Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes
Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Reykjavík. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Reykjavík Reykjavík guide
About Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes
A white lighthouse on a tidal islet reachable only at low tide, Grótta is the capital area's favourite place to catch a sunset or the northern lights over the water.
Grótta is a tied island at the extreme western tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, in Iceland's Capital Region and only about 4.7 kilometres from central Reykjavík. At high tide the connecting tombolo is submerged and Grótta becomes an island, while at low tide it can be crossed on foot within a window of roughly six hours. A lighthouse was first built here in 1897, and the present 23-metre white concrete tower dates from 1947; a keeper lived in the house from 1897 until 1970.
The area became a nature reserve in 1974 and is closed to visitors during the bird nesting season, when around 450 pairs of Arctic terns nest here. On the shore stands Kvika, a small geothermal foot-bath designed by artist Ólöf Nordal. With its western exposure and distance from city light, Grótta is a favourite spot for watching sunsets and the northern lights.
Did you know? At high tide the sea covers the sandbar and cuts Grótta off completely, so visitors get a window of only about six hours at low tide to walk out to the lighthouse and back.
How long is a visit to Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes worth your time?
Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Reykjavík, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Reykjavík
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Hear the story of Grótta Lighthouse, Seltjarnarnes
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