For the family

There are swimming pools all over Iceland and in Reykjanes there are six swimming pools that visitors can choose from.  On the Reykjanes peninsula, most of the swimming pools are outdoor pools and all of them are heated with geothermal water from the peninsula. Most of them also have waterslides, hot tubs, an ice bath, and a sauna. Swimming pools are an extremely popular activity for the locals, let the kids play while you relax in the hot tub, could it be any better?

Bridge between Europe and North America on Reykjanes Peninsula.   The lava-scarred Reykjanes peninsula lies on one of the world's major plate boundaries, the Mid Atlantic Ridge. According to the continental drift theory the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are continuously drifting apart with great forces under the gaping rifts. As the plates diverge, linear fractures, known as fissures form due to stresses created by the tension that builds up as the plates move away from each other. The Bridge between two continents at Sandvík is a small footbridge over a major fissure which provides clear evidence of the presence of a diverging plate margin. The bridge was built as a symbol for the connection between Europe and North America. One can cross the continental divide on Leif the Lucky's Bridge and take home a personalised certificate at the Reykjanes information center and Reykjanes Geopark visitor center at Duus Cultural house. 

If you are interested in the Icelandic nature and wildlife, sea creatures, research related to the area and art, the Sudurnes Science and Learning Center is a place you must visit! The center offers three exciting exhibitions. They include a nature gallery where you can look at and touch various stuffed animals from the Icelandic wildlife and see live sea creatures. There is also a collection of shells and whale bones in addition to the only stuffed walrus in Iceland. In the historical gallery you can visit the magnificent exhibition Attraction of the Poles on the life of the French medical doctor and polar scientist Jean-Baptiste Charcot. A model of his research ship, Pourquoi-Pas?, that perished off the coast of Iceland in 1936 is part of the exhibition. In the art gallery you will find the art and educational exhibition Hidden World of the Seaweed Fairies. The exhibition weaves scientific knowledge about the ocean into the magical world of the seaweed fairies. Sudurnes Science and Learning Center is an ideal place to visit for families and others hungry for knowledge. Join our treasure hunt that will take you on an exciting journey looking for various animals, plants and historical places. Bring your findings back to the Center for further research. Opening hours Summer (May 1st – August 31st) Monday – Friday: 10:00 to 16:00 Saturday and Sunday: 13:00 to 17:00   Winter (September 1st – April 30th) Exhibitions closed.   Flexible opening hours for groups (minimum 20 persons) year-round – please call 423-7555. For further information see their website.

Stóra-Sandvík is a beautiful cove with black sand beach and grassy dunes. Located close to Bridge between Continents, it is the perfect stop while exploring the area. 

4x4 Adventures Iceland is located just a 5 min. drive from the Blue Lagoon and is specialized in receiving small and large groups of people. Just get in contact and we will organize the event whether it is a surprise event, your company´s annual event, a family event or just something you would like to try. Almost anything goes. Here are some of our scheduled trips: We ride on ATV between lava and black sand up between two mountains and ride up onto one where we expect a good view over the Blue Lagoon and the island Eldey. We ride to the Krýsuvík nature reserve over one mountain and to the lava beach to see the ruins of fishermen´s huts, Selatangar.  We ride through the Reykjanes peninsula where we see the tip of Reykjanes, the Reykjanes lighthouse and parts of the Mid-Atlantic ridge that lies between the continents of North America and Europe.   We drive through the beach where Clint Eastwood and Cres made his film "Flags of Our Fathers" Stop for a light refreshment.   There is no age limit for passengers, but a driver´s licence needs to be presented for the ATV driver. Necessary gear is offered for visitors on these trips such as gloves, helmets with headlights and warm waterproof overall clothing for use in caves and craters.  Pick up from hotels in Keflavík, Reykjavík and Blue Lagoon by request.  In addition to the ATVs, we offer rides with Buggy cars and have en e-bike rental.

The mud pools and steam, vents in south-west Reykjanes. The area is close to Reykjanes lighthouse and is collectively named Gunnuhver after a female ghost that was laid there. She had caused great disturbance until a priest set a trap for her and she fell into the spring. This happened about 400 years ago. The mud pools take form where steam from boiling geothermal reservoir water emanates and condenses and mixes with surface water. Accompanying gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide make the water acid. This causes alteration of the fresh lava rock to clay. Steaming of the ground at Reykjanes increased markedly as a consequence of a pressure drawdown in the geothermal reservoir upon the start of production from the reservoir in 2006. Iceland´s largest mud pool at present prominent, highest up in the Gunnuhver group. It is 20 meters wide across a rim of mud, boiling vigorously. Two ramps are located at the Gunnuhver group, on close to Gunnuhver itself where you can look down to the spring and hear the vigorous noise, see the boiling water and feel the power bursting from the ground and the steam on your face. The other ramp is located on Kísilhól a silica hill. From there you have a good view over Gunnuhver group and surroundings. Gunnuhver stands in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark where the North Atlantic ridge rises from the ocean, you find 100 different craters and lava fields, bird cliffs, high geothermal areas, black sand beaches, The Bridge Between Continents, geothermal power plants, lighthouses, and exhibitions.

