least a hundred meters from the ocean. This area is prone to a dramatic range of tidal patterns, so proceed with caution, especially if visiting in winter. Many areas in Iceland are susceptible to sneaker waves that can carry you off without a warning.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Need 4WD to access
• Parking lot

OFF ROUTE 42

GRÆNAVATN

This is the beautifully blue-green crater lake of Reykjanes. Formed about 6,000 years ago, the lake is maar-type explosion crater, which occurs when groundwater comes into contact with hot lava.

The unique color of the Grænavatn, or “green lake,” comes from minerals and algae living inside. Depending on the day and the depth, the color may appear more blue or green. All of the water in the lake is groundwater.

If you are looking for an easy hike, the one around Grænavatn is a few hundred meters and takes about 20 minutes.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Parking lot

SELTÚN

Another geothermal area on the peninsula is Seltún. A walking path and boardwalk guides you through the area, as you are dazzled by the varied hues of sediments. Mud pools and fumaroles dot the landscape, as grey water trickles down from the mountains.

I find it hard to describe geothermal areas like Seltún because there is just so much to describe. It’s literally like being on another planet (which I can easily say about many places in Iceland for different reasons). Mud pools boil and bubble grey water. Nuanced shades of red, brown, silver, gold, blue, and white circle about in no particular pattern like marbled paper made in art class. Steam rises from the ground, veiling the valley in other-worldliness.

I mean it’s no wonder that we humans have created myths and stories around places like these to try to make meaning of the unusual landscape.

The area was home to a sulphur mine for about 500 years until the 19th century. Take note, the smell of sulphur is very strong in this geothermal area.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Wheelchair accessible in some areas with wooden walkways
• Restrooms (open in summer)
• Parking lot
• Refered to as both Seltúnshverir and Krýsuvíkurhverir

KLEIFARVATN

Nestled below a steep mountain (which you’ll drive on), Kleifarvatn is one of the deepest lakes in Iceland. No rivers run into the lake; rather it’s fed from the surrounding porous lava rock. It sits on the fissure zone of the Mid-Atlantic ridge, from which an earthquake in 2000 caused significant draining of the lake’s water.

A hiking trail encompasses the perimeter of the lake, winding over black lava rocks.

Like many places around Reykjanes, Kleifarvatn is said to be the home of a fantastical being- a monster akin to the infamous one in Scotland’s Loch Ness. The lake resident is said to be a whale-sized serpent-like monster.

Although we did not partake, there are now diving tours of Kleifarvatn that take visitors to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This is similar to the popular diving that can be done at Silfra near Thingvellir on the popular Golden Circle.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Some pull off zones around the lake, but no parking lot

REYKJANES PENINSULA TRAVEL GUIDE

Now that you have a guide of some of the most impressive sites around the region, I hope I’ve convinced you to make it a part of your trip to Iceland. With the details in this Reykjanes Peninsula travel guide (and the downloadable all-access itinerary), planning your getaway to the land of fire and ice should be a breeze!