Discover Gardur: Lighthouses, Nature and History

Lighthouses, nature and local history at the northern tip of Reykjanes

Gardur is a settlement at the northern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, on the inner Miðnes. The area offers several ways to shape your stay: you can take an interest in lighthouses and local history, seek outdoor recreation or explore routes for birdwatching. This combination makes Gardur a destination where nature and history can be discovered in different ways.

Two lighthouses and stories of the area

Garðskagi is home to two lighthouses with clearly distinct histories. The old lighthouse at Garðskagatá was built in 1897. The new lighthouse was built in 1944 and is now one of the headland’s most important landmarks. When exploring Garðskagi, this offers a concrete glimpse into the area’s building history: the older lighthouse dates from 1897, and the new one from 1944.

Another way to explore the past is through the Folk Museum in Gardur. It presents the development of the fishing industry and the history of the people who lived and worked in the municipality. