Reykjanes Peninsula: Volcanos & Blue Lagoon Self-Guided Tour

We’re approaching the tiny village of Hafnir, which looks out over a small bay. Although only a few hundred people live here today, two of Iceland’s largest estates once dominated this area… and the owners didn’t always get along!

Remember the Grindavik townsfolk who baked their bread in volcanic steam vents? Well in the 1970s, a group of scientists decided to take this idea to the next level! They began exploring the land north of Grindavik, hoping to use the area’s geothermal energy to provide heat for the town’s residents.

Note: The tour is over 39.8 miles long, with more than 40 audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours per tour to complete.

Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

The Hafnarberg Sea Cliffs are coming up next, offering another view of the stunning coastline. The easy trail to reach them is three miles in total and takes around an hour to complete.

The Bridge Between Continents spans the gap separating the North American Plate from the Eurasian Plate. Although the bridge is only about 50 feet long, it allows you to walk all the way from North America to Europe! Now that’s something to brag about!

Just ahead, Gunnuhver Hot Springs offer some positively volcanic views. As a high-temperature geothermal field, these hot springs sit very close to an active volcano. Off to our right, you’ll notice a gentle rise. Although this might look pretty inconspicuous, this is actually Gunnuhver Volcano, the main source of the hot springs!

On our right, the Reykjanes Lighthouse keeps watch over the peninsula’s southernmost tip. Since 1878, a lighthouse has stood on this hill, helping sailors and fishermen safely navigate the treacherous cliffs.

When you look at the statue, you might think to yourself: Wait, that’s a penguin! Although these stocky, flightless birds certainly looked like penguins, they’re actually an entirely different species!

The name ‘Brimketill’ translates to “whitewater cauldron.” According to the stories, this cauldron once belonged to a giant troll named Oddný! Oddný and her husband Hróar lived in a nearby cave. At night, Oddný came down to her cauldron to cook and wash her clothing. Sounds pretty peaceful!

The 1,200-foot Fagradalsfjall is a real trend-setter: In 2021, its eruption kicked off the recent period of volcanic activity known as the New Reykjanes Fires. Prior to the volcano’s eruption, it’d been nearly 800 years since the peninsula saw a major volcanic event! Talk about trailblazing!

Our next optional detour is a 5-minute drive to the ruins of Selatangar, an old fishing station. Sitting about a mile from the highway, Selatangar gives us a glimpse into Icelandic life hundreds of years ago… and it wasn’t always pretty!

In a couple of minutes, we’ll reach the turn-off for Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs. These sheer cliffs are a favorite spot for some iconic Icelandic birds: kittiwakes, guillemots, and even a few puffin families!