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

Across a wide tension crack that opened due to the divergent movements of the North American and Eurasian plates is a narrow footbridge built as a symbol for the connection between Europe and North America. You can (symbolically) walk from one continent to another in seconds, marveling at the tectonic forces at work on this island; the average rifting of the plates amounts to about 2 cm (0.8 inch) per year. The bridge is just off Route 425, and there's plenty of information on-site as well as some classic photo ops (many visitors pretend to hold the bridge up).

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.

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.

Take Route 215 for 5 km (3 miles) to reach the popular black-sand beach, Reynisfjara, located on the western side of Reynisfjall. The surrounding cliffs are the home to thousands of puffins in the summer, as well as arctic terns and fulmars. The dramatic splattering of the explosive waves on the obsidian black beach is a thrill to watch, but for safety reasons visitors must stay far from the edge of the water. The waves off Reynisfjara can rise quickly, sweeping people up in seconds, which has resulted in many accidents and even deaths. Offshore are the towering basalt sea stacks, Reynisdrangar. Their silhouette is seen from both Vík and Reynisfara.

Easily accessible just off the Ring Road, Seljalandsfoss is one of the country's most breathtaking landmarks. Towering in at over 61 meters (200 feet), Seljalandsfoss has one distinct quality—visitors can actually walk behind the waterfall. Be prepared to get heavily misted by the fresh mountain water, but be careful as the path can also be slippery. Bathroom facilities and a small coffee shop can be found by the parking lot. There are also lots of scenic walking paths nearby for a short peaceful stroll. 

This colorful geothermal area, with raw bubbling mud pots and steam and hot little rivers emerging from the earth, is one of the gems of the Reykjanes peninsula. Located on the scenic Krýsuvík road (Route 42)—which passes volcanic sandstone cliffs, lakes with black-sand beaches, and outlandish lava formations—this stop is a must along the interesting drive. The minerals spewed from the ground at unbelievable temperatures stain the rocks in blood reds, deep blues, beige yellows, and neon greens. The nicely restored walking paths and spacious parking lot make it easily accessible for most visitors. There are also bathrooms available.

Farther east, about 25 minutes away from Seljalandsfoss, you will find another falling beauty, framed in by green hills in the summer and ice during winter. The waterfall Skógafoss is located at Skógar, a small Icelandic village, south of the volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Skógafoss is around 60 meters (197 feet) high, 25 meters (82 feet) wide, and is square in shape. A steep staircase leads up to the top of the hill above the falls, and on the way up you will often see a rainbow.

This highly popular active geyser is located in the Geysir geothermal area and is also along the Golden Circle. Though not as powerful as the Great Geysir, it does erupt much more frequently—every five minutes or so, you can expect a blast of geothermal water 19.8 meters (65 feet) or more in the air.

Five kilometers (3 miles) west of Grindavík, this naturally carved lava tub is constantly filled and drained by ocean surf. Folklore says that the geological pool was the giantess Oddný's favorite spot to bathe. On windy days it's thrilling to watch the incredible force of the sea—just be careful of slippery rocks.

Not far from Vík is a small island (connected to the main body of Iceland) with a shallow inland lagoon filled with seabirds and a massive sea archway, 120 meters (394 feet) high, stretching out into the sea. At Dyrahólaey you will also find a spectacular white lighthouse, the southernmost tip of Iceland.

This 10-km-long (6-mile-long) row of craters formed in the Reykjanes Fires, a volcano-tectonic episode in AD 1210–40. The whole area has a spooky and majestic vibe thanks to the steam escaping the craters as well as a nearby borehole. Eldvörp is a bit hidden, but several well-marked walking trails pass near it, including the Reykjavegur. It's also accessible on foot, by bike, and by car on a dirt track from the Grindavík–Blue Lagoon link road.

The world-famous Geysir (from which all other geysers get their name) shoots boiling water and steam 100 feet in the air when it erupts every decade or so. Luckily for those looking for a show, Stokkur, which erupts many times a day, can be found just a few feet away. Still, even when dormant, Geysir’s bubbling, sky-blue waters are a mesmerizing sight unto themselves. From Þingvellir, the first stop in the Golden Circle, continue east on Route 36, turn left on Route 365, and turn left again on Route 37 at Laugarvatn. At the end of Route 37, turn left and take Route 35 northeast to Hótel Geysir, which is next to the hot springs.

This geothermal field is named for Guðrún Önundardóttir's ghost, who sought revenge after being mistreated by a lawyer. After several deaths connected to Guðrún (also called Gunna), a sorcerer was sent to put her to rest in the hot spring. The walk over the historical bridge is well worth the wet clothes and the strong smell of sulfur.

