Discover the best lighthouses in Iceland, where to find them, and how to fit them into your trip. From a 10-minute drive out of Reykjavik to a sea stack you can only reach by helicopter, this guide rounds up the top Icelandic lighthouses and tells you what makes each one worth the detour.
Iceland has more than 100 lighthouses spread along 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) of coastline. Some sit on the edge of the capital, others on remote fjords most travelers will never see. With customizable vacation packages in Iceland, you can easily fit a few lighthouse stops into a longer trip.
If you plan to rent a car in Iceland, most of these towers are easy detours off the Ring Road. A few lighthouses also double as one of the best places to see the northern lights in winter or birdwatching hotspots in summer.
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The Icelandic word for lighthouse is viti, which comes from the Proto-Germanic witaną, meaning “to know.” That word is fitting for a building whose only job is to point the way.
Today, these towers do more than guide ships at sea. Many stand beside dramatic cliffs, black sand beaches, and quiet coastal viewpoints, making lighthouse visits one of the best things to do around the country. Read on to discover the best lighthouses in Iceland.
Best Lighthouses in Iceland at a Glance
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Number of Icelandic lighthouses: Roughly 104, scattered along the country’s coastline.
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Oldest lighthouse: Reykjanesviti, first built in 1878 on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
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Newest lighthouse: Hofdi, added to Reykjavik’s waterfront in 2019.
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Closest to Reykjavik: Hofdi (20-minute walk from downtown) and Grotta (10-minute drive).
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Closest to Keflavik Airport: Gardskagaviti and Holmsberg, both within a 10-minute drive.
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Most photogenic: Svortuloft, Gardskagaviti, Thridrangar, and Djupivogur (Aedarsteinsviti).
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Most remote: Thridrangaviti, 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) off the Westman Islands.
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Westernmost in Europe: Bjargtangar (Westfjords), beside Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs.
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Best for puffins and birdwatching: Bjargtangar, Dyrholaey, and Svortuloft in summer.
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Best for northern lights: Grotta and Hofdi near Reykjavik during winter.
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Lighthouses you can enter: Akranesviti, Sugandisey, and Malarrif.
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Most architecturally unique: Knarraros near Stokkseyri.
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Only lighthouse privately built: Dalatangaviti in the Eastfjords.
Why Iceland Built So Many Lighthouses
Before there were paved harbors or radar, Icelanders relied on bonfires lit on hills and church towers to guide fishing boats home. Light was the only lifeline through winter storms, towering swells, and the kind of fog that swallows whole valleys.
Iceland’s first official lighthouse, Reykjanesviti, went up in 1878 on the southern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, an area known for dangerous reefs, heavy surf, and unpredictable weather. Over time, more than 100 lighthouses were built along Iceland’s coastline to improve safety for fishing communities, cargo ships, and travelers crossing the North Atlantic.
Many of these lighthouses are tied to Iceland’s most beautiful churches and the country’s seafaring history. They weren’t just navigation tools; they were symbols of survival in some of the harshest coastal conditions on Earth.
Top 15 Best Lighthouses To Visit in Iceland
These are listed roughly clockwise from Reykjavik, so you can string them onto a Ring Road trip or just pick the ones near where you’re staying. Each section includes how to actually get there.
15. Djupivogur Lighthouse (Aedarsteinsviti): A Vivid Orange Tower in the East
A short walk from the harbor of the artsy fishing village of Djupivogur, the stubby orange Aedarsteinsviti Lighthouse stands just 33 feet (10 meters) tall but punches well above its weight visually.
Built in 1922, it was designed by Thorvald Krabbe and Gudmundur J. Hlidal and didn’t get electricity until 1987. It was originally white with two horizontal stripes before being repainted in its now-iconic orange in 1966.
The lighthouse sits on a cliff above a stretch of coast tied to a sad piece of local history. In 1872, a boat carrying ten people and a dog sank just below the Aedarstein Cliff, the largest seafaring loss in Djupivogur’s history. The lighthouse, built 50 years later, has been guarding that same approach ever since.
