Guidebook for Keflavík
Food Scene
Library bistro/bar
57 HafnargataA la Carte restaurant with very reasonable prices.
Kaffi Duus
10 DuusgataWonderful restaurant by the small boat Marina. Sea food speciality.
This place is a hidden gem in Kef. The owners are super friendly and the atmosphere is great. It is calm and relaxing with some good music, but not so loud that you can't hold a conversation. They have a huge coffee variety, spirits, and a couple taps. It is a great way to catch up with friends or play some pool.
14 locals recommend
Cafe Petite
23 FramnesvegurThis place is a hidden gem in Kef. The owners are super friendly and the atmosphere is great. It is calm and relaxing with some good music, but not so loud that you can't hold a conversation. They have a huge coffee variety, spirits, and a couple taps. It is a great way to catch up with friends or play some pool.
Sightseeing
The mud pools and steam vents on the southwest part of 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 happend about 400 years ago.
The mud pools form where steam from boiling geothermal resevoir 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 geothremal reservoir upon the start of production from the reservoir in 2006.
Iceland´s larges 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 noice, see the boiling water and feel lthe 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 suroundings.
Gunnuhver is the heart in a future geopark where the North Atlantic ridge is rising from the ocean, you find 100 different craters and lava, bird cliffs, high geothermal area, sand beach,The Bridge Between Continents, powerplant, lighthouses and exhibitions amongst other things.
19 locals recommend
Gunnuhver Geothermal Area
The mud pools and steam vents on the southwest part of 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 happend about 400 years ago.
The mud pools form where steam from boiling geothermal resevoir 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 geothremal reservoir upon the start of production from the reservoir in 2006.
Iceland´s larges 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 noice, see the boiling water and feel lthe 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 suroundings.
Gunnuhver is the heart in a future geopark where the North Atlantic ridge is rising from the ocean, you find 100 different craters and lava, bird cliffs, high geothermal area, sand beach,The Bridge Between Continents, powerplant, lighthouses and exhibitions amongst other things.
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.
22 locals recommend
Reykjanesviti
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.
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.
10 locals recommend
Bridge America - Europe
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.
Skessuhellir (Troll Cave) in Keflavík
There is a children’s story in Iceland that was written by local author, and this is where the troll sleeps. It farted and snores. One thing you may didn’t know about Icelandic people, that they believe in elves, trolls and spirits. Once you see the landscape around the country, that seems like very natural things to belive.
6 locals recommend
Giantess Cave - Skessuhellir
BakkavegurSkessuhellir (Troll Cave) in Keflavík
There is a children’s story in Iceland that was written by local author, and this is where the troll sleeps. It farted and snores. One thing you may didn’t know about Icelandic people, that they believe in elves, trolls and spirits. Once you see the landscape around the country, that seems like very natural things to belive.
Garðskagaviti Lighthouse (Gardskagaviti) is located on the northwest point of the Reykjanes Peninsula, close to Garður Town (Gardur) and north of Keflavík Town.
There are, in fact, two lighthouses there, the old Garðskagaviti Lighthouse, built in 1897 and the “new” one, built in 1944. The new lighthouse is the tallest one in Iceland, 28.6 metres high, while the old one is “only” 11.4 metres high. The new lighthouse was erected because people thought the smaller one was too low and was also standing in an unsafe location so close to the sea.
Both lighthouses are quite picturesque and beautiful. The older one is white with two red stripes, the new standing tall, cylindrical in shape and totally white except for its red “hat”. Close by is the local museum and a cosy café.
Every year, thousands of visitors come to the area around the lighthouses to go up and enjoy the view from the top of them and also because of the birds; this point on the peninsula is the home of thousands of birds of many different species, spending the nesting season there before flying off or staying there year round. Next to the parking lot outside the lighthouses are signs with pictures and information about the birds of Garðskagi Point.
8 locals recommend
Garðskagaviti
Garðskagaviti Lighthouse (Gardskagaviti) is located on the northwest point of the Reykjanes Peninsula, close to Garður Town (Gardur) and north of Keflavík Town.
There are, in fact, two lighthouses there, the old Garðskagaviti Lighthouse, built in 1897 and the “new” one, built in 1944. The new lighthouse is the tallest one in Iceland, 28.6 metres high, while the old one is “only” 11.4 metres high. The new lighthouse was erected because people thought the smaller one was too low and was also standing in an unsafe location so close to the sea.
Both lighthouses are quite picturesque and beautiful. The older one is white with two red stripes, the new standing tall, cylindrical in shape and totally white except for its red “hat”. Close by is the local museum and a cosy café.
Every year, thousands of visitors come to the area around the lighthouses to go up and enjoy the view from the top of them and also because of the birds; this point on the peninsula is the home of thousands of birds of many different species, spending the nesting season there before flying off or staying there year round. Next to the parking lot outside the lighthouses are signs with pictures and information about the birds of Garðskagi Point.
Vikingworld is located at the seaside in the town of Reykjanesbær with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. Vikingworld is a five exhibition museum along with a settlement zoo, a playground and an outdoor classroom.
The frame around the Icelander, the exhibition hall itself, was designed by the award winning architect Guðmundur Jónsson. Its modern architecture highlights the beauty of the viking ship the Icelander (Íslendingur). Visitors can look at the ship from all sides and they can even go on board and let the mind take them to explore lands across the sea while they stand on deck of the Icelander.
The museum, which opened in 2009, offers five different exhibitions which are all connected to the viking age in one way or the other. They offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history and lifestyle of the Vikings of the North Atlantic a thousand years ago. In addition visitors can enjoy the magnificent view of the ocean from the Cafe as well as free internet access. A gift shop and facilities for special events such as lectures and receptions are also available on site.
7 locals recommend
Víkingaheimar
VíkingabrautVikingworld is located at the seaside in the town of Reykjanesbær with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. Vikingworld is a five exhibition museum along with a settlement zoo, a playground and an outdoor classroom.
The frame around the Icelander, the exhibition hall itself, was designed by the award winning architect Guðmundur Jónsson. Its modern architecture highlights the beauty of the viking ship the Icelander (Íslendingur). Visitors can look at the ship from all sides and they can even go on board and let the mind take them to explore lands across the sea while they stand on deck of the Icelander.
The museum, which opened in 2009, offers five different exhibitions which are all connected to the viking age in one way or the other. They offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history and lifestyle of the Vikings of the North Atlantic a thousand years ago. In addition visitors can enjoy the magnificent view of the ocean from the Cafe as well as free internet access. A gift shop and facilities for special events such as lectures and receptions are also available on site.
Shopping
Bónus
FitjarBónus supermarket in the next street from the apartment.
Essentials
Netto is a great supermarket.
Their store in Vatnsholt is open every day from 10:00-21:00
25 locals recommend
Nettó
4 KrossmóiNetto is a great supermarket.
Their store in Vatnsholt is open every day from 10:00-21:00