A free standing, hyaloclastite mountain north of Grindavik. It offers great panoramic view over most of the Reykjanes Peninsula on fine days. The northeastern part of the mountain depicts thermal activity an to its north and northeast is an extensive high temperature area. It is split by a fissure called "The Thieves´ Gap" (Thjofagja), occupied by 15 thieves according to the legend. They were eventually overwhelmed and killed by trickery.

Stafnes was a mansion in the past.  There were many fishing outfits on the property and many people lived there during the fishing seasons.  Royal fishing outfits started operating there around the middle of the 16th century and were abolished in 1769.  The inhabitants of the King´s properties in the Southwest were obliged to work on the King´s boats against low pay.  During the 17th and 18th centuries, Stafnes was the most populous fishing outfit on the Reykjanes Peninsula.  The former trading post Basendar is a short distance to the south.  Still further south is the old harbour Thorshofn, which was not much used, because of the proximity of Basendar.  Many vessels have run aground on the Stafnes Skerries.  In 1928 the trawler President Jon ran aground there, 15 of the crew drowned, but 10 were rescued.  This and other similar accidents led to the establishment of The Life Saving Association of Iceland.  Considerable seal hunting was practiced at Stafnes in earlier times. Stafnesviti stands in between the towns Sandgerði and Hafnir at Stafnes and was built in 1925. It stands 8 m. tall built of concrete sement and stands on a concrete stall. It is painted yellow. Copy right: www.nat.is  Used by permission.

Giganta in the mountain moved to Reykjanesbær during the family and cultural festival the Night of Lights in 2008 and is now located in Black Cave at the marina in Gróf. There Giganta has been settling in her nice cave with its superb view over the bay of Keflavík and Faxaflói. Giganta is originally the creation of author Herdís Egilsdóttir who has written 16 stories about the little girl Sigga and her friend Giganta in the mountain. The last one describes her migration to Reykjanesbær. The Giganta is in full size and sits sleeping in a rocking chair in the kitchen. Open every day from 10:00 -17:00. Free Admission Contact: Tel.: 420-3245Email: duushus@reykjanesbaer.isWebsite: www.skessan.is

Arctic Horses offers horseback rides to the best destinations of the otherwordly Reykjanes Peninsula in south western Iceland, and is the only stable riding near the geothermal Blue Lagoon Spa. We are only 5 minute drive from the Blue Lagoon. Icelandic horses are the easiest horses to ride in the world, and our experienced guides will happily teach you. Please contact for tours and booking information.

Vikingaheimar is the home of the Viking Ship Íslendingur (the Icelander). Built in 1996, Icelander is an exact replica of the famous Gokstadship, a remarkable archaeological find of an almost completely intact Viking ship, excavated in Norway in 1882. Captain Gunnar Marel Eggertsson was inspired to build a replica of this beautiful ship based on his own background as shipbuilder and sailor. He copied the original nail for nail. In the year 2000, with a grant from the Leifur Eiríksson Commission of Iceland, he sailed from Iceland to New York, a journey of 4200 nautical miles. His voyage brought world-wide attention to Leif Eiriksson's and Bjarni Herjólfsson's discovery of America, dated, according to the Icelandic sagas, to exactly 1000 A.D. Building Icelander was an extraordinary achievement;at 23 metres long, 5.25 meters wide and with a holding capacity of 80 tons (by modern standards), it took 2 years of effort.The sail is 130 square meters and the mast is 18 meters in length. Made from pine and oak, scholars believe this was the most common type of ship in use during the Viking Age. Vikingaheimar is also a home to the exhibition The North Atlantic Viking Saga, originally shown at the Smithsonian Institution during the summer of 2000. Launched in Washington D.C. by King Hakon of Norway, and with a State Dinner at the White House, it then traveling to 6 other cities throughout North America. This exhibition, like the sailing of Icelander, celebrated the millennium anniversary of the Viking discovery of North America, shedding light on the latest scholarly research into the Norse settlement and explorations of unknown lands.Gunnar Marel and his crew of 8 left Iceland on Icelandic Independence day, the 17th of June, with a send off from the Prime Minister of Iceland. When it finally arrived in New York on October 5th-where it was greeted by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mayor Rudolf Guiliani--the ship had made stops at 22 harbors. In addition to the festivities with kings, queens, presidents and mayors, when the ship arrived, visitors also streamed to see it while it was docked at each location, all told about 450,000 people came on board. These two fine projects, both celebrating Iceland's central role in the discovery of North America 1000 years ago by the Norse Vikings, have now found a permanent home in Vikinga Aldan (Viking Wave), the central building on the Vikingaheimar grounds. A spectacular modern building, it also offers beautiful views of the surrounding bay, Faxaflói. These two fine projects, both celebrating Iceland's central role in the discovery of North America 1000 years ago by the Norse Vikings, have now found a permanent home in Vikinga Aldan (Viking Wave), the central building on the Vikingaheimar grounds. A spectacular modern building, it also offers beautiful views of the surrounding bay, Faxaflói.

