Reykjanes Peninsula Checklist and Map Guide
Reykjanes Peninsula Northern Route (Road 41 & 45)
Garður Lighthouses and Geopark
- Location: Northern tip of peninsula
- Free parking
- Former bird research center, now a restaurant
- Best for: Sunrise photos
Sandgerði Village & Yellow Lighthouse
- Iconic yellow lighthouse
- Traditional fishing village
- Free parking
- Great coastal walking paths
- Best for: Morning exploration
Orange Lighthouse (Holmsberg )
- Location: Holmsberg
- the closest lighthouse to Keflavik airport
- Check our Youtube short video
- You’ll find another orange color lighthouse in Stafnesviti, and more on Iceland ring road!
Reykjanes Peninsula Central Area
Viking World Museum
- Location: Njarðvík
- 🎫 Admission fee applies
- ☕ Café with ocean views
- 📸 Hanging Viking ship photo spot
- Best for: Lunch break + culture
Another Orange Lighthouse (Stafnesviti )
- Location: Stafnesviti
- Built in 1925 between Sandgerði and Hafnir
- Stafnes was a notable seal hunting location in earlier times
- Busiest fishing outfit on Reykjanes Peninsula in 17th &18th centuries
Hvalsneskirkja (Black Church)
- Built 1887
- Free to view exterior
- Historic cemetery
- Best for: Photography, cultural experience
Reykjanes Peninsula Southern Circuit (Road 42)
Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
- Close to the city and fewer tourists!
- Free parking
- Hiking trails around
- Viewpoints over Gígvatnsvatn (green lake)
Volcanic Crater Hike
- Location: Eldborg next to Geitahlíð
- Off Road 42 on Reykjanes Peninsula
- Free parking at the trailhead – google: Eldborg next to Geitahlíð
- Hiking trails can be found on Alltrails
- Eldborg next to Geitahlíð – this is NOT Eldborg crater on Snæfellsnes peninsula
Krýsuvík Church (Krýsuvíkurkirkja)
- Location: Krysuvik. Not far from Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
- Krýsuvíkurkirkja – Kirkja is the Icelandic word for “church”
- Might be the smallest church in Iceland!
- Free parking
- Perfect photo spot
The Blue Lagoon is definitely the most famous spot on the Reykjanes Peninsula, but it was closed because of volcanic activity when we visited. That’s okay, though – this Reykjanes Peninsula checklist is all about sharing some of the lesser-known hidden gems we discovered instead!
🕒 Suggested Timing
Morning:
- Start at Garður/Sandgerði (1-2 hours)
- Viking World Museum (1 hour)
Afternoon:
- Hvalsneskirkja (30 mins)
- Geothermal Area (1-2 hours with a hike up and Green Lake nearby)
- Volcanic Craters (1-2 hours if you hike)
- Krýsuvíkurkirkja (20 mins)
✅ Pre-Visit Reykjanes Peninsula Checklist
Getting Around & Where to Stay
To make the most of your trip to Reykjanes Peninsula, renting a car is the way to go! Most visitors pick up a rental right at Keflavík International Airport, making it super easy to start exploring. You’ll find plenty of rental options, from campervan to rugged 4x4s like what we rented.
For accommodations, Keflavík and Grindavík are great if you want to stay close to the top sights on the Reykjanes Peninsula. However, I’d recommend staying in Reykjavík, where you’ll find more lodging options—from cozy guesthouses and boutique hotels to Airbnbs and budget-friendly hostels. Plus, you might get better value for your money with more choices available!
💰 Budget Overview
Free Attractions (with Free Parking):
- All lighthouses
- Churches
- Geothermal areas
- Volcanic craters
- Coastal viewpoints
- Village exploration
Paid Attractions:
- Viking World Museum
📱 Useful Apps
- Google Maps (Offline Mode) – Download maps in advance to navigate without data.
- Vedur – Iceland’s go-to weather app for up-to-date forecasts.
- Road.is – Check real-time road conditions, closures, and safety updates.
- AllTrails (Offline Maps) – Perfect for tracking hiking trails and staying on course.
- Airalo eSIM – Stay connected in Iceland without expensive roaming fees! With Airalo eSIM, you can get instant data access as soon as you land—no SIM card swaps needed. I highly recommend this option[here] to avoid connectivity issues while exploring Iceland!
📸 Photo Spots Priority List
- Yellow Lighthouse and fishing port (Sandgerði)
- Black Church (Hvalsneskirkja)
- Geothermal Area Viewpoint (Krysuvik)
- Volcanic Craters (Eldborg next to Geitahlíð)
- Solitary Church (Krýsuvíkurkirkja)
- Viking Ship in Viking World Museum (Njarðvík)
⚡ Quick Tips
- Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid tour buses
- Most sites take 30-60 minutes to explore
- Best photographed during golden hour
- All sites accessible with regular car
- No entrance fees except Viking World Museum
- Perfect for Keflavík Airport layover travellers or you have couple hours free before your rental car return!
Guided Tour Option
If you prefer a guided experience or don’t plan on driving, several tours offer comprehensive explorations of the Reykjanes Peninsula’s highlights:
- Volcano Eruption Site and Reykjanes Hiking Tour from Reykjavik: This tour includes a hike to recent eruption sites, exploration of ancient lava fields, Gunnuhver Hot Springs, Reykjanes Lighthouse, Valhnúkamöl’s sea stacks, and a visit to the Bridge Between Continents. Book from klook.com
- Iceland Geldingalur Valley Volcano Hiking Tour from Reykjavik: Experience the dynamic Sundhnúkur eruption and trace three years of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. klook.com
Booking a guided tour can enhance your visit by providing local expertise and ensuring you don’t miss any of the peninsula’s hidden gems.
