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The Official Tourist Guide for Reykjanes 2012
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1
www.visitreykjanes.is
Reykjanes peninsulaThe Official Tourist Guide
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GENERAL INFORMATION
2 GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
4 TOWNS/VILLAGES
12 COAST
22 CULTURE & ARTS
66 HISTORY
78 NATURE RESERVE
82 NATURE
96 TOURS & ACTIVITIES
108 TRANSPORTATION
110 ACCOMMODATION, DINING
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www.visitreykjanes.is
HISTORY
History 66
NATURE RESERVE
Reykjanesnaturereserve 78
NATUREKrýsuvík 82TheKatlahraunLava 85Eldey 86Gunnuhver 86The100CraterPark 88Keilir 92BridgeBetweenContinents 93Birdlife 94
GENERAL INFORMATIONTouristInformationCenters 2WelcometoReykjanes 3
MAIN TOWNS / VILLAGESReykjanesbær 5Grindavík 6Sandgerði 7Garður 8Vogar 9
COASTTheLighthouseonGarðskagi 12Þórkötlustaðanes-Hópsnes 14ReykjanesLighthouse 16Thecoastalhikingtrail 18Whales 20
CULTURE AND ARTS
Vikingworld 22TheZoologicalVikingHome 23Duushús 24ReykjanesMaritimeCenter 26ReykjanesArtMuseum 28TheReykjanesHeritageMuseum 30TheGiantess 32ReykjanesPowerStationandEarthPowerPlant 34Kvikan 36TheexhibitionSaltfishMuseum 36EarthEnergy 38NatureCenter 40TheMunicipalMuseuminGarður 42Stekkjarkot 43TheChurchinInnri-Njarðvík 46TheChurchatÚtskálar 48TheChurchatHvalsnes 50TheChurchatKálfatjörn 52TheHappySailorinGrindavík 54MidsummernighthikeinÞorbjörn 55ÞorbjörnMuseum 56Grindavíksheepround-up 57TheSunsetFestivalonGarðskagi 58FamilyDayinVogar 59SandgerðisdaysinSandgerði 60TheNightofLights 61TheRockMuseumofRúnarJúl 62ArtsandCrafts 63
INDEX
TOURS & ACTIVITIESTheBlueLagoon,geothermalspa 96SwimmingPoolsinReykjanes 98GolfCoursesinReykjanes 100All-terrainvehicles–ATV4x4 104ArcticHorses 106Saltytours 107
TRANSPORTATIONCoaches 108CarRentals 109Taxis 109
ACCOMMODATION, DININGHotelKeflavik 110IcelandairHotelFlughotel 111TheNorthernLightInn 112BlueLagoonClinic&Hotel 113TheIcelandicHealthHotel 114B&BGuesthouseKeflavikCenter 115BedandBreakfastKeflavikAirport 115OceanFrontIceland 116HótelKeilir 117HótelBerg 118HótelGarður 119Hotels,guesthouses,camping 120-121Restaurants,fastfood,cafes 122-126
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Tourist Info Centers:
Tourist Information and Free Booking ServiceLeifurEiríkssoninternationalAirport,ArrivalshallKeflavíkur-flugvelli,tel.+354570-7799/[email protected] – free booking and service number
TouristInformationBlueLagoon,240 Grindavík, +3544208800
SBKKeflavikCoachesGrófin2-4,230 Reykjanesbær,Tel:003544206000
TouristInfoHafnargata12a,240 Grindavík,Tel:003544201190,Fax:00354-4201199,[email protected]
TheNatureCenterGarðvegi1,245 Sandgerði,Tel:003544237551,Fax:003544237551,[email protected]
GarðskagiFolkMuseumSkagabraut100,250Garður,Tel:003548942135,[email protected]
TouristInformation,Bæjarskrifstofunum,Víkurbraut42,240 Grindavík,[email protected],www.grindavik.is,www.visitgrindavik.is
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www.visitreykjanes.is
Publisher:MarkaðsstofaSuðurnesjaEditor: KristjánPálsson,HelgaIngimundardóttir.Layout:IcelandToday,Tel.:+3545707777Photos: EllertGrétarsson,OlgeirAndrésson,ReynirSveinssonandothers.Printing: Oddi
Welcome to Reykjanes
TheSuðurnesregionontheReykjanespeninsulaisthehomeofsomeofIcelandsmostpopulartouristattractions.Thisofficialbrochurewillintroduceanexperiencethatwehopeeverytouristwillenjoywhilevisitingthisbeautifulandpowerfulregion.Theareasofinterestrangefrompurenatureexperiencetogolfing,deep-seafishing,abridgebetweencontinents,Gunnuhverhotspring,theVikingship„Íslendingur“,theBlueLagoonandsomuchmore.Withinthisguideyouwillfindahostofattractionsanddetailsofhowtogetthere.Theguidehascolour-codedsectionstoenableyoutofindtheareaofyourchoicequickly.Attheendoftheguideisacomprehensivelistofbus
transportservices,hotels,guesthouses,campsites,restaurants,fastfoodrestaurantsandcafés.Wewillcontinuetoupdateandimprovethisguide;yourcommentsandobservationswouldbemostwelcome.Toassistusinthismatter,wewouldbegratefultoreceiveyourcommentsbyemailtoinfo@visitreykjanes.is
Grænásbraut506,Ásbrú,Reykjanesbæ.Tel:003544213520/003548934096|www.reykjanes.is
TOWNS/VILLAGES
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Towns and Villages
Reykjanesbær. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Grindavík . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sandgerði . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Garður . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Vogar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Reykjavík
Keflavík Airport
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Reykjanesbær
TheTownofReykjanesisayoungandvibrantrapidlygrowingtownonReykjanespeninsula.TherehasbeenasignificantincreaseinthenumberofcitizensinReykjanesbærinthepastyearsandtheynowtotal14.200.ReykjanesbærprofitsfromitsproximitytothecapitalanditisalsolocatedatIceland’sbordersatthegatetotherestoftheworld.Atthesametime,otherboundarieshavevanishedandnowÁsbrú,theformerUSnavalbase,hasbeentransformedintoaninnovativeandprogressiveeducationalcommunity.Thetownboastsofdiverserecreationalactivitiesandjust
onthetown’sdoorstepthereispristinenature.WiththenewÓsabotnaroadthepossibilityofaroundtripofReykjanespeninsulawithallofitsrecreationandspectacularsceneryopensupbeforedrivingbacktothecapitalonthefour-lanelitReykjaneshighway(41).www.reykjanesbaer.is
TOWNS/VILLAGES
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Welcome to GrindavíkThevillageofGrindavíkisoneofIceland’sspecialsurprisesfortourists.WhilebestknownforitsworldfamousBlueLagoon,Grindavíkalsooffersvisitorsavarietyofopportunitiesforrecrea-tion,leisure,andfamilyfun.Thischarmingcommunityof2,850promisesendlesspossibilitiesforexcitementandfunfortheentirefamily.Grindavikboastsmilesofhikingtrailsthroughbreathtakingpanoramas,anewmoderncampgroundandswimmingfacility,oneofIceland’sbestgolfcourses,Magma-Houseofcultureandnaturalresourcesandamultitudeofwonderfulrestaurants.TravelhistorictrailssuchasPrestastastígur,SkógfellsvegurandReykjavegur.TravelonanATV,gohorsebackridingortourbybicycle.VisittheHópsnescirclewithitsshipwrecksandrelicsandtheReykjaneslighthouseandgetaglimpseoflifenearthesea.TourthefishprocessingfacilityinStakkavík;fishintheharbor.ClimbÞorbjarnarfellMountainandenjoyaspectacularviewofGrindavikandthesurroundingarea.SeenaturalgemssuchasGunnuhver,Brimketill,Eldvörp,KleifarvatnandKrísuvíkurberg.SummerinGrindavikisfullofactivity.Sjóarinnsíkáti;oneofthebiggestfestivalsinthenation,theannualMidsummer´sNightEve
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SandgerðiSandgerðiisoneofthecountry’smajorfishingcommunities.Richfishing-groundsarefoundjustoffthecoastofSandgerði.Thereareinterestingthingstodointhetown,includingbird-watching,golfing,seeinghistoricalysignificantplaces,goingswimmingorhavingamealintherestaurant.AgreatvarietyofIcelandichandmadesouvenirsareonofferattheListatorgsouvenirshop.OnecangovisittheNatureCenter,amuseumwithinsightintoIcelandicnature.Itispossibletorentasummerhouseinthenorthernpartoftownandacampingsitewithallofthenecessaryfacilitieshasrecentlybeenbuilt.AnewlyconstructedroadoffersthetravellertotakearoundtriparoundthewholecoastpassingtheHvalsneschurch,StafnesvillageandonwardstotheHafnirvillage.www.sandgerdi.is
hike,Nature´sWeekinReykjanes,andGrindavik’severgrowinghikingfestthefirstweekinAugust(formoreinformationgotowww.grindavik.is).WelcometoGrindavik,Iceland’smostpopulartouristdestination.Enjoylife.EnjoyGrindavik;aplacewithsomethingforeverybody.
TOWNS/VILLAGES
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GarðurOutdoorenthusiastsshouldnotmissoutonthechanceofvisitingtheTownofGarðuriftheyaretravelingthroughtheReykjanespeninsula.Thehistoryofthetownisbasedonthefishingindustry.Beingveryneartogoodfishinggrounds,GarðurwasoncethemostpopulatedvillageintheSouthWestcoast,Suðurnes.OnGarðskagiyoucanfinddiversebirdlife,dolphinsorwhalesneartheshore,untouchednatureandaninterestingregionalmuseumwithanextraordinarycollectionofengines.TherestaurantFlösinisverypopularandtheviewfromitsbalconyisbeautiful.GuestscancamponGarðskagiinthemagnificentnature.Thefacilitiesonthecampsiteincludebathrooms,runningwaterandelectricityandisidealforguestswithtents,trailertentsandWinnabegos.Afterenjoyingyourselfoutinnatureyoucanvisitthehistorymuseumattheoldlighthouseguardfarm,thelocalswimmingpoolorrelaxinthehottubs.www.sv.gardur.is
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VogarIntheTownofVogaryouwillfindvariousservicesandcanen-joyawalkalongthesea,watchthebirdlifebyVogatjörnpondandvisitthemonumentÍslandsHrafnistumennbyErlingurJónsson.Themonumentisinmemoryoffishermenfromthearea.InAugustFamilyDayisheldinthetownofVogarandthenthetowncomesalivewithpeopleofallagesenjoyingthemselvestogether.AtKálfatjörnyouwillfindanexcellent9-holegolfcourse,whichisplayedaroundoneofthelargestwoodenchurchesinIceland.InthedistrictofVatnsleysus-tröndareseverallandmarks,amongthemareMountKeilir,Háibjalli,Snorrastaðatjarnir,HrafnagjáandStaðarborg.Out-doorenthusiastsshouldthereforetakealookatthedistrictofVatnsleysuströnd.www.vogar.is
TOWNS/VILLAGES
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www.visitreykjanes.is
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COAST
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The Lighthouse on Garðskagi
OriginallyacairnwithanironpolewaserectedonthetipofGarðskagicoastin1847toguidethewayforseamen.Now,therearetwolighthouses,theolderandsmaller,builtin1897,wasonceregardedasoneofthebestlighthousesinIcelandbecauseitstoodlowandthereforemistwasnotaproblem,butriskybecauseofbeingdamagedbysurfandthatitwassometimesnotvisiblebecauseofstormsatsea.Becauseoflanderosionabridgewasbuilttoitandanewlighthousewasfinallybuiltin1944.At28metersitisthehighestlighthouseinIcelandandcameinsecondasthemostfavoritelighthouseinIceland.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Garðskagi
InformationattheMunicipalMuseumatGarður
Accesstotheolderlighthouse
Free
003544227220003548942135
Garðskagi
www.svgardur.is
www.visitreykjanes.is
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The Sunset Festival in Garðskagi
COAST
14
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
GrindavíkFestarfjall
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Garðskagi
Þórkötlustaðanes - Hópsnes Apeninsula,calledÞórkötlustaðanesontheeasternsideandHópsnesonthewesternside,wascreatedbyvolcaniceruptionsapprox.3000yearsagoandstandsoutsouthdividingGrindavíkintwo.ThispartofGrindavíkiscalledthevillageofÞorkötlustaðir.Thepeninsulagivessheltertothemainharbour.Animportantpartofhistoryisfoundhereandby
Hópsnes
Hópsnes lighthouse
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Festarfjall
requestlocalswillinformvisitorsaboutit.Bywalkingalongtheoldpathway,onewilllearnaboutthefishingindustryinoldtimesandhowthelocalrescuesquadhassavedmanysea-menwhenboatshavebeenstrandedthere.Shipwrecksandtheirmemorialscanbeseenalongsidethecoast.Builtin1928alighthousestandsonthetipofthepeninsulawhichcanbeseen13nauticalmilesoffshore.
