Spend 3 days exploring the dramatic landscapes of Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula

With its bright blue appearance and pillars of steam billowing against black lava fields, the Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most iconic attraction. Though most visitors flock to these geothermal waters for their healing powers, the surrounding Reykjanes Peninsula is also well worth exploring. This windswept volcanic headland is defined by sheer cliffs teeming with seabirds, otherworldly landscapes of sulphur and steaming vents, dormant volcanoes that can be explored from within and villages steeped in Viking history. Explore the dramatic region on this three-day itinerary, which includes a day to relax and soak in the Blue Lagoon's mineral-rich waters.

Day 1: Walk bird-dotted cliffs

Just 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport, the Reykjanes Peninsula feels strikingly remote — its windswept coastline facing west towards Greenland, 500 miles away across the Denmark Strait. Get to know the lie of the land by embarking on a clifftop walk at Krýsuvíkurbjarg, one of Iceland’s most famous bird cliffs, on the peninsula’s southern coast. Stretching nine miles long and rising 40 metres high, it’s one of the largest birdwatching cliffs in Europe, and in summer its rugged nooks and crannies are home to some 60,000 breeding birds — puffins, fulmars, guillemots and razorbills among them. The cliffs are easily accessible and offer beautiful coastal views, though visitors are advised to keep a safe distance from the edge — for the birds’ sake as well as their own.

On the peninsula's southern tip — just over a 40-minute drive west of the cliffs — stands Reykjanesviti, Iceland’s oldest lighthouse. Guiding seafarers to safety since 1908, the lighthouse sits on a coastal hill, which rewards a steep climb (hold onto the rope) with glorious coastal views. While the lighthouse itself is closed to visitors, you'll find a fascinating visitor centre next door, with an exhibition exploring its history and former keepers, alongside a cafe serving coffee and cakes — particularly welcoming after a windswept walk.

Staying in the south of Reykjanes, round off the day in Grindavík, a fishing town known for its excellent seafood restaurants. Try Fish House Bar & Grill, where Arctic char and lobster soup are among the house specialities.

Day 2: Immerse in geothermal waters

Wake up in the luxurious surroundings of the Silica Hotel, part of the Blue Lagoon complex, where electric-blue water contrasts with black rocks carpeted in bright-green moss. After yesterday’s coastal adventures, spend the day keeping warm in the milky-blue Blue Lagoon, prized for its high silica content which gives the water its distinctive colour, rich minerals and unique algae with rejuvenating skin qualities and natural geothermal heating.

The main activity at the Blue Lagoon is simply to relax in the water, soaking up its health and wellbeing benefits while taking in views of the surrounding lava fields — perhaps with a drink in hand from the swim-up bar. Beyond bathing, though, a range of activities are on offer to help you harness the water’s healing properties.

The Mask Bar serves skincare products that make the most of the water’s unique characteristics such as the Algae or Mineral Mask, while the sauna and steam room utilise dry and wet heat respectively — all powered by Iceland’s underlying geothermal energy. In-water massages are also available, as well as relaxing floating sessions and guided storytelling, during which experts share tales of the lagoon’s history and geology.

The relaxation continues at the Silica Hotel, where access to the private Silica Lagoon offers the same healing benefits of Iceland's world wonder. Guests can also book to access the Retreat Spa, where the water is incorporated into wellness treatments such as silica baths, algae masks and mineral scrubs.

Day 3: Venture inside a format volcano

You’ll be feeling deeply relaxed after a day at the Blue Lagoon, so take it easy on your final morning, exploring the peninsula’s seaside villages at a gentle pace. The small town of Hafnir, 16 miles from the Silica Hotel, is thought to be the site of one of Iceland’s earliest known settlements. Today, it’s home to a striking black church, outside which sits the rusting anchor of the Jamestown, a ship which ran ashore here in 1881. Nearby, the Hafnarberg cliffs offer yet more opportunities to observe nesting seabirds in their thousands.

For a final dose of volcanic excitement, head inland to Thríhnúkagígur, one of the few places in the world where it’s possible to explore inside a dormant volcano. It last erupted around 4,500 years ago, leaving behind the world’s only accessible lava chamber — a stunning cavern of multicoloured rock, pierced by a beam of sunlight arcing through the crater above. The scale is immense — the Statue of Liberty would easily fit inside — and visitors are lowered in via a specially designed cable lift, passing close to magnificent rock formations and the psychedelic colours of the cavern walls.

After all that exhilaration, spend the evening unwinding in nearby Hafnarfjörður. Fjörukráin, a Viking-themed restaurant serving Old Norse favourites such as lamb shank in red wine sauce and brennivín (caraway schnapps), makes a fitting place to round off the trip.