Reykjanes Lighthouse
The site where Icelandic lighthouse building began, moved inland after the sea undermined the first tower.
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Reykjanesviti stands on the hill of Baejarfell at the south-western tip of the peninsula, on the site where lighthouse building in Iceland started. The first was built in 1878 on the cliff of Valahnukur, but earthquakes and heavy surf undermined the headland within twenty years and it had to be abandoned; the replacement was put up further inland on the hill in 1908 and has worked since. The ground around it steams from the Gunnuhver field, and the sea below throws spray over the whole point in a storm. The old foundation is still visible on Valahnukur, a short walk away.
What you actually see
- Where Icelandic lighthouses began - the 1908 tower on Baejarfell.
- A predecessor lost to the sea - the 1878 light on Valahnukur, undermined.
- Steaming ground nearby - the Gunnuhver field beside the road.
- The old foundation - still on the cliff, a short walk away.
When to go
Year round; winter storms make the point dramatic and dangerous. An hour.
Honest expectations
The tower is not usually open to go inside. Wind here is among the strongest on the coast and car doors get torn out of hands. The paths are unfenced near cliffs. Facilities are a car park.
Nearby
Valahnukamol and Gunnuhver are minutes away; Eldey is offshore.
What to pack for Reykjanes Lighthouse
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
