Shortcuts
Moss Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon
Seated at a table in Moss Restaurant, you can travel the island by way of the gourmet creations that emerge from the kitchen. With menus that move effortlessly from the mountains, to the farmlands, to the oceans, each dish opens the door to the living heritage and diverse delights of Icelandic cuisine. With an atmosphere of sophisticated fine dining and a breathtaking view of the volcanic horizon, the restaurant also features a chef's table, a lounge, and a wine cellar deep in the centuries-old lava.
Svartsengi
Travel directory for Moss Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon
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Hotels
Northern Light Inn
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Hotels
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Others
- Guðnýjarbraut 21
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 895-6364
- Hólagata 35
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 699-4613
- Hvammsdalur 8
- 190 Vogar
- 897-2108, 553-7000
- Minna Knarrarnes
- 190 Vogar
- 897-6424 , 852-0285
- Húsatóftum
- 240 Grindavík
- 426-8720
- Hringbraut 93
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 690 3448
- Kálfatjörn
- 190 Vogar
- 424-6529
- Holtsgata 52
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 857-0646
- Hópsheiði 16
- 240 Grindavík
- 848-0143
- Fitjabakki 1d
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 420-1212, 520-1212
- Skógarbraut 1105
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 848-1186, 421-2219
- Hlíðarvegur 52
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 898-5142
- Smáratún 23
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 690-2211
- Hafnargata 44
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 787-2727
- Víkurbraut 2
- 240 Grindavík
- 426-8822
- Flugvallarbraut 752
- 235 Reykjanesbær
- 490-6006
- Hafnargata 39
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 841-1448
- Borgarhraun 1
- 240 Grindavík
- 820-5750
- Eikardalur 3
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 864-8128
- Grænásbraut 1221
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 762-6201
- Hafnargata 27a
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 897-3443
- Framnesvegur 19c
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 537-2018
- Stekkjargötu 79
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 892-0501
Nature
Ogmundarhraun
A lava flow formed in an eruption in the year 1151 AD.
In that year a 25 km long fissure opened obliquely acorss the Reykjanes peninsula. The lava field is located in south of ridge Nupshlidarhals(Vesturhals) and craters in the northern part are part of crater row in the north of Ridge Nupshlidarhals. Ogmundur is a male name in Iceland.
Nature
Mt Fagradalsfjall
Mt Fagradalsfjall, the westernmost part of the mountain ridge of the Reykjanes Peninsula, is really a small plateau. Some hyalocaslite ridges protrude, especially in the western part. Its highest elevation is 385 m. above sea level.
As of March 2021 an eruption begun in a valley (Geldingadalur) behind Fagradalsfjall.
Frank M. Andrews, the commander in chief of the American forces in the North-Atlantic area during World War II, with several other high ranking officers, was killed there in a crash. They were arriving from USA and preparing for landing on Keflavík Airport. Only one man survived the crash. He had to wait more than 24 hours for rescue. There can still been found items from the plane.
Location: In the center of Reykjanes Peninsula, north-east of Grindavík.
History and Culture
Vatnsleysa
Farms Smaller and Big Vatnsleysa were formerly manors and big fishing outfits in the County of the Vatnsleysa County. They stood on the western shores of the Vatnsleysa Cove, between spit Keilisnes to the west and spit Hraunsnes to the east. Farm Smaller Vatnsleysa is among the biggest pig farm of the country (producing the Ali-products). Among the benefits of those two farms were the rich lumpfish grounds, driftwood and thermal activity.
Vatnsleysa was a church site during catholic times, where the churches were dedicated to all the saints and it possessed a big part of the farm´s property. The churches at Vatnsleysa were served from the parsonage Kalfatjorn for a long time.
Copy right: www.nat.is Used by permission
Nature
Eldvörp
Eldvörp is the name of scoria and spatter cones in off-set sections that form a row of ten kilometers, and it's surrounding lava covering 20 square kilometers. It dates back from a volcano-tectonic episode between 1210 and 1240 called the Reykjanes Fires. At the center of Eldvörp there are geothermal features and a single borehole. Women from Grindavík used to bake bread in the steam from the lava and a trail called Brauðstígur, or the Bread trail, leads there from the town. Remains of human activity can be found in various places in Eldvörp.
Other attractions
Northern light inn
About the facility
Description |
Meeting room that can be enlarged into Max restaurant. Bright romm with windows facing south and blackout curtains, screen protection, lighting is with dimmer setting and the room has hardwood floors. |
Size |
95 m² Hight: 2,4 m. Lenght:10,5 m. Width: 9 m. |
Stage |
No |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Sitting: 136 people Standing: 150-160 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
Depends on the size of the meeting. |
Projector |
Sony
|
Size of screen |
No info
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Not available
|
Computer |
Lenovo |
WIFI |
Yes |
Nature
Ströndin vestan Grindavíkur
Protected coastline because of birdlife, marine biology and rifts.
Location is west of Grindavik by road 425.
