Hiking
17. July 2024 - by Arnar Digido
So you’ve picked up your car from Konvin and you’re ready to take a drive around the Reykjanes peninsula. Where should you go? Here are the top 10 must-see attractions in the Reykjanes peninsula that are accessible by car.
This fabulous luxury spa has long been a favourite with visiting tourists. But just because it’s well-known doesn’t mean you should rule it out. Taking a dip here is one of the must-do experiences on the Reykjanes peninsula. With easy access from Keflavík and a large car park, it’s a shoe-in for this list.
Garðskagi headland is close to Keflavik Airport but off the beaten track. This place boasts two lighthouses; the oldest is the squarer and shorter of the two. During the day this is a good choice for birdwatchers, while on darker nights you might spot the Northern Lights here. In the nearby village of Garður, seek out the pretty church of Útskálakirkja, built in 1863.
Iceland’s geology is one of the country’s biggest attractions. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the evidence of plate tectonics is plain to see. That’s definitely the case at the Bridge between Continents where you can’t fail to miss what the landscape looks like where two plates pull apart. Park up and stroll over to the bridge itself, where you can pose for a picture standing in both North America and Europe.
Birdwatching is a common pastime in Iceland and many of its seabirds are a delight to watch. In Reykjanes, try the Hafnaberg sea cliffs, where you might see colonies guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and razorbills. Don’t look only at the land, however, as just offshore you might also see pods of whales or dolphins passing by.
Though Iceland isn’t known for its beach weather, it has some glorious swathes of sandy coastline. One such place is Sandvik Beach. Its black sand is backed by low, grassy dunes. Even on a blustery day it’s a great place to take an invigorating walk. This place has even featured in the movies.
Gunnuhver is an impressively colourful geothermal area at the south western tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. It boasts fumaroles and hot springs but is best known for its mud pools. The largest in Iceland is found here. Take a hike along its boardwalks and up a sinter mound called Kísilhól from where the whole site is visible.
Seltún Geothermal Area was once used for sulphur mining, but these days it is a natural attraction. The landscape is spattered with yellow sulphur deposits, red iron oxide, blue from pyrite and white from silica. It is known for its high concentration of hot springs, solfataras, fumaroles and mud pools, making this a must-see if you plan to drive around the Reykjanes peninsula.
Reykjanes has a wild and unspoilt coastline and that’s never more true than at Brimketill. An ancient lava flow once reached the ocean here and the waves have been pounding at the rock ever since. The result is a lava pool that has been scoured out by wave erosion. Come at low tide to get the best impression but note that it is never safe to swim here due to the strong tides and jagged nature of the rock.
Though Kleifarvatn is larger, this lake is prettier. The name Grænavatn translates as “green lake”. The water is a vivid shade of teal because of its high sulphur content and also from the algae that is present. The lake fills an old explosion crater and it’s about 45 metres down from the surface at its deepest point.
Let’s not forget Keflavik itself, where you’ll find Konvin car rental. This small settlement has a surprisingly large number of things to see including the Museum of Icelandic Rock and Roll and Viking World where there’s a replica longship modelled on one that was excavated in Norway. Why not take a look right after you’ve collected your car from us?
