day 1 - keflavík and around

Home base of the day is Keflavík and the big area around the international airport. Immediately, we get introduced to some of Iceland’s natural phenomena.

 Total distance (without optional activities): 175 km

 Starting & Finishing point: Keflavík

 Sights of the day: y Blue Lagoon y Krýsuvík Seltun y Lighthouses in Garðskagi y Bridge of Continents

 Stay the night near Keflavík

We will start the day with the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon that is approximately 20 km (about 20 minutes) away from the airport. Take Route41 towards Reykjavík. Turn right after 11 km towards Grindavík / BláaLónið (Highway 43) and after about 8 km take the Blue Lagoon (BláaLónið) exit.

1 Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon (BláaLónið) is located in Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland. This geothermal lagoon, which is really an artificial lake, is located in an old lava field overgrown with moss. The water has a temperature from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.

The lagoon was formed in 1976 when cooling water from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant (“Black Meadow”) was discharged into the moss field.

From the early ’80s people began to swim in it, and the Blue Lagoon was commercialized in the ’90s.

The water is rich in minerals, salts and blue-green algae, giving it a light blue colour. It’s said to have a healing effect on the skin. Alongside the pool are wooden boxes with white mud, which you can rub on your face and the rest of your body. After ten minutes of drying the effect is amazing.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, with more than 600,000 people visiting every year.

At the entrance you will receive a wristband with a chip that can be used to open and close your locker or to buy a drink at the bar. Swimwear and towels can be rented, and there are armbands available for toddlers. As with any pool in Iceland, it is mandatory to shower naked before and after bathing. We recommend that you do not wear any jewelry when bathing and while washing your hair afterwards.

 Open daily from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. (closes earlier during winter season)

 Paid entrance. Reservation mandatory.

 www.bluelagoon.com

 GPS: 63.880047, -22.449305

Next stop is Krýsuvík Seltun, one of the most active spring areas in southern Iceland. Krýsuvík is approximately 35 km from the Blue Lagoon. From the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon, take the road to Grindavík. Then take Route427, then Route42.

2 KRýSUvíK SELTUN

The thermal area, Krýsuvík Seltun, was formed by the gap between the European and North American tectonic plates. It smells like rotten eggs (hydrogen sulphide). You can visit the area by wooden walkways that run between the bubbling and boiling mud pools. The ground is coloured green, yellow and red.

In the neighbourhood, there are several small lakes that were formed by explosions caused by the superheated steam from the groundwater. The largest lake is Grænavatn; it is up to 46 metres deep and 350 metres wide. It has a beautiful emerald green colour. In 1999, a borehole exploded, leaving a crater with a diametre of 30 metres. The explosion blew up a cafeteria, as well.

 GPS: 63.894714, -22.051334

For our next points of interests, we go back towards Keflavík. Drive back to Grindavík via Route 427 and then take Route 43 to the intersection with Route 41. Go left towards Keflavík. Drive past the airport and take Route 45 to Garður town. Then take Route 402 to the lighthouses.