Jazmin Li
Iceland's Keflavik International Airport is located in the small town of Keflavik, which is a great place to visit on the way to or from the capital, Reykjavik. The town has a range of shops, restaurants, a cinema, and museums, as well as hiking trails and natural wonders. Here are some of the best things to do and see in and around Keflavik, Iceland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from Reykjavik | 45 minutes to 1 hour drive |
| Distance from Blue Lagoon | 8.9 miles |
| Nearby Towns | Grindavik, Borgarnes, Akureyri |
| Nearby Natural Attractions | Kleifarvatn Lake, Garðskagi, Gunnuhver, Bridge Between Continents, Gullfoss, Þingvellir, Geysir |
| Nearby Activities | Whale-watching cruise in Faxaflói Bay, Snowmobiling tour in Geysir, Northern Lights tour, Hiking trails |
| Amenities | Hotels, Restaurants, Grocery stores, Cinema, Museums |
| Popular Museums | Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll, Viking World |
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What You'll Learn
Visit the Blue Lagoon
If you're looking for a relaxing activity near Keflavik International Airport, look no further than the Blue Lagoon. This world-renowned spa is the perfect place to unwind after a long flight, with its tranquil azure waters set amidst a volcanic landscape. The Blue Lagoon is conveniently located just 18 km from the airport and offers a luxurious coach service, making it easily accessible for travellers.
Upon arrival, you'll be immersed in the stunning natural surroundings of the lagoon. Volcanic hillsides and distant mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop for your spa experience. The warm, milky-blue waters of the lagoon are known for their healing properties, and each visitor receives a complimentary silica mud mask. You can also enhance your experience with add-ons like a luxurious massage, a face mask, or a delicious meal at the on-site bistro.
To make the most of your time at the Blue Lagoon, it's essential to plan ahead. Pre-booking your entrance ticket is crucial, as the lagoon is very popular and spaces fill up quickly. Additionally, if you're travelling with luggage, you can take advantage of the convenient luggage lockers available on-site. This allows you to fully relax without the hassle of carrying your bags around.
The Blue Lagoon also offers a seamless transfer service to your accommodation in Reykjavik after your visit. This means you can soak in the lagoon, then be on your way to the capital without any hassle. This transfer service is especially useful if you have an early morning arrival and need to wait until the afternoon to check into your hotel. Overall, a visit to the Blue Lagoon is a must-do when in the Keflavik area, offering a unique and authentically Icelandic experience.
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Explore the town of Keflavik
Explore the town of Keflavík
Keflavík is a small town on the Reykjanes volcanic peninsula in South Iceland. It is located just 5km from Keflavík International Airport, making it a great place to visit on your way to or from the airport. The town offers a range of shops, restaurants, a cinema, and museums. It is also a good base for exploring nearby attractions, including the Blue Lagoon, natural wonders, and cultural and historical sites.
One notable attraction in Keflavík is the Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll, which showcases the country's musical history from the 1830s onwards. The museum features informative signs, film projections, artefacts, and instruments that visitors can play. It also includes sculptures, prints, and projections, as well as a small cinema screening documentaries about the Icelandic music scene.
Another must-see museum in Keflavík is Viking World, or "Vikingaheimar". This museum provides a comprehensive introduction to Viking Age Iceland, including a modern-day reconstruction of the Longship Íslendingur, which sailed from Iceland to North America. The ship is over 20 meters long and visitors can step aboard to imagine what it was like for the Vikings sailing on such boats for weeks.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are several hiking trails near Keflavík that offer beautiful ocean views and the opportunity to see seabirds, seals, and dolphins. A short hike to Garðskagi follows the old tracks used by fishermen and leads to the tip of the headland, renowned for its incredible sunsets. Kleifarvatn Lake, the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula, is also just a 45-minute drive from Keflavík and is set in a stunning, lunar-like landscape.
Keflavík also has a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and budget-friendly choices. Popular dining spots include traditional Icelandic seafood restaurants like Kaffi Duus, and there are grocery stores such as Bonus and Hagkaup for those who want to buy their own food.
