16 Dec 6 Best Things to Do in Reykjanes Peninsula

The Reykjanes Peninsula is in such a convenient location that everyone who travels to Iceland has no excuse not to spend time there. The majority of people fly into Keflavík airport in Iceland, which is located in the northern section of the peninsula. You can thus plan to start checking off the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula first thing after you leave the airport. On the other hand, you can wait until your last day to check them out. Either way, you will not be disappointed!

For a sneak peak, the following list of the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula includes relaxing at a geothermal spa, hiking a (possibly erupting) volcano, and so much more. Check out the Reykjanes Peninsula map below for a detailed list of the top six attractions. 

Need some additional help planning your trip to Iceland? Check out this (very detailed) road trip itinerary for Iceland as well as this list of international travel essentials.

Contents:

1) Blue Lagoon 

2) Fagradalsfjall Volcano

3) City of Reykjavík

4) Bridge Between Continents 

5) Gunnuhver Geothermal Area

6) Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl 

7) General Information: Reykjanes Peninsula

1) Blue Lagoon – Reykjanes Peninsula

Are you wondering what to do in the Reykjanes Peninsula? I have an idea. Put on a swimsuit, enter the Blue Lagoon, and then let the geothermal waters rejuvenate your body, mind, and skin. Iceland’s weather can be chilly in the summer and very cold in the winter. Nothing feels better than walking around in what is essentially an extremely large hot tub. My top tip is to arrive as early as possible. We booked the earliest tickets at 9:00am, and I was actually the first one to enter the Blue Lagoon that morning.

Moreover, plan for at least one hour to visit the Blue Lagoon. However, I recommend planning for around three hours so you can truly relax and enjoy the free face mask and drink (more on that below).

Additionally, the Blue Lagoon made it on my list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland, ranking at number nine. Some people believe it is a tourist trap, but I greatly enjoyed my time there. 

Location 

The Blue Lagoon is located on the western side of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. For reference, it is only a 25-minute drive from Keflavík airport. There is a parking lot right before the main building. You should never have to worry about finding a space, for the parking lot is huge.

If you are also planning a visit to northern Iceland, do not miss out on Myvatn Nature Baths. Why not visit two geothermal pools during your time in Iceland? If you can only visit one due to time or budget constraints, let me help you decide: How to Decide Between the Blue Lagoon vs. Myvatn Nature Baths.

Letting the Blue Lagoon rejuvenate my body

Ticket Options – Reykjanes Peninsula

Ticket options include the following: (1) the basic comfort package starting at $76 (2) premium package starting at $99 (3)  signature package starting at $126 (4) retreat spa package starting at $605. All tickets, except a children’s ticket, come with one free drink and one free face mask at the bars within the Blue Lagoon.

The main difference between the comfort and premium tickets is that the premium comes with a bathrobe, a second drink, and two additional face masks. The signature package includes everything from the premium plus skincare products valuing over $80. The retreat spa package offers a lot more amenities than all other ticket packages. However, this is to be expected due to the price difference. For example, you can enjoy a private changing room, the three chambers of the Blue Lagoon ritual, the Lava Cove, and so much more.

Visitor Information

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular destinations in Iceland and thus also one of the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula. It is open from around 9:00am to 9:00pm every single day of the year with limited hours on certain holidays.

Do you want total privacy when visiting the lagoon? Well, that might not be possible unless you book the retreat spa package. Nevertheless, you can find smaller crowds at the Blue Lagoon right when it opens. We booked tickets for the earliest time slot at 9:00am, and I was actually the first one in the lagoon that day. I was quite surprised when I walked out and saw absolutely no one around. I was not messing around; I wanted some nice photos with limited crowds in the background. 

Additionally, please note that they do ask you to shower without a swimsuit before entering the lagoon. There are both public and private showers available. Furthermore, they provide you with an electronic wristband so you can obtain access to a locker within the changing rooms. 

