Things to Do in Grindavik

Located east of the well-known Reykjanes Light House, is a lesser known natural wonder called the Gunnuhver Hot Springs. Popular legend says that the place was named after a naughty ghost called Gunna, who wreaked havoc in the area 400 years back. A priest finally trapped her and and sent her straight through the geyser. Whether the story is true or not, the fact that these hot springs are a sight to behold. You can watch the geyser shoot up every few minutes, with boiling hot water spurting out. Sometimes, there might be ice formed on top of the geyser, which causes icicles to shoot out with the water. The hot and bubbling pools of mud is another marvel of nature. Iceland's largest mud pool is present here, with a diameter of 20 metres, boiling away vigorously at the the rim. This place is definitely not one to miss out.

One of Iceland's top attraction is the Blue Lagoon. A geothermal spa in the fishing town of Grindavik, Blue Lagoon is a man-made wonder. Considered as one of the top spas in the world, you are guaranteed to experience an unforgettable treatment that will rejuvenate your senses completely. This mineral-rich lagoon holds about 9000 million litres of geothermal water, that originates from 2000 metres deep inside the earth. The water is pleasantly warm at temperature between 37 degrees to 39 degrees Celcius, and remains the same throughout the year. Although, the same cannot be told about the air around, so be prepared for frozen hair, if you're brave enough to take a dip in the winters. The milky blue water here is literally miraculous. It is loaded with Silica, algae and minerals and works wonders on your skin. And the best part about this magic water, it is self-cleansing. So you don't need to worry in bathing in somebody else's muck, as the water cleans up itself every 40 hours. With the geological wonder around the lagoon, you can also go explore the lava field itself. And if you're appetite needs to be whetted, gorge on some authentic and traditional gourmet food, in restaurants overlooking the lagoon. Now that is nature at its best for you! 

Formed 2800 years ago when lava flowed in the sea, Hopsnes is almost like an island itself. Located close to the village of Grindavik, this spit has been witness to quite a number of shipwrecks. But the most interesting thing about Hopsnes is its lighthouse. Standing out like a beacon, the lighthouse is orange in color. You can drive up to the lighthouse, which makes a stunning subject for photographers as it forms such a contrast against the blue sky and naturally rugged terrain. On clear days, one can even get a view of Eldey Island, from the lighthouse. You can also take a troll down the beach and take a look at the wrecked ships sunk on land. 

Between Grindavik and Krysuvik, lies the ruins of the fishing village Selatangar, abandoned since the 1880s. Selatangar is nothing now, but a hauntingly beautiful reflection of its past glory. The fishing settlement had been operating since the Middle Ages, and you can still see some of the houses and fish storages intact. Although, these houses are no lesser than caves carved out of lava rocks. It is quite a miracle as to how the settlers managed to live under such extreme conditions, fighting the unforgivable lava and harsh ocean winds. In the latter part of the 19th century, it is believed that the settlement was haunted by ghosts, which led to the abandonement. You can drive till the end of the rugged road, walk down closer the sea where you can see the waves breaking on the cliffs. Selatangar definitely paints quite a tragically stunning picture, full of drama and is a must visit. 

Grindavik Golf Course is indeed one of a kind. This 18 hole golf course curves around the lava field, and touches the North Atlantic. The front nine holes go right into the lava, surrounding the fairways and greens, and comes out on the farmland. The back nine holes are on the farmland and goes all the way to the ocean. The golf course with such a distinctive landscape, offers a memorable experience for both, beginners and veterans. Next to the 18th hole, is a clubhouse, for those who wish to enjoy the view. 

Being one of the most important fishing towns in the whole of Iceland, the people of Grindavik do take quite an amount of pride in their profession. History bears witness as to how the fishing industry overcame all the struggles and obstacles, and flourished in this country in the 19th century. Thus, it is no surprise that the people will want visitors to learn more about their source of pride. The Icelandic Saltfish Museum, showcases the history of processing of the dried salted cod. Their are large pictures, figures, audio recordings, text, film and stage sets depicting how fishing became such an important part of Icelandic economy over the ages. Quite an interesting way to learn about such a scenic town. Along with the salt fish, you can even find out about the extraordinarily unique geology of Grindavik, by checking out the exhibits at Earth Energy.