Festarfjall Hill
COAST
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Reykjanes Lighthouse
ThefirstlighthouseinIcelandwasbuiltonValahnúkurinReykjanesintheyear1878.By1905earthquakesandsurfhaddamagedValahnúkursomuchthattherewastheriskofthelighthousefallingintothesea.Anewlighthousewasthereforebuiltin1907-1908onBæjarfellhillinReykjanesandtheoldonewasdemolishedonApril,1908.Asurveydonein2007fortheIcelandicMaritimeAdministrationledtotheconclusionthatReykjaneslighthousewasthemostpopularlighthouseamongIcelanders.Thelightsignalheightis69metersabovesealevelbuttheactualheightofthelighthouseis26meters.Reykjaneslighthousealsohasaradiobeaconwithacorrectionsignal.Thereiscarvedrockandconcreteinthelighthouse.ArchitectFrederikKjørboeandengineerThorvaldKrabbedesignedthelighthouse.TheoperationofReykjanesLighthouseisunderthesupervisionoftheIcelandicMaritimeAdministration.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
ReykjanesLighthouse
www.visitreykjanes.is
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COAST
18
www.visitreykjanes.is
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Strandleið – the coastal hiking trail in Reykjanesbær.
Anew10kmlongcoastalhiking/walkingtrailliesfromtheMarinainGrófuptotheStapicliffsinInnri-Njarðvík.Thetrailgivesanopportunitytoenjoythefreshseaair,theseabirds,variouskindofcoastalvegetationandinsightintogeologyofvariousrocksandcliffs.Providinggoodphysicalrefreshment,onecanwalk,jog,bikeorrollonrollerskates.
COAST
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Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
WhalesThewaterssurroundingtheReykjanespeninsulaarehometodolphinsandvariousspeciesofwhalesinthewarmermonthsoftheyear,andinwinteraswell.CommonlyfoundinthewatersoffGarðurarewhite-beakeddolphinsandminkewhales.Inwinter,sightingsofbothdolphinsandwhalesarecommon,evenascloseasoutsidetheharbourinKeflavíkandnearby.Theareaisanimportanthabitatforthesemarinemammals,mainlyasaseasonalfeedingground,richinplankton.Thesewatersprovideexcellentconditionsforsuchfishspeciessuchassandeel,herring,capelin,haddockandcodtothrive.HumpbackwhalesarealsocommonlyseeninJulyandAugust,andoccasionallyseiwhales,finwhalesandtheenormousbluewhalesappearatthesurface.
www.visitreykjanes.is
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CULTURE & ARTS
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VikingworldVikingaheimaristhehomeoftheVikingShipÍslendingur(TheIcelander).Builtin1996,IcelanderisanexactreplicaofthefamousGokstadship,aremarkablearchaeologicalfindofanalmostcompletelyintactVikingship,excavatedinNorwayin1882.Vikingaheimarisalso
hometoaportionoftheVikingmillenniumexhibition,Vikings:TheNorthAtlanticSaga.ThisexhibitionshedslightontheNorsesettlementandexplorationsofunknownlands.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Víkingabraut1,260Reykjanesbær
Access
1.000krforadults.800kr.fordisabled,studentsandseniors.Freeforchildrenunder16
003544222000
Everyday11:00–17:00,
www.visitreykjanes.is
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Thesetwofineprojects,bothcelebratingIceland’scentralroleinthediscoveryofNorthAmerica1000yearsagobytheNorseVikings,havenowfoundapermanenthomeinVikingaheimar,aspectacularmodernbuildingsituatedrightbytheFaxafloibayinthetownofReykjanesandcanbeeasilyspottedfromthemainroadbetweentheinternationalairportandReykjavík.FateoftheGodsExhibitiononNorse
mythologyandmyths.VisitorsareguidedthroughthisancientideologywheretheworldoftheGodsvividlyappearsthroughvisualarts,storytellingandmusic.TheexhibitionisputtogetherbyreputableIcelandiccontemporaryartistsandexpertsinNordicstudiestoformanimpressiveandmodernworkofartaboutancientculturalheritage.
byVikingworld,230Reykjanesbær,
1.May–1.Aug.everydayfrom11:00–17:00.
+3544216700.
www.reykjanesbaer.is
Settlement ZooThezooissituatednearVikingworldandisopenduringthesummer,providingchildrenwithachancetoseelambs,goats,ducks,calves,rabbits,andhens.Admittanceisfree.
CULTURE & ARTS
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Duushús Cultural Center
TheclusterofbuildingsthatmakeupDuushúsareamongIceland’smostremarkableandhistoricman-madestructures.Busycentersofcommercethroughouttheirexistence,theirlastrolebeforetheirconversionwasasafishprocessingplant.Withtheoldesttimberbuildingcompletedin1877andtheyoungestconcretestructurefinishedin1954,togethertheyspanalmostacenturyofIcelandicarchitecturalhistory.Today,thecomplexincludesfourexhibitioncenters,whichhousetheTheReykjanesArtMuseum,TheReykjanesHeritageMuseum,TheOldCinemaandTheReykjanesMaritimeCenter.
Duusgata2-8,230Reykjanesbær
Mon.-Fr.12:00–17:00,Sat.-Sun.13:00–17:00
Access
Noadmissionfee
003544213796
www.visitreykjanes.is
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CULTURE & ARTS
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ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Duusgata2-8,230Reykjanesbær
Mon.-Fr.12:00–17:00,Sat.-Sun.13:00–17:00
Access
Freeadmittance
003544213796
Reykjanes Maritime Center
TheReykjanesMaritimeCenterwasopenedonMay11,2002andishometoacollectionof105modelboatsbuiltbyretiredlocalskipperGrímurKarlsson.Hand-craftedtoahighdegreeofperfectionandpainstakingdetail,theyofferfascinatinginsightintoIceland’smaritimehistory,beginningwiththegracefulmastedschoonersofthemid-andlate19thcentury,andendingwiththesteamanddiesel-poweredtrawlersofthe20thcentury.
www.visitreykjanes.is
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CULTURE & ARTS
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Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Duusgata2-8,230Reykjanesbær
Mon.-Fr.12:00–17:00,Sat.-Sun.13:00–17:00
Access
Freeadmittance
003544213796
[email protected]/listasafn
Reykjanes Art Museum
TheReykjanesArtMuseumoffersasuperbviewofKeflavík’spicturesquemarinaandwasopenedintheyear2003afterextensiverenovations.NewartexhibitionsopenthereeverysixweeksInrecentyearstheartexhibitionsattheReykjanesArtMuseumhavebeenconsideredtobeamongthebestinIcelandregardingqualityandvariety.ThemuseumisverypopularandbenefitsbeingpartoftheCulturalCenterwhichalongwiththeArtMuseum,alsohousesacollectionofmodelboatsandthelocalhistorymuseum,alsoofferingavarietyofmusicalconcertsandculturalevents.
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CULTURE & ARTS
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Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
The Reykjanes Heritage Museum
TheReykjanesHeritageMuseumpresentstemporaryexhibitionswhichaddressspecificaspectsinlocalhistoryoftheregionandsomewhatthewholecountry.AnewexhibitionbytheReykjanesHeritageMuseum,opensinthespringof2012.Itcoversthewinterfishingseason,“Vetrarvertíðin”:ForcenturiesIcelanderstravelledonfootfromtheirhomestothefishingportsinWestandSouth-WestofIceland.TheyarrivedlateinJanuaryandstayedfor3monthsuntillearlyMaywhentheywalkedback.Thiswasthebestseasontocatchthefishasitcamenearerthecoasttospawn.Thefishwasthenhunguptodry.TheseasonalfishingwasveryimportantasdriedfishwaspartofthedailyfoodandthemostimportantexportofIcelanders.Thefoundationoftheseasidetownsandvillagesintheareaisthenearbyrichfishinggroundsasisdepictedintheexhibition.
Duusgata2-8,230Reykjanesbær
Mon.-Fr.12:00–17:00,Sat.-Sun.13:00–17:00
Access
Freeadmittance
003544213796
[email protected]/byggdasafn
www.visitreykjanes.is
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CULTURE & ARTS
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BlackCaveatthemarinainGróf
Everyday.10:00–17:00,
Pavedpathway
Freeadmittance
003544213796/003544216700
The Giantess
TheGiantessinthemountainmovedtotheTownofReykjanesduringthefamilyandculturalfestivalNightofLightsin2008andisnowlocatedinBlackCaveatthemarinainGróf.TheretheGiantesshasbeensettlinginhernicecavewithitssuperbviewoverthebayofKeflavíkandFaxaflói.TheGiantessisoriginallythecreationofauthorHerdísEgilsdóttirwhohaswritten16storiesaboutthelittlegirlSiggaandherfriendtheGiantessinthemountain,thelastonedescribinghermigrationtotheTownofReykjanes.ThedesignandmakingofthecaveandtheGiantesswasinthehandsofNorðanbálartgroup.TheGiantessisfull-sizeandsitssleepinginarockingchairinthekitchen.
www.visitreykjanes.is
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CULTURE & ARTS
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Reykjanes Power Station and Power Plant EarthInmay2006electircalgenerationbeganinReykjanespowerstationandthroughconnectiontothepowerplantanexhibitioninashowroomwasassembledandnamedEarthPowerPlant.Theshowcoversvariouswaysofdevelopingenergyresoursesintheearth.TheplanetsofoursolarsystemhavebeensituatedinrightporportionallaroundtheReykjanesareabutthesunistsinthelavaoutsideofReykjanespowerstationatthemainentrancetotheshowroom.ThepowerstationislocatednearReykjaneslighthouseandGunnuhverhotspringwhicharealsopopulartouristattractions.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
PowerPlantEarth
Reykjanespowerstation
Open:May15th–Sept.15th12:30–16:30Oct.-April,openonrequest
Access
1.500ISK,childrensandgroupdiscounts
003544361000/003548643006
www.powerplantearth.is,www.hs.is
www.visitreykjanes.is
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CULTURE & ARTS
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Kvikan-HouseofcultureandnaturalresourcesinGrindavík.-TouristInformationCentre.“TheresourcesoftheGrindavíkmunicipalityincludehotandcoldwater,hotandcoldsubterraneanseawater,geothermalenergy,untouchednature,wideopenspaces,cleanair,terrestrialandmarinefauna,wind,culture,mineralsandmarineenergy/minerals.”