Djupivogur itself is one of the few larger service stops between the Eastfjords and Southeast Iceland. It is worth exploring, with a great working harbor, the Eggin i Gledivik Egg Sculptures along the shore, and one of the most relaxed atmospheres on the East Coast.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: The lighthouse is just a 15-minute walk or a two-minute drive from Djupivogur Harbor.
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Pro Tip: Pair your visit to Djupivogur Lighthouse with a meal or coffee stop in the village before continuing along the Ring Road.
Suggested Djupivogur Tours
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10-Day Clockwise Ring Road Self-Drive Tour: This self-drive itinerary includes a stop in Djupivogur, giving you time to visit the lighthouse and explore the quiet harbor area along the Eastfjords.
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12-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road: This winter Ring Road trip passes through Djupivogur, where you can take a short detour to the lighthouse before continuing through East Iceland.
14. Streitisviti Lighthouse: A Quiet Stop in the Eastfjords
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Bjorn.thorvaldsson.is. No edits made.
On the Streitishvarf Peninsula between the fjords of Berufjordur and Breiddalsvik, Streitisviti is one of East Iceland’s best-kept secrets. The current 39-foot (12-meter) tower was built in 1984, but a lighthouse has stood on this spot since 1922. The original was retired in 1958 when a newer light station was built closer to Breiddalsvik.
The lighthouse itself is closed, but the setting is spectacular. A short 0.3-mile (500-meter) trail leads from the parking area out to the lighthouse, with views of the cliffs, distinctive basalt dikes, and Berufjordur Fjord stretching inland.
The walk is around 10 minutes round trip, perfect for stretching your legs on long Ring Road trips between Hofn and Egilsstadir.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Just off Route 1 (the Ring Road) between Breiddalsvik and Djupivogur. Look for the signed turn-off and follow the gravel road for less than a mile.
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Pro Tip: If planning to visit Streitisviti Lighthouse, bring snacks and fuel, as services are limited along this remote stretch of coastline in East Iceland.
Suggested Streitisviti Tours
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Streiti Coastline Super Jeep Tour in East Iceland from Breiddalsvik: This guided Super Jeep tour explores the rugged Streiti coastline, including the remote area around Streitisviti Lighthouse.
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10-Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland: This Ring Road itinerary travels through East Iceland, giving you the flexibility to detour toward Streitisviti and explore the dramatic coastline at your own pace.
13. Malarrif Lighthouse: A Rocket on the Snaefellsnes Coast
A short drive south of Svortuloft on the same stretch of Snaefellsnes coast, you’ll find Malarrif Lighthouse, a slim white tower locals call “the rocket.” It rises 66 feet (20 meters) above the coastline. The current lighthouse was built in 1946, replacing a 1917 original, and was officially protected as a historic structure in 2003.
Right next door is the visitor center for Snaefellsjokull National Park, opened in 2016 inside the converted old sheepfolds of the original farmstead. The exhibition focuses on how Icelanders used the surrounding land to spot ships and read the weather.
Malarrif Lighthouse is free to enter, with restrooms open 24/7, a picnic area, and a small playground out front. From the lighthouse, a coastal trail leads to the dramatic Londrangar Basalt Sea Stacks, about a 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) walk one way.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Drive via Route 574 inside Snaefellsjokull National Park. The site is well-signed and has free parking.
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Pro Tip: Bring a camera with a zoom lens when visiting Malarrif Lighthouse, as the surrounding lava fields and coastline are a good place to spot seabirds and distant views of Snaefellsjokull Glacier.
Suggested Malarrif Tour
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5-Day Guided Winter Tour of Snaefellsnes and South Coast from Reykjavik: This multi-day winter tour explores the dramatic coastline of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, including the area around Malarrif Lighthouse and Snaefellsjokull National Park.
12. Sugandisey Lighthouse: Clifftop Views Over Breidafjordur
The small basalt island of Sugandisey rises directly above the harbor of Stykkisholmur, the largest town on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A red and white striped lighthouse, built in 1948, sits at the top and gives you one of the best 360-degree views in western Iceland: Breidafjordur Bay with its scattered islands on one side, the colorful houses of the old town on the other.
