Keflavík, Iceland: travel guide
The town beside Keflavík International Airport on the Reykjanes peninsula — most visitors' first and last stop in Iceland. Gateway to the Blue Lagoon, the Bridge Between Continents and the geothermal fields of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. Note: the Reykjanes peninsula has seen repeated volcanic eruptions since 2023.
- Country
- Iceland
- Currency
- ISK
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
- Nearest airport
- KEF
Top places to visit in Keflavík
Blue Lagoon
Activity · 4.6 rating · about 3 h
Iceland's famous milky-blue geothermal spa amid a black lava field, fed by the Svartsengi power plant. NOTE: on the Reykjanes volcanic zone; brief precautionary closures have occurred during eruptions since 2023 — check status before…
Viking World (Víkingaheimar)
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h
A museum housing the Íslendingur, a full-scale replica Viking ship that sailed to New York in 2000, plus Norse settlement exhibits.
Bridge Between Continents
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h
A footbridge over a sandy rift symbolically spanning the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
Iceland's largest mud pool and a fiercely steaming geothermal field, named after a vengeful ghost of Icelandic legend.
Seltún (Krýsuvík)
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
A boardwalked geothermal field of steaming, sulphur-stained mud pots and hot springs south of Kleifarvatn.
Reykjanesviti Lighthouse
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h
Iceland's oldest lighthouse, on a windswept headland above the Valahnúkamöl cliffs and Atlantic surf.
Kleifarvatn
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
A deep, brooding lava-ringed lake on the Reykjanes rift, popular for its stark scenery and Nordic-noir atmosphere.
Brimketill Lava Rock Pool
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
A natural rock-pool bowl carved by the surf into the lava coast, with a safe viewing platform above the crashing Atlantic.
Duus Museum (Duushús)
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
Reykjanesbær's cultural centre in restored 19th-century warehouses, with art galleries and a large collection of model boats.
Things to do
- Blue Lagoon Comfort Entry Wellness · 3 h · from ISK 11,900 per person
- Reykjanes Geopark Tour Sightseeing · 5 h · from ISK 14,900 per person
- Reykjanes Northern Lights Tour Nature · 4 h · from ISK 8,900 per person
- Reykjanes Volcano Hike Adventure · 5 h · from ISK 13,900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Reykjanes Geopark & Blue Lagoon 6 h · from ISK 18,900
Where to stay in Keflavík
- Reykjanesbær (Keflavík) about ISK 30,000 per night
The airport town, ideal for first and last nights, near the Blue Lagoon and the Reykjanes geopark.
Hotels
- Hótel Keflavík 4-star · ISK 26,000 to ISK 60,000 per night
- Aurora Hotel Keflavik Airport 3-star · ISK 18,000 to ISK 40,000 per night
- Silica Hotel 4-star · ISK 70,000 to ISK 160,000 per night
- The Retreat at Blue Lagoon 5-star · ISK 180,000 to ISK 450,000 per night
Where to eat
- Kaffi Duus Seafood, Icelandic, International · about ISK 5,500 per person
- Library Bistro & Bar Bistro, International, Bar · about ISK 4,800 per person
- Rain Restaurant Thai, Asian · about ISK 3,000 per person
- Kaffi Petra Café, Icelandic · about ISK 2,200 per person
- Lava Restaurant Icelandic, Nordic, Fine Dining · about ISK 14,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Airport taxi overcharging
Keflavík Airport
Taxis from the airport are very expensive and a few drivers quote inflated flat fares.
How to avoid it: Use the Flybus/Airport Direct coach or a pre-booked transfer; confirm the fare before getting in a taxi.