Located on the southwest corner of Iceland, the Reykjanes Peninsula is a geothermal wonder where lighthouses outnumber villages. The Reykjanes Peninsula is where you will first touchdown in Iceland, as the main airport is on it. 


One of the highlights of the Reykjanes Peninsula is the recent volcanic eruptions near the Fagradalsfjall Mountain and Sundhnúkagíga. Having been dormant since the 12th century, the area saw two recent eruptions, one in 2021 and another in August of 2022, just ten months after the first one finished. In 2023, Fagradalsfjall erupted again in July and then Sunhnúkagígar in mid-December.


We have the option of taking a short hike to where the lava field is. Although not as big as the eruption in the 12th century, when molten lava reached the north and south coasts of the peninsula, playing a massive role in the formation and look of the area, the recent eruptions were thankfully more minor and isolated and away from any infrastructure.


The Reykjanes Peninsula has several high-temperature geothermal areas, three of which have been harnessed to generate electricity. 


Nowhere on Earth is the junction in the Earth's crust between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates as clearly visible as on the Reykjanes peninsula. The area is a veritable hotbed for recreational activities. The dramatic, rugged landscape features volcanic craters, caves, lava fields, geothermal waters, hot springs, and various restaurants, museums, churches, lighthouses, and festivals.