These strangely shaped cliffs and hardened volcanic ash layers were formed in an eruption in the early 1900s. The formations are named tuffs, and consist of volcanic glass, which is the result of 1200°C magma cooling rapidly. Park at the base of the cliff and climb up for spectacular views of the coast and Eldley Island – it's some 15km off shore and a popular habitat for cliff dwelling birds like guillemots, gannets and kittiwakes.
Valahnúkur
Reykjanes Peninsula
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
12.62 MILES
At the eastern end of Njarðvík's waterfront, the spectacular Víkingaheimar is a Norse exhibition centre built in one beautiful, sweeping architectural…
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21.02 MILES
The volatile geothermal field Austurengjar, about 2km south of Kleifarvatn, is often called Krýsuvík after the nearby abandoned farm. At Seltún, the main…
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23.45 MILES
This deep, brooding lake sits in a volcanic fissure, surrounded by wind-warped lava cliffs and black-sand shores. A walking trail runs around the edge,…
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0.94 MILES
Boardwalks allow visitors to get close to the eerie Gunnuhver site, which is filled with vigorously bubbling mud pools and billowing steam. Some…
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Hafnarfjörður Museum – Pakkhúsið
29.09 MILES
Hafnarfjörður Museum is divided over several buildings. Start at the main building, Pakkhúsið, for three floors of displays on the history of…
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Sudurnes Science & Learning Center
15.8 MILES
This scientific learning centre has a fascinating exhibit about Polar explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, whose ship Pourquois Pas? wrecked near here in 1936 …
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14.42 MILES
To the northeast of Keflavík's harbour sits the larger-than-life Giantess, a giant troll character from Herdís Egilsdóttir’s children’s books. A local art…
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14.3 MILES
In a long red warehouse by the harbour, Duushús is Keflavík’s historic cultural centre. There’s a permanent exhibition of around 60 of Grímur Karlsson’s…
Nearby Reykjanes Peninsula attractions
0.33 MILES
The first lighthouse in the area was built in 1878, but sadly it wasn't to last. A severe earthquake in Valahnúkur at the beginning of the 20th century…
0.94 MILES
Boardwalks allow visitors to get close to the eerie Gunnuhver site, which is filled with vigorously bubbling mud pools and billowing steam. Some…
3. The Bridge Between Two Continents
3.9 MILES
A walkway over a canyon, which was formed when the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifted. These plates drift apart around 2cm a year…
8.84 MILES
Grindavík’s only tourist attraction is Kvíkan, a museum with two exhibits: a well-curated one on the fish-salting industry, and another about the earth's…
12.41 MILES
On the point near Víkingaheimar, the tiny folk museum Stekkjarkot is housed in a restored turf house, abandoned in 1924, with parts dating to the 19th…
12.62 MILES
At the eastern end of Njarðvík's waterfront, the spectacular Víkingaheimar is a Norse exhibition centre built in one beautiful, sweeping architectural…
13.04 MILES
There are two gigantic sculptures in front of the terminal building at Keflavík International Airport – Magnús Tómasson’s Þotuhreiður (Jet Nest) resembles…
8. Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll
13.25 MILES
This museum delves into the history of the awesome Icelandic music scene, from Björk to Sigur Rós and Of Monsters and Men. Admission includes a walking…