Other attractions
Merkines
Company: Hljómahöll
Name of the facility: Merkines
About the facility
Description |
Named after birthplace of two siblings Elly and Vilhjalmur Vilhjalms. They are very well known singers in Iceland but both have passed away. The room has hardwood floors and red painted walls. The room can be enlarged into Stapi. |
Size |
15 m x 11 m |
Stage |
Yes, Movable from 1m x 2m to 5m x 2m |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Theater: 104 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
Ceiling speakers Movable JBL Ion |
Projector |
Nec Lm 4000 |
Size of screen |
4m x 3m
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes |
Computer |
|
WIFI |
Yes |
Other attractions
Stapi
Company: Hljómahöll
About the facility
Description |
The historic community Stapi, largest room of Hljomaholl. The Hall extended with the opening of Merkines. |
Size |
350 m² |
Stage |
Yes, 12 m widht x 9 m deep |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Theater: 400 people Banquet: 450 people Standing: 900 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
JBL |
Projector |
Hitachi 6000 lumens
|
Size of screen |
6m x 5m
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes |
Computer |
|
WIFI |
Yes |
The Highlands
Other attractions
The Happy Sailor in Grindavík
A family and port festival is held annually in Grindavík in the beginning
of june. Held on the seamens´day week end, it is an entertaining
festivity which honors earlier times which influenced the local
community since it's establishment seamanship and seagoing has
been the main source of occupation and income for the inhabitants
of Grindavík. For more information visit Grindavík's official homepage
www.grindavik.is.
Nature
Valbjarnargjá
Including: Garður, Garður Lighthouse, Sandgerði.
Time: Really depends on how long each to will be. Just the driving is estimated to be:
Short version: 30 minutes
Long version: 1 hour
From Keflavík Airport you take road 45 to fishing village Garður (with 4wd it is also possible to follow old trails to the shore to enjoy rich displays nature provides along the coast).
1) There are old trails that lead to fish racks still used to dry fish. Entering the village, you will notice a monument dedicated to the families of fishermen. It depicts women looking out to sea waiting for their husbands to return with the day's catch.
2) Garður has a beautiful, old church that dates from 1863 and next to it the former pastor's home which is now educational centre for pastors and an information center about the many fascinating churches in Iceland. A trail beside the church leads down to the shore where you are in close touch with sea birds in their natural habitat.
3) Garðskagi: The headland at the tip of the peninsula at Garðskagi is a great place to observe sea birds. There are two lighthouses where you can get great sea views too. White beach and on the summertime you can play volleyball there. A museum has a unique collection of old machinery and a cafeteria with a deck that lets you observe seals and whales that sometimes are play near the coast while you have refreshments. There is a local handicraft for sale in the old lighthouse guard´s home and a tranquil free campsite with toilets and fresh water.
Next to the lighthouse there is Skagagarðurinn, a protective wall that lay between the farms Kirkjuból to Útskálar.
4) Five minutes drive south on the west coast is the busy fishing harbor of Sandgerði which has an Icelandic Nature Centre with a small aquarium and a handicraft store. There is a display about the French explorer and biologist, Jean-Baptiste Charcout, who went down with his ship the Pourquoi Pas? off the coast in 1936. The village has a well equipped campsite. If you are hungry for real local food experience we recommend the resturant Vitinn.
From Sandgerði you can go back to Keflavík on road Sandgerdisvegur (429).
You can also continue you trip on road 45
5) Heading further south, you will pass an eider duck farm. Another bird shares the farm, the small but very aggressive arctic tern which keeps away all trespassers.
6) Here further on, will see an exceptionally beautiful church at Hvalsnes built of carved stone in 1887. The nation´s greatest psalm poet, Hallgrímur Pétursson served as a clergyman here in the mid 17th century. There is also a lighthouse on the rocky coast at Stafnes. This is the region where an important fishing port thrived at Básendar during the 17th and 18th centuries until the town was literally blown away by a violent sea storm in 1799.
7) Básendar - Ruins of small marketing place and fishing harbour.
8) Gálgar - Gallow cliffs or Hanging Rocks
Return to Keflavík
Star tip: In Sandgerði and Gardur there are very good public swimming pools which are ideal for relax after or meanwhile on the trip.
Wild Life
Birding trails - Sandvík - Grindavík
Sandvík - Grindavík
Stóra-Sandvík
Stóra-Sandvík is a small inlet with a big sandy beach, while on the inner part of the inlet is a large pond with brackish water close to the Bridge Between Continents. You can find Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus), geese, ducks, and gulls on the pond all year round. Red-necked Phalaropes congregate on the pond before the start of the post-breeding migration, with hundreds there in July.
Reykjanes-Eldey, Valahnúkur, and Karl.
Reykjanes is a small cape at the lower part of the Reykjanesskagi Peninsula. There you can find the only Arctic Tern colony in a geothermal area. Valahnúkur is a hill at the point of the cape. This site is very picturesque and great for seabird watching, along with the breeding Kittiwakes and Northern Fulmars in the southern cliff walls. Karl is a cliff just outside of Valahnúkur with breeding Kittiwakes and a few Fulmars and Razorbills. Further out is an island called Eldey. Eldey is the largest gannet colony in Iceland, with 14,000 - 18,000 pairs, other breeding species are mostly Kittiwakes (3,232 pairs), Common Guillemots (2,700 pairs), Brünnich's Guillemots (510 pairs), and Fulmars.