The exhibition Saltfish MuseumBringstolightourseafaringhistory.Theexhibitionisvery
intriguingforforeigntourists.ThepeopleofGrindavíkhavelongbeenamongthemostprolificintheproductionofdriedsaltedcod.TheexhibitionaboutIceland‘shistoryintheprocessingandsalesofdriedsaltedcodandit‘ssignificancetoIceland‘seconomyisthereforewellplacedinGrindavík.Greatcarewastakentorecreatethehistoryofdriedsaltedcodprocessing,andtheexhibithasattractedmuchattention.Theexhibitionofferslargepictures,atextdetailingthehistoryofdriedsaltedcodprocessingalongwithsomehistoricalobjectsfromcharacteristicharbortownsofold.town.OneisthefamousSaltfish museumandtheotheris
theEarth Energy exhibition,explainingtheutilizationofthegeothermalenergyinthevicinityofGrindavík.ThetouristinformationcenterinGrindavíkislocatedinthe
MagmaHouse.Magma–houseofcultureandnaturalresources,islocated
onlyafewminutesawayfromtheBlueLagoon.
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CULTURE & ARTS
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Earth EnergyExhibitionongeology,geothermalHeatandtheharnessingofenergyfromthebowelsoftheearth.InIcelandthereareuniquepossibilitiestoseeandinvestigatemostofearth’sdynamicprocesses,suchasvolcanismandgeothermalheat,whichistheresultoftheyoungageoftheisland.ItmightbesaidthatIcelandisawindowintothepastaswellasintothefuture.Byreadingthehistoryofthedifferentgeologicalstrataitispossibletoforecastgeologicaleventsthatarelikelytohappenagain.
Theexhibition‘sshowsmanyvideofilms.ItguidestheviewerfromgeneralgeologythroughthegeologyofIceland,ReykjanesandSvartsengi,explaininghowdifferentbranchesoflearningjoininpreliminaryresearchandmonitoringofhigh-temperaturegeothermalareas.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
MagmaHouse
Hafnargata12a,240Grindavík
DailyfromMay15–Sept.1510:00-17:00,Sept.16–May14,Sat.Sun.from11:00-17:00Openedforgroupsbyrequest.
Access
1.200krforadults,8€,10$,forgroups(10+)1.000kr,students500kr.600krforelderly,freeentranceforyoungerthan16yrs.esscortedbyadults.
+3544201190
www.grindavik.is/[email protected]
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At the Kvikan Centre house, guests are introduced to two contemporary and multimedia exhibitions:
CULTURE & ARTS
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Nature Center
TheNatureCenterwasestablishedin1995.Atthecenter,visitorscanlookatvariouskindsoforganismsfromIcelandicnatureandlivinganimalsinseawatertanks.Smallseacreaturesfromthebottomoftheseaorthenearbypondcanbeobservedthroughbinocularmicroscopes.ThestaffoftheNatureCenterorganizefieldworkforthepupilsinelementaryandhighschools.Amongthemostpopularisgoingtotheshoreorthepondandgatheringsamplesoflivingcreaturesandplantsandbringingthemintothecenterwheretheycanstudythemwiththehelpofteachers,staffandthegreatvarietyofbooksonthesubjectfoundthere.ThehistoryofthecommunitySandgerðiaccessibleinwrittenmaterialatthe
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
NatureCenter
Garðvegur1,245Sandgerði
Open,weekdaysfrom09:00–17:00Apr.-Sept.Sat.,Sun.13.00–17.00
ISK600adults,ISK400forelderly,ISK300for16yrsandyounger
+3544237551
www.sandgerdi.iswww.heimskautinheilla.is
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centerandstaffmemberswillprovideinformationaboutthevillageandneighbourhooduponrequest.Atthecenter,therearealsofacilitiesandaccommodationforscientistsdoingresearchinconnectionwiththeBIOICEproject,locatedinthesamebuilding.Now,theNatureCenterishousinganexhibitionabouttheresearchandlifeofthefamousFrenchexplorerandbiologistJean-BaptisteCharcot.HeandhiscrewperishedinhisshipthePourquoiPas?inagreatseastormonthecoastofIcelandin1936.Themuseumisanidealplaceforcurioustouristsandparentswithchildrenthirstingforknowledge.
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The Municipal Museum in Garður
ThemuseumwasfirstopenedinNovember1995intheoldfishprocessinghousesatGarðskagi.ManyimportantitemsfromthemunicipalhistoryofGarðurarelocatedinthemuseum,itemswhichwereessentialforlivelihoodbothon
landandatsea.Abigpartofthemuseumaremaritimeartifactswhichwereusedforfishingandprocessingthefishonshore.WhatmakesthemuseumsouniqueistheenginecollectionofGuðniIngimundarson.Over60enginesofallsortsareondisplayandalmosteveryoneofthemisfunctional.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
TheMunicipalMuseum
Garðskagi
April–Oct.Alldays1:00–17:00,Nov.-Marchbyrequest.
Access
Freeofcharge
003544227220/003548942135
www.visitreykjanes.is
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The Fresh Winds art project TheprojectwasfirstheldinDec.2010andenrolledatotalof60foreignandlocalartists.Theyliveandworkinthetownforupto8weeksatatimeandnowwidespreadaroundthetown,onecanenjoythevariouskindsofoutdoorartpieces.ThisyeartheprojectwillbeheldfromMay25–June24
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Stekkjarkot
Aclassicexampleoftheroughlybuiltturf,stoneandtimberfishermans’cottage,oncecommonontheReykjanespeninsulaandothercoastalareasofIceland,Stekkjarkotwasopenedtothepublicin1993byIceland’sformerpresidentVigdísFinnbogadóttir,followingayearofrestorations.Stekkjarkotprovidesatellinginsightintohowcottagesofthistypelookedlike.Itshistoryasadomesticdwellingispatchy,itwasfirstbuiltduringtheyears1855-1857andoccupiedfor30yearsandthenwasabandoned.In1917itwasrefurbishedbutby1924ithadbeenabandonedonceagainandthistimeforgood.Theolderpartofthecottage,withitsopenhearth,datesbacktothe19thcentury.Thenewerpartdatesfromthefarm’slastdaysofhabitation,bywhichtimefloorboardscoveredthelivingroomandkitchen,acoal-firedstoveprovidedbothcookingfacilitiesandheat,andconditionsforthosewholivedtheredonotseemtohavebeentoobad.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Stekkjarkot
Innri-Njarðvík
Jun.–Aug.Thur.–Sun.13:00–17:00.Otheropeninghoursbyrequest
Freeofcharge
[email protected]/byggdasafn
www.visitreykjanes.is
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The Church in Innri-Njarðvík
BytheinitiativeofÁsbjörnÓlafsson,afarmerinInnri-Njarðvík,achurchwasbuiltonthelocation.Thechurchwasconsecratedin1886andismadefromcarvedrockwhichwasbroughtfromtheshorenearbyandtheheathabovetheinhabitatedarea.MagnúsMagnússon(1842-1887)organizedthecarvingoftherocks.Oneofthethreeclocksinthechurchtowerisanancientclockmadein1725.ThechurchinInnri-Njarðvíkispreserved.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Innri-Njarðvík
Byrequest
2stepsatentrance
Freeadmittance
003546168887
www.visitreykjanes.is
47
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The Church at Útskálar
EinarJónssonfromBrúarhraun(1818-1891)builtthefoundationofthechurchwhichwasconsecratedin1863.TheinteriorofthechurchwaspaintedanddecoratedbyÁkiGränz,amasterpainter.Thechurchispreservedandhasamoderntowerdesign.Itismadefromwood.OneofthemosttragiceventsinIcelandicseahistoryisconnectedtothechurch.OnMarch8th,1685,156fishermendrownedatseainastormbyReykjanes.ManyofthemwerefromNorthIcelandstationedintheregionduringthemainfishingseason.OnMarch11th,42wereburiedinthechurchsgraveyardandthenextdayanother47bodiesdriftedashoreinGarðurandwerealsoburiedinthesamemassgrave.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Garður
Byrequest
Access
Freeadmittance
003544227044/8627044/8946535
www.visitreykjanes.is
49
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The Church at Hvalsnes
ThechurchatHvalsneswasconsecratedin1887.KetillKetilssonfarmerandshipowneratKotvogur,whothenownedthelandatHvalsnesfinancedthebuildingofthechurch.Thechurchispreservedandallofthewoodwascollectedfromtheshoresnearby.Extensiverepairsweremadetothechurchin1945underthesupervisionofthearchitectofthestate.OneofthemostremarkableitemsofthechurchisthegravestoneofSteinunnHallgrímsdóttirwhodiedwhenshewas4yearsoldin1649.ShewasthedaughterofHallgrímurPétursson,Iceland’smostimportantpsalmistwhoatthattimeservedasapriestattheparishinHvalsnes.Thegravestonewaslostforalongtimebutwasdiscoveredagainin1964howeverithadbeenusedasapartofawalkwayleadingtothechurch.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Hvalsnes,Sandgerði
InformationattheNatureCenter
2stepsattheentrance
Freeadmittance
003544237551/003548978007
www.visitreykjanes.is
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The Church at KálfatjörnKálfatjörnisaformerfarm,parsonageandchurchsiteinthetownofVogar.Itwasaparsonageuntil1907whentheparishwasunitedwiththeGarðarparishoftheKjalarnesdeanery.DuringCatholictimes,thechurchwasdedicatedtoSt.Peter.Thepresentchurchwasbuiltin1891andisIceland´slargestruralchurch.Nowpreserved,itsinteriorhasbeenrestoredtoitsoriginalform.Thealtarpiece,areplicaoftheoneintheReykjavíkCatherdral,paintedbySigurðurGuðmundsson,isequallyoldasthechurch.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Kálfatjörn
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Kálfatjörn
Byrequest
No
Freeadmittance
003548480274
Nowebsite
www.visitreykjanes.is
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Kálfatjörn
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The Happy Sailor in Grindavík
AfamilyandportfestivalisheldannuallyinGrindavíkonSeamens´DayatthebeginningofJuneor1.–3.June2012.Itisanentertainingfestivitywhichhonors.HeldontheSeamen’sDayweekend,itisanentertainingfestivitywhichhonorsearliertimeswhichinfluencedthelocalcommunity.Sinceitsestablishment,seamanshipandseagoinghavebeenthemainsourcesofemploymentandincomefortheinhabitantsofGrindavík.FormoreinformationvisitGrindavík’sofficialhomepagewww.grindavik.is or www.visitgrindavik.is
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Midsummer night hike in Þorbjörn
Annually,theBlueLagoonandtheGrindavíkmunicipalitysponsoraMidsummernighthikeonthemountainÞorbjörnonJune23.Onthetopofthemountainthereisentertainmentwhichincludessingingandacampfire.ThewalkendsattheBlueLagoonwhichisopenpastmidnightthatevening.Thisisanentertainingeventforthewholefamily.ForinformationabouttheforthcomingMidsummernighthikevisittheofficialwebsiteofGrindavíkwww.grindavik.isorwww.bluelagoon.com or www.visitgrindavik.is
Other weekend hiking toursGuidedhikingtourswillbeheldduringEasterweekendandBankers´HolidayweekendinAugust(Verslunarmannahelgi)inGrindavíkwhereparticipantscanenjoythebeautifulandunusualnatureandlistentotheinterestinghistoryofthearea.Moreinfoatwww.grindavik.is
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Þorbjörn museumThefishingcompanyÞorbjörninGrindavíkisoneofthelargestinIceland.In2010thecompanyopenedamuseum’svariedexhibitionstoshowthedevelopmentofthecompanyandIcelandicfishindustryandcoastculture,in9windowsatHafnargata12.Noadmission.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Hafnargata12,240Grindavík
Everyday
Access
NoAdmission
+3544204400
www.visitreykjanes.is
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Grindavík sheep round-up
AnnuallysheepfarmersinGrindavíkgathertheirsheepfromtheirsummergrazingareasontheReykjanespeninsula,frommountainsandheatherlands.Theannualround-upisheldinGrindavíkinthemiddleofSeptemberandattractsmanyfamiliesontheirweek-endtripintothetown.
