Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip from Reykjavik: A Driving Plan

A loop of around 200 kilometres from the capital takes in volcanic craters, steaming ground, lighthouses and fishing harbours, and fits comfortably into one long day.

The route out and the first stops

Leave Reykjavik on Route 41 towards Keflavik and turn south at Route 43, and within forty minutes you are on the moss-covered lava of Reykjanes. The first natural stop is Seltun in Krysuvik, where boardwalks cross bubbling mud pots and ochre-stained clay; the car park is free and the loop takes about twenty minutes. Ten minutes further on, Graenavatn sits below the road, a small crater lake with an unusual jade colour. Both are quick stops that set up the day well, and neither needs more than half an hour. Fuel up in Hafnarfjordur or Keflavik before heading out, as the southern stretch has few stations.

From Seltun the road continues south through the older lava fields towards Grindavik, the working harbour town that serves the fishing fleet. The drive is about twenty-five minutes and the town is the natural place for a coffee and a look at the harbour. Roads here can close at short notice when there is volcanic activity on the Reykjanes ridge, so check safetravel.is and the road administration site on the morning of your drive and respect any barriers; the closures are real and enforced. Petrol stations at Grindavik are the last reliable ones before the loop turns north again.

Lighthouses, cliffs and the south coast

Past Grindavik the coast road reaches the Reykjanesta cliffs, where Atlantic swell hits basalt and the wind is constant. The Reykjanes lighthouse, a white tower on a low hill, marks the southwestern tip and is a fifteen-minute walk from the car park. Bring a windproof layer even in July, because there is no shelter out here. The bridge between the continents at Sandvik, where the Eurasian and North American plates meet, is a short stop a few minutes east and worth ten minutes for the geology rather than the photo queue.

Continue north along the western shore to Gunnuhver, the largest mud field in the area, where steam rises from the ground and a boardwalk keeps visitors at a safe distance. The nearby Brimketill rock pool is a coastal viewpoint rather than a bathing spot, and the waves there are dangerous, so stay behind the marked line. From Gunnuhver it is about twenty minutes north to Keflavik and the airport, and a further forty minutes back to Reykjavik. The full loop, including stops, takes six to seven hours at a relaxed pace.

Where to base yourself and what to skip

Reykjavik works well as a base for this drive because you can leave early and be back for dinner; the city has the widest choice of accommodation at every level. Keflavik and Njardvik are smaller and quieter, useful if you have an early flight, and Hafnarfjordur, fifteen minutes from the capital, is a pleasant compromise with easy road access to Route 41. If you are booking only one night for this trip, I would take a hotel in central Reykjavik within walking distance of Laugavegur, simply because the evening options after a long drive are far better there than near the airport.

The Blue Lagoon is the obvious temptation, but it needs booking weeks ahead and takes a large chunk out of the day; the smaller municipal pools in Grindavik or Hafnarfjordur are cheaper and less crowded if you want a swim. Skip the detours to the abandoned fishing huts and the long walk to the distant lighthouse on the eastern point unless you have a full day spare. Best months for the drive are May to September for long daylight, though the peninsula is open year-round and winter visits need a check on road conditions and daylight. Distances are short: Reykjavik to Seltun is about forty kilometres, and the whole loop is roughly 200 kilometres.

Timing, weather and practical pacing

Start by eight in the morning in summer to have the stops to yourself before the coach tours arrive around mid-morning. The peninsula is exposed and the weather changes quickly, so a waterproof shell and sturdy shoes matter more than a camera. Wind speeds on the cliffs can make car doors hard to control, so open them carefully. There are no shops at most stops, so carry water and food from Reykjavik or Grindavik. In winter, daylight is short and the roads can ice over, so plan a shorter loop that turns back at Grindavik rather than completing the full circuit.

Booking accommodation early is sensible in July and August, when the capital fills up and prices in central Reykjavik rise. A hotel near Hlemmur or the old harbour puts you close to the Route 41 exit and gives you restaurants within walking distance on your return. If your trip continues to the Golden Circle or the south coast, the Reykjanes loop works well as a first or last day because it is close to Keflavik airport. Allow a full day, drive carefully on the gravel shoulders, and treat the closed areas with respect.

Questions, answered

How long does the Reykjanes Peninsula drive take?

The full loop from Reykjavik is about 200 kilometres and takes six to seven hours with stops at Seltun, Grindavik, the lighthouse and Gunnuhver. A shorter version turning back at Grindavik fits into four hours.

Do I need a four-wheel-drive car for Reykjanes?

No. The main roads are paved and a standard car is fine in summer. Winter may bring ice on the southern stretches, so check road conditions and consider a four-wheel-drive if you are travelling between November and March.

Where should I stay for a Reykjanes day trip?

Central Reykjavik gives the best choice of hotels and restaurants and easy access to Route 41. Keflavik and Njardvik suit early flights, and Hafnarfjordur is a quiet option fifteen minutes from the capital.

← Iceland's page