Víkur
Víkur is the sea area out from Hrafnkelsstaðaberg. Driving from Reykjanes, you will find a rough gravel road accessible by 4x4. Take the exit close to some old houses. Drive the road till the end and scope the sea. There are big flocks of eiders, and chance of Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra), Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca), or its close relative, White-Winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi).
Arfadalsvík
Staður is a farm west of the town of Grindavík. There is a fish farm west of Staður with a large runoff that lures in gulls and waders, but the area is closed off from the road. East of Staður is a rocky and a sandy beach that stretches 4-5 km, called Arfadalsvík. It is one of the few rocky and sandy high diversity littoral shores on the south coast of Iceland. It is an oasis on a long stretch of the lifeless sandy south coast and therefore a very important area for birds and other littoral, or sublittoral, life. Access is best either from parking near the church at Staður or at the golf course. You can on a 4x4 follow a rough gravel road east of the red fish farm to the east of the golf course. On the way from Arfadalsvík to Grindavík are many ponds and some estuaries that can hold waders, ducks, geese and gulls.
Grindavík
Grindavík is a town of 3,000 inhabitants. Due to lights and few trees, Grindavík is one of the first destinations for lost American migrants after low preassure systems coming from the west. For that reason, Icelandic bird watchers look in gardens and the shore area in and around the town. Gulls can be seen from the docks and on ponds east and west of Grindavík and one should always have one's eyes open for gull rarities, such as Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan), and Bonaparte's Gull.
Nature
Bridge Between Continents
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.
History and Culture
Reykjanes Lighthouse
The first lighthouse in Iceland was built on Valahnúkur in Reykjanes in
the year 1878. By 1905 earthquakes and surf had damaged Valahnúkur
so much that there was the risk of the lighthouse falling into the sea.
A new lighthouse was therefore built in 1907-1908 on Bæjarfell hill in Reykjanes and the old one was demolished with an explosion on april 16th 1908. A survey which Rögnvaldur Guðmundsson supervised in 2007 for the Icelandic Maritime Administration led to the conclusion that Reykjanes lighthouse was the most popular lighthouse among Icelanders.
The lightsignal height is 69 meters above sealevel but the actual height of the lighthouse is 26 metres. Reykjanes lighthouse also has a radio beacon with a correction signal. There is carved rock and concrete in the lighthouse. Architect Frederik Kjørboe and engineer Thorvald Krabbe designed the lighthouse. The operation
of Reykjanes Lighthouse is under the supervision of the Icelandic Maritime Administration.
Other attractions
Félagsbíó
Company: Hljomaholl
Name of the facility: Felagsbio
About the facility
Description |
The facility is named after a old movie theater in Keflavík. Available only morning and evenings. Ideal for small meetings and lectures. |
Size |
6 m x 10 m Hight: 2,55 |
Stage |
No |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Seating: 16-25 Standing: 50 |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
Fohn 6,1 |
Projector |
Nec Lm 4000 |
Size of screen |
Screen 150 inches
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes |
Computer |
|
WIFI |
Yes |
Nature
Snorrastaðatjarnir /Háibjalli
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.
Other attractions
Familyday in Vogar
Each summer in August a Family Day is held in Vogar in Vatnsleysuströnd. At this time the family is in the forefront and everyone is welcome. The program is mostly arranged by the locals and made to fit all ages of family members. Among other things for amusement are soap-soccer, fishing in the harbour, home-made car race and many other interesting and amusing things.
Also look for other events and more information about the festival on www.vogar.is
History and Culture
Stadur
Stadur is a former parsonage and a church site a short distance to the west of the town Grindavik. It was a parsonage until in the beginning of the 20th century. The catholic churches there were dedicated to the Holy Mother, St John the Apostle, St Stephan, St King Olaf, St Bishop Blasius, St Bishop Thorlakur, and St Holy Virgin Cathrine. The Stadur Church was moved to the District of Jarngerdarstadir in 1909 and named the Church of Grindavik. The semetary of Grindavík is there. A statue of the beloved reverand Oddur V. Gíslason is in the semetary who served the parish in 19th century.
Copy right: www.nat.is Used by permission.
Nature
Patterson
Patterson Airport was built in 1942 by the usa navy.
The airport was mainly used to maintain the aircrafts. Next to the airport can be found Subfossils shells, since 20.000-22.000 years ago. They lived shorly before the Late Glacial Maximum at about 18.000 years age. The sea level at that time was about 5-10 m. The airport was closed 1945.
Location: Road 44 at fence on Patterson. Walk north from old ammunition supplier
Other attractions
The Sunset Banquet Hall
Company: Hotel Keflavík
About the facility
Description |
Meeting room, bright lighting with large windows, curtains, hard wood floors. |
Size |
40 m² |
Stage |
No |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Cinema: 60 people U-shaped: 25 people Meeting room: 25 people Banquet: 45-55 |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
BOSE |
Projector |
Sony
|
Size of screen |
180x250
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes
|
Computer |
iMac and Ipad |
WIFI |
Yes |
History and Culture
The Church in Ytri-Njarðvík
The Church in Ytri-Njarðvík was opened on April 19th, 1979. The church was designed by two architects, Ormar Þór Guðmundsson and Örnólfur Hall. The church is 400 square meters and has a 108 square meter basement. It has seating for 230 people in the main area but it can be extended to 330 if needed.
http://www.njardvikurkirkja.is/
Phone: +354 421 5013
Nature
Brimketill
Brimketill is a small, naturally carved pool, by marine erosion, at the lava shore edge west of the town of Grindavík.
