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Planning an Epic Iceland Stopover: Things To Do Near Keflavik Airport

August 17, 2018

Within the last year or so, Iceland-based airline WowAir has released some incredibly priced flights from the United States. With this airline, it’s not uncommon to find flights to Europe for under $400, and these flights often include a long layover in Iceland.

[EDIT: Unfortunately WowAir is no longer in business. Click to check flight prices to Iceland on TripAdvisor!]

If you have several hours before your connecting flight, Iceland is a fantastic spot for a stopover. If you don’t want to venture all the way into Reykjavik city, there are plenty of fun things to do near Keflavik Airport. To reach some places, you will need to rent a car for a day, but some you can reach via public transportation.

If you’re planning a long layover in Iceland, here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, on an Iceland stopover!

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
Dance with a giant extinct bird statue on your Iceland stopover!

Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll

If the weather isn’t cooperating during your Iceland stopover, there are a few museums near Keflavik Airport where you can get a taste of Icelandic culture and history, while being sheltered from the wind, rain, and snow.

The Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll showcases the role of rock and pop music in Iceland. Visitors get headphones and tablets to help learn about the music. There’s even a sound lab where you can try your hand at playing popular rock instruments like electric drums, guitars, and keyboards. Spend your layover finally living your dream of rocking out like a true Icelandic superstar!

GET THERE: The Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll is only about a 6 minute drive from Keflavik Airport. Or, you can take Bus line 55 into the town and get off at the Miðstöð stop. A taxi will cost you around $30 one way, so it’s probably best to avoid taxis.

Viking World

Viking World is another nearby museum that will get you in touch with your inner Norse Viking. This museum has fascinating exhibits on Iceland’s early Viking settlers, educating visitors on all things Viking life- from their clothes and weapons, to a life-sized replica of a real Viking ship! You’ll even get a chance to try on some of the Vikings’ hottest fashions, like chainmail and swords!

GET THERE: Viking World is only an 8 minute drive from Keflavik Airport, and is close to the Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll. You can also take the same Bus Line 55 to reach Viking World, but it will take about 20 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the museum.

Sweet Viking ship display…Image by Neitram

Stekkjarkot

Stekkjarkot is an interesting site with old fisherman cottages built from turf, stone, and wood. Cottages like these used to dot Iceland’s coastline, but many have since been abandoned and deconstructed. Stekkjarkot gives visitors a look into Iceland’s maritime past, and how these people lived in the 19th century.

GET THERE: The drive to Stekkjarkot is only about 7 minutes from Keflavik Airport. It’s just around the corner from Viking World, so you could easily see both sites. Bus Line 55 will also get you close to Stekkjarkot, but is still about a 20 minute walk from the bus stop.

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
I can’t imagine having to mow the roof…

The Giantess Cave

The Giantess Cave is probably the most kitschy of things to do near Keflavik Airport, but it’s cute and fun for kids. The cave and its large inhabitant were inspired by a series of Icelandic children’s books which tell the stories of a young girl and her giantess friend.  Inside the cave, you can see the giantess’ huge bed and the rocking chair where she sits.

Kids can leave letters for the giantess in her giant mailbox. I guess adults can leave letters too. There’s not really any kind of enforcement on who can and cannot write letters to the fictional lady-giant. So have at it.

GET THERE: The Giantess cave sits along a small harbor in Keflavik. It’s only about a 5 minute drive from Keflavik Airport, and is also accessible by the Bus Line 55.

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
She’s supposedly friendly, so you shouldn’t have to worry about being eaten…

The Blue Lagoon

If you’re visiting Iceland for the first time, there’s a good chance that The Blue Lagoon is on your radar. Probably the most popular of things to do near Keflavik Airport, the Blue Lagoon is a spot that many choose to visit during an Iceland stopover. 

Enjoying the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon will take up several hours of your layover, but it’s really a perfect place to visit after a long flight. Even if you don’t want to pay to soak in the waters, you are welcome to walk around the grounds a bit and see the enchanting blue waters for yourself. 

