Lighthouses near Reykjavik

Lighthouses have always played a significant role in Iceland. There are many beautiful lighthouses near Reykjavik, some of which are great to visit. Here are a few of them. 

For centuries Icelanders have been seamen. Most of the many towns and villages in Iceland stand where there are good natural harbors and a short distance to good fishing. Naturally, we built lighthouses and many of them are still in good order and in use.

As you walk along the Saebraut road in Reykjavik, you will see harbor lights along the road. Reykjavik harbor is still very busy with many fishing vessels, both small and large. If you go to the tip of the small peninsula where Reykjavik stands, to a place called Grotta, you will find a beautiful lighthouse. This is Grottuviti, or Grotta Lighthouse.

A lighthouse was first built in Grotta in the year 1897, and the one standing now was built in 1947. The lighthouse stands on an islet, which is accessible during low tide, but be careful to keep an eye out, so the tide wont lock you in.

There are a few lighthouses around Reykjavik which are great to see and offer superb photo opportunities. We are more than happy to take you there, just reach out.

Akranes Lighthouse

There are in fact two lighthouses in Akranes town, a village north of Reykjavik, in West Iceland. The older one, which is 10 meters high, was built in 1918 and the locals used materials from a freighter called Godafoss, that stranded not far away.

The more recent lighthouse was built in the years 1943-1944 and is 19,2 meters high. It has four floors and offers incredible view of the surrounding area. The lighthouse also offers great acoustics and many concerts have been held there in recent years.

The lighthouses are open to public.

Gardskagi Lighthouse

Gardskagi is the northernmost tip of Reykjanes peninsula and the gateway into Faxafloi bay. The first lighthouse was erected there in 1897, a 12.5 meter high rectangular building, which had an oil lamp and a large light amplifier. A small house stood next to the lighthouse, where the keeper lived. The keeper needed to go every four hours and wind up the clockwork that made the amplifier turn around the lamp.

In 1944 a lighthouse was built. Sea had eroded the land around the old lighthouse and the local authorities feared that it might ruin the old lighthouse, hence a new lighthouse was needed. The new lighthouse is 28 meters high, which makes it the tallest lighthouse in Iceland. At first the old equipment was used in the new lighthouse, but were later updated. Today the lighthouse is run on electricity.

Reykjanes Lighthouse

There are certainly a few lighthouses in Reykjanes peninsula, both large and small. At the southernmost tip of the peninsula stands a beautiful lighthouse atop a small mount. This is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, called Reykjanes Lighthouse.

It was built during 1907 and 1908 instead of the old lighthouse that had been built in 1878 but was destroyed by an earthquake eight years later. At the time, it was the most advanced and expensive structure to be built in Iceland.

The current Reykjanes Lighthouse was designed by the Danish architect Frederik Kjorbo and the Danish engineer Thorvald Krabbe.  It is a 26.7-meter high concrete construction with traditional looks. The lighthouse was illuminated in 1929. Its focal plane measures 73 meters above sea level.

Seeing Lighthouses near Reykjavik

If you would like to see the Lighthouses near Reykjavik, feel free to reach out. We are more than happy to help. We offer luxurious private tours with local expert guides.