Itinerary

1. Bridge between continents

   • Iceland is the only place on Earth where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above ground, revealing the divide between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. 
   • In Reykjanes, the Bridge Between the Continents lets visitors stand between these drifting plates. The plates continuously move apart, creating fissures, and the bridge in Sandvík spans one of these striking geological formations.

2. Reykjanes Lighthouse

   • Iceland’s first lighthouse was built on Valhnúkur in Reykjanes in 1878. 
   • However, due to damage from earthquakes and coastal erosion, it faced the risk of collapsing into the sea. 
   • As a result, a new lighthouse was constructed a few meters inland on Bæjarfell, ensuring a safer and more stable location.

3. Eldey

   • Eldey is a small island located about 20 km off the coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula. 
   • Covering roughly 3 hectares (7 acres) and standing 77 meters (253 ft) tall, it hosts a variety of bird species, including the largest northern gannet colony. 
   • While we won’t visit the island, you can admire it from Valhnúkamöl sand, where we make a stop.

4. Gunnuhver

   • Close to Reykjanes Lighthouse, the Gunnuhver geothermal area is named after the ghost Gunna, who was said to cause havoc until she fell into a hot spring. 
   • The site is filled with steaming mud pools and hot springs, where boiling geothermal water mixes with surface water. Gunnuhver is home to Iceland’s largest mud pool, a 20-meter-wide, vigorously boiling spectacle of raw geothermal power.

5. Brimketill

   • Brimketill is a naturally formed pool along the ocean, once a popular bathing spot, but now too dangerous due to the powerful crashing waves. 
   • A nearby viewing platform offers stunning views of the pool and its dramatic surroundings.

6. Hópsnes Shipwreck

   • Hópsnes, a small peninsula near Grindavík, is rich in history and natural beauty, home to about 10 shipwrecks and abandoned houses. 
   • The area, formed around 2800 years ago by a volcanic eruption, played a crucial role in Grindavík’s early settlement and shipping. 
   • Visitors can explore relics of the past, including fish drying sheds, salt huts, and the Hópsnesviti lighthouse built in 1928, while learning about the area’s fascinating history through informative boards placed near the shipwrecks.

7. Kleifarvatn

   • Kleifarvatn Lake, the largest on the Reykjanes Peninsula, is also one of Iceland’s deepest, with a depth of 97 meters. 
   • The lake’s south end is heated by a hot spring, while the rest remains cold. 
   • Surrounded by dramatic lava formations, it offers a breathtaking landscape and is an ideal spot for photography.

8. Seltún

   • Seltún is a fascinating geothermal field in the Krýsuvík volcanic system, known for its mud pools, vibrant earth colors, and boiling water. 
   • Despite the initial attempts to harness the geothermal energy, the area became notorious after a system explosion. 
   • The distinct sulfuric smell adds to the raw, natural experience, and nearby, visitors can also find Fúli-pollur, or Bad Smelling Puddle, adding to the area’s unique geothermal allure.