GET THERE: The Blue Lagoon is about a 20 minute drive from Keflavik Airport. You can also take a bus from the airport to the Blue Lagoon. I recommend booking your bus transfer when booking your Blue Lagoon tickets online, but you can also buy them from Airport Direct in the arrivals hall of the airport when you get there.

READ » 21 Important Things to Know Before Visiting the Blue Lagoon

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover! Visit the Blue Lagoon on layover.
Warm spa-water is best enjoyed after being on a plane for 6+ hours

Brimketill Lava Rock Pool

If you have a bit more time to venture away from Keflavik Airport, consider heading to the Southern part of Reykjanes Peninsula to see some of Iceland’s dramatic coastline. 

At Brimketill, large pools have formed in the lava rock along the edge of the ocean. According to Icelandic folklore, the pools here are where a giantess used to bathe and do her laundry. I’m assuming this is past-tense because she got swept away to sea. The waves here can be quite cheeky…

The outer edge of the lava rock pool at Brimeketill

During high tides, the waves beat against the cliffs, sending water into the air. Hold on to your valuables, as these sneaky waves like to jump up and remind you that you’re in the splash zone. Not that I had any particular experience with that…(I did.)

GET THERE: From Keflavik Airport, it takes about 25-30 minutes to drive to Brimketill, depending on which route you take. There is no public transportation from the airport.

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
Right before a wave crashed up and completely soaked me, forcing me to do a complete wardrobe change in the parking lot

Gunnuhver

Gunnuhver is a popular area to visit in the Reykjanes Geothermal Park. According to Icelandic legend, there’s a witch’s ghost trapped here, and She. Is. Ticked. It’s believed by some that the bubbling mud and sulphuric steam released from the ground is the witch’s continued anger from being trapped. But I’m routing for team “Classic Icelandic Geothermal Activity.”

The site of Gunnuhver is interesting to see, with the land changing color due to the acidity of the water and the minerals in the Earth. If you don’t have the time on your Iceland stopover to see any of Iceland’s other geothermal sites, make sure to visit this one to see just how powerful and diverse the landscape is.

GET THERE: Driving to Gunnuhver from Keflavik Airport takes about 25-30 minutes, depending on your route. It’s only about 5 minutes drive from Brimketill Lava Pool site. Make sure to drive slowly as the road becomes rocky and has some large potholes. There is no public transportation that goes to Gunnuhver.

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
You can feel the heat of the ghost’s anger…er….geothermal steam…

Reykjanesviti Lighthouse

A quick drive from Gunnuhver brings you to Iceland’s very first lighthouse: Reykjanesviti. The hike up the hill to the lighthouse is not difficult and takes less than 10 minutes. From the top, you can see amazing views of the steam rising across Gunnuhver, as well as the blue ocean crashing against the black lava coast. 

GET THERE: Reykjanesviti is just down the road from Gunnuhver, maybe another 2 or 3 minutes driving. If you’re using a GPS, you may get directions telling you to go back to the town of Grindavik and then turn around. Ignore this, and just follow the signs.

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
The hike up looks more intense than it really is

Valahnúkamöl

If you continue down the road from the lighthouse, you will end up at on the rocky coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula. This area of jagged lava rock has beautiful views of the ocean and coastal cliffs. There are lots of birds in this area to watch, and even the chance to spot a seal!

Have fun jumping from rock to rock, leaping across the jagged cracks in the earth, and watching the ice blue water crash against the pitch black cliffsides. 

GET THERE: Valahnúkamöl is just a 2 minute drive toward the coast from Reykjanesviti Lighthouse. No public transportation is available.

Amazing views from Valahnúkamöl
Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
Feeling like Indiana Jones, standing on jagged cracks in the lava rock

The Bridge Between Continents

One of the really interesting things about Iceland is that it sits directly on the divide between two of earth’s tectonic plates: The Eurasian Plate and the North American Plate. As the plates slowly shift and move apart from each other, rifts and fissures begin to appear in the ground.

Here at the Bridge Between Continents, you can walk across a small fissure from one continental plate to another. You can even stand on the sand ground in between the plates! If you stop by the Reykjanes Information Center, you can buy a personalized certificate, proving to your friends at home that you walked from Europe to North America!

GET THERE: If you’re continuing the drive from Valahnúkamöl, it’s only about 11 minutes north of the coastline. If you’re driving from Keflavik Airport, it will only take about 20 minutes. There is no public transportation here.

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
The fissure between two tectonic plates

Tips for Visiting Reykjanesviti Peninsula

Making a stopover in Iceland is a great way to whet your appetite for Iceland’s unique and fascinating landscapes. You can see so many incredible sights without having to follow the major tourist trails into Reykjavik or the Golden Circle. If you’re thinking of hitting up some of these things to do near Keflavik Airport, here is some logistical information to help your planning!

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and purchase one of these items, I will get an itty bitty (no, really…) commission at no cost to you! Thanks!


Car Rental

Without a car, there is not much near Keflavik Airport you can do. You can take Bus Line 55 to a few museums and sites, but if the weather is bad you may not want to be out walking from place to place. 

If you have a layover of at least 8 or more hours, it could be worth it to rent a car for the day and have the freedom to enjoy some of the more exciting things to do near Keflavik Airport.

Check Car Rental Prices

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!
Clint, my valiant and reliable Icelandic steed

Where to Stay

Base Hotel, Reykjanesbaer

Base Hotel in the neighboring town of Reykjanesbaer is one of the best places to stay during an Iceland stopover. If you’ve rented a car, this hotel is only a 5 minute drive from Keflavik Airport. And if you’ve opted out of a car rental, this is one of the few hotels near the airport that offer airport pickup! Pickup costs 600ISK one way, and you do have to reserve your space on the bus.

The hotel offers both private rooms and shared dorm space for those on a budget. There are large community spaces and kitchens available if you’d like to make your own meals. But most importantly, it’s one of the most budget-friendly hotels in the area. 

Read Reviews on TripAdvisor   |  Book Base Hotel

Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover!

Want more on Iceland travel? Find all my Iceland articles here!

     

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Are you planning a long layover in Iceland? Here are some fun things to do near Keflavik Airport, visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on an Iceland stopover! #Iceland #IcelandTravel #Icelandstopover #Icelandlayover

         

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25 Comments


Carly
August 17, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Reply

I had no idea there were so many things to do so close to the airport!! I’m heading back to Iceland in a few weeks and if I end up with some spare time before I fly out I know where to head for ideas. Thanks for such a comprehensive list



Meggan Mullock
August 18, 2018 at 10:04 am
Reply

Wow, we were so busy with the rest of the country we didn’t do any of this except the Blue Lagoon! We will have to do a stop over someday when we travel back to Europe just do to some of these things! Incredible list!!



Jac
August 18, 2018 at 10:38 am
Reply

I’m hoping that if I finally make it to Iceland, that I can do more than just stopover, but great to see there are a lot of options just in case!



Lydia
August 18, 2018 at 11:28 am
Reply

Iceland sounds like a great travel destination and an exceptional stopover, Brianna. These are some awesome ideas which I will definitely remember if I ever get to be near there!



Danielle
August 18, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Reply

This was such an interesting read! I’ve not ever read that much about Iceland but you’ve definitely inspired me to pay it a visit!



Kashlee Kucheran
August 18, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Reply

These are such good ideas for a layover in Iceland. I haven’t booked a flight that needed a stopover here yet, but now I’m more confident in booking one! Thanks girl



Kavita Favelle
August 21, 2018 at 5:16 am
Reply

One of the things I loved about Iceland was how many amazing sights there were within short distance of each other, so great to see how many are within easy reach of the airport for a short visit. A car hire looks essential to get around and make the most of your time. We loved self-driving Iceland for our 2 week visit.