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The Sunset Festival on Garðskagi
TheSunsetFestivalonGarðskagiistrulyafestivalforthewholefamily.ThefestivitiesareheldannuallyonGarðskagiinthemiddleofthesummernowJune21–24.Thefacilityisidealforcamperswithtents,trailertentsandWinnabegos.ThesunsetonGarðskagiisauniquevisionandthetimingofthefestivalisappropriatebecauseofthesummersolsticeandthesunsetglittersontheoceanwhilecitizensofGarðurandtheirguestssingandcelebratearoundthecampfire.Formoreinformationaboutthefestival’sdateeachyearaswellastheschedulevisitthefollowingwebsite: www.svgardur. is/ferdathonusta/solseturshatid
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Family Days in Vogar
EachsummerinAugustaFamilyDayisheldinVogarinVatnsleysuströnd.Atthistimethefamilyisintheforefrontandeveryoneiswelcome.Theprogramismostlyarrangedbythelocalsandmadetofitallagesoffamilymembers.Amongotherthingsforamusementaresoap-soccer,fishingintheharbour,home-madecarraceandmanyotherinterestingandamusingthings.Alsolookforothereventsandmoreinformationaboutthefestivalonwww.vogar.is
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Sandgerðisdays in Sandgerði
OnthelastweekendinAugustanannualfamilyfestivalisheldinSandgerðiwhichemphasizestheenjoymentofpeoplecomingtogetherandentertainingeachother.ManyeventsareheldfromFridaytoSundaybecausethenallofthelocalcitizensputforththeefforttomaketheweekendasmemorableaspossible.FormoreinformationvisittheofficialwebpageofSandgerði:www.sandgerdi.is
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The Night of LightsReykjanes family and cultural festival
Asthebrightnightsofsummergivewaytotheshorterdaysofautumn,thefirstSaturdayofSeptemberseesthestagingofthehighlypopularNightofLights,theReykjanesFestivalofcultureandfamily.NowafixedeventinIceland’sculturalcalendar,theevent,whichdespiteitsnameisnowstagedoverfourdaysfromThursdaytoSunday,offersguestsatasteoftheverybestinlocalculture,culminatinginaspectacularfireworksdisplaywhichthisyearwillbestagedonSaturday,September1st.Theever-growingcelebrationoflocalculture-lastyear’s
festivalincludedmorethan100separateeventsandattractedsome60,000visitors.TheNightofLightsofferssomethingforeveryone,rangingfromart,theatreandmusicperformedbygroupsandindividuals,toaspectacularfinaleunderablazeoffireworks.Whateveryourculturalinterests,TheNightofLightshas
somethingtoofferyou.SomakeadatetocomeseeusandsamplethisuniqueeventduringthefirstweekendinSeptember.
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The Rock Museum of Rúnar Júl.
TheRockMuseumofRúnarJulisamuseumdedicatedtothememoryofIceland´smostbelovedmusicianandKeflavík´sownson.Itislocatedwherehelivedandworked.ThemuseumalsohousestherecordlabelandrecordingstudioofGeimsteinn.RúnarwasoneofIceland´smostprolificmusiciansandinspiredandhelpedothermusiciansduringhiscareer.
Reykjanesbær
Sandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Skólavegur12,Reykjanesbær
Byagreement
Access
1.000kr,groupdiscountavailable.
+3544212717,+3548612062,+3548637515
[email protected],www.runarjul.is
www.visitreykjanes.is
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Fjóla, handmade jewelry Hafnargata21,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544211011,[email protected],www.skart.is
Gallery „hans“ og Grétu, Vesturbraut8,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3548499610/8943833
Gallery Sjólist,Verbraut3,240Grindaví[email protected]
Gallery Helga Kristjánsdóttir, Vörðusundi1,240Grindavíktel.+3546948245
Gallery Anna Sigga, Þórkötlustaðirvestur,240Grindavíktel.+3548664567
Gallery Listatorg,Vitatorg,245Sandgerði,[email protected],www.listatorg.is/www.245.is
Blue Lagoon shopattheBlueLagoon
Glass workshop, Iceglass, Grófin2,230Reykjanesbæ[email protected].+3548570850
Hjördís Hafnfjörð – Haddý, glass workshop,Freyjuvellir5,230Reykjanesbærtel.+3544212405/[email protected]
Raven design, FjósiðíKoti,260Njarvík,tel.+3546616999/[email protected],www.ravendesign.is
Íslenskt handverk, GuðnýIðavellir11b,230Reykjanesbærtel.+3548971827www.icelandcraft.com
Reynir Katrínarson, HvítVíðbláinn,Gauksstaðavegi2,250Garður.tel.+3548612004
ARTS & CRAFTS
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Svarta Pakkhúsið, Hafnargata4,230Reykjanesbær,[email protected],www.svartapakkhusid.com
Jöklaljós, candle-workshop, Grófin2,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544237694/[email protected],www.joklaljos.is
Innrömmun Suðurnesja, Paintings&Frames,Mardalur9,260Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3546943160
Handcraft workshop,ígamlavitavarðarhúsinu,Garðskaga,250Garðurtel.+3546926596
Gallerý átta, Hafnargötu26,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+8922686/+8689863+8688826Hlaðan – Artist residency, Minni-Vogum,Egilsgötu8,190Vogar,www.hladan.org
Vatnsnes Art Workshop & Gallery, Vatnsnesvegi8,230ReykjanesbæStudiola design,[email protected],Reynir Katrínarson, tel.+3548612004Reykjanes-Lava,[email protected],tel.+3548625264
Stakkavík Xperience Fish,Bakkalág15b,240Grindavík.tel.+354-4208000
Utility market, culture and art, by the harbour,Víkurbraut6,230Reykjanesbær.
Skansinn –Weekend Flee-market,Rammi,Seylubraut,Innri-Njarðvík,260Reykjanesbær+3548473225
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STOPOVER TOURS culturalanddesigntours
StartorendyourvisittoIcelandinauniqueathmosphereatthehomeorworkshopoflocaldesignersandhandicraftpeopleinReykjanespeninsula.Theywillwelcomeus,tellusthestorybehindtheirwork,showyouaroundandintroduceyoutolocalspecialities.
Thedrivetakesabout10minfromKeflavikAirportandabout40minfromReykjavík.
The tour • Everydayoftheweek• Duration3-4hours• Englishspeakingguide.• Transportation–Pickupanddrop-off fromyourhotelorKeflavíkAirport• Taxfreerefundguidance
Location Reykjanes Peninsula Open ByrequestPrice 9.900ISKperpersonPhone+3548446544Emailinfo@reykjavikconcierge.comWebsitewww.reykjavikconcierge.com
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The Settlement of ReykjanesThefirstIcelandicsettlers,whocametoIcelandaround874AD,werechieflyofNordicextraction,mostlyfromthewestcoastofNorway.InIcelandtheycouldfarmjustastheyhadintheoldcountry,raisinglivestockandcrops.Therewererichfishinggroundsjustoffthecoast,andtheseaalsoproducedotherbenefitssuchasdriftwood,walruses,birdsandwhales.IngólfurArnarson,thefirstsettler,claimedallthelandwestoftheÖlfusáriver,whichisnowcalledtheReykjanespeninsula.Hethenallocatedlandtofivemenandonewoman.Steinunn
Steinunn the aged, the first permanent settler on the Reykjanes Peninsula - a painting by the local artist Áki Gränz
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theAgedwasarelativeofIngólfur;hegaveherthenorthernpartofthepeninsula,forwhichsherepaidhimwithaknittedcoat.ShegavehercloserelativeEyvindurthelandthatisnowcalledVogar.Ingólfurgavelandtotwootherrelatives,toHerjólfurBárðarsonthelandfromHafnirtothetipofReykjanes,andtoÁsbjörnÖssurarsontheareabetweenhisownlandandthatofEyvindur.Moldar-GnúpursettledinGrindavíkandÞórirhaustmyrkur(“autumndarkness”)settledtotheeastofGrindavík.
Steinunn the aged, the first permanent settler on the Reykjanes Peninsula - a painting by the local artist Áki Gränz
Hafnir archeological excavationThereisaninterestingarcheologicalexcavationtakingplaceinthesmallvillageofHafnir.AsitefromVikingageisbeingexavatedandthefindingshaveraisedmanyquestions.Themostimportantoneis;whyaretherenooutbuildingsforthefarmanimals?
Archaeologists working on site in ruins of a farm in Hafnir.
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Selatangar isanoldfishingstation,usedfromtheMiddleAgesuntil1884.Fromhereduringthemainfishingseasoninwinter,seamenrowedouttoseainopenboats.Roughandsmall,madefromcarvedlavarock,onecanstillseeremainsoffishermenshutsandshedswherestockfishwasstored.Theyhavebeendeclaredinviolate.ThebishopattheSkálholtepiscopalseehadafishingstationthere.Duringthelastcentury,visitorswereharrassedbyanespeciallymalevolentghostcalledTanga-Tómas.DriftwoodwasinabundanceatSelatangarinthepast,butlessnowadays.Thesurroundingsaregrandious,lowmountainsandlavafields.Atrackfor4wd-vehiclesliesdowntotheruinsandtheKetill,astrangelavaformation,onthecoastfromtheroadtoGrindavík(427).
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The “Turkish” raidIntheyear1627,piratesfromAlgiersraidedIceland.TheyfirstattackedtheWestmanIslands,thenarrivedatGrindavíkonJune20.TheAlgerianpirateswereknownas“Turks”inIceland,asAlgeriawasthenapartofthehugeOttomanEmpire.TheyseizedIcelandersandDanesandsoldthemintoslaveryinNorthAfrica.NoonewaskilledintheraidonGrindavík,buttwowereinjured.SomeoftheenslavedprisonerswerelaterransomedandeventuallyreturnedtoIceland;oneofthem,GuðríðurSímonardóttir,marriedtheRev.HallgrímurPétursson,authoroftheHymnsofthePassionandanotherisHalldór,thegrandfatherofJónÞorkelssonThorkilliustheprincipal.
The Básendar Storm and FloodBásendarisanancientfishingoutfitandatradingpostjustsouthofStafnes.ItwasoneoftheharboursoftheDanishTradeMonopolypostscomprisingHafnir,StafnesandMidnes.DuringthenightofJanuary9th1799acatastrophictidalflooddevastatedBatsendar.Itsweptmostofthehousesawayandsomeofthepeoplebarelyescaped.Onlyoneoldwomandrowned.Thiswasthemostdevastating,tidalfloodinthehistoryofthecountry.
