Iceland
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Ytri Tunga: A Permanent Seal Colony in Iceland
When you think of Iceland and animals, do you think of seals? Well you should because on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland lives one of Iceland’s permanent seal colonies: Ytri Tunga. Located near Guesthouse Hof (our accommodation), Ytri Tunga is a sandy stony beach that is known for one thing and one thing only:…
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Malariff Lighthouse: Majestic White Giant overlooking the Cliffs
Located on the edge of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Snæfellsjökull National Park near Lóndrangar, Malariff Lighthouse stands on the southwestern coastal cliffs. Overlooking the ocean, it not only offers beautiful views of Snæfellsjökull (the active volcano with a glacier on top) in any weather but also stands near one of the early settlements of the…
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Lóndrangar: Rock Pinnacles Overlooking Cliffs
Located at the end of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lóndrangar is a pair of rock pinnacles, sentinals sitting on the edge of a cliff. Part of Snæfellsjökull National Park, it is an excellent part of any day- or multi-day trip to this area. Lóndrangar is a set of volcanic plugs of basalt rock that have appeared…
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Dritvik Djúpalónssandur: Black Lava Beach and Cove (Iceland)
In Snæfellsjökull National Park on the western coast is one of Iceland’s iconic black sand beaches: Dritvik Djúpalónssandur – Black Lava Pearl Beach. Dritvik Djúpalónssandur refers to two separate things: Dritvik is the cove and Djúpalónssandur is the beach, although the name refers to several deep lagoons that are just slightly inland. Dritvik Djúpalónssandur is…
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Svörtuloft Lighthouse: Orange Lighthouse on a Black Background (Iceland)
If you like lighthouses and/or enjoy Halloween, then Svörtuloft Lighthouse on Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula might be the place for you. Located on the western edge of the peninsula, it offers some beautiful views of the ocean as well as Snæfellsjökull, the active volcano with a glacier that gives the Snæfellsjökull National Park its name. Located…
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Skarðsvík Beach: One of Iceland’s Few non-Black Beaches
Skarðsvík Beach is located on the northwestern end of Iceland’s Snæfellesnes Peninsula overlooking the ocean. While most of the beaches in Iceland are made up of volcanic rock, and are therefore blacks, dark browns and bits of red, Skarðsvík Beach is one of the few “blonde” beaches, meaning that the sand has a golden brown…
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Snæfellsnesvegur View Point: Views from a Mountain Pass (Iceland)
Route 54 – the main road around the Snæfellsnes peninsula – goes through the mountains that give the peninsula its name. Similar to places like Rest and Be Thankful, on this mountain pass are two pull off areas where you can look down the valley. This view captures not only the mountains and valley that…
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Búðakirkja: Black Church on a Gorgeous Mountainous Background (Iceland)
Búðakirkja – the Black Church – is located on Iceland’s Snæfellnes Peninsula and is the iconic black church on the island. While you can find the rainbow of colours of other churches, Búðakirkja is completely black. This is very much in stark contrast to the landscape consisting of multicoloured mountains, fluffy white and grey clouds,…
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Guesthouse Hof: Cabins overlooking the Ocean on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Iceland)
About Guesthouse Hof Guesthouse Hof is an acommodation comprising apartments and standalone cabins. Offering accommodation for 2 people per cabin and many more for the apartments, it sits on a desolate, very windswept coast. It advertises itself as having WiFi for all accommodation and hot tubs for the apartments. It also says that: Popular activities…
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Rainbow Road: Celebration of Diversity and Equality in Reykjavik (Iceland)
As you are walking around downtown Reykjavik, you will no doubt come across “Rainbow Road” or Skólavörðustígur, where a large rainbow covers the main part of the pedestrian street. The rainbow road has been painted several times, starting out initially as a temporary as a celebration of Reykjavik Pride. However it became a permanent feature…
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Hallgrímskirkja: Rekyjavik’s Basalt Column-inspired Cathedral (Iceland)
At the heart of Reykjavik sits Hallgrímskirkja, the island’s largest church (I want to call it a cathedral but it is not) and its second tallest building (74.5 metres/244 ft). Named after a famous Icelandic poet and clergyman, Hallgrímur Pétursson, construction on this Protestant Lutheran church began in 1945 and was completed in 1986. The church…
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Harpa Center: Reykjavik’s Answer to Modern Art and Architecture (Iceland)
Near downtown Reykjavik is the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre – or Harpa – which opened in 2011. Since then it has won several awards since then, including the 2013 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, which is very prestigious. Harpa’s façade is primarily made of glass. The…
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Flið Fisherman’s Village: Beautiful Ocean Views near Reykjavik (Iceland)
About Flið Fisherman’s Village Flið Fisherman’s Village is located in Álftanes, a town just to the south of Reykjavik. By car it takes about 15 minutes to get to the capital. The hotel consists of a series of semi-detached cabins as well as some row housing, offering rooms for 2, 3 or 4 people. The…
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Sun Voyager: Modern Art to Iceland’s Viking Past (Iceland)
Sitting on the water in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, is a modern alt sculpture that captures the history of the island. Created in 1990 by Jón Gunnar Árnason, the Sun Voyager is in the shape of a Viking longboat and, in the artists own words, embodies a sense of exploration, promise and freedom. The installation is…
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Kleifarvatn Lake: Stark Contrast to Volcanoes and Lava Fields (Iceland)
Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland approximately half an hour from Keflavik airport, Kleifarvatn is the largest lake in the Setlún Geothermal Area. Meaning “draining lake” as there are no visible inlets or outlets (they are underground), it a stark contrast to the volcanoes and lava fields that make up this area of…
