A raw, volcanic peninsula just south of Reykjavík where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above the ocean surface — one of the only places on earth where you can stand on the boundary between two tectonic plates on dry land.
Tours in Reykjanes
Hand-picked trips that showcase what this region does best.
What Is the Reykjanes Peninsula
The Reykjanes Peninsula is a roughly triangular landmass jutting southwest into the North Atlantic from the Reykjavík area. It covers about 2,000 square kilometres and sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge — the boundary where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and slowly pull apart.
This makes Reykjanes one of the geologically youngest and most active landscapes in Iceland. New land is still being formed here. Old land is still being reshaped.
The peninsula has four active volcanic systems and receives more earthquakes per year than almost anywhere else in the country. Coastal erosion from Atlantic breakers is ongoing — without new lava regularly adding land, the peninsula would narrow significantly over time.
Almost every visitor to Iceland passes through Reykjanes, since Keflavík International Airport sits on its western edge. Most drive straight to Reykjavík. Those who stop and explore find a landscape that looks nothing like the Iceland shown in travel brochures — no green hills or dramatic waterfalls, just dark lava fields, steam vents, and the smell of sulphur on the wind.
In 2015, the peninsula was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark — one of 177 such parks worldwide — recognised for its exceptional geological diversity and the accessibility of its tectonic features to visitors.
Visiting Active Eruption Sites
When an eruption is ongoing or has recently ended, authorities assess access daily. Sites that are open to visitors are signposted and trail-marked. Always check safetravel.is and the Icelandic Meteorological Office (en.vedur.is) for the current status before heading out.
Gas pollution — sulphur dioxide in particular — is the main hazard near active lava flows. Wind direction determines where gas drifts. Stay upwind of any active vents. If you smell strong sulphur or feel eye or throat irritation, move upwind immediately. Masks rated for SO2 are available in Reykjavík and Keflavík hardware stores.
Even after an eruption ends, lava fields remain extremely hot just below the surface for months. Do not walk on fresh lava that has not been cleared by authorities. The surface can look solid, but break through into still-molten rock below.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most visited attraction and one of the most recognisable spa destinations in the world. It is located in a lava field near the town of Grindavík, about 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavík and 20 kilometres from Keflavík Airport.
Its origins are entirely accidental. When the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant was built in 1976 — the world's first combined geothermal plant for both electricity and district heating — engineers pumped excess geothermal seawater into the adjacent lava field, expecting it to drain away. Instead, the high silica content of the water sealed the porous lava rock, and the water pooled on the surface. The lagoon kept growing.
Local residents began bathing in it in the early 1980s. A man named Valur Margeirsson found that soaking in the water improved his psoriasis and shared his experience publicly — word spread fast across Iceland.
Scientists confirmed the water's composition: high concentrations of silica, algae, and minerals, heated geothermally to around 37 to 40 degrees Celsius. A formal bathing facility opened in 1987. The Blue Lagoon company was incorporated in 1992.
The milky-blue colour comes from silica particles suspended in the water — they scatter light in a way that produces the distinctive pale turquoise tone. The water is continuously renewed and maintains natural antibacterial properties from the minerals. It is not the same water as the nearby ocean.
Visiting the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon operates as a ticketed, advance-booking spa. Walk-ins are not accepted — entry requires a pre-booked slot. In summer, popular dates sell out weeks in advance. Book as early as possible at bluelagoon.com.
Basic admission (lagoon access only) starts from around 12,000 ISK (approximately €80). Higher tiers include use of the sauna and steam room, a silica mud mask, an algae mask, and a drink at the in-water bar. The flagship Retreat Hotel and a subterranean spa are on site for overnight guests. A restaurant and café also operate at the complex.
Because the Blue Lagoon sits between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík, many visitors combine it with their arrival or departure — arriving from the airport, soaking for a few hours, then continuing to the city. This avoids making a separate trip but requires booking the correct time slot relative to your flight.
Blue Lagoon Closures and Volcanic Activity
The 2023–2025 Sundhnúkur eruptions brought lava flows to within a short distance of the Blue Lagoon complex. The facility closed temporarily on several occasions for evacuations.
Protective earth barriers were built around the site between eruption periods. The Blue Lagoon has consistently reopened after each closure once authorities confirmed the area was safe.
Before visiting, check the Blue Lagoon's own website and safetravel.is for current operating status, especially if volcanic activity has been reported in the Grindavík area in the days before your planned visit.
The Bridge Between Two Continents
On the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the town of Hafnir, a small pedestrian bridge spans a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The bridge is a few dozen metres long and crosses the visible crack in the earth where the two plates pull apart at around 2 centimetres per year.
It is a symbolic crossing more than a dramatic geological feature — the rift here is not particularly large or spectacular. But walking it gives a clear physical sense of where the plates meet, and the surrounding landscape of cracked basalt rock and open fissures reinforces the geology.
