23 Best Sights in Reykjanes Peninsula and the South Coast (with the Golden Circle), Iceland

Two lighthouses can be found on Garðskagi, and Garðskagaviti is the smaller and older of the two. It is also known as “the lighthouse of love”: wives of fishermen would take a stone from the black-sand beaches surrounding the town, go to the top of the lighthouse, and walk in circles and pray for their husbands out at sea. Nowadays, you won't find too many women roaming the stairs, but if the northern lights forecast looks good, this beach is a great place to watch them. You also might be rewarded with some prime bird-watching—species like gull-billed tern, American bittern, and purple gallinule can be spotted here.

Iceland's most famous waterfall is a truly spectacular scene. There used to be a modest visitor center named in memory of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who fought against a hydroelectric reservoir scheme that would have flooded the falls in the early 20th century. Today it's a tour-booking center, a small shop, and a restaurant that prides itself on a warm and filling Icelandic meat soup. The center's bathrooms are free to use.

Tucked away from the main street in Hafnarfjörður, this local park is the perfect place to get lost. There, pathways wind between lava formations, a playground is hidden by towering spruces, and a mystical pond beckons you to stop and listen to the melodious birdsong. Hellisgerði is notoriously the home of huldufólk, or “hidden people”—if you stay long enough, maybe you'll meet one. The Hidden Worlds group stops here on its tour.

Little White and Little Grey are two of the cutest residents of Iceland. Originally from a Shanghai water park, the belugas found sanctuary in 2019 at this specially built facility, which helps the marine mammals reacclimatize to a more natural environment and also works as a puffin rehabilitation center. The sanctuary offers daily tours of their facilities, where you can learn more about the whales and get up-close-and-personal with some puffins. They also offer boat tours of the bay where Little White and Little Grey will live out their lives.  

Located at the northern end of Þingvallavatn—Iceland's largest lake—Þingvellir National Park is a powerful symbol of Icelandic heritage. Many national celebrations are held here, and it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Besides its historical interest, Þingvellir holds a special appeal for naturalists: it is the geologic meeting point of two continents. At Almannagjá, on the west side of the plain, is the easternmost edge of the North American tectonic plate, otherwise submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. Over on the plain's east side, at the Heiðargjá Gorge, you are at the westernmost edge of the Eurasian plate.

A path down into Almannagjá from the top of the gorge overlooking Þingvellir leads straight to the high rock wall of Lögberg (Law Rock), where the person once chosen as guardian of the Icelandic laws would recite them from memory. At the far end of the gorge is the Öxarárfoss (Öxará Waterfall); beautiful, peaceful picnic spots sit just beyond it. Behind Lögberg the river cascades down and forms the forbidding Drekkingarhylur pool.

Ancient crosses, wall carvings, and carved seats decorate twelve mysterious caves outside of Hella. Filled with historical remains, they have only recently begun to be excavated—and researchers already think they might predate the Vikings. Four are currently open to the public, but take note that you're only allowed to see the caves on guided tours, which are offered in English every day at 12 and 4 pm. 

Get to know some of the most notorious ghosts of Icelandic history while being guided through a 1,000-square-meter maze at the Menningarverstöðin (cultural center) in Stokkseyri. The Ghost Center can be found on the third floor, and on the first floor, you will find the Icelandic Wonders Museum, which is dedicated to elves and the northern lights. According to Icelandic legend, ghosts can appear in all shapes or forms, and some of them may still roam the halls today.

Those who don't want to splurge on a ticket to the Secret Lagoon may wish to check out the local swimming pool at Flúðir, which also has two nice hot tubs and a natural sauna.

The northernmost swimming pool on the peninsula is a charming little pool with a red color scheme. It contains all the necessities of an Icelandic swimming pool, including a gym, sports hall, two hot tubs, a kiddie pool, and a sauna.

Swimming in a cold, refreshing lake for a few minutes and then running back to the hot tub or sauna is a unique healing exercise that rewards you with a rush of endorphins. If you think it's too cold on this island for that, Fontana offers a relaxing warm soak in the tub. They also have a lovely geothermal bakery, which they offer tours of twice a day. 

In the town of Hvolsvöllur, take an educational break and learn about how this volcanic island was shaped by countless eruptions. At the LAVA Centre you are introduced to the 32 volcanic systems in Iceland. There is an interactive scene that reveals the wonders of volcanic activity, a film about local volcanoes, and a balcony that offers you a panoramic view of four dormant volcanoes.

Reached by a footbridge, this gorge is better known these days as Peningagjá (Money Gorge) because it's customary to fling a coin into the gorge's ice-cold water and make a wish. Don't even dream about climbing down to wade here—it might look shallow, but it's more than 30 feet deep.

This clinic is where Icelanders come to regain their health and peace of mind. Spa treatments like deep-heat mud baths and massages are available to both visitors and prescription-bearing patients. Before and after treatments you are welcome to use the hot tub, sauna, or swimming pool. There is also an on-site restaurant that offers healthy dishes made mostly from local ingredients.

In the beautiful but unexciting village of Reykholt (not to be confused with the historical town in West Iceland) is a nice swimming pool for relaxing and stretching out. For those who need to blow off some steam, there is also a small gym and sports hall in the building.

The charming little geothermal swimming pool in Hveragerði was once the biggest in Iceland. Although that's no longer the case, it still has a special characteristic: as a "constant stream" pool—heated with steam coming directly from the ground—the water is considered by many to have health benefits. The setting around the pool is green and lovely, and it has one of the best natural saunas in the country.

On a slow day, you might just find yourself alone at this casual little swimming pool in the center of town. The hot tubs are a great place to meet locals, so don't be afraid to say hello. 

Hafnarfjörður has three swimming pools, but Suðurbæjarlaug has a late-1980s charm and is the only one with an outdoor pool. There are indoor and outdoor changing rooms, two waterslides, a steam bath, and a nice little path that twists around the pool ideal for cooling off between dips in the numerous hot tubs.

In May 2008 a massive earthquake (6.3 magnitude) struck the southern part of Iceland. The epicenter of the quake was about 2 km (1 mile) southeast of Hveragerði, so many buildings in this area suffered severe damage. This exhibition, located in the Sunnumörk shopping center, relates personal accounts of the earthquake and displays photographs and surveillance camera footage. Visible through the floor of the building is an earthquake crack that is thought to be around 5,000 years old. At the exhibition there is also an earthquake simulator, so visitors can experience for themselves what a powerful earthquake feels like.

Njáls Saga—the most famous of the medieval Sagas of Icelanders—is told through a lively exhibition here at the Saga Centre. Only a 10-minute drive from Hella lies Hvolsvöllur, the town where it took place over a thousand years ago. Set in the settlement age, you will learn the stories of war heroes, family feuds, and Icelandic politics. To satisfy your hunger after immersing yourself in the saga, Valhalla Restaurant is located on-site; they serve beer and pub food like pulled pork, burgers, and fries.

If you are traveling with small children, this is the perfect place to escape cold Icelandic winter days or to give babies a break from the strong Nordic sun in summer. Waterworld is an indoor activity pool for the youngest generation, with bucket showers, small slides, and a friendly seal. There is also an outdoor pool, four hot tubs, and steam baths for the older generation. Children up to age 10 can enter free with an adult.

Here you will find Íslendingur, an exact replica of the Viking Age Gokstad ship, which was a remarkable archaeological find of an almost-completely intact Viking ship. Learn about the Norse settlement and mythology while you sit at the stern and imagine the sea breeze tickling your face. For early risers, they also serve breakfast under the ship starting at 7 am; it's by appointment only, so make sure to contact them in advance.