Basecamp Iceland is a boutique tour operator with more than a decade of experience providing the best in personalised services. Our select group of guides and bookers are all locals with years of knowledge and the skills to find just the right fit for your visit to Iceland. We specialize in private and bespoke tours because we believe: You didn´t come for the crowds.

Reykjanes Seakayak offers guided tours on seakayaks in the vibrant and safe environment in Reykjanes bay in the period 1st of May- 30th of September, from our farm, Þórustadir. Sit on top Kayaks are easy and safe, our visitors have been from 6 years to 70 years .  We supply: Dry suits – warm and comfortable, Rubber shoes and Life west. You can wear your own clothes underneath, what you feel comfortable to wear. Reykjanes Seakayak is located between Keflavik and Reykjavik and the guided tours are done in a group of 2-8 persons for 2 hours, from Þórustadir, Vatnsleysuströnd to the Vogar lighthouse and back. How to find us : Driving from Reykjavík on the road, Reykjanesbraut ( Road 41 )  you turn right into Vatnsleysuströnd ( Road 420 ), pass the church on your right side and take next turn right into our farm. Driving from Keflavik on the road, Reykjanesbraut ( Road 41 )  you turn right into Vogar ( town is on your left ) , then turn right into Vatnsleysuströnd ( Road 420 ), drive until you see the church on your left side. Our farm ( Þórustaðir ) is the last left drive in before the church.   Bookings and further information on seakayak@seakayak.is

The Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll (Rokksafn Íslands) is a new museum about the history of popular music in Iceland. The museum was opened in 2014 and is located in Keflavik in Reykjanesbær, only a 5-minute drive away from Keflavik International airport. The museum’s main attraction is a timeline of Iceland’s popular music history. Visitors who would like to dive deeper into the history can get an iPad guided tour to read more and listen to the music throughout Iceland’s history. Other attractions include the very popular sound lab where guests can try instruments such as an electric drum kit, electric guitar and electric bass. There’s also a karaoke singing booth where guests have the possibility to sing and record video of the themselves and send it directly to their email address or social media. Guests can also visit the museums’ cinema where documentaries about Icelandic music run all day long, try out interactive solutions to dive deeper into the history of featured artists such as Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, Kaleo and many more, get an insight into what it is like to be an audio engineer on a mixing desk that features Icelandic music and visit the gift shop where there are books, DVD, CD’s and LP’s with Icelandic music along with various museum merchandise. At the museum guests can sit down, listen to the music and have a cup of coffee... or tea... or hot chocolate, whichever sounds good. The museum café offers coffee from Kaffitár which is a local roasterie, specializing in importing, roasting and serving the finest Arabica coffee beans. The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll is for everyone. For those who love Icelandic music and those who want to discover Icelandic Music.   Children find the sound lab particularly interesting along with the interactive parts of the museum. The museum is open daily all year round except for New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Opening times are 11am-6pm daily. “The Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll is as eccentric in its telling as the tale it celebrates.” David Fricke, Rolling Stone.   

A pond with good walking paths, picnic facilities and a barbecue. Next to Seltjörn is Sólbrekkuskógur, a small forest, but sheltered and lovely as it is situated hugging small slopes, with interesting rock formations in a few places. Next to the pond is an abandoned building that was raised in 1941, this building was used to harvest ice to keep fish cold.  

A popular recreational area.  Pounds, rich of vegetation and important resting place for migration birds. Next to the pounds is Háibjalli, a 10 m high fault.    Location: Road 43 near Seltjörn and Sólbrekkuskógur. 

Iceland is known for its unique landscape and unspoiled nature, and its bird fauna has long been a subject of interest. It is an island of few predators and is therefore important for breeding bird species. With spring, the migrating bird species come in from Europe and breed over the summer while the more Arctic species migrate from the north and spend the winter around the Icelandic coast. Iceland has 75 regular breeding species and several occasional nesting bird species. This site describes sites that are good for birdwatching and gives information about how to get there and where to find scarce species that are frequently seen in the area. The best time for a birding trip depends on the goal. If you are in Iceland for breeding species, then late May to June is the best time, when all migrants have arrived and birds are conspicuous, defending their territories. If the goal is to spot new rare American species for your western Palearctic list, we recommend that you put on your raincoat and visit from September to November. This map focuses on where one could find scarce species, such as Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) or Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer). The more common species, for example, Meadow pipits (Anthus pratensis) and Golden Plovers, are not mentioned as they are easy to find in many areas. Click here to download Birding on Reykjanes Peninsula map If you are looking for birdwatching tours, take a look at our partner's services in the links below: Bird watching  Private day tours

Aurora Basecamp is a one-of-a-kind facility, offering guests the chance to experience a real-time, indoor simulation of the Northern Lights, in a warm and relaxing environment. From there, our expert guides lead you out into the Icelandic night, and if the conditions are right you’ll get breathtaking views and photos of the real thing! Located just 20 minutes from Reykjavik, Aurora Basecamp provides a comfortable and inviting setting for the perfect Northern Lights experience.