Entry is free. A small signpost explains the tectonic context. The site is called Miðlína in Icelandic, meaning "the Middle Line."
Gunnuhver Geothermal Area
Gunnuhver is one of the most active geothermal areas on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located on the southwestern tip near the Reykjanes lighthouse. It contains Iceland's largest mud pool — a wide, boiling cauldron of grey mud that bubbles and hisses constantly — surrounded by smaller steam vents and sulphurous fumaroles.
The area is named after a ghost called Gunna, a woman from local folklore said to have been lured into the hot springs in the 17th century after haunting a nearby farm. Whether or not the story is true, the name stuck.
Wooden walkways allow visitors to walk through the geothermal field safely. Stay on the boardwalks — the ground surrounding the active features is extremely hot and unstable. The smell of sulphur is strong. Entry is free. The site is open year-round.
Gunnuhver sits close to the Reykjanes Lighthouse — the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, built in 1878, standing 29 metres tall and 69 metres above sea level. The cliff on which it stands, called Valahnúkur, is a basalt stack rising 50 to 60 metres from the sea. The waves at Reykjanestá, the southwestern tip of the peninsula, can reach 30 metres high in storms — some of the most powerful surf in the country.
Seltún Geothermal Field — Krýsuvík
Seltún is a geothermal area in the Krýsuvík region, roughly in the centre of the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is one of the most colourful geothermal landscapes in Iceland — the ground changes from blue to green to orange to red within a few metres as different minerals precipitate from the hot water rising through the earth.
The field has boiling mud pots, steaming vents, and bright sulphur deposits coating the rocks yellow. Wooden walkways run through the active zone. The area smells strongly of sulphur but the scenery is striking — particularly the combination of vivid mineral colours against the dark basalt landscape of the surrounding peninsula.
Seltún erupted in 1999 when a single geyser went off unexpectedly, blowing a crater 3 metres wide and 4 metres deep and destroying the original wooden walkways. The field has been active and monitored ever since. Entry is free. The site is on Route 42 and signposted from the main roads across the peninsula.
Lake Kleifarvatn
Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula — about 10 kilometres long and 2.4 kilometres wide, with a maximum depth of around 97 metres. The lake is fed primarily by geothermal springs rather than rivers, giving it a dark, still quality and a slightly eerie appearance under overcast skies.
In 2000, a major earthquake on the peninsula opened a fissure in the lake's floor, causing the water to drain away through a subterranean channel into the nearby ocean.
The lake lost around 20% of its volume over the following weeks. Since then, new hot springs have appeared bubbling up from the lake bed, and the water level has mostly recovered. The earthquake is still referenced on site information boards around the lake.
The lake's dark surface and surrounding lava mountains attract photographers, and a hiking trail follows the eastern shore. Hot springs visible at the water's edge in the shallower sections remind you that the ground beneath the lake is still thermally active. Entry is free. Route 42 runs along the lake's western shore.
Mount Keilir
Keilir is a small, perfectly cone-shaped volcanic mountain rising 379 metres above the Reykjanes lava fields. It is one of the most distinctive silhouettes on the peninsula — visible from Reykjavík on a clear day — and is a popular hiking destination.
The mountain is a hyaloclastite ridge, formed when volcanic eruptions occurred beneath glacial ice during the last Ice Age. The ice rapidly cooled and fragmented the lava, creating the characteristic cone shape from compressed volcanic glass and tuff rather than solid basalt.
The hiking trail to the summit is approximately 6 kilometres return, taking 2 to 3 hours. The path crosses open lava fields with no shade and can be muddy. The summit gives panoramic views over the entire peninsula, across to Reykjavík and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on clear days. The trailhead is on Route 420, about 20 kilometres east of Keflavík. Entry is free.
Reykjanesfólkvangur Nature Reserve
Reykjanesfólkvangur is a large nature reserve covering much of the central and southern parts of the peninsula. It encompasses the Seltún geothermal area, Lake Kleifarvatn, Mount Keilir, bird cliffs, lava caves, and the Krýsuvíkurbjarg bird cliffs — home to around 80,000 nesting seabirds including cormorants, fulmars, and guillemots.
The reserve has extensive hiking trails connecting these features. The landscape throughout is classic Reykjanes — open lava fields covered in soft green moss, occasional steam rising from geothermal vents, and the sound of the Atlantic on the southern coast. No entry fee applies to the reserve itself.
Selatangar Abandoned Fishing Station
Selatangar is one of the most unusual historic sites on the peninsula — a cluster of ruined stone huts on the southern coast that served as a fishing station from the Middle Ages until 1884. Fishermen from surrounding farms rowed to sea from here in open boats, sleeping in the huts and drying fish on the rocks between trips.
The station has been abandoned for over a century, and the ruins sit directly on the coastline, constantly battered by Atlantic waves. Walking through it — past collapsed stone walls, sea spray, and the sound of surf — gives a visceral sense of how exposed and difficult life was for fishing communities on this coast.