The climb is short, under 10 minutes via a well-maintained staircase from the harbor, which makes Sugandisey one of the most accessible scenic lighthouses in Iceland to actually visit.
Walking up to the viewpoint is considered one of the best things to do in Stykkisholmur, especially if you want an easy coastal walk with rewarding panoramic views.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Drive to Stykkisholmur harbor, where free parking is available near the waterfront, then follow the short walking path up to Sugandisey Lighthouse.
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Pro Tip: Visit Sugandisey Lighthouse on a clear evening for some of the best panoramic views over Stykkisholmur and the scattered islands of Breidafjordur.
Suggested Sugandisey Tour
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10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road with Snaefellsnes: This itinerary covers the Ring Road and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, including a stop in Stykkisholmur where you can take a short walk up Sugandisey Island to visit the lighthouse.
11. Hofdi Lighthouse: Reykjavik’s Newest Beacon
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Bjorn.thorvaldsson.is. No edits made.
Built in 2019, Hofdi is the newest of all the Icelandic lighthouses and by far the easiest to find if you’re staying in Reykjavik. The small yellow tower sits on the waterfront promenade between the Old Harbor and Harpa Concert Hall, designed to echo the original lighthouses that stood in Reykjavik’s harbor in the 1910s.
Hofdi Lighthouse is not dramatic in the way cliff-edge lighthouses are. What it offers instead is a clean view across Faxafloi Bay to Mount Esja, an excellent sunset stop, and a five-minute walk from most downtown Reykjavik hotels and accommodations.
Out of all the lighthouses near Reykjavik, this one takes the least planning.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Walk from anywhere in central Reykjavik. The lighthouse sits on the seaside path along Saebraut, between Harpa and the Old Harbor.
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Pro Tip: Visit Hofdi Lighthouse in the evening and combine it with a walk along the Reykjavik waterfront path toward the Sun Voyager Sculpture for wide ocean views and a quieter experience after the daytime crowds.
Suggested Hofdi Tour
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Private Reykjavik Sightseeing Tour Including Transfer: This private city tour includes a stop at Hofdi House, located just a short walk from Hofdi Lighthouse along Reykjavik’s scenic waterfront.
10. Knarraros Lighthouse: Art Nouveau Meets the South Coast
About 3 miles (5 kilometers) outside the village of Stokkseyri on the South Coast, Knarraros stands out for its design as much as its setting.
Built in 1939 in a blend of Art Nouveau and Functionalist styles, it’s the only lighthouse in Iceland that looks like it could star in a Bauhaus textbook. The architect, Axel Sveinsson, was heavily influenced by Guðjón Samúelsson, the state architect behind Hallgrimskirkja Church and the National Theater.
Knarraros is notable for being the first reinforced concrete lighthouse built in Iceland. The 85-foot (26-meter) tower is made up of two stacked geometric forms with sleek black paneling. Left unpainted, it has a moody, industrial feel that looks especially striking against the South Coast sky.
You can’t go inside Knarraros Lighthouse, but the surrounding fields and coastline are wide open. Stokkseyri itself has good seafood restaurants and calm waters that are popular for kayaking.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: A short detour off Route 33 from the Ring Road, about an hour from Reykjavik.
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Pro Tip: Visit Knarrarosviti during low tide to better explore the black sand shoreline and surrounding coastal area near the lighthouse.
Suggested Knarraros Tour
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7-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland: A week-long itinerary covering Iceland’s top regions, with Knarraros as a scenic stop near the start or end of the trip.
9. Svortuloft Lighthouse: Orange Against the Ocean
On the western edge of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Svortuloft Lighthouse is hard to miss, thanks to its bright orange paint and the contrast against the black lava cliffs around it. Built in 1931, it replaced an earlier lighthouse from 1914 and still works as a navigational marker.
The name translates to “black ceiling,” a nod to the dark cliff overhangs you’ll see from the wooden viewing platform just past the parking lot. A short walk takes you through jagged lava fields to look down at waves, seabirds, and the occasional seal or whale offshore.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Drive in via Route 574 inside Snaefellsjokull National Park. A 4x4 car rental is recommended year-round because of the uneven gravel road. Check road conditions in winter.