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HúshólmiTheHúshólmiareaisasocalled„clearing“overwhichthelavaÖgmundarhraundidn´tflowduringaneruptionintheyear1151.ThelavacameflowingfromvulcaniccratersontheeastsideofNúpshlíðarhálshilldowntotheshore.Accordingtoarchaeologists,inthewesternpartofthe„clearing“areruinsoftheancientKrýsuvíkfarm,datedbacksincebeforetheyear900.Theruinsareapartofahomeandmostlikelyachurchandasemitary.Aninterestingsiteworthvisitingbutcanonlybemadeonfoot.
StafnesStafneswasamansioninthepast.Thereweremanyfishingoutfitsonthepropertyandmanypeoplelivedthereduringthefishingseasons.RoyalDanishfishingoutfitsstartedoperatingtherearoundthemiddleofthe16thcenturyandwereabolishedin1769.TheinhabitantsoftheKing´spropertiesintheSouthwestwereobligedtoworkontheKing´sboats
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Mynd skv lista
againstlowpay.Duringthe17thand18thcenturies,StafneswasthemostpopulousfishingoutfitontheReykjanesPeninsula.ManyvesselshaverunagroundontheStafnesSkerries.In1928thetrawlerPresidentJonranagroundthere,15ofthecrewdrowned,but10wererescued.ThisandothersimilaraccidentsledtotheestablishmentofTheLifeSavingAssociationofIceland.ConsiderablesealhuntingwaspracticedatStafnesinearliertimes.StafnesvitilighthousestandsinbetweenthetownsSandgerðiandHafniratStafnesandwasbuiltin1925.Itstands8m.tallbuiltofconcretesementandstandsonaconcretestall.Itispaintedyellow.
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Hallgrímur PéturssonHallgrímur(1614-74),regardedasIceland’sgreatestreligiouspoet,isbestknownforhisHymnsofthePassion.Firstpublishedin1666,theHymnsofthePassionhavebeentranslatedintomanyotherlanguages,includingLatinandChinese.ForcenturiesIcelandershavereadtheHymnsofthePassion,alongwiththeBible,forinspirationandspiritualcomfort.During
LentthehymnsarestillreadtodayinallmajorchurchesinIceland.Asayoungman,HallgrímurwenttoDenmarktotrainasablacksmithbutfollowingtheadviceoftheRev.BrynjólfurSveinsson,laterbishopofSkálholt,Hallgrímurdecidedtotrainforthepriesthoodinstead.In1637hereturnedtoIcelandafterfiveyearsofstudy,andsettledinNjarðvík,avillageonSuðurnes.HewasappointedtoHvalsnesChurchinthevillageofSandgerði,whereheservedforsevenyears.Hewasalreadyknownforhispoetry,butachievedtruefameafterhisdeath.AtHvalsnesthegravestoneofhisbeloveddaughterSteinunn,whodiedattheageoffour,wasdiscoveredduringbuildingwork.Thestone,believedtohavebeencutbyHallgrímur’sownhand,istheonlyobjectofHallgrímur’smakinginexistence.Onthedeathofhislittlegirl,HallgrímurwrotethehymnwhichisstillsungateveryfuneralinIceland.
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Jón Þorkelsson and Sveinbjörn EgilssonJónÞorkelssonThorkillius(1697-1759)andSveinbjörnEgilsson(1791-1852),bothborninInnri-Njarðvík,werecloserelatives.JónwasprincipalofthecathedralschoolatSkálholt.HewasaremarkablemanwithagreatinterestineducationandschoolsinIceland.Awealthyman,heleftallhisworldlygoodstofoundschoolsinKjalarnesdistrict,andhencehehasbeencalledthefatherofprimaryeducationinIceland.Amonumentwaserectedbesidethechurchinhismemoryin1965.Sveinbjörntoowasascholar,andthefirstprincipalofReykjavíkHighSchoolin1846.Hewasagreatpoet,translatorandagrammarianwhowroteadictionaryofIcelandicskaldiclanguage,theLexiconPoëticum.HismostfamousworksarehistranslationsofHomer.Hetooiscommemoratedbyamonumentatthechurch.
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The Nato baseAfterthesigningoftheIceland–U.S.DefenceAgreementin1951,aNATObasewasestablishedatKeflavíkAirport.Ahugeconstructionprogrammewaslaunchedtoupgradetheairportfacilitiesandhousethe5,000militarypersonnelonthebase.Inthe1950sconstructionworkonthebase,togetherwithincreaseddemandforvariousservicestothemilitaryprovidedahugeboosttolocalcommunities;theirpopulationrosefromabout5,000toabout9,000.Inaddition,thenumberofservicemenandtheirfamiliesincreaseduntilthebasebecamethesixth-largestcommunityinIceland.By1960,approximatelyoneofeveryfiveworkersinKeflavíkwasemployedonthebase.ThisworkaffectedKeflavíkandNjarðvíkthemost,whereasGrindavík,Hafnir,SandgerðiandGarðurremainedforthemostparttraditionalfishingvillages.BytheendoftheColdWar,theimportanceofthebasedeclined,andafter1990operationsgraduallywounddown.
OnSeptember30th,2006thebasefinallycloseddown.AllthebuildingsandotherstructureswerehandedovertotheIcelandicstate,andtodaytheareahousesauniversityandcampus,andotherservicesandindustriesaredevelopingthere.
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HISTORY
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Stapi Cliff Vogastapiwasnamed“TheHeiferCoveCliff”,later“TheCoveCliff”andsometimesjust“TheCliff”bytheinhabitantsofthearea.Itisan80m.high,doleritehillockbetweenCovesVogavikandNjardvik.Itisprecipitoustowardsthesea,buthasagradualgradientinland.Itismostlysparselyvegetatedandsomewhatbarreninplaces.ThemainroadtothewesterncommunitiesandtheinternationalairportinKeflavikcrossesit.Theviewfromitshighestpoint,Grimsholl,isexcellentandaviewdialexplainsthetopographicalnamesofthesurroundings.UptothisdatetheVogastapiAreaishauntedbyaghost,whichhasmisleadpeopleoffthebrinkofthecliff.Duringthemotorizedage,someofthepassersbyhavenoticedabeingcarryingitsheadunderitsarmandsometimesdriverstravellingalonespotteditintheirrearviewmirrorssittinginthebackseats.Tocommemoratetheearlierexistenceofthethisfigure,rockstatueshavebeenerectedtoremindtravellersacrosstheVogastapitobeaware.Otherrockstatuesnearbywereerctedtoremindusofthesecuritycarinscalled„TheTurkCairns“whichwereusedtogivesignsduringthe„Turskishraid“intheyear1627.
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Staðarborg sheep shelterStadarborgisasheepshelter,approx.30minwalksoutheastfromchurchKalfatjorninVogar.Itisroundinshapeandconstructedskilfullyfromlavarocks.Itisabouttwometreshigh,8mindiameter,and35mincircumferance.Nosourcesrevealitsage,butitisconsideredtobeafewcenturiesold.Accordingtothelegend,amannamedGudmundurbuiltitforthereverendatKalfatjorn.
Hecollectedstonesfromthesurroundingareaandplannedtoclosethesheepshelterwithaconeshapedroofofstones,butthereverendenvisionedithigherandmoreprominentthanhischurch´ssteepleandstoppedtheconstructionwork.Thestonemasonleftitexactlyasweseeittoday.Itwasdeclaredinviolatein1951
Ljósmyndari: Björgvin Hreinn Guðmundson
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Reykjanes nature reserve Thenaturereserveisabout300squarekilometresandisbyfarthelargestregionofitskindinIceland.ItisborderedintheeastbythedistrictsofGullbringaandÁrnessýslaandinthenorthitconnectswiththeBláfjöllnaturereserve.ThewesternbordersofthenaturereservearewestofUndirhlíðarandNúpshlíðarhálsandastraightlinetotheseaatSelatangar.Thesouthernmostbordersfollowthecoastline.TheonlybiglakeisKleifarvatnThelandisveryhilly,twoverydistinctiveridgescutthroughthelandscapeinNASVdirectionandtheyareabout300-400metresabovesealevel,NúpshlíðarhálsandSveifluháls.Brennisteinsfjöllarelocatedintheeasternmostpartofthenaturereserveandthereareafewmountainsthatare500-600metresabovesea
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level.TheoldesteruptionsincehistoricaltimesistheBláfjöllmountainridgeeruptionwhichbeganintheyear930andlastedforabout100years.TheseconderuptionperiodisnamedafterKrýsuvík.Themaineruptionofthatperiodwasin1151whena25kilometer-longfissureopenedandlavaflowedintotheseabothonthenorthernpart(theKapelluhraunlava)andsouthernpart(theÖgmundarhraunlava)oftheReykjanespeninsula.ThethirderuptionperiodwhichiscalledReykjaneseruptionandlastedfrom1210-1240.ThiseruptionwasonthepointofthepeninsulaandpartlyintheseawhereEldeyrosefromtheoccean.Thevolcanicactivityalignsitselfontheso-callederuptionfissureswheretherearevolcanoesandopenfissures.Thereareoftenriftvalleysalongtheeruptionfissuresandthechainsofcraters.
Kleifarvatn
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Krýsuvík
TheKrýsuvíkgeothermalareaisapopularrecreationaldestination,withmanyinterestinghikingpaths.TheGrænavatnandGestastaðavatnlakesandthetwosmallpoolsoneachsideoftheroadfurthersouth,Augun(Eyes),areallexplosioncraterscreatedbyvolcaniceruptionsatvarioustimes.Grænavatnlakeisthelargest,some46metresdeep,withgreenwaterduetothermalalgae.LakeKleifarvatnisthelargestlakeontheReykjanespeninsula,9.1km²,andoneofthecountry’sdeepestlakes,at97metres.Itvariesinsizeovertheyear.Accordingtolegendamonsterintheshapeofaserpentasbigasamedium-sizedwhalelurksinthelake.Krýsuvíkwasonceaseparateparish,withoneofthelargestestatefarmsinthecountryandmanytenants’crofts.Itshouldbekeptinmindthatthearea’smagnificentnatureisverydelicateandmustbetreatedwithgreatcareandrespect.
ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Reykjavík
KrýsuvíkBridge Between Continents
Gunnuhver
Eldey
Keilir
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Reykjavík
Krýsuvík
Keilir
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ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
SelatangarKatlahraun
The Katlahraun lava.ThelavawhichcreatedtheKetill(pot,kettle)flowedfromcraterscalledMoshólar(themainroadnowrunsthroughit)approx.2000yearsago.Thesurfcooledthelavaandaroundpondwasformedwiththeboilinglavainside.Thepoisonousgasesfromwithinfounditswayouttothesurfaceandalava-chimneywasformed.Thesurfaceofthelavapondhardenedbutthehotlavabeneatheventuallybrokethrough,formingtunnelsandroughedgesuntilthepondwasempty.Thehardenedsurfacefinallyfellandbrokedownshapingtheareawithlotsofbrokenflatlavarocksandthemassivelava-chimneystillstanding.Atrackfor4wd-vehiclesliesdowntotheKetillandSelatangar-ruinsonthecoastfromtheroadtoGrindavík(427).
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Gunnuhver hot springThebiggesthotmudspringinIcelandwithacrater20metresincircumference.Thenamederivesfromafemalespectrewhoalivewasadirtpoorcrofterindeptwithherlandlord.Hetookheronlycookingpot.MadwithrageGunnacursedthe
Eldey islandEldeyisasheer77-metrehighrockprotrudingoutoftheseaabout15kmtothesouthofthesouthwesternmosttipoftheReykjanespeninsula.ThestructureofEldeyisbasaltichyaloclastitesanditis0,03m2inarea.Itistheinnermostofachainofskerriesstandingonashallow,submarineridge,whichstretches45seamilesoffshoretothesouthwest.ThenameofthischainisFuglaskerorEldeyjar.OneofthoseskerrieswasGeirfuglasker,wherethelastbreedingcoloniesoftheGreatAukwaslocated.Geirfuglaskerdisappearedmostlyfromthesurfaceduringsubmarineeruptionsin1830.OneofthebiggestgannetcoloniesoftheworldstillsurvivesonEldey.Accordingtoacountwhichwasmadein1949,thenumberofgannetsbreedingthereduringthesummerwas70.000.