I have two more quick recommendations. First, remove any silver jewelry. The minerals within the lagoon can turn silver black. Second, do not submerge your hair in the water if you have any sort of hair coloring. Again, the minerals within the lagoon can be harsh, especially to treated hair. 

Swimming around in the Blue Lagoon

Background

We have to go all the way back to the 1980s to understand the origin of the Blue Lagoon. The activity of a nearby geothermal power plant caused the turquoise blue water to rise to the surface in a lava field. People just expected the water to slowly absorb back in the earth, but it never did. Why is that? The water remained above the surface due to the fact there is so much silica present within it.

Blue Lagoon Limited, a company formed to study the properties of the lagoon water, formed in the early 1990s. They were the ones to first open the lagoon to visitors in 1999. I think they made some good business choices, for now the Blue Lagoon is bigger and better than ever. 

The temperature of the lagoon ranges from 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (~37 to 40 degrees Celsius). In terms of size, it is approximately 93,650 square feet (~8,700 square meters) large.

For even more details, check out this article: The Blue Lagoon in Iceland: Everything to Know.

Enjoying some peace and quiet at the Blue Lagoon before the crowds arrive

2) Fagradalsfjall Volcano

If you have a chance to hike a volcano in Iceland, do it! Fagradalsfjall was actually erupting when my partner and I visited in August 2021. We immediately added this hike to our itinerary when we learned about it. Furthermore, hiking Fagradalsfjall Volcano made it on my list of the Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland, coming in at number three. Therefore, it is no surprise that Fagradalsfjall Volcano is also included on the list of the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula. 

Nothing can compare to hiking an erupting volcano. As we got closer and closer, we could see lava spewing out of the top, running down the sides, and slowly turning black. There was not exactly a defined trail, but that just added to the adventure. You can even walk up to some of the cooling black lava and hold your hands over the steam to warm them.

Plan for at least two hours to visit Fagradalsfjall Volcano. However, I recommend setting aside three to four hours in your itinerary if you have the time. Then you will have enough time to explore different sides of the volcano and not feel rushed while doing so. 

However, it is possible that another volcano on Reykjanes Peninsula will be erupting during your visit. If that is the case, I recommend visiting the current (or most recent) Reykjanes Peninsula eruption.

Lava erupting from Fagradalsfjall Volcano

Location – Reykjanes Peninsula

Fagradalsfjall Volcano is located in the central/western section of Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. For reference, it is a 35-minute drive from Keflavík airport.

Head to Fagradalsfjall Volcano on google maps to find the parking lot for viewpoints A and B. Shortly after starting the trail from the parking lot, you come to a fork in the trail. We decided to continue to the left, which was the trail to the backside of the volcano. I can assure you that we had fantastic views of the volcano and the lava spewing out of it. There is not a defined trail to the end, but you can just keep hiking along until you are as close (while still remaining safe) to the volcano as possible. On the other hand, the trail to the right is the trail to the front side of the volcano. 

Background

Fagradalsfjall started erupting in March of 2021 and then continued to erupt for six more months before becoming dormant once again. Moreover, that was the first time it had erupted in over eight hundred years. The Fagradalsfjall eruption can be classified as an “effusive fissure eruption”. This means it included spewing lava and volcanic gases but no ash plumes.

You might wonder if there were any signs of the eruption before it happened. Yes, there were a few signs – mainly earthquakes. For the three weeks before the eruption, Iceland (and the Reykjanes Peninsula specifically) experienced over 40,000 earthquakes. However, most of them could not be felt by humans. Nevertheless, some were large enough to damage buildings. 

Now that we know a bit about its current state, let me take you back to its origin story. It originally formed during the Last Glacial Period from an eruption under the ice sheet. 

Since 2021, there have been a few other volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula. For example, there was an eruption in the Meradalir Valley in August of 2022 as well as one at Litli-Hrútur in July to August of 2023.

Looking onward to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

3) City of Reykjavík – Reykjanes Peninsula

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland. Therefore, it is of course on the list of the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula. We spent part of our last day exploring Reykjavik, for it has much to offer in terms of attractions, shops, and restaurants. You can easily spend an entire day in Reykjavík, though I recommend spending two to three hours if you are limited on time. 