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Pro Tip: Visit at sunset, when this place really earns its reputation as one of the most photogenic stops in West Iceland.
Suggested Svortuloft Tour
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10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road: A comprehensive road trip with a full day on Snaefellsnes, with time to visit Svortuloft and other West Iceland highlights.
8. Bjargtangar Lighthouse: Europe’s Western Edge
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Martin Cigler. No edits made.
At the far edge of the Westfjords, Bjargtangar marks the westernmost point of both Iceland and continental Europe. It’s a small, unassuming white tower, the kind you’d walk right past on its own.
What makes it worth the long drive is what sits right beside it: the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs, one of Europe’s largest seabird colonies.
The first lighthouse went up in 1913, and the current two-story concrete tower replaced it in 1948. You can’t go inside, but the clifftop setting (200 feet, or 60 meters above sea level) gives you an open view over the North Atlantic.
The Latrabjarg Cliffs run for 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) and reach 1,447 feet (441 meters) at the highest point. In summer, the cliffs are absolutely covered in puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.
Because Arctic foxes can’t reach the narrow cliff ledges where the birds nest, the seabirds here are unusually relaxed about humans, often within a few feet.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Best reached by rental car through the Westfjords. The road from Patreksfjordur is partly gravel, so a 4x4 vehicle helps.
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Pro Tip: Plan your Westfjords trip between June and August for the best chance to see puffins nesting along the dramatic sea cliffs near Bjargtangar.
Suggested Bjargtangar Tours
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The Bird Cliffs of Latrabjarg Hiking Tour: A scenic day hike with close-up encounters with birdlife and time near Bjargtangar.
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9-Hour Jeep Tour to Latrabjarg Cliffs and Raudasandur Beach: A guided 4x4 trip through the highlights of the Westfjords, beaches, fjords, and Latrabjarg.
7. Dalatangaviti: Iceland’s Only Privately Built Lighthouse
Photo by Ludovic Charlet
Tucked away in a remote corner of the Eastfjords past the village of Mjoifjordur, Dalatangaviti stands out for its bright orange paint and an unusual backstory. It’s the only lighthouse in Iceland built by a private individual: shipowner and entrepreneur Otto Wathne, who put up the original in 1895. That one was decommissioned in 1917 and fell into ruin.
The current orange tower, built in 1959, sits about 325 feet (100 meters) from the original site and is now managed by the National Museum of Iceland. The drive to get there is half the adventure: a dirt road from Mjoifjordur Fjord winds past waterfalls and steep fjord walls before delivering you to the cliffs at the end.
From June to October, the MS Norrona Ferry between Denmark and Seydisfjordur passes within sight of the lighthouse.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Remote and reachable by gravel road from Mjoifjordur, or by guided 4x4 tours. If you’re driving with a 4x4 car rental, allow a full half-day from Seydisfjordur.
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Pro Tip: Check local road conditions before driving to Dalatangaviti, as the remote gravel route along the Eastfjords can become rough and slippery after heavy rain or strong winds.
Suggested Dalatangaviti Tours
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Secret Fjord Jeep Tour: A small-group 7-hour super jeep tour from Seydisfjordur with hidden waterfalls, dramatic fjord views, and the road to Dalatangaviti.
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Small-Group Jeep Tour of Mjoifjordur: A 5-hour private trip through one of Iceland’s most secluded fjords, with stories of trolls, waterfalls, and a stop at Dalatangaviti.
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Discover also: Best Places to Visit in East Iceland
6. Thridrangaviti: Iceland’s Most Daring Lighthouse
Photo from Wikimedia. Creative Commons, by Voilier.Evidence. No edits made.
The most photographed but hardest to reach of all Icelandic lighthouses, Thridrangar Lighthouse rises from a 120-foot (36-meter) basalt sea stack about 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) off the coast of the Westman Islands.
Built between 1938 and 1945, it’s the lighthouse you’ve probably seen in viral videos: a tiny tower clinging to a vertical column of rock in the middle of the sea.
