Reykjanes Peninsula
Can a day be enough to trip around the peninsula?
I'm still not sure one day is enough, as we drive through it with some haste to reach the final destination of the day: the Volcano.
Anyway the volcanic region is filled with intriguing destinations to explore and if you're in Reykjavik and want to explore stunning nature without having to venture very far, a drive around the Reykjanes Peninsula is the perfect road trip. When driving around the peninsula, you'll see a great variety of nature and many signs of old volcanic activity.
Starting from the capital Reykjavik, the drive around the peninsula offers a perfect loop.
Drive along the north coast to reach Keflavik, an old fishing village close to the international airport. Go for a walk in the harbor and check out Duus Museum (for us it was closed), the local Art and Cultural Center or the best of the best: the Giantess Cave. Fun for the kids, super fun for the adults.
From here, I continued along the coast to the northern tip of the peninsula, Garðskagaviti. Take a walk to the lighthouse and get close to the ocean. It's a great viewpoint where you can feel the wind and the waves. On a clear day, you can see all the way north to Snaefellsjökull (glacier) from here. There's also a free museum inside the building next to the old Lighthouse, but no coffee there.
The road continues along the coast through lush green fields with roaming lambs and horses. Make sure to stop at Hvalsneskirkja. Some say it's the most beautiful church in Iceland, let me know your thoughts.
The road continues along the coast. Soon, you'll see steam rising into the sky, a clear sign that you're approaching Reykjanesviti. This is a geothermal area, and much of the steam is from power plants. There are also many sites to see, including Gunnuhver, Reykjanesviti lighthouse, and sea cliffs to explore.
Next up is an active volcano, but first, a stop in Grindavik for some food. It's a good idea to not hike to the volcano hungry, so we hop in the Cafe Bryggjan for a hot chocolate and bought some snacks in the nearby supermarket...
Ready for the hot lava experience?