Interested in a tour originating from Reykjavík? There are so many options, including ice cave tours as well as two-day south coast tours.

Location

The capital city of Reykjavík is located just past the northeastern point of Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. While Reykjavík is not technically located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, it is only a 10-minute drive away. Moreover, Reykjavík is 50 minutes from the Keflavík airport. 

Hallgrimskirkja Church (modeled after basalt rock columns)

Main Attractions 

My partner and I first got tattoos at Reykjavík Ink because why not! There is something incredibly exciting and intimate about getting a tattoo while traveling in another country. We then walked around to some of the main attractions in the city.

First, we saw the Sun Voyager, a sculpture right on the coast. Jón Gunnar Árnason created the sculpture to represent the hope, freedom, and promising future held within undiscovered territory. Second, we walked to Hallgrimskirkja, a church with a stunning architecture and history. For example, it was designed after the popular basalt rock columns seen throughout Iceland in places such as Reynisfjara black sand beach and Stuðlagil Canyon. 

Third, we explored Laugavegur street, which had all of the shops and restaurants we could ever need. Lastly, we checked out a seafood diner called Sægreifinn (Seabaron). It was FANTASTIC. The lobster soup was heavenly. (If you eat there, feel free to bring me back a gallon of that soup).

Voyager Sculpture along the coast in Reykjavík

4) Bridge Between Continents

Have you ever wanted to walk from the continent of North America to the continent of Europe? It might seem like a strange desire, but when confronted with the opportunity, how could you pass it up? The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have drifted apart over the years, creating small valleys. The 50-foot (~15-meter) Bridge Between Continents spans one of those valleys. It is also known as Midlina. 

Set aside 30 minutes to one hour in your itinerary to visit the Bridge Between Continents.

Thingvellir National Park is also located on the rift between the tectonic plates, and snorkeling is offered as an excursion there. Not many people can say they have had the opportunity to snorkel in between the tectonic plates.

Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park

Location – Reykjanes Peninsula

The Bridge Between Continents is located on the western tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula. For reference, it is 25 minutes from the Keflavík airport. There is a parking area close to the bridge, and a small pathway connects the two. 

Background

As mentioned previously, the Bridge Between Continents crosses between the continents of Europe and North America. The bridge is approximately 50 feet (~15 meters) long and extends between the two tectonic plates. Additionally, the tectonic plates are actually drifting further apart each year by less than one inch (~2.5 centimeters) on average. 

There is a plaque in the middle of the bridge that says “Midlina – in the footsteps of the gods”. On both sides of the bridge, there are welcome signs to North America and Europe respectively. 

Furthermore, the bridge is dedicated to Leif Erikson. If his name sounds familiar, it is because he was the first European to walk on North American soil over a thousand years ago. 

5) Gunnuhver Geothermal Area

Fifth on the list of the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula is the Gunnuhver Geothermal Area. You can visit the Blue Lagoon to get your fill of geothermal pools, and you can visit Gunnuhver to get your fill of geothermal areas.

I recommend planning around 30 minutes to one hour to visit Gunnuhver Geothermal Area.

If you plan to visit the Golden Circle, be sure to check out Geysir Hot Springs. It holds the largest geyser in Iceland: Strokkur. 

Strokkur erupting at Geysir Hot Springs

Location

Gunnuhver Geothermal Area is located on the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. For reference, it is 30 minutes from the Keflavík airport. There are two parking lots for the geothermal area: (1) Gunnuhver East Parking (2) Gunnuhver West Parking. You can park at either one and then walk around the perimeter of the area on the designated trails. 

Background

Gunnuhver Geothermal Area is full of steam vents and mud pools, which you can view from along the trails. Be careful not to venture off the trails, however, for the water can reach temperatures as high as 570+ degrees Fahrenheit (~300+ degrees Celsius). Additionally, the water within Gunnuhver is actually seawater, which makes it different from the majority of Iceland’s other geothermal areas. 