The folklore relates that the pond was regularly occupied by a giantess named Oddný. The viewing platform overlooking Brimketill is just a few steps away from the parking lot starting with a small set of stairs, making the platform inaccessible to wheelchairs. Standing on the platform you risk the possibility of getting soaked as the waves can almost reach the parking lot. Make sure to watch your step while taking in the amazing view and the unrelenting forces of nature. Utmost caution is recommended, especially when travelling with children.
Safety information!
- There is no safety supervision of the area.
- Visitors travel at their own risk.
- The waves can be unpredictable and unexpected.
- Ocean currents in the area are extremely powerful.
- Strong blasts of wind can be dangerous and unforeseen.
- Never leave your child unattended. Hold it at all times on the viewing platform.
- Entering the sea may be life-threatening.
Travel safely in Iceland. SafeTravel.is
Nature
Krýsuvíkurberg
Sea cliffs with colorful birdlife.
Accessible and very interesting 15 km wide and 40 m high sea cliffs which attract over 57 thousand seabird couples every year to breed.
Location: Close to Hælsvík, walk from road 427
Nature
Karlinn
Karlinn ("The Man") is a 50-60 m high seacliff, an eroded volcanic plug, which stands high and mighty just off the coast of Valahnúkur. Karlinn is popular spot with visitors and especially among photographers, as it is truly picturesque when the unremitting waves hit the rock.
Other attractions
Midsummer night hike in Þorbjörn
Annually, The Blue Lagoon and the town of Grindavík sponsor a Midsummer night hike on the mountain Þorbjörn. On the top of the mountain there is entertainment which includes singing and camp fire. The walk ends at the Blue Lagoon which is open past midnight that evening. This is an entertaining recreation for the whole family. For information about the forthcoming Midsummer day hike visit the official website of Grindavík www.grindavik.is or www.bluelagoon.com.
Other attractions
Park Inn by Radison
Keflavík
About the facility
Description |
Offers three customize meeting rooms. Large meeting room on the down floor of the hotel. Two meeting rooms that can be come one. 1 and 2 has no windows that are facing outside. One glass wall facing the entrance of the hotel. Lights can be control in both rooms. Carpet floors.
Number 3 has windows facing Hafnargata the main street in Keflavík. Tiled floors and lights can be controled. |
Size |
Comming soon! |
Stage |
No |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Sitting: 300 people Standing: 500 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
Apart |
Projector |
Epson
|
Size of screen |
3x2 width
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes
|
Computer |
Asus |
WIFI |
Yes |
History and Culture
The "Turkish" raid.
History and Culture
History and Culture
Keflavíkurkirkja / Keflavik Church
Keflavik Church was built in 1914 and designed by Rögnvaldur Ólafsson.
Opening hours:
Mondays - Thursdays: 10:00 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 15:00
Fridays: 10:00 - 12:00
Website: www.keflavikurkirkja.is
Phone: +354 420 4300
History and Culture
Svartsengi
One of the five major high temperature areas of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
It supplies all of the communities of the Reykjanes Area with hot water for house heating and other purpose. The famous Blue Lagoon comes from the discharge from the power station. Area of green patches north of the hill Svartsengisfell north of the town Grindavík. On summertime the people of Grindavík celebrate there.
Nature
Valahnúkur
VALAHNÚKUR MOUNTAIN
Valahnúkur is composed of tuff layers, pillow lava and breccia. The mountain was formed in a single eruption and shows evidence of the different phases of the eruption. The tuff forms in explosive eruption, while the pillow lava forms when the lava erupts under water.
Tuff
The mixture of lava rocks and hardened volcanic ash found in Valahnúkur is called tuff. Tuff forms when 1200°C hot lava rapidly cools in water. This forms glass fragments, as crystals do not have time to grow. The fragments quickly transform into tuff.
Breccia
Lower down in Valahnúkur is a diagonal layer of breccia. Breccia forms when slag or ash form angled slopes. Individual pillows or parts thereof roll down the slope, are covered with ash and form the breccia layer.
Pillow lava
Pillow lava is one of the most common lava types on Earth, as it is the most common lava that erupts from the oceanic crust. These strange pillows form in eruptions under water or under glaciers. Such eruptions are often where the pressure is too high to allow steam explosions to occur. They can also form when there is little or no gas in magma that rapidly pushes out from flowing lava. A glassy coating forms over the pillows as the magma cools rapidly. They are often several metres in length but only 10-30 cm in diameter. When examining a cliff wall with a cross-section of such lava, each bulbous formation looks like a ball or a pillow. The pillow lava in Valahnúkur probably formed in a sub-glacial eruption.
Nature
Mt Thorbjorn
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.
History and Culture
The Giganta in the cave
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.: 420-3245
Email: duushus@reykjanesbaer.is
Website: www.skessan.is
Nature
Sundhnúksröðin
A crater row formed in eruption 2.350 years ago.
It created natural harbour condtions in the town Grindavík. Sundahnúkur was used as a landmark for the Grindavík harbour in former times.