The site is accessed via a rough track about 2 kilometres off Route 427 between Grindavík and Krýsuvík. A 4WD is recommended for the access track.
Grindavík
Grindavík is the main town on the south coast of Reykjanes, with a population of around 3,400 people. It has a working fishing harbour, a handful of restaurants, a supermarket, and guesthouses. It was the closest inhabited town to the Sundhnúkur eruptions of 2023–2025 and was evacuated multiple times.
Despite the disruptions, the town remained functional between eruptions and has historically been a convenient base for exploring the southern peninsula.
Its harbour-side restaurant strip serves fresh fish daily — the catch typically comes directly from boats operating out of the same harbour.
Keflavík and the North Coast
Keflavík is the largest town on the peninsula, with a population of around 15,000. It developed significantly during the Cold War when the United States operated a major NATO airbase here — one of the key positions for monitoring Soviet submarine activity in the North Atlantic. The base closed in 2006, and the infrastructure was gradually converted for civilian use.
Today Keflavík is the main service town for the international airport and has a full range of shops, restaurants, and accommodation. It is worth an hour or two for anyone spending a night near the airport.
The Icelandic Museum of rock'n'roll
The Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll is in Keflavík, in a building at the harbour. It documents the full history of Icelandic popular music from the early 20th century to the present, with a focus on the bands and artists who shaped Icelandic culture.
Interactive exhibits cover the careers of musicians including Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, and dozens of lesser-known but culturally important Icelandic acts. There are listening stations, a karaoke booth, and a timeline wall placing Icelandic music in global context. Entry costs around 1,800 ISK (approximately €12).
Viking World Museum
Also near Keflavík, Viking World (Víkingaheimar) displays a full-scale replica of a 9th-century Viking longship called Íslendingur, built in 2000.
The replica sailed from Iceland to New York to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Leif Erikson's crossing of the North Atlantic — a journey of around 6,700 kilometres.
The museum also covers Viking exploration, the Norse settlement of Iceland, and the discovery of North America. Entry costs around 2,500 ISK (approximately €17).
Best Time to Visit Reykjanes
Year-Round Destination
Unlike the Highlands, Reykjanes is accessible in all seasons. All main roads are paved and kept clear year-round. The Blue Lagoon, Gunnuhver, Seltún, the Bridge Between Two Continents, and the lighthouse are all reachable in any month. Winter brings the possibility of Northern Lights from the dark coastal areas away from city light pollution.
Summer — June to August
Long daylight hours, the warmest temperatures (10 to 15°C), and the easiest driving conditions. The peninsula's coastal hiking trails are at their most accessible. The Blue Lagoon is busiest and must be booked well in advance. Puffins nest on the Krýsuvíkurbjarg cliffs in summer.
Winter — November to February
Temperatures average 0 to 4°C. The lava fields can be icy and the coastal roads exposed to strong wind, but the main attractions remain open. The Blue Lagoon is particularly atmospheric in winter — steam rising from the warm water against cold air, sometimes with Northern Lights visible overhead. Prices are lower and advance booking for the Blue Lagoon is easier to secure.
How to Get to Reykjanes
From Keflavík Airport
The peninsula is the most immediately accessible part of Iceland for arriving travellers. Keflavík Airport sits on its western edge. The Blue Lagoon is a 20-minute drive from the airport. The Bridge Between Two Continents and Gunnuhver are reachable within 30 to 40 minutes. Keflavík town is a 10-minute drive.
Car rentals are available at the airport from all major companies. A standard car is sufficient for all paved roads on the peninsula. The main F-road on Reykjanes — used to reach some interior lava caves — is a minor unpaved track that a careful standard car can often handle in dry summer conditions, unlike the serious F-roads of the Highlands.
From Reykjavík
Reykjavík is about 50 kilometres from the Blue Lagoon — roughly 45 minutes by car. Keflavík is about 50 kilometres from Reykjavík via the Route 41 expressway.
The Flybus airport shuttle connects the airport and Reykjavík, but does not stop at peninsula attractions. A rental car is the most practical way to explore the peninsula beyond the airport and Blue Lagoon.
A dedicated Blue Lagoon shuttle bus runs from both Keflavík Airport and central Reykjavík to the Blue Lagoon and back — bookable through the Blue Lagoon website. It is the most convenient option for those visiting the spa without a car.
Where to Stay
Most visitors use Reykjavík as a base and visit the Reykjanes Peninsula as a day trip. Those flying in or out of Keflavík and wanting to minimise driving often stay in Keflavík town, which has a good range of hotels and guesthouses at lower prices than central Reykjavík.
Grindavík has a few guesthouses and is close to the Blue Lagoon, Gunnuhver, and the southern coast — useful for those who want early morning access before day-trippers arrive from the city.