This is the easiest and fastest half-day route, but that doesn't make it boring at all. This tour is interesting because it is not far from Reykjavik and surprisingly, without crowds of tourists. Additionally, in this area, there is a unique open-air geothermal center - the Blue Lagoon. Visiting it would be an excellent addition to this tour.
So, picking you up from the hotel, in just twenty minutes, we'll find ourselves in a completely different world, and the view from the car window will remind you of that. I'll take you to my favorite place – Lake Kleifarvatn, the largest lake on the peninsula and one of the deepest in Iceland.
Moving on, it's time to take a stroll through the colorful geothermal area of Seltun. Bubbling and boiling mud puddles, among which we'll walk, and the smell of sulfur will remind you that we are in the most seismically active region of the island. Then, we'll head to the beautiful town of Grindavik to replenish our energy supplies by having lunch in a cozy fishing restaurant.
We'll stop to photograph the geothermal active zone with erupting steam columns from underground and hear the legend of an evil spirit caught in a trap by a priest. Not far from our viewing platform, we'll easily spot Iceland's oldest lighthouse, Reykjanesviti, playfully winking at us from the edge of the peninsula.
Driving further, we'll pause to capture the vast expanses of moss-covered lava fields and visit the Troll Pool. You'll see geothermal power stations and craters that give this area a Martian appearance. You'll learn why, in such an expensive country, Iceland has the cheapest electricity in the world and why the streets in Reykjavik are heated with hot water in winter. We'll make sure to visit the blue lakes and hear the amazing story of their formation!
To conclude a well-spent day, you can take a 2-3 hour dip in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Admission is separate.
The dynamic geothermal activity within this extensive UNESCO-protected geopark renders Reykjanes an enchanting destination. Don't hesitate to include it on your list of must-visit places in Iceland, and let me take you on a private tour that you'll never forget!