10 photography locations on the Reykjanes Peninsula that you must visit
Seltún Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
This geothermal area is famed for its colourful mineral deposits as much as its hot springs and mud pools. Time your visit for a fine day when the sun makes it glisten and the red, yellow and green ground will be at its most breathtaking.
Fagradalsfjall volcano
Though this volcano’s dormant again, the impact of the 2021 eruption is still a spectacular location for photography. The cooled lava and sulphur stained rocks of this now-famous valley look extraordinary and the dichotomy between today’s calm and the drama of the recent past make it all the more compelling.
The ruins at Selatangar
Ruined fishing huts and sheds that were once used to dry and store the catch litter Selatangar, adding plenty of interest to your shot. The grey lava stones contrast well with the surrounding grass, and the place is particularly pretty under a blue sky.
The Blue Lagoon
While most visitors make a beeline for this luxury spa’s pool, it’s worth spending a few minutes outside to photograph the milky blue water against the pitted charcoal of the lava that surrounds it. The juxtaposition of the two contrasting colours is simply gorgeous.
Eldborg við Geitahlíð
One of the most dramatic landscapes within the Reykjanes Geopark is surely the volcanic craters at Eldborg við Geitahlíð. Made of lava spatter and scoria, a dark volcanic deposit similar to pumice, the earthy tones and incredible textures translate well to photographs.
Garðskagi’s old lighthouse
The old Garðskagi Lighthouse dates back to 1897. Though squat, its squared design and striped appearance make it distinctive. It will appeal to photographers at sunset, when it is silhouetted against an orange background, or when the Northern Lights fill the sky above it with green ribbons.
Shipwrecks at Hópsnes
The Hópsnes peninsula near Grindavik is littered with the wrecks of ships that foundered on these dangerous shores in ferocious storms. Their rusting hulks are a tempting prospect for their shapes and colour.
Hafnaberg
Heavily faulted and teeming with marine birds, the sea cliffs at Hafnaberg are an extraordinary sight. In wild weather, keeping the tripod still enough to record the breakers smashing against the rock will be a challenge. On a calm day, especially when there’s a dusting of snow on top, this is a sublime place.
The coastline at Sandvik and Valahnúkamöl
The beach at Sandvik is so photogenic it’s even captured the attention of cinematographers – it was used as a filming location for the Clint Eastwood movie “Flags of our Fathers”. Head down to this westerly idyll at sunset on a low tide to capture the reflected light in the rippled sand. If you prefer your coastline with the jagged forms of sea stacks and sumps, head instead to Valahnúkamöl, a few miles south.
Hvalsneskirkja
Iceland’s isolated churches make promising subjects for photography. Moody and evocative, this one’s especially lovely in winter, when the dark basalt lava blocks used in its construction contrast beautifully with the icy landscapes that surround it. The driftwood used in its interior makes for other interesting shots.