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Gríndavík is a friendly fishing town on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Surrounded by mossy lava fields and natural wonders, explore Gríndavík’s small-town charm, outdoor attractions, and delicious food. Complete your visit with a dip into the majestic waters of the famous Blue Lagoon!
Grindavík in Iceland is one of those charming little fishing towns you find on the country’s large stretch of coastline. It is located at the southern end of the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its geothermal and volcanic activity.
All around the town you will find moss-covered lava and stunning mountains which some locals use for training and general nature enjoyment. Not far from the settlement you will find Iceland’s most famous landmark, the Blue Lagoon.
Grindavík offers various restaurant options, has a local swimming pool, a colorful harbor, a lovely fishery themed museum, and their own sports team. Grindavík has over three thousand inhabitants and an active and a friendly community, where everybody knows your name.
The gifts of the ocean and the work around it have always been a unifying symbol for the people of Grindavík who from establishment until this day work hard at sea and land in the fishing industry. The people of Gríndavík are called Grindvíkingar by other neighboring towns, the closest being Keflavík and Sandgerði.
Grindavík is located at the Southernmost point of the Reykjanes peninsula about 52 km from Reykjavík, 24,6 km away from Keflavík International Airport and 90,7 km away from Þingvellir National Park, commonly known as one of the three stops on the Golden Circle.
Some of the best-known landmarks near Grindavík are the Blue Lagoon, Gunnuhver hot springs, the bridge between the tectonic plates and Reykjanes Lighthouse.
GPS coordinates of Grindavik: 63.8442° N, 22.4384° W
As Grindavík is located so close to the capital you can both take a bus or hire a rental car to reach the town.
Driving from Reykjavík to Grindavík will take about 50 minutes and takes you through a good percentage of the capital region, the town of Kópvogur, then Garðabær and lastly Hafnarfjörður.
Onwards you will follow Reykjanesbraut (road nr. 41) out of town until you take the turn marked Grindavík and Blue Lagoon, road nr. 43. This road will take you past the Blue Lagoon and into the town. A very simple and effortless route.
2. Taste some freshly caught fish at one of the local restaurants.
3. Go tothe Icelandic Saltfish Museum – The museum opened in 2002 and has since displayed the history of salt fish production and its importance for the Icelandic economy and community.
4. Hike Mt. Thorbjorn (Þorbjörn) – the hike takes about an hour, and the trial is easily noticeable in the terrain. When you reach the top you will be able to stand tall at the edge of the mountain with amazing views racing well into the capital or descend down into the mountain tops’ valley for the perfect picnic hideout!
5. Check out the cold baths of Brimketill – it is other quite breathtaking to see how mother nature can leave things and the bath of Brimketill is certainly one of these places.
6. Stop at Gunnuhver Hot Spring – widest hot spring/fumarole in Iceland, named after a female ghost who haunts the area after her tragic death there. The rising steam and the array of rhyolite colors surrounding the phenomenon also put a certain flair to the setting. Well worth the visit!
7. Walk between the two continents – The bridge that connects the Eurasian and the North-American tectonic plates is a remarkable location to visit! Walking across it is truly a magical way to get up close and personal with Iceland’s geothermal activity.
Hotels
Guesthouses, B&Bs and Farmstays
Cabins and Cottages
The camping ground at Grindavík is fantastic. It offers all the facilities one might need including toilets, hot showers, washers, dryers, cooking stations, electricity for campers and WIFI.
Nearby, you will find a playground, a swimming pool, and a golf course so there is plenty to do within a walking distance and if you are looking to take longer hikes there is no shortage of walking paths.
Open: from the 1st of March to the 30th of November
Grindavík is a fishing town so the theme of most of the restaurant is seafood. Although, in between, you will find some different cuisines. Here is a list of most ¨popular and best-rated restaurants options for Grindavík.
Grindavík can easily be visited in winter. The roads very seldom get closed due to weather and the restaurants stay open. The Blue Lagoon is open all year round and the natural sights are, maybe not surprisingly, still there no matter the season.
Grindavík is definitely a good stop to make in winter and the small fishing village is a great location to head out from on a winter night’s Northern Lights hunt.