Candy
August 21, 2018 at 10:30 am
Reply

We absolutely love Iceland. These are such great suggestions for a stopover. We’ve been to the Blue Lagoon but didn’t get a chance to visit the Viking Museum. Would love to visit that the next time we are there 🙂



The Travel Bunny
August 22, 2018 at 11:19 am
Reply

I’ve seen photos and posts on Viking World before. And I find it so interesting and attractive, it’s something I simply have to see soon! I don’t think it’s gonna be much longer till I get to Iceland, both my boyfriend and I seem to be thinking of it every now and then. We just need the time for it.



Samantha
August 22, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Reply

I’ve noticed that there are so many stopovers now in Iceland – and for so cheap too, even from Canada! I definitely want to go check out Iceland, although I’ve heard that it’s quite expensive (food, getting around, etc.).



    Brianna
    August 22, 2018 at 7:21 pm
    Reply

    It can be expensive, but for a short stopover, you can usually budget well!

Christen
August 22, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Reply

I went to Iceland last year and absolutely loved it! Out of the activities listed on your post, the only place I visited was the blue lagoon. I wish I had known about some of these other options, like the Viking museum. Noting these for the next time I pass through the island 🙂



Backpacking Series
August 23, 2018 at 2:22 am
Reply

Reading this post, we think it would be a good idea to actually plan for a stopover to cover as many places that can be done near Keflavik Airport. It sounds like a smart way to explore especially when you don’t have to go really far to see places unlike some other countries where airports are away from anything of interest. Stekkjarkot indeed looks like an interesting site and not seen anything like this before.



Erica Edwards
August 23, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Reply

Everyone talks about visiting the Blue Lagoon on longlayovers… I had no idea there were so many other options! They all look great, but I think I’d have to go for a soak in the thermal waters, especially after a long flight from the west coast! The lighthouse and the continental bridge also look quite cool.



Teri
August 23, 2018 at 9:17 pm
Reply

I Love Iceland. Would definitely take advantage of this opportunity if I could. Thanks for sharing.



Cynthia
August 23, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Reply

I did a similar layover on a trip to Copenhagen! We made a couple of the same spots, but you found some really cool options I didn’t. I’d love to go back and see Viking World and the Reykjanesviti Lighthouse. I really enjoyed the view from the Brimketill Lava Rock Pool – we had a bit of wind that day so the waves were definitely playing with us!



Mel Butler
August 24, 2018 at 4:30 am
Reply

I went to Iceland over 10years ago when there was no budget airlines or layovers. I would love to go back now and see how much it has changed with the tourism boom. I would also check out that Viking World that looks and sounds very cool



Kurt Rental
October 24, 2018 at 9:15 am
Reply

Interesting article! I have been to Iceland several times and I want to say that as for me the best option for a holiday here is to rent a car and drive through the whole Ring Road



    Brianna
    October 24, 2018 at 10:10 am
    Reply

    Agreed! Renting a car is a great idea in Iceland. Though not everyone has time to drive the whole Ring Road!

Kimaya
October 25, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Reply

Wow, These are amazing landmarks, Iceland is my dream destination and has always been a mystery to me. :O



    Brianna
    October 25, 2018 at 1:57 pm
    Reply

    It’s incredible! You should definitely go!

Danielle Farideh
March 9, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Reply

I love stopovers! This is a great guide, and Iceland is an excellent place to plan a stopover!



    Brianna
    March 10, 2019 at 9:50 pm
    Reply

    Iceland does make a great stopover location from the US!

Patricia - SavvyExploring
March 9, 2019 at 3:19 pm
Reply

Wow, this is a great guide! I will be in Iceland for over a week, but these will be great to check out on our last day before we drop off our car. Valahnúkamöl looks like some of the rock formations on the black sand beaches out on the east coast, but way closer. Thanks for sharing!



    Brianna
    March 10, 2019 at 9:50 pm
    Reply

    Oh fun! This is exactly what we did before returning our rental car and heading to the airport. It’s a great low-key way to see more of Iceland before you have to leave!

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  • I’m Brianna and I’m possibly the funniest person I know. I’m a total goofball who loves to travel. I fell in love with the world in 2007, when my family and I moved to Sydney, Australia. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to see the world. I'm an ordinary adventurer here to show you how the average person can travel the world.

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