Other attractions
Kennslustofa
Company: Keilir
About the facility
Description |
Large class room, linoleum floors with white walls and light ceiling. New and powerful ventilation. |
Size |
275 m² Height: 3m |
Stage |
No |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Sitting: 140 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
Cloud CX A4/ Cloud CX163 |
Projector |
Sony (Two available)
|
Size of screen |
Two screens 3,0 width - In the front of the romm 2,0 widht - For the people in the back
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes
|
Computer |
Lenovo |
WIFI |
Yes |
Nature
Arnarsetur
Arnarsetur is a short monogenetic volcanic fissure with scoria and spatter craters, formed in an eruption that was an integral part of the Reykjanes Fires, a volcano-tectonic episode from 1210 to 1240. The fissure is two kilometers in length and the lava formations that originate from it cover 20 square kilometers. They are rugged and contain lava tubes and remains of human activity. The name Arnarsetur means Eagle's nest and derives from a pair of eagles that lived in the area before.
Arnarsetur is located east of the road to town Grindavík (43). The exit is about half way from Reykjanesbraut (41) to Grindavík.
Nature
History and Culture
The Church in Innri-Njarðvík
Nature
Hrafnagja
The normal fault and tension fracture, Hrafnagjá, is the longest of its kind at the Reykjanes peninsula. It is 12 km long and up to 30 m high. The set of fractures east of Vogar village forms a typical rift valley.
Location: Hrafnagjá is visible from Reykjanesbraut (road nr. 41) to Keflavík International Airport. A hikingtrail leads to the location from the parking place by the intersection of the town Vogar.
Hrafnagjá is a geosite in the Reykjanes Unesco Global Geopark.
History and Culture
Kalfatjorn
Kalfatjörn is a former farm, parsonage and church site in the Vatnsleysa County. It was a parsonage until 1907, when the parish was united with the Gardar parish of the Kjalarnes deanery. During catholic times, the church was dedecated to St Peter. The present church was built in 1892-93 and consecrated June 11th 1893. It was built of wood and covered with corrugated iron on stone foundations. It seats 150 persons. It now belongs to the Tjorn Parish. The altarpiece, a replica of the one in the Reykjavik Cathedral, painted by Sigurdur Guðmundsson, is equally old as the church.
Copy right: www.nat.is Used by permission
Nature
Drykkjarsteinn
A rock with three holes, shape like bowls.
Most wanted stop for travellers that had to go to either to Grindavik or Krýsuvík. It is located were these two old roads meet.
The story says that one is for a dog, one for a man and the third for a horse. The water is holy and people could always trust that there would be water to drink.
Location: Short walk from road 427.
History and Culture
Stekkjarkot
A classic example of the roughly built turf, stone and timber fishermans cottage, once common on the Reykjanes peninsula and other coastal areas
of Iceland, Stekkjarkot was opened to the public in 1993 by Iceland's president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, following a year of restorations. Stekkjarkot
provides a telling insight into how cottages of this type looked like. Its history as a domestic dwelling is patchy, it was first built during the years
1855-1857 and occcupied for 30 years later when it was abandoned.In 1917 it was refurbished but by 1924 it had been abandoned once again and this time for good. The older part of the cottage, with its open hearth, dates back to the 19th century, the newer part dates from the farms last days
of habitation, by which time floorboards covered the living room and kitchen, a coal-fired stove provided both cooking facilities and heat, and conditions for those who lived there do not seem to have been too bad.
Free admission. Open 13:00 -17:00 in summertime on request in wintertime.
History and Culture
Magma, House of Culture and Natural Resources
Here are two very attractive and interesting exhibitions:
The Saltfish Museum:The exhibition Saltfisksetrið brings to light our seafaring history. The exhibition is very intriguing for foreign tourists, and it is interesting for local students, who can study the most important
profession of the country, and enjoyable for every Icelander passing through on a weekend trip.
The people of Grindavík have long been among the most prolific in the production of dried salted cod. The exhibition about Iceland's history in the processing and sales of dried salted cod and it's significance to Iceland's economy is therefore well placed in Grindavík.
The Saltfisksetrið exhibition opened in the year 2002. The exhibition offers large pictures, a text detailing the history of dried salted cod processing along with some historical objects from characteristic harbor towns of old.
The self-guided walking tour has a marked beginning and end, and is therefore outlined in chronological order. The floor is made of gravel, and there are stage sets of buildings from different periods on show throughout the exhibit.
Great care was taken to recreate the history of dried salted cod processing, and the exhibit has attracted much attention.
The Township of Grindavík was a leading force in the construction of this site, in collaboration with its founders and other donors from GrEarth Energy:
In Iceland there are unique possibilities to see and investigate most of earth's dynamic processes, such as volcanism and geothermal heat, which is the result of the young age of the island. It might be said that Iceland is a window into the past as well as into the future. By reading the history of the different
geological strata it is possible to forecast geological events that are likely to happen again.
The larges glaciers and the mightiest glacial rivers in Europe are here in Iceland and here are to be found the largest high- and low-temperature geothermal areas, unusually high volcanic and tectonic activity and magnificent and rough nature.
EARTH ENERGY has 18 boxes showing:
1 Ísland - a land in the shaping
2 The battle between sea and fire
3 The birth of Iceland
4 The earth can be compared to an egg
5 The boundaries of the plates on earth's crust
6 A Seismic model
7 The active volcanic belt
8 Earthquakes in Iceland
9 Volcanic eruptions are frequent on the
Reykjanes peninsula
10 Fissure eruptions are common in Iceland
11 The age of the earth
12 A glacier covers Scandinavia
13 Iceland was a subtropical paradise
14 Research and science
15 Energy from the bowles of the earth
16 Drilling for hot water
17 The power plant at Svartsengi
18 The Blue Lagoon
EARTH ENERGY - In cooperation with HS Orka
indavík.
Nature
Méltunnuklif
Lava pile between Grindavík and Krýsuvík.
A good place to ,,read" the history of the peninsula.
Location: Short walk from road 427
Wild Life
Birding trails - Vatnsleysuströnd - Reykjanesbær
Vatnsleysuströnd - Reykjanesbær
Vatnsleysuströnd is one of few vegetative places on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is a coastal area from Vatnsleysuvík to Vogar. The peninsula has little or no running surface water so the ponds in that area attract many birds. The main road is paved and good for all types of cars but the access to the coast is mostly through private roads. Vatnsleysuvík has a fish farm that attracts many gull species and the farm Stóra-Vatnsleysa has an Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) colony, breeding Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) and waders.
Kálfatjarnarkirkja
Traveling west towards the village of Vogar you will see a church and a golf course where you can park and walk down to the coast. Near the shore you can find a little pond where ducks and waders are often seen and on the sandy beach and rocky shore beyond the rocky boulders you can find feeding waders in spring and autumn. The landfill holds passerines like Meadow Pipits and Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) and one should always keep a lookout for vagrants in these areas. On the road to Vogar there are a few ponds seen from the road that are worth a look. The best way to look at this area is to walk the whole coast and go on top of the landfill to scan the ponds on the way.
Vogar
Vogar is as small village on the east side of Stakksfjörður. There is large pond close to the harbour with sedge and a small island. In summer, there are breeding ducks such as Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula) and Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) hiding in the sedge with feeding Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus). The harbour is a good stop for gulls and waders and the occasional wintering Harlequin Ducks. The sandy beach next to the pond is good in the migration period but the hidden pearl is the mudflat west of Vogar. Turn left when entering the village; you will drive through the village and end up on a gravel road that will lead you to a big fenced off fish farm. Go towards the gate and take another left until you are in a parking area. From there on you will follow a walking path next to the fish farm that will lead you to a big mudflat with patches of seaweed with many waders and gulls and breeding Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in the cliffs above. This is a hot-spot during migration.
Þorbjörn and Sólbrekkuskógur
There are very few trees in Reykjanes, or in Iceland for that matter, and long may it be so but the Suðurnes Forestry Association has been trying to introduce alien and native trees to the peninsula with some success. These plantations are big attraction to passerines that have lost their way migrating both in the Eastern and Western Hemisphere. The largest ones are located inland between Vogar and Grindavík. The bigger one, Þorbjörn/Selskógur, is on the north side of the hill Þorbjarnarfell, north of Grindavík. The other one is called Sólbrekkuskógur and is next to the pond Seltjörn, between Vogar and the Blue Lagoon.
Reykjanesbær
Reykjanesbær is a town divided into two districts, Njarðvík and Keflavík. Njarðvík has a salt-marsh and ponds close to the coast that attract waders, ducks, geese and gulls, especially on high tide. American Wigeon (Anas americana) is seen almost annually on the biggest pond, and many vagrants have been spotted there. The harbours in Keflavík and in Helguvík (west of Keflavík) are good places to scan for vagrants such as King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis), White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) and Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) in large flocks of Eiders. Fulmars and Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) nest on the cliffs north of Helguvík and you can see auks and other seabirds from the lighthouse on the edge of the cliff. In search of vagrants one should always target towns on the peninsula and look for passerines in gardens and parks.
Nature
Stóra-Sandvík
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.
History and Culture
Jón Þorkelsson og Sveinbjörn Egilsson
He was a great poet, translator and a grammarian, who wrote a dictionary of Icelandic skaldic language, the Lexicon Poëticum. His most famous works are his translations of Homer. He too is commemorated by a monument at the church.
Nature
Sandfellshæð
One of the oldest and largest lava shield on the Reykjanes peninsula. Formed in late glacial time, about 14.000 years ago, when sea level was about 30 m lower than today.
Only recommend going there on well-equipped jeeps. By foot it is possible to walk on road between Svartsengi and Reykjanes
Nature
Háleyjabunga
Háleyjarbunga is a small, flat lava shield with a large, 20 to 25 meter deep crater.
The shield is at least 9,000 years old. It was formed during a highly effusive lava eruption. The basalt-type is a primitive deep-mantle derived picrite that contains much of the green mineral olivine.
Location: The Háleyjarbunga is close to Reykjanes lighthouse on the tip of Reykjanes. A hikingpath is marked form Gunnuhver over the lavafield to Háleyjarbunga.
Háleyjarbunga is a geosite within Reykjanes Unesco Global Geopark.
