Valahnúkur

Reykjanes Peninsula


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.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Reykjanes Peninsula attractions

1. Reykjanesviti Lighthouse

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…

2. Gunnuhver

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…

4. Kvíkan

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…

5. Stekkjarkot

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…

6. Víkingaheimar

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…

7. Keflavík Airport Art

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…