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

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.

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.

Founded in 1983, Hafnarfjörður's first art museum holds 10 to 12 exhibitions each year, focusing not only on the work of prominent Icelandic artists but also on experimental work by up-and-coming creators. In addition, they often host artist talks and other cultural events. On one side of the ground floor is a small museum shop that sells Icelandic design souvenirs, and on the other side is Krydd, a restaurant that offers some particularly spectacular pizza.

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, Hópnesviti, 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.

Taking Highway 45 from Garður, you will drive through the colorful little town of Sandgerði, one of Iceland's major fishing communities. About 6 km (4 miles) on from there, 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 Women's Book Room celebrates Icelandic female authors. Rannveig Anna Jónsdóttir conceived this small nonprofit entity after realizing that many books written by Icelandic women were out of print, obscure, or difficult to obtain. More than 3,000 books written by some 600 authors are now on display in two rooms of the historical Blátún building at Eyrarbakki. It shares the building with the local public library, which is housed on the second floor.

Accessible only during summer, Landmannalaugar is a vast area of stunning natural beauty located in the remote southern highlands. It sits about 600 meters above sea level in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, between a glacial river and lava field that was formed in the 15th century. With its dazzling multicolored rhyolite mountains, a blue lake inside a red crater, and bubbling geothermal areas, it becomes a popular hang-out in the summer. The spot is also the starting point for the famed Laugavegur hike, an advanced multi-day trek that connects Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. From June to September, buses run daily from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar and back by Reykjavík Excursions. And don't forget to take a soak in the hot springs while here.

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.

A path down into Almannagjá from the top of the gorge overlooking Þingvellir leads to the high rock wall of Lögberg (Law Rock). At the time of the Icelandic Commonwealth Period, from AD 930 until 1262, Lögberg was the hub of the annual Alþingi meeting. The Lögsögumaður (law speaker) recited a third of the existing laws, which he had memorized, to the assembled parliament each year. After that recitation, anyone could step forward at Lögberg and give a speech or relay news. When Icelanders took allegiance to the Norwegian king in 1262, the authority of Lögberg disappeared.

The petite but stunning mountain Þorbjörn is set between Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon. The mountain is only about 200 meters 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.

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.

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 an hour and a half.

In the 1940s, the U.S. army brought rock 'n' roll to Reykjanesbær, and the town has been in love ever since. The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll honors the town's love for the genre and invites visitors to walk through the history of Icelandic pop and rock starting in 1930. Among photographs and texts are electric guitars and legendary outfits from various Icelandic rock stars. The experience is heightened by a karaoke booth where visitors can belt out ballads or grab drum sticks and rock out.

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.

In a narrow valley beneath the now world-famous Eyjafjallajökull is one of the more authentic geothermal baths around, with the hot springs from the mountain running straight into the pool. The 25-meter pool was built in 1923 and is considered semi-abandoned and therefore is free of charge. There are changing rooms next to the pool—though they are basic and often dirty. Granted, Seljavallalaug might not be the hottest hot spring around—it's more often than not a tepid warm—but the peaceful atmosphere 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 hosts an annual concert series over five weekends in July and August, featuring composers and musicians from all over the world.

“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.

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.

All of Iceland's electricity comes from renewable sources and 90% of Icelandic homes use geothermal water for heat. If you are interested in seeing how this sustainable energy system works, you should visit the Geothermal Energy Exhibition at the Hellisheiði Power Plant, the largest single-site geothermal unit in the world. People of all ages can learn about geothermal utilization via interactive installations and displays. Afterward, you can check out the gift shop and take in the moonlike landscape while enjoying some treats at the on-site café.

Once regarded as Iceland's most valuable export, Saltfiskur (a dried and salted fish) has its own museum in Grindavík. Saltfisk production has a long and important history, which is told with great care in this museum.

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.