Skip to content

Between Continents: Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland

There was one attraction left to see before we left Icelandthe bridge between two continents.  This was one of Iceland’s attractions in the lunar, otherworldly landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southwest region.

Reykjanes (pronounced reːicanɛs) means Smoky Point which seemed fitting with the vast lava fields and volcanic rocks around the area.  As we explored this rugged landscape, we also found hot springs, fishing villages, power plants and some surprises along the way.

Reykjanes lava landscape

The first area visitors see and one that leaves a lasting glimpse of Iceland is the Reykjanes Peninsula.  Its international airport is located in the town of Keflavik.  The famous Blue Lagoon which we visited on our first day was where most visitors start or end their trips.

iceland Blue lagoon bridge

One of the first things we saw on the way to the bridge was this out of the ordinary large object in the ocean. It was a rock island known as Eldey (The Fire Island) and home to numerous bird colonies.

Times like these were when we wished we packed those binoculars.  Its almost white color from the distance made it look like a massive iceberg.

Iceland Eldey island

Trying to find the bridge wasn’t easy.  We barely found information of its exact location online and the visitor’s center staff just gave us a nearest town. Our GPS with an updated map wasn’t any help either.

My husband wanted to see this bridge even though we partially saw the continental drift during the Golden Circle tour.  For miles, we were the only car on the road.  Was this so off the beaten path not even the locals travel here?  That road sign could have easily been missed.

Reykjanes leif the lucky bridge sign

After the turnoff, we were the only car on the parking lot on a Tuesday morning.  It felt a bit eerie being the only ones here surrounded by all the volcanic rocks and feeling like we were in another planet.

There was a small picnic area which led to a short walkway to our destination of Leif the Lucky bridge.  The small footbridge was built in 2002 in honor of explorer, Leif Ericson, regarded as the first European to visit North America.

Leif the Lucky bridge

The 49 feet (15 m) Leif the Lucky or Midlina Bridge crossed a rift valley that marked the boundary of where the two continental tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s crust meet – the North American plate to the west and the Eurasian plate to the east.  The plates are still constantly drifting apart at 2 cm per year.

Iceland Leif the lucky bridge or Midlina sign

A marker in the middle of the bridge showed exactly where that supposed boundary was located.  It was a fun experience for the kids to walk or hop from Europe to North America in a few steps and stand between the two continents.  The bridge was also built as a symbol to commemorate the two continents’ connection.

Iceland leif the lucky bridge

The bridge was nothing spectacular and the cracks were something we had seen around.  For the tourist experience, one can get a certificate at the Reykjanes Information center for about $8 symbolising the experience of crossing the two continents.  Needless to say, we passed on it.

Iceland rift

While we were at the bridge, we spotted a cruise ship sailing to Reykjavik.  As it got closer to passing Eldey island we saw earlier, it looked like it was going to hit it.

Patience was the key and a zoom lens to capture this shot from a distance.  At that moment, we wanted to be on that cruise ship.  Can you imagine the view the passengers had seeing thousands of birds on the island?

Iceland eldey island and cruise ship

Having reached our destination with a few hours left before our flight, we thought of spending a couple of hours soaking in the Blue Lagoon again or doing more sightseeing on the way to the airport.  Sometimes, being spontaneous and seeing what turns out can be rewarding.  From the road, we saw a lighthouse and a lot of steam in the distance and knew we had to take a closer look.

Iceland reykjanes landscape

Driving on the dirt road towards the lighthouse, the road was filled with these white birds with red beaks we’ve never seen before.  We later found out they were Arctic Terns.  Migrating from the Arctic to the Antarctic, these seabirds’ arrival is anticipated in Iceland as one sign of spring’s return.

Iceland arctic tern birds

There were so many of them in nearby fields and were flying everywhere.  We stayed in the car in fear of being attacked or dropped on.

Iceland arctic tern

Bird watching was ideal in this area with many migratory birding cliffs. This was probably the reason for having this randomly placed large bird statue by the coastline.

Iceland reykjanes bird statue

The Reykjanesviti lighthouse was Iceland’s oldest lighthouse.  It has been around since 1929, standing at 102 feet (31 m) tall and replaced an original structure destroyed by an earthquake.