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landlord,droppeddeadandbecameaspectre.Shewasfinallyabletokillhertormentorandthenturnedtohaunthumansandanimalsalike,untilthepastorandwizardatVogsósarusingsorceryforcedherintothisbigmudspring.Thosewithsecondsightcanseeandhearherattheedgeofthecraterrunningandhowlingliketheghostsheis.SteamingofthegroundatReykjanesincreasedmarkedlyasaconsequenceofapressuredrawdowninthegeothremalreservoiruponthestartofproductionfromthereservoirin2006.TworampsarelocatedattheGunnuhvergroupofhotspringswithagoodviewoverthethearea.GunnuhveristheheartinafuturegeoparkwheretheNorthAtlanticridgeisrisingfromtheocean,youfind100differentcratersandlava,birdcliffs,highgeothermalarea,sandbeach,TheBridgeBetweenContinents,powerplant,lighthousesandexhibitionsamongstotherthings.
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RUSSIA
FINLAND
AUSTRIA
ITALY
SPAIN
ICELAND
SWEDEN
NORWAY
GERMANY
FRANCE
PORTUGAL
HUNGARY
ROMANIA
BULGARIA
TURKEY
DENMARK
POLANDBELARUS
UKRAINE
U. K.
CZECH REPUBLIC
SLOVAKI
GREECE
CYPRUS
ANDORRA
NETH.
BELGIUM
IRELAND
ALBANIA
MOLDOVA
LITHUANIA
LATVIA
ESTONIA
LUX.
CROATIASLOVENIA
SWITZERLAND
MACEDONIA
Mediterranean Sea
NorthAtlanticOcean
Bay of Biscay
Gulfof
Bothnia
NorthSea
NorwegianSea
TyrrhenianSea
IonianSea
Aegean
BlackSea
English Channel
Adriatic
BalticSea
Sea
Sea
BOSNIASERBIA
MONTENEGRO
250 Km
250 Mi0
0
KOSOVO
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Keilir
Keilirisahyaloclastitemountain.Itwascreatedduringsubglacialeruptionsduringtheiceage.Itsshapemakesitdistinctiveandaccordingtogeologists,itisprobablyacraterplug.Inspiteofitssteepslopes,itisnottoodifficulttoclimb,andtheviewfromitstoponafinedayistoberemembered.KeiliristhemostdistinctivelandmarkofReykjanesandasymboloftheReykjanespeninsula.Ontopofthemountainisaconcretetablewithaviewdirectionmaponametalplate.
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Bridge Between Continents
Thelava-scarredReykjanespeninsulaliesononeoftheworld’smajorplateboundaries,theMid-AtlanticRidge.Accordingtothecontinentaldrifttheory,theEurasianandNorthAmericantectonicplatesarecontinuouslydriftingapartwithgreatforcesunderthegapingrifts.Astheplatesdiverge,linearfractures,knownasfissuresformduetostressescreatedbythetensionthatbuildsupastheplatesmoveawayfromeachother.ThebridgebetweentwocontinentsatSandvíkisasmallfootbridgeoveramajorfissurewhichprovidesclearevidenceofthepresenceofadivergingplatemargin.ThebridgewasbuiltasasymbolfortheconnectionbetweenEuropeandNorthAmerica.OnecancrossthecontinentaldivideonLeiftheLucky’sBridgeandtakehomeapersonalisedcertificateatReykjanesInformationCenterasconfirmationandareminderofthisspectacularexperience.
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Birdlife
OntheKrýsuvíkurbergandHafnabergcliffs,thousandsofseabirdsnesteachsummer.Themostcommonareguillemot,razorbill,Brünnich’sguillemot,kittiwake,puffin,blackguillemot,fulmarandcormorant.Krýsuvíkurbergis50metreshigh,andabout57.000pairsofseabirdsnestonthesecliffs.ThehighestpointofHafnabergis43metres,and
itsestimatedpopulationofseabirdsis6.000pairs.FourteenkilometresoffthesouthwestofthepeninsulaisEldeyisland,hometooneofthelargestgannetcoloniesintheworld.ThegannetisthelargestseabirdintheNorthAtlanticOcean,andabout16.000pairsnesteachyearontheisland,whichisonly0.03km2inarea,andupto77metreshigh.Oftenseenbetweenthemainlandandtheislandaredolphinsorwhales.Thegreatskuaandarcticskuaarecommoninsummer,scavengerssnatchingtheirfoodfromotherseabirds.Bynaturetheskuaisnotableto
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diveforfoodlikeotherseabirds.Othercommonbirdsonthecoastaregulls,suchasthegreatandlesserblack-backed,glaucousandherringgulls.Thearcticternisamongthemostcommonbirdsinthepeninsula,mostlyfoundincoloniesonthetipofReykjanes,eastofGrindavíkandbetweenGarðurandSandgerði.WhimbrelswhichbreedintheSuðurnesareaspendthewinterin
Africa,andarcticternsmigratetotheAntarctic.Thegoldenplover,oystercatcherandsnipearemigratorybirdswhicharecommoninthearea,whilethepurplesandpiperisoneofthefewIcelandicwaderswhichdoesnotmigrate.Amongpasserines,theredwingandsnowbuntingarecommon,andthestarlingremainsinIcelandallyearround.Thelargestpasserineistheraven.TheeiderisbyfarthemostcommonspeciesofduckinIceland.IntheSuðurnesareatheeideriseconomicallyimportant,asfarmersharvestthevaluabledownfromeidernests.Thegreylaggoosenestsinthelowlands,andthewhooperswanistheonlyspeciesofswanwhichbreedsinIceland.
Reykjanesbær
Fitjar
Sandgerði Hólmsberg
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Reykjavík
Hafnaberg
Krísuvíkurberg
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ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Svartsengi,Grindavík
Dailyfrom9am-9pm(1/6-31/8)andfrom10am-8pm(1/9-31/5)
Access
Admissioncharged
003544208800
The Blue Lagoon– Geothermal spaTheBlueLagoonisIceland’smostuniqueandpopularattraction,locatedinGrindavíkmunicipalityandonly40minutesfromReykjavíkand20minutesfromKeflavíkInternationalAirport.Guestsenjoyrelaxingingeothermalseawater,knownforitspositiveeffectsontheskin.AvisittotheBlueLagoonpromotesharmonybetweenbody,mindandspirit,andenablesyoutosoakawaythestressesofmodernlife.TheBlueLagoonisoneofthe25wondersoftheworldaccordingtoNationalGeographic,statingthattheBlueLagoonisageothermalgiftofnatureInadditiontobathingintheLagoonguestshaveaccesstoasaunawithaviewoftheLagoonandasteambathwithwhitewallsthatresemblesilicamud.Guestscanalsostandbeneathawaterfallforanenergizingmassage.TheBlueLagoonoffers
Blue Lagoon
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bothin-waterandindoorspatreatmentsandmassagesbasedonthegeothermalseawater’sactiveingredients:minerals,silicaandalgae.TheExclusiveBath&Loungeisanoptionforguestslookingformoreprivacy.Thisnoveltyfeaturesprivatechangingrooms,amodernlydesignedloungewithafireplaceandareservedindoorLagoon.LightrefreshmentsareservedandcertaindishesfromLavaRestaurantcanbeordered.LavaRestaurantoffersauniquediningexperience.Itisbuiltintothecliffsoitfeaturesanaturallavawall,addingtoitsuniqueness.BlueCaféisatthemainfloorandoffersquickandhealthychoices.WirelessInternetconnectionisonthesite.LagoonBarislocatedattheindoorandtheoutdoorbathingareaandofferslightrefreshments,whichcanbeconvenientlycreditedtotheentrancebraceletandpaidupondeparture.TheBlueLagoonshopoffersthecompleteBlueLagoonskincarelineandselectedgiftitemsandsouvenirs.
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1 WaterWorldWaterWorldinthetownofReykjanesisoneofthesplendidpoolsinIceland.Thereyoucanfinda25moutdoorpool,hottubs,steambaths,a50mindoorpoolaswellasafantasticactivitypoolfortheyoungerfamilymembers.
Sunnubraut31,230Keflavík,Tel:003544211500Open:6:45-20:00weekdays,8:00-18:00onweekends.Noadmissionfeeforchildren.
2 GarðurGarðbraut,250Garður,Tel:003544227300
Open:Mon.-Fri.07.00-21.00/Sat.-Sun.10.00-16.00
3 SandgerðiSportscenter,245Sandgerði,Tel:003544207510Open:Mon.-Fri.07.00-21.00Sat.-Sun.10.00-15.00/17.00duringsummerseason.
4 VogarHafnargata17,190VogarTel:003544406220Open:Mon.-Fri.09:00-20:00DuringsummerseasonSat.-Sun.10:00-16:00During
ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
Blue Lagoon
Swimming Pools in Reykjanes
1
23
4
5
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summerseasonNoadmissionforchildren18yrsandyounger,elderlycitizensandthedisabled.
5 GrindavíkTheGrindavíkswimmingpoolis25mandoutdoors.Alwayswarmwithgeothermalhotwaterithasawaterslide,aplaygroundforchildrenandhotpots.Austurvegur,240Grindavík,Open:Mon.-Fri.07.00-20.00Sat.-Sun.10.00-15.00/17.00duringthesummerseason.
WaterWorld
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Golf Courses in Reykjanes
1 Links Leira Golf Club. 18 holes – Golfklúbbur Suðurnesja ReykjaneshasmanygreatgolfcoursesbuttheoptimumgolfcourseisHólmsvölluratLeira.ThegolfclubofSuðurnesoperatesHólmsvölluratLeirawhichwasestablishedonmarch4th1964.Itisaspectacular18-holegolfcourseinabeautifulareanexttotheseaside.Atthegolfcoursethegolferhasaccesstoalltheserviceheneedsforexamplepracticegreens,drivingrangeandagolfstorewhichisopenfrom9-22everyday.Everydayyoucanrentgolfcarts,golfbagsandgolfcars.www.golf.is/gs [email protected]: 421-4100
2 Kirkjubólsvöllur. 18 holesGolfklúbbur Sandgerðiswww.golf.is [email protected] Tel. 00 354 423 7802 / 00 354 863 7756
3 Kálfatjarnarvöllur. 9 holes
GolfklúbburVatnsleysu-strandarhreppswww.gvsgolf.is [email protected] Tel. 00 354 424 6529
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4 Húsatóftavöllur. 18 holes - Golfklúbbur GrindavíkurHusatoftavollurisa18holegolfcoursesituated4kmfromtheBlueLagoonontheReykjanespeninsula.Thefirstfiveholesstretchalongthecoastlineandtheothereightareabovethehighwaywheretheyslitherintothelavawhichsurroundsthefairwaysandgreens.Thelastfiveholesalongthecoastareplayedagaintofinishthe18holes.Thegolfcourseisrathereasytowalkeventhoughitisbeautifullybuiltintothehillylandscapewithabreathtakingview.www.gggolf.is [email protected]. Tee times: Tel 00 354 426 8720 / 00354 847 1847
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All terrain vehicles – ATV4x4
ATV-adventuresislocatedjusta5min.drivefromtheBlueLagoonandisspecializedinreceivingsmallandlargegroupsofpeople.Justgetincontactandwewillorganizetheeventwhetheritisasurpriseevent,yourcompany’sannualevent,afamilyeventorjustsomethingyouwouldliketotry.Almostanythinggoes.Herearesomeofourscheduledtrips:
WerideonATVbetweenlavaandblacksandupbetweentwomountainsandrideupontoonewhereweexpectagoodviewovertheBlueLagoonandtheislandEldey.WeridetotheKrýsuvíknaturereserveoveronemountain
andtothelavabeachtoseeruinsoffishermenshuts,Selatangar.WeridethroughtheReykjanespeninsulawhereweseethetipofReykjanes,theReykjaneslighthouse
Tangasund1,240Grindavík
Allyear.
