Grindavík Travel Guide: Sjóarinn síkáti Festival, Lava Tours and June Weather

Grindavík is a fishing town on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 31 miles (50 km) from Reykjavík. It suits travelers who want a base close to Keflavík Airport, 20 minutes away, and to the Blue Lagoon, 10 minutes away.

The town sits beside lava fields, with a barrier at the town limits and ATV tours over the new lava. Check road conditions and weather before every drive.

At a glance

• Where: fishing town on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 31 miles (50 km) from Reykjavík
• From the airport: 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport, 10 minutes from the Blue Lagoon
• Getting around: bus 88 to Reykjanesbær, rental cars, taxis with meters
• Town festival: Sjóarinn síkáti, every June on Seafarers’ Day weekend
• June weather: high 55°F (13°C), low 45°F (7°C)
• To do: swimming pool, lava tours, horse riding, golf, a coastal walk

Where is Grindavík and what is it like?

Grindavík lies on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 31 miles (50 km) from Reykjavík. Keflavík International Airport is 20 minutes away, and the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, is 10 minutes away.

The town is built around its fishing harbor, with a café by the water and a few places to eat. Mt Thorbjorn, a free standing hyaloclastite mountain, rises just north of town. Beyond the houses, the crater row of Sundhnúksröðin and the new lava shape the landscape.

The Old Church was consecrated in 1909, and the newer Church of Grindavík came into use in 1982. A monument called Vonin remembers men from Grindavík who drowned, a reminder of how closely the town lived with the sea.

What is there to do in Grindavík?

Grindavík Swimming Pool

The pool is at Austurvegi 1. It has two hot tubs, one with jet massage, plus a cold pot, a sauna, a children’s pool and a waterslide.

It works for a family afternoon or an easy end to a day outdoors. No hours or prices are given here, so check them before you go.

If you have children, this is the simplest stop in town. If you want the full spa experience, the Blue Lagoon is 10 minutes away.

Lava fields, Sundhnúksröðin and the new lava

Sundhnúksröðin is a crater row formed in an eruption 2,350 years ago. 4×4 Adventures offers ATV tours over the new lava, and Grindavík Ultra, a trail race through the lava fields, is planned for June 2027.

Discover Grindavík runs guided walking tours around town. A five-stop route includes the old Blue Lagoon road, the barrier at the town limits, Efrahóp, the Salt House and Víkurbraut.

A guided walk is the sensible way to see the edge of town. For a more active day, the ATV tour covers the lava itself.

Mt Thorbjorn, Hópsnes and the protected coast

Mt Thorbjorn stands north of town. Hópsnes spit is 1.2 miles (2 km) long and 0.6 mile (1 km) wide. Ströndin vestan Grindavíkur is a protected coastline west of town by road 425.

These are walks in open country, so weather matters. Check en.vedur.is before heading out.

If you like landscape more than museums, this is the part of the stay to plan around. Arctic Horses offers horse riding, and the 18-hole golf course at Húsatóftir lies west of town.

Churches, Vonin and where to eat

Grindavík Church holds a glass artwork by Einar Lárusson depicting the Tyrkjaránið.

For food, Grindavík has Fish House Bar & Grill, Hérastubbur bakarí, Bryggjan, a café by the harbor, and Papa’s.

A bakery stop and a harbor café fit a morning in town. The bar and grill suits dinner. Visitors who want nightlife or a long list of sights will find the town small.

How do you get to Grindavík and get around?

Keflavík International Airport is 20 minutes from Grindavík. Reykjavík Domestic Airport is the closest domestic airport to the peninsula, a 40 minute drive from Keflavík. Bus 55 runs between the capital area, Reykjavik, Reykjanesbær and Keflavík International Airport.

Three bus systems operate in the region. Buses between the towns are no. 87, 88 and 89, and route 88 runs Grindavík, Grindavíkurafleggjari, Reykjanesbær. Local buses in Reykjanesbær stop running on Sundays and keep limited times on Saturdays, so plan weekend trips around them.

Car rentals are plentiful across the country, some from international chains and others privately owned. Before driving, check road conditions at www.road.is and the weather at en.vedur.is.

Taxis all have meters and charge a starting fee plus a charge by the minute.

When should you go to Grindavík?

Of the months January to June, June is the warmest, with a high of 55°F (13°C) and the fewest rainy days, 10. It is also the month of Sjóarinn síkáti, the town festival on Seafarers’ Day weekend, and of the Grindavík Ultra trail race in 2027.

January and February are the coldest of those months, with highs near 38°F (3°C) and lows near 29°F (-2°C). Both have 16 or 17 rainy days, so pack waterproof layers.

May is milder, with a high of 49°F (10°C) and 12 rainy days.

What to know before visiting Grindavík

According to travel.state.gov, U.S. citizens need no visa for up to 90 days in Iceland for tourism or business.

• Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended.
• Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
• No vaccinations are required.
• Iceland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Check weather and road conditions before driving.