Date
25. Aug 202525. Aug 25
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6 min
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Aerial view over the boardwalk at Seltún.
Reykjanes peninsula highlights
Recent eruptive activity at Fagradalsfjall.
Gunnuhver viewpoint.
Northern lights glow over the Blue Lagoon.
The Reykjanes area lies just outside the airport doors, and it’s super-easy to explore – perfect for a Stopover. Come check it out!
In the southwest corner of Iceland sits the Reykjanes peninsula, an area of outstanding beauty and geological significance. It’s known for being explorable in a day, but that doesn’t diminish the magnitude of its impressive sights.
Reykjanes is a hotbed of tectonic activity – the root cause of the region’s volcanic features. It’s perhaps most famous for being the site of Iceland’s most recent eruptions, but there’s so much more to Reykjanes than its volcanic reputation.
It’s brimming with geothermal energy, with hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and fascinating geological sites. The diversity of its scenery is unique, from moss-covered lava fields to lighthouses atop coastal cliffs, and colorful rock formations created by sulfur, silica, and iron oxide.
With all this to discover and more, it’s worth carving out time in your Iceland trip to see the natural wonders on this fascinating peninsula. This guide will show you how to build your itinerary with the best sights that Reykjanes has to offer.
The Reykjanes peninsula is perched on Iceland’s southwestern edge, occupying a total area of around 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles).
It’s located along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a tectonic plate boundary of the Eurasian and North American plates. This is why the area is such a significant hotbed of volcanic activity.
Reykjanes is only 50km (31 miles) from Reykjavík and is home to the international airport at Keflavík, making it the perfect first or final pit stop of your Iceland tour. The peninsula itself is around 45km (28 miles) long, meaning you can drive around Reykjanes in an easy loop that lets you take in the best of its geological gems, and its fascinating mix of volcanic, geothermal, coastal, and cultural attractions.
Whether you set off from Reykjavík, Keflavík, or elsewhere, how you travel the peninsula is ultimately up to you and which of the geological wonders you want to see first.
The Reykjanes peninsula isn’t just a destination, it’s an active geological frontier. Beneath your feet lie a handful of volcanic systems, including Reykjanes, Eldvörp-Svartsengi (often referred to as simply Svartsengi), Krýsuvík, and Fagradalsfjall.
There are six main systems on the peninsula – some are relatively quiet, while others are more active, with eruptions in recent years stemming from the Fagradalsfjall (2021–mid-2023) and Svartsengi (late 2023–2025) systems. Prior to the recent series of eruptions, the peninsula’s volcanic systems had been quiet for over 800 years.
Eruptions in this region tend to be classed as fissure eruptions, where free-flowing basaltic lava emerges from long cracks in the ground. While the newest eruption sites are out of bounds for safety reasons, you can still visit lava fields and volcanic sites which are new formations created by Fagradalsfjall eruptions from 2021 to July 2023.
Of course, there’s plenty of older lava and landscapes to admire. One of the more unique examples is Eldey island, produced by another volcanic system just off the coast of the peninsula. The Eldey volcanic system is mainly underwater, but you can see the small rocky outcrop it produced in the ocean from Reykjanestá.
Past volcanic activity helped build the peninsula, and current activity is very well monitored. The safety of visitors and inhabitants is a number-one priority, and there are various safety protocols in place. If you’re planning to visit the area, you can check for updates on Reykjanes peninsula volcano activity to be prepared, and also check Safe Travel for official updates.
Learn more facts about volcanic systems in other parts of the country in our guide to Iceland’s volcanoes.
In 2015, the Reykjanes peninsula became a UNESCO Global Geopark, recognizing its international geological significance.
In the words of UNESCO, ‘Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.’
Reykjanes Geopark covers most of the peninsula. Its 55 geosites span crater formations, geothermal features such as hot springs, steam vents and boiling mud pools, as well as historic sites, including shipwrecks and the ruins of ancient settlements.
Reykjanes Geopark’s accumulation of natural phenomena and man-made artifacts make it one of the most geologically and culturally significant attractions in Iceland. Katla Geopark is a second UNESCO-recognized site, on Iceland’s south coast.
There’s incredible diversity and choice among Reykjanes peninsula’s sights. To help you navigate the region and compile your perfect Reykjanes itinerary, we’ve listed some of the region’s most prominent features and attractions, stretching from hot springs to the ice-cold Atlantic sea cliffs.
There are many different ways to see the sights of the Reykjanes peninsula based on how much time you have and what you’d like to do.
Under a day: You can drive a shorter loop in a couple of hours, taking in Kleifarvatn, Seltún, Brimketill, and Reykjanestá.
Around a day: Do a complete Reykjanes peninsula day trip by visiting the key landmarks above plus sites like the Bridge Between Continents and Garður.
More than a day: Stretch out your trip by combining Reykjanes attractions with a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon.
A visit to Reykjanes is perfect if you plan on staying in the area the night before your flight, especially if you have an early-morning departure from Keflavík. Whatever your Reykjanes peninsula itinerary, there’s more than enough to keep you busy.
We recommend checking the region’s roads and hiking trail safety updates before you travel to make sure they’re accessible, as volcanic activity across the peninsula may occasionally close certain roads and hiking routes.
With so much to see and do on the Reykjanes peninsula, it really is the perfect place to experience Iceland’s nature and culture in all its glory.
Whether you visit Reykjanes while on a Stopover, on a day trip from Reykjavík, or as part of a full road-trip itinerary, exploring the peninsula is made easy with regular flights to Keflavík from Europe and North America.
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