The wild landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula
Clouds paint the sky just before a storm hits the seaside town of Hafnir in Reykjanes. Mbl.is/ Rax / Ragnar Axelsson
The Reykjanes Peninsula is perhaps one of the most underrated places in Iceland. It’s the home of Keflavik International Airport, and most tourists drive straight from there to Reykjavik without so much as a stop for a look around, aside for a visit to the Blue Lagoon. They don't know what they're missing.
The landscape at the peninsula is rough and a bit alien looking. There isn’t all that much grass, instead there are great lava fields covered in moss. There are old craters, fissures and bubbling, geothermal mud pools. By the sea there are many places with amazing rock formations, most of them very dark grey. They are particularly spectacular when the wind is blowing and the sea violently hammers upon the rocks, wave after wave.
In addition to the beautiful landscape the culture is interesting. Most of the towns were built up around fisheries, and Icelanders from all over the island came there for work. Others around the US Army base. There are plenty of interesting museums, one of which is dedicated to rock ‘n’ roll.
Keflavík is known for being the hometown of many of Iceland’s most popular bands over the last decades, and was often referred to as “The Beatles Town”. It is therefore very fitting that it’s the home to The Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The museum is modern and the presentation is interesting. It features the history of Icelandic pop and rock music and no music enthusiast should pass by without a visit.
Mbl.is/ Rax / Ragnar Axelsson
The lighthouse at Reykjanes. Rax / Ragnar Axelsson