Construction was a feat. Local mountaineers and Westman Islands workers free-climbed the cliff face without modern safety equipment, carving footholds into the rock to lay the foundation. They built the tower in some of Iceland’s roughest waters and weather, and it’s been guiding ships through one of the country’s most dangerous maritime zones ever since.
Thridrangar Lighthouse is accessible only by helicopter, and even then, landings on the tiny helipad above the cliffs require special permission and calm weather conditions. Public visits are not allowed, so the best you can do is catch a glimpse of it on a boat tour out of Vestmannaeyjar.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Visible only from Westman Islands boat tours out of Heimaey Harbor in the Westman Islands.
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Pro Tip: For the clearest views of Thridrangar Lighthouse, join a boat tour on a calm summer day. Don’t forget to bring binoculars.
Suggested Thridrangar Tour
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Small Island Boat Tour From Vestmannaeyjar: Although not guaranteed, the tour can offer distant views of the sea stack where Thridrangar Lighthouse stands.
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See also: Top 5 Islands in Iceland
5. Gardskagaviti: A Colorful Beacon at the Edge of Reykjanes
Photo from Wikimedia. Creative Commons. by Emstur. No edits made.
At the northern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, just north of Keflavik International Airport, you’ll find two Gardskagaviti lighthouses standing side by side along the shoreline at Gardskagi.
The older and smaller lighthouse was built in 1897. Unlike many Icelandic lighthouses perched high on cliffs, this one was constructed closer to sea level, which helped reduce problems with fog blocking the light.
Because of this, it was once considered one of the most effective lighthouses in Iceland. However, its low position also left it exposed to powerful surf and severe coastal storms. Today, visitors can still walk up to the historic structure and admire its white walls marked with bright orange stripes.
As maritime traffic increased, a taller and more powerful lighthouse was needed. The current Gardskagaviti Lighthouse was built in 1944 and rises about 92 feet (28 meters) above the coast, making it the tallest lighthouse in Iceland. A lighthouse keeper lived on site until 1979, helping maintain the light through Iceland’s harsh coastal weather.
You can’t go inside either lighthouse, but the location is open and easy. There’s a cafe and folk museum next door, plenty of parking, and clear views out across Faxafloi Bay. Because of its location on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Gardskagaviti is also one of the top things to do near the Blue Lagoon.
If you’re coming from Keflavik Airport, Gardskagaviti is one of the most convenient lighthouse stops on the entire peninsula. Holmsberg Lighthouse is another nearby option that is also easy to reach from the airport.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Rental cars from Keflavik Airport make this an easy first-day or last-day stop.
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Pro Tip: Stop by Gardskagaviti at high tide on a windy day to see waves crash dramatically along the rocky shoreline, then warm up at the nearby cafe by the old lighthouse during summer opening hours.
Suggested Gardskagaviti Tour
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Private 6-Hour Geology & Nature Tour of Reykjanes Peninsula From Reykjavik: This private tour explores the coastal landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula, including the area around Gardskagaviti and its historic twin lighthouses.
4. Dyrholaeyjarviti: Best Clifftop Views in the South
Photo by Dennis Van Dalen
West of Vik on Iceland’s South Coast, Dyrholaeyjarviti commands what’s arguably the best clifftop view in the country. The current 30-foot (9-meter) tower was built in 1927, replacing an earlier light station from 1910. It sits on a headland that marks one of the southernmost points of mainland Iceland.
The lighthouse itself is closed, but the surrounding area is the real reason to come. Black sand beaches stretch out below, sea cliffs drop straight to the ocean, and in summer (May through late August), puffins nest along the grassy clifftops.
A massive natural sea arch carved into the headland is visible from the lighthouse. In 1993, a daredevil pilot famously flew a small plane right through it.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Off Route 218 from the Ring Road, about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik. The road up to the lighthouse can get rough in bad weather.
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Pro Tip: If you’re visiting Dyrholaey Lighthouse between May and late June, plan around the nightly road closures put in place to protect nesting puffins. The lower viewpoint remains open year-round.
