This Reykjavik shore trip to the Reykjanes Peninsula offers a dramatic and otherworldly journey through Iceland's raw, volcanic landscape, a perfect adventure for those looking to explore beyond the well traveled Golden Circle route.
After meeting your guide at the pier in Reykjavik, you start the drive to Kleifarvatn Lake, nestled among volcanic hills. This is one of Iceland's deepest lakes, formed by tectonic activity and ringed by stark lava fields. It is a great place for quiet photography and for taking in the solitude of Iceland's untamed landscape, including black sand beaches and minimal vegetation.
Nearby is the Krysuvik Geothermal Area, a geothermal field bubbling with energy where you can walk among steaming vents, mud pots and sulfur deposits on wooden walkways built safely around the boiling mud pools. You will see vibrant colors in the soil from yellows to reds and greens, caused by mineral deposits, along with the strong geothermal smells typical of the area.
Next you drive to the Reykjanes Lighthouse. The current lighthouse was built in 1907 to 1908 on Baejarfell hill, replacing Iceland's original 1878 lighthouse, the first in the country, after it was damaged by an earthquake. Today it remains one of the most visited lighthouses in Iceland, set above crashing Atlantic waves and seabird colonies.
There is also a stop at Gunnuhver, a massive, steaming geothermal area named after a vengeful ghost from Icelandic folklore, and one of the most powerful geothermal sites in the country.
Your final stop is the Bridge Between Continents, part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, where you can see clear evidence of the diverging North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and walk across a small footbridge from one continent to the other.
At the end of the tour you are brought back to the pier in Reykjavik.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Reykjavik shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Reykjavik tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