It prominently sat on a green hillside with some patches of purple Alaska lupine flowers that we found throughout Iceland.  All this greenery was such a welcome sight in the midst of all the volcanic rocks.

Iceland Reykjanesviti lighthouse

The Reykjanes peninsula also boasted a number of geothermal wonders. On a very rocky path, we ended up at one of the largest hot springs in Iceland – Gunnuhver.

Iceland gunnehvar

It was named after a female ghost believed to lay here based on an Icelandic saga. The country’s largest mud pool was located here. Boiling mud pools and steam vents were everywhere with the scent of sulfur or as my kids call “bad egg smell” prevalent in the air.

Iceland Gunnehvar

Walking through the wooden walkways with railings, we were enveloped with smoke at times making it hard to see the volcanic landscape from the viewing areas.  Once again, we had the place to ourselves.

Iceland Gunnehvar Smoke

In one of the strangest places to ever build a house, remnants of a house’s foundation could still be found.

Gunnehvar house foundation

While much of Reykjanes Peninsula was a volcanic rock landscape, we also found patches of countryside and rolling green hills with charming farm houses.  They were a pleasant contrast to the dark rocks.

Iceland Reykjanes house

Just in case you need to find the last gas station to fill up the rental car before returning, you can’t miss this one with the giant funnel.

Iceland gas station

On the way back to the airport our fleeting last glimpse of Iceland also involved quirky and colorful tanks.

Iceland colorful houses

It was the sights along the way that made this detour worthwhile for us.  Sometimes, the unexpected things you find along the journey turn out to be more memorable than the destination itself.

There were a number of  interesting attractions in the Reykjanes peninsula beyond the Blue Lagoon.  We barely covered what this region had to offer.  If you have a few hours to spare before a flight, the dramatic landscape of Reykjanes Peninsula is well worth a visit.

Leif the Lucky Bridge Location Tip:

For those who are interested in finding the exact location of the Leif the Lucky bridge along Road 425, this was our GPS coordinates at the parking lot.

  • LONGITUDE N63°51.993’/LATITUDE W022°40.562’
  • Nearest address: 233 Reykjanesbaer Nesvegur

*Have you explored Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula?  Where have you gone where the attractions along the way were more rewarding than the destination?

Related Posts:

Where to Stay

  • Hotel Berg in Keflavik – This was the first hotel we stayed during our first visit and loved it. It’s close to the airport (2 miles), by the marina and offers free Wi-fi and airport transfer. It’s a small family-owned hotel. We had a split-level suite which fit our family comfortably.
  • Hilton Reykjavik Nordica – This hotel is located in the city and within walking distance of the center but shuttle buses are also provided. If you want the comforts of a modern hotel, this has it with buffet breakfast and Executive Lounge for Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members. A couple of friends have stayed here and recommend it.
  • Hlemmur Apartments  – We loved this spacious, two bedroom apartment located within walking distance to Reykjavik’s city center. It looked like an IKEA showroom, It was clean, well-equipped and furnished well with all the amenities we needed for our stay. It had free WI-fi and the owners were friendly.

Pin it for later!

Reykjanes Peninsula Iceland

54 thoughts on “Between Continents: Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland”

    1. I think Iceland is your kind of place, Laurel. My husband was the dedicated one – we were just along for the ride. But, I’m glad we got to visit the bridge.

    1. Thanks Nancie! I know what you mean about the certificate. I think our pictures were proof enough we crossed the two continents. I’d like to know how many people actually buy them.

  1. I admit to clicking on the link to the Blue Lagoon and spending a good amount of
    time there. It is an interesting concept being in hot water in a cold climate.
    We tried it at Radium Springs in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia and loved
    it. The Blue Lagoon in your post is much more atmospheric (and expensive)but if I
    was there I would definitely go. I have done the nude thing in a Japanese Spa in
    the N.Z. wilderness and felt uncomfortable, especially as most of the women
    (it was segregated thank goodness) were young Japanese women with gorgeous bodies!
    I was doing fine until a couple of N.Z. women entered the pool wearing their
    bathers!

    1. Thanks Jenny! I underestimated the interest in the bridge. My husband was intent on going there for its significance. I wasn’t convinced this was the exact area but I liked that it also symbolized the two continents’ ties.

    1. We had a wonderful time. Thanks Shamis! The Blue Lagoon was awesome! I think they have boat tours for the Fire Island. It’d be great to see all those birds.

