Best beaches in Reykjavík to escape the city
Reykjavík may be the capital of Iceland but, five beaches in Reykjavík allow you to escape the city and feel the ocean if you are brave enough! While many people want to see the famous black sand beaches, there are golden sands to be found in Iceland even within walking distance of the central district of Rekjavík. If you only have a short time, even with just one day in Reykjavík, it is possible to dip your toes in the sea.
As Reykjavík is located on the coast it is not difficult to find views of the ocean and sandy beaches. Apart from Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach where hot water is pumped into a lagoon, the water is too cold for safe swimming for most of the year. As with any beach, you should always think of your safety.
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Located on the southern side of the Reykjavík peninsula, Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach stands as the only designated safe swimming spot in Reykjavík. The beach, though small, offers a man-made lagoon for swimming and hot tubs, accompanied by modern changing facilities and showers.
The man-made lagoon is supplied with hot water, maintaining an average temperature ranging from 15°-19°C during the summer. While the beach sees higher activity in the warmer months, evenings and cooler seasons often provide a quieter atmosphere.
Parking is available at the beach, but for those preferring a scenic route, a 20-minute walk through a nature reserve from Perlan to the beach offers an alternative, with trails through the pretty woodland area and nature reserve.
Look for: This isn’t really a beach for wildlife but there are plenty of black rabbits and small birds in the nature reserve.
Grótta Lighthouse and Seltjörn Beach
This beach is at the end of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula and is a great place for watching the northern lights. The beach is sandy and curves around stretching from the lighthouse to the golf course. Grasses and wildflowers grow through the small dunes that edge the beach and Arctic terns nest on the lighthouse island in the summer months.
The beach is a lovely place to watch them feeding their young from a safe distance. Close to the parking area is Kvika Footbath, a tiny foot-sized hot tub. It is also one of the easiest places to see the silver remains of old fish drying racks.
Look for: Arctic terns that nest on the island, ringed plover and other small wading birds along the tide line on the beach by Kvika footbath, and beautiful wildflowers in the short grass and dunes along the edge of the beach.
Norðurkotsvör Rock Beach
This beach is just to the north of the Recycled House and is the perfect place for rockpooling. The pebbles on the beach are covered in a wide range of seaweeds and tucked between them are shells, sea urchin remains and crabs.
It is one of the best spots for a peaceful sunset in Reykjavík and there are often ducks feeding in the shallow calm waters of the bay. if you are lucky a seal may pop its head up just offshore.
Look for: Ducks and seals offshore with seaweeds and crabs in amongst the pebbles
Kirkjusandur Beach
This beach is on the opposite side of the Recycled House to Norðurkotsvör. Despite its name, there are no churches or sand in sight. It is another pebbly beach but has some picnic tables making it a good spot for a break while walking the Shore and Sculpture Trail along the shoreline.
Look for: birds poking around in the seaweed and the rocks for food
Skarfaklettur
Industrial units surround this tiny beach at Skarfabakki Harbour with the bus stop for the Viðey Ferry Terminal adjacent to the beach. But putting this behind you, this small sandy beach has stunning views across the bay and a unique lump of rock in the centre of the beach. The rock is covered in barnacles and seaweed and is lovely at sunrise in the winter months.
Look for: barnacles, seaweed and snails clinging to the rock, and starfish along the tideline
Do you want to plan the perfect nature escape in Reykjavík?
Nature lovers travel guide to REykjavík
This ebook includes information about landmarks, beaches, walks and museums in Reykjavík, all with a nature theme. With 30 pages of information, maps and beautiful photographs, it will help you plan your next wild adventure in Iceland.