Seewebsitefortariffanddetails
003548573001
ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
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andpartsoftheMid-AtlanticRidgethatliesbetweenthecontinentsofNorthAmericaandEurope.WedrivethroughthebeachewhereClintEastwoodandcrewmadehisfilm“FlagsofOurFathers”.Stopforalightrefreshment.Thereisnoagelimitforpassengers,butadriverslicenceneedstobepresentedfortheATVdriver.Necessarygearisofferedforvisitorsonthesetripssuchas,gloves,helmetwithheadlightandwarmwaterproofoverallclothingforuseincavesandcraters.PickupfromhotelsinKeflavík,ReykjavíkandBlueLagoon
byrequest.
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Arctic HorsesArcticHorsesoffershorsebackridestothebestdestinationsoftheotherworldlyReykjanesPeninsulainsouthwesternIceland,andistheonlystableridingnearthegeothermalBlueLagoonSpa.Wearea5minutedrivefromtheBlueLagoon.Icelandichorsesaretheeasiesthorsestorideintheworld,andourexperiencedguideswillhappilyteachyou.
Hópsheiði16,240Grindavík
Open1.Mar.-31.Oct.
Seewebsitefortariffanddetails
003548480143
www.arctichorses.com,[email protected]
ReykjanesbærSandgerði
Grindavík
Garður
Vogar
Hafnir
Keflavík Airport
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Salty toursTheReykjanespeninsulaoffersspectacularscenery.AbriefdrivefromReykjavikbringsyoutodramaticLakeKleifarvatnwherenearbyarebubblinghotsprings.GoingtothesouthshorefishingvillageofGrindavík,neartotheBlueLagoonwevisittheSaltfishMuseum.AfterlunchwegofurtherwesttothetipofReykjanes,withitsbirdcliffs,andtakeawalkacrossIceland’sBridgebetweentwocontinentstraversingtheMid-AtlanticRidge.TheonlyVikingshipinIceland,ÍslendingurinNjarðvík,Reykjanesbær,willwelcomeyouforavisitbeforethelaststoponthetour,theuniqueBlueLagoon.Onourwaywewilltakeabrieflookintoalavacave.AttheBlueLagoonyoucandecidehowlongyouwanttostayinthebathandotherfacilitiesorgodirectlytoReykjavikontheschedulebus.Optionaldropoffattheinternationalairport,Keflavík.
Grindavík
Allyear.
003548205750saltytours.is.is
Nanny´s Nature Walks Grófin2-4,230Reykjanesbær.Tel.003548938900
Reykjanes travel guidesTel.003548965598
Volcano toursVíkurbraut2,Flagghús,240Grindavík.Tel.003544268822
AT Iceland tours,245Sandgerði,003548996312
Reyktour,Faxabraut38a,230Reykjanesbær,003548643739
Kópur,sea-angling,190Vogar,003548462510
Jeppabræður,Adventure4x4,Vogagerði30,190Vogum,00354662422
Seaweed and Kelp bath,atGarðskagiinGarður,tel.003548986440
Shore and cliff-fishing,OliverKeller,
003548937194
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SBKwasfoundedin1930totransportpeoplebetweenKeflavíkandReykjavík,SBKisIceland’soldest,mostexperiencedcoachoperator.Withafleetof16finebuses.Thecompanyoperatesinseveralpublictransportsectors,forexamplelinebusesbetweenReykjanesbærandReykjavik,schoolbusesanscitybuses.
Grófin,230Reykjanesbær
AllYear
Access
003544206000
SBK Coaches
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Coaches
Hópferðir Sævars, bus4u, Grófin17,230Reykjanesbæ,245SandgerðiTel.003548401540
Kynnisferðir - Reykjavik ExcursionsVatnsmýrarvegur10,101ReykjavíkTel:[email protected]/www.re.is
Bláa Línan - Blue LineLeifurEirikssonAirTerminalTel:003544250381003544206000
Car RentalsAviscarrental,591-4000.Budgetcarrental,562-6060.Europcar/Nationalcarrental,425-0300.Hertzcarrental,522-4436.SG carrental,421-3737.Geysir carrental893-4455Dollar – Thriftycarrental,515-7110.Sixt rent a car,540-2221Hassocarrental,421-6277.
SScarrental,421-2220.Arcticcarrental,421-436611.is,carrental,777-6611Bílaþjónustan,421-1118Blue carrental,773-7070Gildocarrental,847-1784ICR Icelandcarrental,773-7415X-tra carrental,842-6615Fitcarrental,421-8889Touring Cars,562-0909Camper Iceland,567-0807.Iceland Car Rental,4152500JS Camper rentals,8492220My Car, car rental,5521700Bílaleiga Keflavíkur,KEFCAR,7776111
Reykjavík rent a car,5693300
Taxis
A-Stöðin Tel:003544201212
Hreyfill-BæjarleiðirTel:003544214141
Icelandtaxi, private-driver,8920105
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Hotel Keflavik
HotelKeflavikisafirstclasshotelintheheartofKeflavík,onlyfiveminutesfromtheKeflavíkInternationalAirport,20minutesfromtheBlueLagoonand40minutesfromReykjavík.ThispioneerhotelwasthefirsttoopeninthetownonMay17th1986andcelebratesits25anniversarythisyear.Wemeetyourrequirementsoffering70spaciousrooms.AllroomsareequippedwithB&Otelevision,CDplayer,mini-bar,telephone,safe,trouserpressandwirelessinternet.
Ourconfortablehotelisofferingaswellcomputerroomwithfreeinternetaccess,fitnesscenter,restaurantalacarte,conferencerooms,breakfastandairporttransfer.CaféIðnóisaglass-enclosedhotelrestaurantwhereyoufindcoffeehouse,baranddeliciousmealsalacarte.
Vatnsnesvegur12,230Reykjanesbæ
AllYear
+3544207000
Email:[email protected]
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Icelandair Hotel in Keflavík
IcelandairHotelinKeflavíkisamemberofIcelandairhotels,whicharepremiumhotelsinIceland.Locationiskeytothismodernfour-starhotel,5minutesawayfromKeflavikInternationalAirport(KEF).IcelandairHotelhassauna,massageandwhirlpool.Itisagreatmeetingpoint,with6conferenceroomsforupto12to200people.IcelandairHotelhas60rooms–39Standard,18Deluxeand3JuniorSuites–Thereisanall-dayfirstclassrestaurant,Vocal.IcelandairHotelinKeflavíkoffersfreeWiFiinallroomsandcommonareas.Itoffersrelaxinglounge/bar,whichhasafireplace.Breakfastisservedfrom05:00a.m.everyday.
IcelandairHotelinKeflavíkHafnargata57,230Reykjanesbæ
AllYear
Access
+3544215222
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The Northern Light Inn
TheNorthernLightInnisahomeawayfromhome,locatedintheheartofthegeothermalReykjanesPeninsula.32cozyrooms,familyhospitalityanddeliciousfoodsawaityou,only15minutesfromtheKeflavíkInternationalAirport,2minutesfromtheBlueLagoon.ComplimentaryInternationalAiportandBlueLagoontransfersareavailableanytime.WI-FIinternetaccessisfreethroughoutthehotel.Daytoursandactivitiescanbejoinedfromthehotel.
Grindavíkurbraut1,240Grindavík.
Allyear.Access
+3544268650
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Blue Lagoon Clinic & Hotel
BlueLagoonIcelandoffersaccommodationattheBlueLagoonClinicHotel.Apartofthebuildingisatreatmentcenterforpsoriasis.ThehotelislocatedinaquietnaturalsettinginafiveminutewalkfromtheBlueLagoonGeothermalSpa.Itsmodernlydesignedandcomfortable15roomsofferviewofthesurroundingnaturallavafield.Floortoceilingwindowsbringtheserenetyofthenaturalsurroundingintoeachroom.
Grindavíkurvegur5240Grindavík
AllYear
+3544208900
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Lindarbraut634,235Reykjanesbæ
AllYear
Access
+3545128040
The Icelandic Health Hotel / SPA Hotel Iceland
TheIcelandicHealthHotelistheidealplaceforvisitorstoimproveboththeirphysicalandmentalwell-being.Astaythatprovidesthenecessarybreakfromourdailyroutinesandtheguestsreturnrejuvenatedandenergized.TheDetoxtreatmentatthehotelwasdevelopedbytwodoktors.Itisbasedonaspecialdiet,healthyexercise,lymphaticandanti-inflammatorymassage,steambaths,BlueLagoontrips,restandrelaxation.
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Bed and Breakfast Keflavik AirportBedandBreakfastKeflavikAirportislocatednexttotheKeflavikInternationalAirport,housedinarenovatedarmybarracksonaformerAmericanmilitaryNATObase,ÁSBRÚ.Weofferspaciousroomsandafree24-hourshuttleservicefromtheairport.Alargebreakfastbuffetisavailablefrom04:30.Receptionisopen24hours.Allourroomshaveaprivatebathroom.GYMcenter.Guestscanpreparemealsincommunalkitchen.TheTVloungehasaninternetcomputerandapooltable.Reviews: ... the best about the hotel was the space in the rooms, the lovely staff and the best breakfast.
B&B Guesthouse Keflavik CenterWhenyou’relookingforacomfybedandagoodnightssleepwithineasyreachofIceland’sinternationalairport,B&BGuesthouseKeflavikCenteristheplacetogo.Itisonlya4minutesdrivefromtheairporttotheguesthouseandweofferfreepickupordropoff.“USA|Couple18-24|14thJune2010Thisisthecutest,friendliestplaceever.Thebedsaresupercomfy,thebathroomishugeandgorgeous.Ireallycan’tsayenoughgoodthings!”
Hringbraut92,230Reykjanesbær
AllYear
+3544218989
Valhallarbraut.761235Reykjanesbær
AllYear
+3544265000/8992570
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Ocean Front Iceland, Luxury ApartmentLuxuryapartmentinthisbeautifulOceanfrontVilla,Minna-KnarrarnesinVatnsleysuströnd,byroad420.Idealfor2,sleeps4.Separateentrance,kitchen,livingroom,bathroomandonebedroom.Allinclusive.WirelessInternet.Hottub/JacuzziandcableTV.Thehouse,anditsbeautifulsurroundingshavebeenusedinfilm-making.Locatedonalargeprivatepropertywithoutstandingoceanandmountainview,andwithaprivatebeach.TheBlueLagoonis15minutesaway.Reykjavikis30minutesaway,downtown.TheAirportis15minutesaway.A
perfectplacetoseetheAuroraBorealis-NorthernLights,SeptemberthroughApril,inasecludedcountrysidearea,withoutexternallighting.Atrulymagnificentplace.
Minna-Knarrarnes,Vatnsleysuströnd,190Vogum
Allyear.