Suggested Dyrholaeyjarviti Tours
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2-Day Summer Adventure Tour: A packed itinerary covering waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier hikes, and a stop at Dyrholaey.
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3-Day Winter South Coast Tour: A winter trip with ice caves, glacier hike, and the cliffs near Dyrholaey.
3. Akranesviti: Twin Beacons of the West Coast
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Pjt56. No edits made.
The coastal town of Akranes has not one but two white lighthouses side by side at the edge of the harbor. The older one, built in 1918, is one of the earliest concrete lighthouses in Iceland. The newer one, added in 1944, is the one still in operation.
The newer Akranesviti is one of the few Icelandic lighthouses you can actually climb. It doubles as a small museum on Icelandic lighthouses and photography, and you can take the spiral staircase to the top for a 360-degree view of the coast and inland mountains.
Akranesviti is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM in summer and only on weekdays in winter. It is quiet, uncrowded, and worth the detour if you’re on one of Iceland’s self-drive tours westward.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Best by car, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik via the Hvalfjordur Tunnel.
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Pro Tip: Don’t forget to climb the tower and check out the photo exhibition when it’s open.
Suggested Akranesviti Tours
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8-Day Ring Road Self-Drive Tour: A flexible summer itinerary that covers Iceland’s top sights with time to detour through Borgarfjordur and visit Akranes.
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7-Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour: A winter route through West and South Iceland, good for combining Akranes with aurora hunting.
2. Reykjanesviti: Iceland’s Oldest Lighthouse
On the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, Reykjanesviti holds the title of Iceland’s oldest lighthouse, even if the current tower isn’t the original.
The first lighthouse went up in 1878 to guide ships into Keflavik and Reykjavik, but an earthquake brought it down eight years later. The 102-foot (31-meter) concrete tower you see today was built in 1929 and has been working ever since.
There’s a two-story keeper’s house next to it, and, unusually for Iceland, Reykjanesviti still has an active lighthouse keeper.
Reykjanesviti’s location is part of what makes it so memorable, with steaming geothermal vents, rugged lava fields, and powerful Atlantic waves crashing against the surrounding cliffs. Combine it with Gunnuhver Geothermal Area and the Bridge Between Continents nearby for a half-day adventure on the Reykjanes loop.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Reachable by car or on one of the guided Reykjanes tours.
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Pro Tip: Wear sturdy waterproof shoes when visiting Reykjanesviti, as the paths around the lava fields and coastal cliffs can be uneven, wet, and windy year-round.
Suggested Reykjanesviti Tours
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Reykjanes Volcano & Sightseeing Tour: A day trip from Reykjavik covering geothermal areas, lava fields, volcanic landscapes, and a stop near Reykjanesviti.
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Small Group Reykjanes Tour With Optional Blue Lagoon Drop-Off: Explore dramatic coastal cliffs and volcanic hotspots with optional drop-off at the Blue Lagoon or Keflavik Airport. Good for a short tour on your arrival or departure day.
1. Grotta Lighthouse: A Coastal Escape in Reykjavik
A 10-minute drive west of Hallgrimskirkja Church puts you at Grotta Lighthouse, the easiest place in Reykjavik to feel like you’ve left the city.
Set on a tidal island at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula, Grotta is one of the most popular spots for locals on evening walks. A lighthouse has stood here since 1897, with a farmstead on the site as far back as the 1500s. The current tower was built in 1947.
The Grotta Nature Reserve around the lighthouse is one of the best spots to see the northern lights in Reykjavik because the city lights drop off sharply at the peninsula’s edge. The area features walking and cycling paths with spectacular views of Faxafloi Bay.
If you’re visiting Iceland in summer, know that sections of the Grotta Nature Reserve close in June to protect nesting birds. Also, be wary of Arctic terns and don’t cross into restricted areas. You may earn both a fine and a sharp peck on the head.
Grotta also sits on a sandbar that’s submerged at high tide, so check the tide tables before walking out. Getting stranded happens every summer.
Travel Tips
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How To Visit: Easy by rental car, public Straeto bus, bike, or on foot from downtown Reykjavik.
