Southwest Iceland

Region

The capital region and the peninsula with the international airport. Reykjavík has Hallgrímskirkja, the Harpa concert hall, museums and a lively food and bar scene, the Reykjanes Peninsula has the Blue Lagoon, lava fields and recent volcanic eruptions, and the Golden Circle is an easy day trip. It is the base for most visits.

Southwest Iceland Icelandic Phallological MuseumLaugardalsvöllurEsjaViðeyKleifarvatnImagine Peace TowerElliðavatnChrist the King Cathedral (Reykjavík)Reykjavík CathedralNational Gallery of IcelandLundey, FaxaflóiEngeyAkureyVífilsfellViking World museumÁrbæjarsafnGróttaTröllafossKlambratúnReykjavík City TheatreTungufossReykjavíkKeflavíkGrindavíkBlue Lagoon (geothermal spa)HallgrímskirkjaNational Museum of IcelandFagradalsfjallTjörninKópavogurHafnarfjörðurGarðabærSeltjarnarnesÁlftanesVogarSandgerðiGarðurMosfellsbaerReykjanesbaer

Southwest Iceland essentials

Country: Iceland
Driest months: May-Jul
Pay in: Krona (kr)
Language: Icelandic

Where to Go in Southwest Iceland

City Reykjavík ReykjavíkCapital city of Iceland with geothermal pools City Kópavogur KópavogurSuburb of Reykjavik known for family-friendly atmosphere City Hafnarfjörður HafnarfjörðurTown in Capital Region, Iceland City Keflavík KeflavíkCity in Southern Peninsula, Iceland Island Viðey ViðeyIcelandic island near Reykjavík with sculpture park Island Lundey, Faxaflói Lundey, FaxaflóiSmall Reykjavík island, important puffin colony Island Engey EngeySmall Reykjavík island known for seabird colonies Island Akurey AkureySmall island near Reykjavík, notable seabird sanctuary Nature Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa) Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa)Geothermal spa resort in a lava field Nature Tjörnin TjörninCentral Reykjavik city pond popular for birdlife Nature Esja EsjaProminent Reykjavík mountain popular for hiking and views Nature Fagradalsfjall FagradalsfjallIcelandic volcanic fissure notable for recent eruptions
Regions & Cities
Explore Reykjavík Steam from hot springs colors Reykjavík’s edges; locals move between Hallgrímskirkja, coffee shops and Harpa’s glass façade. Keflavík Explore Keflavík Close to the international airport, Keflavík acts as a practical base for Reykjanes excursions - seafood restaurants, a maritime museum and tour operators that run trips to the Blue Lagoon, geothermal craters and evening northern-lights drives. Grindavík Explore Grindavík Grindavík sits on Reykjanes’ lava coast and serves as the gateway to the Blue Lagoon and geothermal sites; fishermen’s wharves, black-rock shores and hot-water pools bring spa-goers, anglers and photographers of steam against stark lava. Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa) Explore Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa) On the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon uses milky-blue, silica-rich geothermal water in an engineered lava-field spa. Hallgrímskirkja Explore Hallgrímskirkja Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja offers an angular concrete tower inspired by basalt columns; visitors ride the elevator for city and bay views, attend organ recitals, and photograph the spire from nearby Laugavegur streets. National Museum of Iceland Explore National Museum of Iceland In Reykjavík, the National Museum of Iceland charts settlement to modernity with Viking-age artifacts, medieval objects and displays on everyday life. Fagradalsfjall Explore Fagradalsfjall On Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, Fagradalsfjall became a visitor focus after 2021 fissure eruptions; people hike to recent lava fields, guided or independently, to study geology and photograph flows. Tjörnin Explore Tjörnin Around Tjörnin, Reykjavik’s central city pond, people stroll for birdwatching, close-up views of civic buildings and the colorful houses on the lake’s edge; it’s an easy urban outing.

Southwest Iceland at a Glance

Local Time
12:09 AM
GMT+0
Population
399,635

Best Things to Do in Southwest Iceland