Reykjanes Peninsula Tour: Volcanic Sites & Geothermal Fields

Walk between two continents and stand at an active volcano on the same afternoon

A private guided tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula from Reykjavik covers volcanic sites, geothermal fields, the Bridge Between Continents and Reykjanes Lighthouse, with pickup included and a guide who adjusts the route to your interests. The drive from Reykjavik takes around 45 minutes each way, and the tour lasts 4 to 5 hours. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Reykjanes Peninsula highlights

• Drive from Reykjavik to Kleifarvatn
• Enjoy panoramic views at Kleifarvatn cliff
• Walk around geothermal fields
• Visit the 2021 erupted active volcano
• Explore bubbling mud pools and vents
• See Reykjanes Lighthouse and play piano
• Cross the Bridge between Continents
• Drive back to Reykjavik

The experience

Kleifarvatn is the first stop, a volcanic lake ringed by barren peaks and steaming hot springs about 45 minutes south of Reykjavik. You stand on a cliff overlooking the water and the geothermal activity that defines this peninsula. From there the route moves into the geothermal fields themselves, where you walk among colorful mineral-rich pools, bubbling mud vents and steaming ground: the landscape shifts between otherworldly and raw.

The 2021 eruption site sits next on the itinerary, a volcano that created new land and still shows its power. A short walk gets you close enough to see it directly. Afterward you move through another geothermal area, this one filled with mud pools and vents that demonstrate the force beneath the peninsula. The Reykjanes Lighthouse, built in 1907, stands at the edge of the North Atlantic and was a filming location for the Eurovision Song Contest movie. There's a piano on-site if you want to play along with the film moment.

The Bridge Between Continents, or Miðlína, is a steel footbridge spanning a fissure between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. You walk across it and stand on both continents at once. The drive back to Reykjavik takes around 45 minutes. Your guide speaks English and can reshape the stops and timing to match what interests you most, so the route is not fixed.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Reykjavik.
• a guide who speaks English and can adjust the route to your preferences.
• access to all stops on the Reykjanes Peninsula including geothermal fields, the 2021 volcano site, Reykjanes Lighthouse and the Bridge Between Continents.
• travel time to and from Reykjavik is part of the tour duration.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Iceland on Wheels

Is this one for you?At 4 to 5 hours including drive time from Reykjavik, this tour fits a half-day without eating into the rest of your schedule. The private format means your guide can linger at the stops that matter most to you and skip or shorten the ones that don't, so you're not locked into a group pace or a fixed sequence.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Kleifarvatn from Reykjavik, and what makes it the first stop on this tour?

Kleifarvatn lies about 45 minutes south of Reykjavik and opens the tour because it sits at the edge of the peninsula's geothermal zone: a volcanic lake surrounded by barren peaks and hot springs, with a cliff overlook that frames the landscape you'll explore for the rest of the day.

Can I walk to the 2021 volcano, or is it only visible from a distance?

The 2021 eruption site is reachable by a short walk, so you get close enough to see the volcano's power directly rather than viewing it from afar.

What is the Bridge Between Continents, and can I actually walk across it?

The Bridge Between Continents, or Miðlína, is a steel footbridge that spans a fissure between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. You walk across it and stand on both continents simultaneously.

Is the Reykjanes Lighthouse accessible, and why is it on the tour?

Reykjanes Lighthouse, built in 1907, sits at the edge of the North Atlantic and offers views across the ocean. It was a filming location for the Eurovision Song Contest movie, and there's a piano on-site if you want to recreate a moment from the film.

Can the tour itinerary be changed if I have different interests?

Yes, your guide adjusts the route and timing to match what you want to see, so the itinerary is flexible rather than fixed.

What's included in the price, and what should I arrange separately?

Private transportation and a guide in English are included. Pickup from Reykjavik is part of the tour. Lunch is not included, so plan to bring food or eat before or after.