Keflavík sits in Reykjanesbær on Faxaflói Bay, next to Keflavík International Airport, with Reykjavík about a 30-minute drive away. It suits travelers who land here and want a few hours of museums, sculptures and a swim before heading on, and anyone who prefers a small-town base to the capital.
Reykjavík is a car or bus ride away, so decide early where you want to sleep.
At a glance
- Where: Keflavík, in the town of Reykjanesbær, on Faxaflói Bay
- Reykjavík: about 30 minutes by car
- Airport: Keflavík International, a 5-minute drive from the Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll
- Stay: guesthouses, hostels and a historic house, Vatnsnes
- Warmest of the months covered here: June, with a high of 55°F (13°C)
Where is Keflavík and what is it like?
Keflavík is in Reykjanesbær, on the shore of Faxaflói Bay. The marina is in town, and Café Duus looks out over the bay from there. Keflavík International Airport is a 5-minute drive from the Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Reykjavík is about a 30-minute drive from the KLA Suites apartments.
The town is easy to take in. North of Keflavík, Helguvik is a small cove near Stakkur, a freestanding rock off the Holmsberg cliff. The Holmsberg lighthouse stands there too. Stone trolls and sculptures are scattered around Reykjanesbær.
The old buildings give the town its past. Keflavik Church was built in 1914, and the church in Innri-Njarðvík was consecrated in 1886. The Viking ship Íslendingur, built in 1996, is an exact replica of the Gokstad ship.
What is there to do in Keflavík?
Duus Museum and the marina
Duus Museum is the Art and Cultural Center of Reykjanesbær. It houses the Art Museum and the Heritage Museum of Reykjanesbær, as well as the Reykjanes Geopark Visitor Center. It makes a good first stop for understanding the area.
Café Duus is by the marina and overlooks Faxaflói Bay, so it fits a coffee break after the exhibitions. KEF Restaurant, at Hotel Keflavík, Vatnsnesvegur 12-14, serves adventurous dishes made with fresh local ingredients. Its breakfast buffet runs from 5:00 to 10:00 a.m., which suits an early flight.
A museum visit works well for rainy days, and rain is common in town.
Viking World and the Íslendingur
Viking World (Vikingaheimar) is home to the Viking ship Íslendingur. It was built in 1996 as an exact replica of the Gokstad ship.
A statue of the settler Hrafna-Flóki by Mark J. Ebbert stands in front of the museum, so you can see it before you go in.
The Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The museum is at Hljómahöll in Keflavík.
Outside Hljómahöllinn stands the sculpture Holskefla (Breaker) by Sigurjón Ólafsson, built in 1971. You can see it even if you don’t go in.
Music fans will want the museum.
Sculptures, churches and the airport art tour
Public art is scattered through town. Regnboginn (the Rainbow) by Rúrí stands in front of the airport terminal. Þotuhreiðrið (Jet Nest) by Magnús Tómasson is on the north side of the terminal. Askur Yggdrasils by Erlingur Jónsson stands outside the Suðurnes Hospital, and Fuglahúsið (The Bird House) by Sigurður Guðmundsson is at the grass field by Fjölbrautskóla Suðurnesja.
The Giganta in the cave moved to Reykjanesbær during the Night of Lights festival in 2008. It is now in Black Cave at the marina in Gróf. The Holmsberg lighthouse, built in 1956, stands 31 feet (9.3 m) tall.
The art and design tour covers more than 20 pieces of art within and around the airport grounds. It is a free way to fill a layover.
Waterworld and Njarðvík swimming pool
Waterworld is an indoor water park for the whole family. It has a heated activity pool and a pool 82 feet (25 m) long.
Njarðvík swimming pool has an indoor pool 52 feet (16 m) long, hot tubs and a sauna. It suits adults who want to warm up after a cold day.
If you travel with children, choose Waterworld. If you like art and history, start with Duus Museum and Viking World. For a short stop between flights, the rock museum and the airport tours are closest.
Where to stay in Keflavík
Guesthouses in Keflavík are mostly privately run, smaller and more personal than hotels. Gistiheimili Keflavíkur is across the street from Hótel Keflavík.
START is a high-quality hostel at Ásbrú, by the airport. Hostels are simple and cheap, and especially popular with younger people.
Vatnsnes is a historic house in the center of Keflavík, with one double room and five bedrooms on the ground floor. You can book the whole house, which suits a group.
When should you go to Keflavík?
Of the months covered here, January through June, June is the mildest. It has a high of 55°F (13°C) and 10 rainy days. May comes next, with a high of 49°F (10°C) and 12 rainy days.
January and February are the coldest, with highs of 38°F (3°C) and lows near 29°F (-2°C). They also bring the most rain, 17 rainy days in January and 16 in February. March is similar at 40°F (4°C).
April sits between the two, with a high of 44°F (7°C) and 12 rainy days. Pack a waterproof layer whatever the month.
What to know before visiting Keflavík
According to the U.S. State Department, no visa is needed for up to 90 days 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. Proof of funds and an onward or return ticket are required.
- 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 to enter Iceland.
- Four car rental companies are in the arrivals hall: Avis, Bílaleiga Akureyrar (Europcar), Budget and Hertz. Vehicles are picked up at Kjóavellir, a 5-minute walk away.
- Taxis are available at the airport 24 hours a day. The Strætó bus stop at Kjóavellir is about 490 feet (150 m) from the departure exit. Bicycles can go on route 55 on five of twelve daily departures.
Booking Keflavík for November: what to know
At Raven’s Bed, check-in starts at 4:00 p.m. and check-out is at noon the next day unless the booking is continued. An extra fee is charged for check-in after midnight, so tell the guesthouse if your flight lands late.
Sources
- visitreykjanes.is (https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/service/cafe-duus), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- file.kefairport.com (https://file.kefairport.com/news/traveling-to-and-from-kef), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjanes.is (https://www.visitreykjanes.is/is/gistingogveitingar/gisting/gistiheimili), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- kef.is (https://www.kef.is/vatnsnes), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/kef-restaurant/), checked 2026-10-30