What route for Reykjanes Peninsula?
 

We are planning to drive around the Reykjanes Peninsula as soon as we land at KEF rather than driving the direct route into Reykjavik.

Can anyone advise: what not to miss; what the highlights are; what are the "don't bother" places; what route exactly???

My plan so far is KEF through Gardur then stop at Gardskagi for a quick look around, through Sandgerdi, maybe stop at Hvalsnes church, maybe stop at Basendar ruins, through Hafnir, stop and walk the trail at Hafnaberg Cliffs, check out Valahnukur and Reykjanesviti lighthouse, check out Gunnuhver Hot Springs, through Grindavik (we don't plan to stop at Blue Lagoon as we plan to go to Secret Lagoon while on our Golden Circle Tour), stop to see Selatangar, Krysuvik, Graenavatn, Seltun, drive by Kleifarvatn lake, head north and stop in Hafnarfjordur before reaching Reykjavik.

Does this sound like a good plan? Any idea how long this might take? Is the scenery through route 42 north through Reykjanesfoldvangur worth the slower drive? Is there anything worth seeing if you head east on 417 instead of continuing north on 42???

Any info would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks!

Abbyo -

I can't help, but just wanted to mention that we too, are planning a trip to Iceland in May and there's a load of info over on TA. Lots of local posters and a much faster moving Iceland forum.

Good luck with your planning.

We drove through the Reykjanes Peninsula at the end of our Iceland Trip. o here's the stops we had made....
Village of Hafnir
The Bridge between the Two Continents
Blue Lagoon

Hi!
I wouldn't miss the Blue Lagoon for sure,

There is an interesting museum of the Geothermal Energy that is totally worth it :)

You can have more info here http://www.iceland24blog.com/2014/12...peninsula.html

Hope it helps :)

The Blue lagoon is becoming very passe.

The locals really criticise the place for ripping tourists off.

However, we were there in February, on a deathly still night, with no clouds and 0oC. The complex is pretty high end and still looks like the ground breaking design it was when it first opened. In short, with the Aurora showing, it was a lifetime highlight.

I wish we could say the same about the rest of Iceland which we found to be over-run with "world tourists" many of whom had little respect for the environment or other visitors.

We much prefer Norway.

Interesting BritishCaicos.

We too, were underwhelmed with Iceland (just left a few days ago).

We just didn't get why so many people are enthralled with it.

To each their own.

Melnq8

I have a feeling that for many people who are maybe city based, or have had little exposure to a wild environment, Iceland may seem "a thrill".

Since the age of 4 months old, I've spent a life in the wilds of here, there and everywhere. Never had much time for cities.

As a result, Iceland just struck me as a bit of a tourist game show.

waterfall : tick it off
Beach : tick it off
Waterfall : tick it off

For me, my home Scotland has far better scenery (and single malt).

I think you may be on to something there BritishCaicos.

We have been fortunate enough to live in/and visit many countries, and our focus has always been on the outdoors.

I do regret we failed to visit Iceland before it became what it is today.

We live in the mountains of Colorado, yet still routinely visit places like New Zealand and Switzerland (where we are at the moment), where mother nature is on full display, every day, no tour operator needed.

My husband is a single malt fan by the way, and wholeheartedly agrees with your comment.

We do need to get over your way again sometime soon.