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Go hiking
If you're looking for a scenic hike near Keflavík International Airport, you're in luck! The area boasts several beautiful trails that showcase the natural wonders of Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula. Here are some options to consider:
Garðskagi Trail
This trail begins in the town of Keflavík and follows the old tracks that fishermen used to reach their fish drying racks. It leads to the tip of the headland at Garðskagi, offering incredible sunsets and fabulous ocean views. Along the way, you'll pass by the lighthouses at nearby Garður and may spot seabirds, seals, and dolphins swimming close to the shoreline.
Kleifarvatn Lake
Located just a 45-minute drive from Keflavík, Kleifarvatn Lake is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The lake is set in a lunar-like landscape surrounded by small mountains, creating a unique and undulating hiking experience.
Krysuvik Recreational Area
Krysuvik is a popular hiking destination near the airport, offering a chance to explore the diverse terrain of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Keilir
Keilir is a cone-shaped mountain and one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Hiking to the top provides stunning views of the surrounding area.
Fagradalsfjall Volcano
For a more adventurous hike, consider the Fagradalsfjall Volcano in Geldingadalur. This several-mile hike takes you to a volcano that erupted in 2021 and 2022. While it's not a strenuous trek, it does come with potential weather challenges and the inherent dangers of an active volcano.
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Take a trip to Reykjavik
If you're flying into Keflavik Airport, you're most likely heading to Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, which is just 50km away. The city is easily accessible by bus or taxi, with a journey time of around 40-45 minutes.
Getting to Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport
There are several transport options to get you from the airport to Reykjavik. The Flybus service offers a bus transfer between the airport and the BSI bus terminal in Reykjavik, with an optional add-on to get you to your hotel. The journey takes around 45 minutes. You can also take the Strætó public bus number 55, which is a budget-friendly option, or you can take a taxi or rent a car.
Things to do in Reykjavik
Once you're in Reykjavik, there's plenty to see and do. The Reykjavik City Card gives you free entry to museums and galleries, as well as free travel by bus and a free ferry trip to Viðey Island. If you want to explore the natural landmarks and beautiful places outside the city, it's recommended that you book a tour.
Stopping in Keflavik
If you have some time to spare, it's worth stopping by the town of Keflavik, which is just 5km from the airport. Here, you can visit the Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll, which showcases the country's lively music scene, and the Viking World museum, which features a modern-day Viking longship. You can also explore the town's shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
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Visit museums
There are several museums near Keflavik International Airport, the airport where most people fly into when they visit Iceland. The town of Keflavik is located just 5km from the airport, making it a great option for those who have just arrived or are about to depart.
Viking World
Viking World, or 'Vikingaheimar' in Icelandic, is located just four miles (6km) from the airport. This museum is dedicated to the history of Vikings in Iceland and features four main exhibitions. The main attraction is 'The Icelander', a life-sized replica of a Viking ship. The building itself is also an impressive piece of architecture, designed to showcase the replica ship.
Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll
The Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll is a great place to learn about the history of popular music in Iceland. It features informative signs, film projections, artefacts, and instruments that visitors can play. The museum also includes a small cinema where documentaries are screened, and speakers play music by current Icelandic artists. It is located just two miles (3km) from Viking World, so it's easy to visit both in one day.
Duus Museum
The Duus Museum is just one block from the Hotel Berg and six minutes from the airport. It features a two-storey wooden turf house with objects, artefacts, and memorabilia telling the story of the merchants who lived there.
There are also several art museums in Keflavik, including one with a great kinetic sculpture made of ping pong balls and a voice-activated collage projection.
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Frequently asked questions
Some attractions near Keflavik Airport include the Blue Lagoon, Gunnuhver, the Bridge Between Continents, the town of Keflavik, and the city of Reykjavik.
The town of Keflavik is home to the Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll, the Viking World museum, shops, restaurants, a cinema, and more.
There are several hiking trails near Keflavik Airport, including one to Garðskagi, which follows old tracks that fishermen used to walk to their fish drying racks. There is also Kleifarvatn Lake, which is a 45-minute drive from the airport and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
There are several tour options available near Keflavik Airport, including whale-watching cruises, snowmobiling tours, super truck rides, glacier camp visits, and northern lights tours.