Nature
Kuagerdi
A green patch near a pond next to the old route at the southern edge of Afstapahraun which is a lava field up of Vatnsleysuvík. Reykjanesbraut (41) lies around the patch. There used to be a farmstead and a known place to rest at. Kuagerdi means "Cow Grazings". Today there as been put up a memorial cross for those who have died in traffic accidents on Reykjanesbraut.
Nature
Hvassahraunskatlar
Hvassahraunskatlar is a hornitos in the Hrútagjá lava shield flow. Hornitos usually form due to powerful degassing at crater edges. These ones, however, came into being approximately 10 km away from the top crater.
Hvassahraunskatlar is a geosite within Reykjanes Unesco Global Geopark.
Nature
Nature
Tjarnir á Vatnsleysuströnd
Seaweed-coverd rocks which are part of the Þráinsskjöldur Lava Flow.
They were formed about 10,000 years ago.
Due to the pourous roks that form the foundation of this part of Iceland fresh water seeps from the ground in many places.
Located near town Vogar.
Nature
Mt Stapafell
Other attractions
Brúin
Company: Ráin
Name of the facility: Brúin
About the facility
Description |
Large Banquet, the space is open and bright |
Size |
Length 3 meters |
Stage |
Yes |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Sitting: 250 people Standing: 500 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
Sound master |
Projector |
Nec
|
Size of screen |
10 m²
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes
|
Computer |
Hewlett-Packard |
WIFI |
Yes |
Nature
Gunnuhver
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.
Other attractions
Andrews theater
Ásbrú - Keflavík
Name of the facility: Andrews theater
About the facility
Description |
Lecture hall with a theater setting. |
Size |
922 m² |
Stage |
Já 100 m² |
Good entrance |
Yes, Ticket sale and other sale booth, stone floor and large windows. Restroom. |
Capacity |
450 people |
Staff |
Nature
Vogastapi
Vogastapi was named "The Heifer Cove Cliff", later "The Cove Cliff" and sometimes just "The Cliff" by the inhabitants of the area. It is an 80 m. high, dolerite hillock between Coves Vogavik and Njardvik. It is precipitous towards the sea, but has a gradual gradient inland. It is mostly sparsely vegetated and somewhat barren in places. The main road to the western communities crosses it. The view from its highest point, Grimsholl, is excellent and a view dial explains the topographical names of the surroundings. Up to this date the Vogastapi Area is haunted by a ghost, which has mislead people off the brink of the cliff. During the motorized age, some of the passers by have noticed a being carrying its head under its arm and sometimes drivers travelling alone spotted it in their rear view mirrors sitting in the back seats.
Nature
Festarfjall
A eroded subglacial volcano.
A section of a small hyaloclastite hill is exposed in the costal cliffs. A dyke named Festi(ladder), evidently the feeder for Festarfjall, passes up through the basement and the Festarfjall sequence, branching towards the base of the lavas. The story say that Festi is a neckless of a woman-troll.
The story also say that it is impossible to walk on the beach downbelow without getting wet! Try and see if you can!
Location: Near highway 427
History and Culture
Húshólmi
Ruins of farm partly covered by lava flow.
The Húshólmi area is a so called "clearing" over which the lava Ögmundarhraun didn´t flow during an eruption in the year 1151. The lava came flowing from vulcanic craters on the east side of Núpshlíðarháls hill down to the shore. According to archaeologists, in the western part of the "clearing" are ruins of the ancient Krýsuvík farm, dated back since before the year 900. Among the ruins are presumably parts of a home, a church and a semetary.
Húshólmi is a popular outdoor area and a interesting site worth visiting.
Other attractions
Berg in Hljómahöll
Company: Hljómahöll
About the facility
Description |
Named after a cliff, Holmaberg in Keflavík. Berg is ideal for concerts, lectures and meetings. Chairs are very comfortable and are designed by Valdimar Hardarson architect. |
Size |
9,3 m x 16 m Lofthæð: 6m |
Stage |
Yes, 9,3m (breidd) x 5m (dýpt) |
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
Theater: 104 people |
Staff |
Yes |
Technology
Sound system |
JBL Vertec |
Projector |
5000 lumens
|
Size of screen |
5m x 5m
|
Microphones |
Yes |
Wireless cursors |
Yes |
Computer |
H |
WIFI |
Yes |
Nature
Nature
Eldvorp - Remnants of ancent settlement
Shelters made of rock, ancient paths and stacked walls.
They have been discoverd near Eldvörp, a row of scoria and spatter cones formed in the Reykjanes Fires 1210-1240 AD.
Location: Close to Eldvörp, walk from road 425.
Nature
Stakksfjordur
This is a deep southern inlet of the big Faxi Bay between spit Keilisnes in the east and the Stakkur Peak of the Holmur Cliff in the west. The Stakkur Peak is crowned with a lighthouse. The bay was named after a freestanding rock in the sea off Cliff Holmsberg.
Copy right: www.nat.is Used by permission
Other attractions
Officers Banquet
Ásbrú - Keflavík
Name of the facility: Andrews Banquet
About the facility
Description |
Three adjacent banquet |
Size |
2057 m² |
Stage |
|
Good entrance |
Yes |
Capacity |
450 people |
Staff |
Nature
Gallow Cliffs near Hagafell
Cliffs known as Gallows Cliffs or Hanging Rocks.
