It’s a long standing joke amongst Icelanders that if you don’t like the weather, you should just wait five minutes and you’ll be served up something different. The country’s location in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean means that conditions are changeable, to put it mildly. That doesn’t have to impact your itinerary, so long as you’re prepared to be a little flexible, but it can cause headaches for first-time visitors as they struggle to decide what to pack for their trip. Though it’s tempting to throw everything in, lugging all that gear around with you won’t be fun, even if you sling it in the boot of a rental car. But how do you know what to chuck in and what to leave out without regretting those decisions once you get there?

When the Fagradalsfjall eruption kicked off in March 2021, it captured the world’s attention. This little known volcano had slumbered on the Reykjanes Peninsula for centuries before waking up in dramatic style. For six months, and again briefly in 2022, magma rose to form restless lakes of lava which churned and overflowed. Fountains of molten rock exploded into the air and red hot rivers snaked down its flanks, altering the landscape for good. Visitors hurried to take a closer look, hiking up the valley ridge and flying over the scene in helicopters and small planes. But Fagradalsfjall is not the only volcano in the region. On the Reykjanes Peninsula, there are a handful of volcanic systems, some more lively than others. A volcanic system is defined as a group of volcanoes that share the same magma chamber, in other words are fed from the same build up of magma below the surface. Elsewhere in Iceland, many volcanic systems take their name from a central volcano – as with Hekla or Katla. In the Reykjanes Peninsula, these systems don’t have as clear a focus so their name refers to a wider geothermal area. Here’s everything you need to know about the Reykjanes Peninsula volcanoes.

The best kinds of trips are those where you get to know a destination by interacting with its residents and doing things you wouldn’t do usually at home. Of course, once you arrive at the airport, all you need is two feet and a sense of adventure: hikers will be delighted at the extraordinary sight of nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano even though the eruption’s currently on pause and the lava’s subsided. But although there’s plenty to see in this part of Iceland, there’s a lot to be said for basing your itinerary around pastimes that are much more active. The good news is that you don’t have to venture far from Keflavik Airport to find some fun things to do. Before you hit the road for Reykjavik and beyond, here are five things to do near Keflavik Airport.

Iceland’s one of the best birdwatching destinations on the planet. The good news is that you won’t have to venture far from the airport to find out: the lakes and coastline of the Reykjanes peninsula are a great place to find birds of many different species in significant numbers. Whether it’s a serious hobby of yours or you’re simply keen to fill your lungs with fresh air somewhere scenic, here’s where we’d suggest as the five best birdwatching spots on the Reykjanes peninsula.

If you find yourself on the Reykjanes peninsula on a windy day, it’s not hard to work out why there was a need for lighthouses to protect sailors and shipping along the often rocky shore. In fact, numerous lighthouses have been erected in this part of Iceland. Many cluster around the west and south west shore of the peninsula where the prevailing Atlantic Ocean waves potentially can do the most harm. All of them are worth visiting as landmarks but a few can be climbed too for spectacular views out over the sea. If you’re keen to visit a lighthouse during your stay, these three have a particularly interesting story behind them.

Reykjanes is one of Iceland’s most photogenic regions and photographers will enjoy capturing images of its most scenic spots. If you love to bring home souvenir images of your trips, here are our picks for the ten Reykjanes locations where photographers must visit.

For many, seeing the Northern Lights is top of their bucket list. The Aurora Borealis puts on magical displays of green and purple ribbons that whimsically dance across the sky. Sometimes, all you have is a fleeting glimpse; other times they appear for hours at a time. It’s no surprise that we want to capture the image of something this beautiful, but what do you need to know if you want to snap something wall-worthy? Here’s our guide to photographing the Northern Lights.

While some visitor attractions on the Reykjanes peninsula are well known – the Blue Lagoon and Fagradalsfjall volcano spring to mind – others fly under the radar. You might not realise, for instance, that there are a number of excellent museums and exhibitions covering a range of topics. Why not call in at one of these next time you’re passing?

Important information for travellers looking into hiking to the eruption site.