Seewebsitefortariffanddetails
+3548986760
www.oceanfronticeland.is,[email protected]
www.visitreykjanes.is
117
Hafnargata37
Allyear.
Seewebsitefortariffanddetails
+3544209800
Website:hotelkeilir.is,[email protected]
Hótel KeilirKeilirHotelisafamilybusinessonKeflavik‘smainstreet,withinwalkingdistanceofallthebestrestaurantsandpubsinthearea.It’stheperfectplaceinwhichtostaywhenexploringKeflavikortheReykjanesPeninsula,whichincludestheworld-famousBlueLagoon,orwhenarrivinginorleavingIceland.AminibustakespassengerstotheKeflavikInternationalairport,whichisjust5minutesaway.
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Hótel BergYouwillfindthisnew,family-runhotelinoneofthemostbeautifullocationsontheReykjanespeninsula–besidetheharbourforsmallboatsinKeflavík.Justfiveminutes’walkfromthebestrestaurantsintownandsevenminutes’drivefromKeflavíkInternationalAirportand30minutesfromReykjavik.
Bakkavegur17,230Reykjanesbær
Allyear.
Seewebsitefortariffanddetails
+3544227922,Fax:+3544227933
www.hotelberg.is,[email protected]
www.visitreykjanes.is
119
Guesthouse GarðurWhy you should visit – Garðurshouldappealtothosewhoenjoynature.– Garðskagiisauniquenaturereservewhereyoucanenjoy abeautifulsunsetinsummerandthemysteriousnorthern lightsinwinter.– Garðskagiisalsoknownforbirdwatchingwherethousands ofmigratingbirdsarrivefromGreenlandandNorthAmerica tobreed.
Our accommodations – Ourfacilitiesaregreatforfamiliesandcouples.– 7apartmentsfor4-8persons. – Ourguestshaveaccesstofullyequippedkitchenwhere theycancooktheirownmeal– Tvinallapartments– Freeparkingatthepremisesoftheguesthouse.– Freewirelessinternetconnection.– Weofferfreeairporttransport.
Skagabraut6a250Garði
AllYear
+3546607894+3546607891
ACCOMMODATION, DINING
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Airport Hotel Smári
AirportHótelSmáriisanewlybuilthotellocatedonly100metersfromKeflavikAirportTerminal,scheduledtoopenearlysummer2012.Thehotelwillbefullyequippedwith70roomson6floors.Ithasspacious(20-25m2)single,doubleandtripleroomswithprivatebathrooms,satelliteTVandaccesstowirelessinternet.AregularbustransportationwillbeavailabletoHotelSmáriintheReykjavikarea.
KeflavikAirport
Allyear.
+354595-1900
www.hotelsmari.is
www.visitreykjanes.is
121
VitinnYou’vejustlandedatIceland’sinternationalairportandyourstomachisrumbling!Ashort,10-minuteridewillbringyouthequickestintroductiontotheIcelandicspecialitycuisine–andthemostdeliciousrelieftothatrumblingstomachthatyoucouldimaginethat’snonethelesseasyonthewallet!Whetheryouarealoneorwithalargegroup,Vitinn(Lighthouse)restaurantcansatisfyyourappetitewithaculinaryandvisual.Setnexttothelighthouse,rightbytheharbourwherethefishingfleetlandsitscatch,Vitinnpreparesfishthatcouldnotbefresher!
Northern Light InnNordicsoulfoodandhospitalityofadifferentkindhasmadetheNorthernLightInnaninternationallyrenownculinarydestination.ThemenuisthoughtfullypreparedfromthebestingredientsavailableinIceland;thefreshestNorthAtlanticfish,melt-in-your-mouthfree-rangemossgrazinglamb,anddeliciousvegetariansselections.Thepanoramicdiningroomisjust15minutesfromKeflavikInternationalAirport,45minutesfromReykjavik,andmomentstotheBlueLagoon.
Bláalónsvegur,240Grindavík
Allyear
Access
+3544268650
Vitatorg7,245Sandgerði
Allyear
Access
+3544237755
ACCOMMODATION, DINING
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Café IðnóCaféIðnóisaglass-enclosedrestaurantconnectedtoHotelKeflavik.Thereyoufindacoffeehouse,barandaverynicerestaurantinattractivesurroundings.CaféIðnóoffersasuperbalacartemenuwithgoodselectionoffish,meatandpasta.Personalserviceandfreshingredientsisthemainconcern
Vatnsnesvegur12,230Reykjanesbæ
AllYear
+3544207000
Lava RestaurantBlueLagoon‘sLavarestaurantoffersabreathtakingviewoftheLagoon.FreshIcelandicseafooddeliveredfreshdailyfromfromthedockofGrindavik,BlueLagoon‘shometown,isprominentonthemenu.Headchef,ViktorÖrnAndrésson,amemberoftheIcelandicCulinaryteam,placesemphasisonusingfreshIcelandicingredientsinpreparingamenuwithaninternationalflair.Sushi,vegetariandishes,theIcelandiclambandseafoodareamongthetemptingitemsonthemenu.LightrefreshmentspreparedintheBlueLagoonkitchenareservedinBlueCafeandattheLagoonbarwherepeoplecanenjoyrefreshmentsinbetweenbathingintheBlueLagoon.
Grindavíkurvegur5240Grindavík
AllYear
+3544208900
www.visitreykjanes.is
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VOCAL restaurant Afirst-classrestaurantandstylishhotelbar,boastingexcellentservice.Flughotel’sfirst-classrestaurantservesimpressivedishesforgroupsandindividualsinsophisticatedsurroundings.It’smenuoffersdinersawidechoicetosuitavarietyoftastes,moodsanddiets,makingittheperfectplaceforeitherlunchordinner.Vocalrestaurantisalsoopenforbreakfastfrom05:00a.m.to10:00a.m.Inadditiontotheeateriesatthetherestaurant,thereisacomfortablebarforyoutorelaxandenjoyadrinkatyourleisure.
Flughotel,Hafnargata57,230Reykjanesbæ
AllYear
Access
+003544215222
RáinInits23rdyearandrecentlyrenovated,thiselegantrestauranthasthecosystyleofthe1930’s‘GoldenYears’andallthemoderntrappingsneededforconferences,celebrations,eventsorshows.Itswindowsofferarestful,panoramicviewoftheoceantothehorizon,makingitapopularvenueforlocalsandvisitorsalike.Youcouldgetsolostinyourenjoymentofthemealthat,ifyou’reonyourwayhome,youcouldmissyourflight!
Hafnargötu19,230Keflavík
AllYear
Access
+3544214601
ACCOMMODATION, DINING
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Hotels:Hótel Vogar,Stapavegur7,190Vogar,tel.+3544246735/+3548664664
Guesthouses:
Gistiheimilið Keflavík,Vatnsnesvegi9,230Reykjanesbær.Tel.+3544207000.
Guesthouse Ásabraut, Ásabraut8,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3548967888
Svítan, apartment rent,Túngata10,230Reykjanesbær+3546631269
GG gistiheimili,Sólvallagata11,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3545681813
Mótel Alex, Aðalgata60,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3544212800
Gistiheimilið Þverholt 5,Þverholt5,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3548639280Gistiheimilið 1x6,Vesturbraut3,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3544212282/
+3547776166Fiskanes,Hafnargata17-19,240Grindavík,tel.+3548976388
Gistiheimilið Borg,Borgarhraun2,240Grindavík,tel.+3548958686
Arctic B&B,Sjónarhóli,240Grindavík,tel.+3544361414/+3546961919
Gistiheimilið Driffell, Heiðarvegi4,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3546995529
Huts:
Þóroddsstaðir, Nátthagi,245Sandgerði,tel.+3544237748/+3548937523
Motel Alex,Aðalgata60,230Reykjanesbæ,tel.+3544212800
Youth hostel:
Fit Hostel,Fitjabraut6a,260Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544218889Camping:
Camping Sandgerði
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Grindavík Camping SiteGrindavíkopenedabrandnewstateoftheartcampgroundfacilityinthesummerof2009atAusturvegur26.Thecampgroundisapleasure-festforthefamily.Thecampgroundwasdesignedwiththecampingenthusiastinmind;itincludesthelatestinaccommodationsfortents,RV´sandcampers.Ithastwoplaygroundsforchildrenwithswings,castlesandaspider-net,family-sizedbarbeques,andaccesstoelectricity,plusaperfectplacetoemptyport-a-potties.Pavedentrancetothecampinggroundsandconvenientparkingarea.
Austurvegur26,240GrindavíkTel:[email protected]/tjaldsvaediOpenfrom15.Mayto20.September
Byggðavegur,245Sandgerði,tel.+3544237551/+3548978007www.sandgerdi.is.Openfrom1.Aprilto30.Sept.
Camping Alex,Keflavík,Aðalgata60,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544212800/[email protected],www.alex.isOpenfrom1.June–15.Sept.Camping Garður,Skagabraut,250Garður,tel.+3544227108
Camping Grindavík,Austurvegur26,240Grindavík,[email protected]–15.Sept.
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RestaurantsKaffi Duus, Duusgata10,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544217080
Thai Keflavík, thai restaurant,Hafnargata39,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544218666/+3548407670
Dinnerinn, restaurant,Krossmói4,260Reykjanesb.,tel.+3544214450
Panda, chinese restaurant, Hafnargata30,230Reykjanes.,tel.+3544218060
Sjómannastofan Vör, Hafnargata9,240Grindavík,tel.+3544268570
Karma, health food,Grófin8,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544218448
Mamma mia,Hafnargata7a,240Grindavík,tel.+3544269966/+3548962710
Salthúsið,Stamphólsvegur2,240Grindavík,tel.+3544269700/+3546992665Mamma mia, Tjarnargata6,245Sandgerði,tel+3544237377/+3548247270
Vitinn, Vitatorg7,245Sandgerði,tel.+3544237755
Tveir vitar,Garðskaga,250Garður,tel.+3544227214
Langbest,byKeilisbraut,building771,Ásbrú,235Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544214777
Olsen Olsen, Hafnargata17,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544214457
Kanturinn, Hafnargata6,240Grindavík,tel.+3544269999/+3548249080
Fast food:Aðalstöðin,Hafnargata86,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544214800
Biðskýlið Njarðvík,Hólagata20,260Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544212563
Skyndibarinn,Víkurbraut21,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544215051
Dominos pizza, Hafnargata86,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3545812345
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Langbest, Hafnargata62,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544214777
Ungó,Hafnargata6,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544211544
Bitinn, Iðavellir14b,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544214000
Bitinn, Hafnargata12,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544218000
Pulsuvagninn, Tjarnargata19,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544211680
Subway, Hafnargata32andFitjum,230and260Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544217756/5177747
N1 Söluskáli, Heiðartún1,250Garður,tel.+3544227265
AðalBraut, Víkurbraut31,240Grindavík,tel.+3544267222/+3548927755
Báran, Pizza Islandia, Hafnargötu6,240Grindavík,tel.+3544269900
Shell skálinn, Strandgötu15,Sandgerði,tel.+3544237560
Jón Sterki, take away, Hafnargötu17a,190Vogum,tel.+3547717900
Cafés:
Aðalbraut, Víkurbraut31,240Gindavík,tel.+3544267222/+3548927755
Kaffi Duus, Duusgata10,230Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544217080
Kaffitár,Stapabraut7,260Reykjanesbær,tel.+3544202700
Blue Café,attheBlueLagoon,240Grindavík,tel.+3544208800
Bryggjan, attheharbourinGrindavík,240Grindavík,tel.+3544267100/+3548924587
www.visitreykjanes.is