  2. Haven’t been in Iceland properly for many years – since long before any financial crisis and naughty volcano. I’ve been reading heaps pf Icelandic crimes this summer, though and am keen to have another look. This bridge would be very interesting to stroll across – love quirky little places like that.

  3. I can’t believe how beautiful the area is! Even though I hate the cold I would totally want to go there. That Blue Lagoon alone would be worth it! I was surprised at the bridge though, it’s very unassuming, given its very lofty purpose: connecting two continents!

    1. Aleah, being here in the summer wasn’t so bad and as cold. I think their winters are milder. Yes, Blue Lagoon is worth the trip. I know what you mean about the bridge – we expected something grander and bigger.

  4. Great shots! Iceland is still one of my favorite places to travel to- the landscape changes so dramatically in just a short drive and I love the wild open space. BEautiful!

  5. Great story and photos. The bridge reminds me of visiting The Four Corners in the U.S. Southwest where Arizona,Colorado,New Mexico, and Utah meet. Using your two hands and two feet, you can touch all four states simultaneously. (Somewhere I’ve got a photo of me doing just that!)

  6. It is funny because people really will build their houses anywhere, as you pointed out. We were surprised to see all kinds of houses people rebuilt in the middle of the Big Island lava fields. They owned the land, and didn’t want to give it up and were willing to accept the risks, even with active volcanos all around. They were on their own for all services (water, sewer, electricity, etc.), making for an interesting, off-the-grid lifestyle.

  7. Hey, just found your blog through your link on RWeThereYetMom. Great to find another family who’s been out exploring Iceland. Isn’t it just an amazing environment? We never managed to make it to Reykjanes, despite a month spent exploring. For a small (ish) country it’s incredible how much there is to see and do. I’m off to see what else you got up to. Always great fun to compare notes!

    1. I’ve read some of your adventures in Iceland and I’d love to spend a month exploring. Absolutely true how much there is to explore for a country its size and most of it inhabited.

    1. It was one of those quirky attractions which is why my husband really wanted to do it. My kids loved the whole idea of hopping from one continent to another or having two different body parts in different continents.

  8. How interesting! I didn’t know about this bridge. Somehow I imagined it bigger after reading your intro :) Looks like a neat spot to take pictures, you know… one foot on each continent :) And I love, love, love the blue lagoon shot. The water color looks so otherworldly.

    1. We expected something a bit bigger and more dramatic too – not something a bit plain. We did the one foot/hand,head/body on each continent but they really should have made the sign a bit bigger. We loved the Blue Lagoon! It was the perfect place to relax after a long flight.

  9. I’ve seen so many photos of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland lately, I’m just dying to go there. I think it (Iceland) is becoming a more and more popular travel destination.

    1. Iceland is one of the “coolest” travel destinations lately :) With Iceland Air’s free stopover, a lot more people have an opportunity to visit this beautiful country.

  10. Hi Mary,
    Fascinating! It’s just like being in Istanbul and going from Asia to Europe in
    minutes.

    Iceland has been in my bucket list since the first time I’ve heard of the Blue
    Lagoon. I just know it would be a wonderful experience! Now that bridge is an added
    attraction.

    Beautiful photos and great storytelling!

  11. That rock that looks like an iceberg from a distance would be fantastic to see up close but I bet you’d smell it first. It seems that in a short time in Iceland you covered a lot of interesting territory. I think standing on two continents is a very cool thing to do. Your kids mustknow a lot about geography.

    1. They probably do birding tours on or near the island. You’re right about the smell of thousands of birds. I’d be too scared to walk among them. We did cover quite a lot in Iceland thanks to the almost 24 hours of sunshine. It made a big difference. Our kids are getting there with geography lessons.

  12. More beautiful photos that make me want to visit Iceland – and soon! I had no idea that the two continents came together in Iceland. I would definitely want to make a point of stopping at the point. $8 for a certificate does seem a bit steep – 1 pound will buy one at the Prime Meridian!

    1. Thanks Lisa! One of the things we loved about Iceland were these quirky and unique attractions. The Prime Meridian sounds like a great visit and I will need to keep that in mind when going to London. yes, $8 was a rip-off. I still wonder how it looks though :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.