Walk or drive from the town of Grindavík to Hópsnes, and you will find old shipwrecks that washed ashore in the 20th century. At the end of the path is the lighthouse, Hópnes, which on clear days has views of the Eldey Island bird colony. The walk should take about two hours, with various stops along the way.

Go about 6 km (4 miles) south of Sandgerði on Highway 45 and you will pass this funky-looking church smiling down on you from a hill. The church at Hvalsnes was consecrated in 1887. It was built with basalt stone retrieved from the surrounding area, and the wood interior was crafted with driftwood from the nearby shores.

While driving the Krýsuvíkur road (Route 42) from Hafnarfjörður to the south coast of the peninsula, you will see the mystical Kleifarvatn, the largest lake in Reykjanes and the setting of The Draining Lake, a crime novel by the famous Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason. Around the lake are secret caves and places where you can find complete silence.

The petite but stunning mountain Þorbjörn is set between Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon. The mountain is only about 200 meters (656.2 feet) high, but it offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding area—including endless lava fields, mossy hills, the Atlantic Ocean, and the milky Blue Lagoon. The top of the mountain is split in two with a tight canyon in the middle called “the Thieves Gap.\" The peak is easily accessible by marked hiking trails, and near the foot of the mountain on the north side is a small forest and a wooden playground.

A beautiful hiking trail leads from Hveragerði to Reykjadalur (Steam Valley). The colorful hills, waterfall, and natural hot springs make it very popular with tourists and locals alike. At the end of the trail, you can bathe in a geothermal river surrounded by green hills and the occasional roaming lambs. The hike takes about 1½ hours.

About 8 km (5 miles) east of Grindavík, just off the main road, you will see an information board about this historical site. Drive about 1 km (½ mile) along a rocky dirt road (ideally in a 4x4 vehicle), and at the end of road you will see a parking spot. From there a scenic 15-minute walk (with views of the wild ocean crashing into the black shores) takes you to the ruins of a former fishing station constructed from lava rocks. The stone is believed to date back to AD 1150, but the station was maintained from the Middle Ages until 1885.

Tucked away in a narrow valley beneath the notorious Eyjafjallajökull volcano lies one of Iceland's most scenic geothermal baths. Fed by hot springs flowing straight down the mountainside, the 24-meter (80-foot) pool, built in 1923, has a rugged charm. Though considered semi-abandoned and, therefore, free to use, there are still changing rooms next to the pool—though they are basic and often dirty. While the water tends to be more warm than hot, the scenic backdrop more than makes up for it.

The historic settlement of Skálholt is the location of one of two former episcopal seats in Iceland, and for over 700 years it was the national center of culture, politics, and education. The cathedral has been restored many times, most recently in 1963. A 1954 archaeological excavation turned up a sarcophagus that is believed to contain the bones of one of Skálholt's most powerful bishops, Páll Jónsson; it is now on display in the basement of the church along with other relics. The cathedral is still a center for music and culture, and it often hosts concerts during the summer featuring composers and musicians from all over the world.

At the far end of the marina in Reykjanesbær you will find the dark and mysterious cave of the notorious giantess, Skessan. An incredible art installation based on a character from the books of Herdís Egilsdóttir, the giantess is over 5 meters (16.4 feet) high and she even snores and burps, making it an especially fun visit for children.

“The miracle church,” as it often called by locals, was built in the 12th century. The southern coast of Iceland is known for its severe weather, rough coast, and hidden reefs. Legend has it that a group of sailors were negotiating with God while trying to get back to harbor in a bad storm and promised to build a new church wherever the ship landed. Suddenly a light appeared in the sky and guided the sailors to shore. The sailors kept their promise, and the bay nearby was named Engilsvík (Angel’s Bay). Since then, Icelanders have donated to Strandarkirkja when their family is going through rough times in hopes that their prayers will be answered.

In an old converted cowshed on the banks of the beautiful Þjórsár, you will find a peculiar gallery founded by the couple Ólafur Sigurjónsso and Bergþóra Guðbergsdóttir. Inside is an old church organ that was deemed beyond repair after the volcanic eruption in Vestmanneyjar as well as exquisite woodcraft pieces from local artist Sigga á Grund and pieces of wood turning from Ólafur. There are also compact spinning machines that Sigurjón, Ólafur's father, invented and built at the farm around 1950.

If you would like to see where the brave fisherman that battled the North Atlantic Sea slept and ate during their days ashore in the 18th and 19th centuries, check out this restored turf house. It once belonged to Þuríður Einarsdóttir, one of the few female boat captains in Iceland.

This might not be the biggest waterfall in Iceland, but it's one of the most powerful, boasting the highest average water flow of any Icelandic waterfall, and the second in all of Europe. There is a small parking area and visitor's center.