The cliffs were used to execute thieves captured in Þorbjarnarfell according to an old folk story.
Location: From road 43 there is a short walk.
Other attractions
The Night of Lights - Reykjanes
of the highly popular Night of Lights, Reykjanes family and cultural festival. Now a fixed event in Iceland's cultural calendar, the event, which despite its name is now staged over four days from Thursday to Sunday, offers guests a taste of the very best in local culture,culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.An ever-growing celebration of local culture included more than 100 separate events. The Night of Light offers something for everyone, ranging
from art, theatre and music performed by groups and individuals, to a spectacular finale under a blaze of fireworks. For more information visit the festival's website www.ljosanott.is.
History and Culture
Hopsnes
The spit on which you are standing is named Hópsnes on the west side and Þórkötlustaðanes on the east side. The spit is 2 km long and 1 km wide and was formed 2,800 years ago when lava flowed into the sea.
Hópsnes/Þórkötlustaðanes was formed during an eruption from a row of craters named Sundhnúkur located just north of the village of Grindavík. Port conditions in Grindavík are excellent due to this lava flow and the lagoon (Hópið) that formed beside the spit when the sea began to erode the lava and move loose materials. If the spit were not there, the village of Grindavík would probably never have been built. The fact is that it is one of six communities on the Reykjanes peninsula that owes its existence to an eruptive fissure in a volcanic system that is still active. Eruptions could occur in this area at any time.
From its earliest days, Grindavík has been one of the main fishing centres in Iceland. Sundhnúkur, from where the lava that formed the spit flowed, has navigation signals showing the route through the gap into the harbour. Travelling around the spit, one can see a number of shipwrecks that have run aground here and in the neighbourhood in the course of the 20th century. There are information signs by some of the wrecks.
Both the village and fishing-vessel operations flourished in the early 20th century. Numerous rowing boats and later motor boats were operated from Þórkötlustaðanes. There are a good number of remains of the settlement that is no more, such as entrance cairns, fish-storage huts, ice storages, fish-processing houses, liver-processing and salt huts. The fishing operation moved to the location that is now Grindavík harbour in 1939, when a group of energetic Grindavík residents took it upon themselves to dig a channel through the reef that had hitherto prevented boats from entering the Hópið lagoon. The Hópsnes lighthouse was built in 1928.
Today the area is a popular recreational area with a hiking and biking trail.
Nature
Valahnúkamöl
High boulder ridge composed of well rounded stones.
The ridge is about 420 m long, 80 m wide and 10 m high. The rounded stones are 1-3 feet thick.
Created by powerful storms, high waves and surf.
Located: On the tip of Reykjanes, next to cliff Valahnúkur. Take road 425.
Nature
Hrólfsvík - Xenolithes
A well known locality for xenolithes.
Xenolithesa are gabbroic crystal aggregates related to the host magma. The source of the lava is not known nor is its age.
Location: Near Grindavik, walk from road 427
Exhibitions
Hljómahöll Conference Center
Museums
Duus Museum - Cultural Center
Visitor Centres
Reykjanes Geopark visitor center
Museums
Viking World
Tourist Information Centres
KVIKAN - House of Culture and Natural Resources
Museums
Reykjanes Museum of Heritage
Museums
Reykjanes Art Museum
Shopping
Urta Islandica
Exhibitions
The Giganta in the cave
Museums
The Icelandic Museum of Rock ´n´ Roll
Museums
Reykjanes Museum of Heritage - Stekkjarkot
Museums
Reykjanes Maritime Center
Others
- Grænásbraut 506
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 661-6999
- Vogar
- 190 Vogar
- 440-6200
Restaurants
Shopping
Urta Islandica
Restaurants
Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon
Restaurants
Salthúsið Restaurant
Restaurants
Olsen Olsen
Hotels
Hotel Duus
Hotels
Northern Light Inn
Restaurants
Hotels
Hotel Keflavik
Restaurants
Bryggjan Grindavík
Cafés
Restaurants
The Bridge
Restaurants
Library Bistro / bar
Restaurants
Restaurants
Papa´s Pizza
Cafés
Café Petite
Museums
Viking World
Restaurants
KEF Restaurant
Restaurants
Fish House Bar and Grill
Restaurants
Ráðhúskaffi
Exhibitions
Hljómahöll Conference Center
Restaurants
Paddy´s Beach Pub
Others
- Iðjustígur 1
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 5195210
- Hafnargötu 26
- 240 Grindavík
- 426-7080
- Fitjar 2
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 530-7070
- Básinn - Vatnsnesvegi 16
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 421-3755, 863-3741
- Fitjar 2
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 581-2345
- Hafnargata 36a
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 555-0801
- Hafnargata 39
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 4218666
- Krossmói 4
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 519-6920
- Hafnargata 19a
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 421-4601
- Norðurljósavegur 1
- 240 Grindavík
- 426-8650
- Krossmói 2
- 260 Reykjanesbær
- 570-6766, 570-6766
- Keflavíkurflugvöllur
- 235 Reykjanesbær
- 4313849
- Keilisbraut 771
- 235 Reykjanesbær
- 4214777
- Tjarnargata 26
- 190 Vogar
- 893-6800
- Hafnargötu 86
- 230 Reykjanesbær
- 581-2345