The entire region of Reykjanes Peninsula is prone to volcanic activity, which is evident from the Fagradalsfjall volcano mentioned earlier. Why is this? Well, the Mid Atlantic Ridge, which is the rift that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, runs through the peninsula. The activity of the tectonic plates then causes heat to rise closer to the surface. 

For a bit of a legend, it is said the spirit of a woman is trapped in the geothermal area. Her name was Gunna, and Gunnuhver Geothermal Area is thus named after her. 

6) Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl

Lastly, we have the Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl on this list of the top attractions in Reykjanes Peninsula. I recommend planning for one hour or more to visit the Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl on your Reykjanes Peninsula itinerary. 

For more coastal views in Iceland, head to the town of Arnarstapi where you can see the sea arch Gatklettur. Additionally, head to Ytri Tunga Beach on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula for the chance to spot some seals.

Seals sunbathing on the rocks just off the shore of Ytri Tunga Beach

Location – Reykjanes Peninsula

The Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl are located on the southwestern tip of Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. For reference, they are 30 minutes from the Keflavík airport. 

For parking, simply drive to the end of the road for the parking lot. It is then just a short walk to the coast to view the cliffs. 

Background

The Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl were created by powerful coastal storms. The waves from the sea consistently smashed into the cliffs over the years, thus creating its now jagged appearance. You can even look out into the sea and see some rocks standing straight out of the water. The Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl are 1,378 feet (~420 meters) long, 262 feet (~80 meters) wide, and 33 feet (~10 meters) high.

Another attraction located in the area is the Great Auk Sculpture. While it is a small sculpture at only five feet (~150 centimeters) tall, it holds great significance. Todd McGrain crafted the sculpture as part of their Lost Bird Project. The last great auk was spotted just offshore of the Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl in 1844 before the bird then became extinct.

Furthermore, you can take a short walk inland from the cliffs to Reykjanes Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland. 

7) General Information: Reykjanes Peninsula

Let’s go over a few more logistical aspects and questions you might have!

But first, how about some Reykjanes Peninsula tour options? There are plenty of half-day or full day tours available. First, have the experience of a lifetime as you fly in a helicopter over the most recently erupted volcanoes on Reykjanes Peninsula. Second, get an adrenaline rush while zipping through the mountains on a buggy tour. Third, hike around a recent eruption site and then relax in the Blue Lagoon to experience two of the best things to do in Reykjanes Peninsula within one tour.

In order to get around the Reykjanes Peninsula, booking a tour or a rental car are your best options. Public transportation is not readily available in Iceland, so do not rely on that to get between any of the attractions on your Reykjanes Peninsula itinerary. Additionally, Uber and Lyft do not exist in Iceland. However, there are a few taxi services such as Hopp Taxis or TaxiCaller.

For nearby lodging, we stayed at Guesthouse Pavi in the city of Reykjavík. On the other hand, why not book a room at one of the most romantic hotels in Iceland? 

Enjoying our time in Iceland at the Blue Lagoon

FAQS – Reykjanes Peninsula

Where is Reykjanes Peninsula located?: Reykjanes Peninsula is located in southwestern Iceland.

How far is the Reykjanes Peninsula from Reykjavík?: Technically, Reykjavík is not located on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Instead, Reykjavík is only a 10-minute drive from the northeastern tip of Reykjanes Peninsula.

How far is the Reykjanes Peninsula from Keflavík?: Keflavík is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula. For reference, Keflavík is a 25-minute drive from the southern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

What is an itinerary for a day trip on the Reykjanes Peninsula?: Start the day with relaxing at the Blue Lagoon and then explore an erupting (or previously erupted) volcano in the early afternoon. Walk across the Bridge Between Continents as well as along Gunnuhver Geothermal Area and the Cliffs of Valahnúkamöl in the late afternoon into early evening. Finally, head to Reykjavík for dinner and to see the capital city at night.

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