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Pro Tip: Visit at sunset for ocean views, or on a dark winter night for a chance to see the aurora.
Suggested Grotta Tours
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Private Reykjavik Driving Tour: Explore Reykjavik’s coastal highlights, historic landmarks, and nearby viewpoints with a flexible private guide and comfortable car transport.
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Private Sightseeing Tour of Reykjavik Attractions by Car: Visit some of Reykjavik’s most famous attractions, including Perlan and Grotta, on a relaxed private sightseeing tour.
Preservation and Recent Developments of Icelandic Lighthouses
Many of Iceland’s lighthouses no longer play a real navigational role, but they’ve become symbols of resilience and quiet travel destinations in their own right. A handful of locals deserve a lot of credit for keeping them standing.
One is mason Ingvar Hreinsson, who has spent over 20 years restoring lighthouses around the country. By 2016, he had worked on all 104 of them, a quiet legacy that has kept these structures upright against Iceland’s notoriously bad weather.
Reykjavik’s Hofdi Lighthouse, added to the waterfront in 2019, was the country’s first new lighthouse in years and a sign that Iceland still values its maritime past enough to build one purely for the view. Several others are now part of regional museums or visitor centers, with Malarrif and Akranesviti among the easiest to enter.
Exploring Iceland’s Coast Through Its Lighthouses
From the tidy waterfront tower at Hofdi to the sea-stack outpost of Thridrangar, the best lighthouses in Iceland are a quirky, useful way to plan a coastal trip. Each one comes with a view, a story, and usually a small village or bird cliff to go with it.
Visiting three or four of these Icelandic lighthouses will get you to corners of the country most travelers never see. You can join one of the many self-drive tours in Iceland or rent a car in Keflavik Airport or Reykjavik to explore these coastal routes at your own pace.
How many lighthouses are there in Iceland?
Many are still active navigational aids for ships and fishing boats, while others have become historic landmarks, photography spots, or scenic viewpoints along popular road trips.
What is the best time of year to visit Iceland's lighthouses?
Winter visits are popular for northern lights viewing, especially at coastal lighthouses near Reykjavik where light pollution is lower.
Are Iceland’s lighthouses accessible by public transport?
Can you go inside the lighthouses in Iceland?
While many other lighthouses remain closed internally, locations like Sugandisey, Malarrif, and Gardskagi are fully accessible from the outside and offer scenic walking areas nearby.
Are there entrance fees for Iceland’s lighthouses?
Can I sleep in a lighthouse in Iceland?
Travelers wanting a similar experience can stay in nearby coastal guesthouses or fishing villages close to lighthouses such as Akranes, Stykkisholmur, or Djupivogur.
What is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland?
The current lighthouse, a 102-foot (31-meter) concrete tower completed in 1929, still operates today and remains one of Iceland’s most historically important coastal landmarks.
What is the newest lighthouse in Iceland?
Which lighthouse is closest to Reykjavik?
Grotta Lighthouse in nearby Seltjarnarnes is another popular option and sits about a 10-minute drive west of the city center, especially known for northern lights viewing and coastal sunsets.
Which lighthouse is closest to Keflavik International Airport?
Which Icelandic lighthouse is best for seeing puffins?
Which lighthouse is best for seeing the northern lights?
Can you actually visit Thridrangar Lighthouse?
Which is the most photogenic lighthouse in Iceland?
Why are some Icelandic lighthouses painted orange?
Orange-painted towers such as Dalatangaviti and Djupivogur Lighthouse are especially noticeable along rugged coastlines.
Are Iceland’s lighthouses still in use?
Some lighthouses in Iceland remain fully operational, while others have also become protected historic landmarks maintained by local communities and preservation groups.
Did you enjoy our guide to lighthouses in Iceland? Which ones have you visited, and which is your favorite? Leave your thoughts in the comments below; we’d love to hear about your experience.
Michael Chapman is a British travel writer living in Reykjavík. A former scuba and lava cave guide, he draws on firsthand experience to write about Iceland’s nature and culture. He’s also the author of Hidden Iceland (2020).
