Keilir

The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most famous geothermal spa, a milky turquoise pool set in a black lava field on the Reykjanes peninsula. The warm, mineral-rich water steams against the cold air, and bathers can apply silica mud masks and sip drinks from the in-water bar. The surrounding landscape is stark and otherworldly.

The bridge is just a short walk from the car park, so a visit takes only around twenty to thirty minutes. Many people collect a certificate at a nearby visitor centre as a souvenir. Combine it with other Reykjanes sights such as the lighthouse, the geothermal area at Gunnuhver, or the village of Hafnir.

Garðskagi is a favourite spot for birdwatching, especially during spring and autumn migrations, and for sunsets that turn the sky orange and pink. On clear winter nights it is a good place to see the northern lights. A small museum and café stand by the lighthouses. Bring warm, windproof clothes, since it is almost always breezy.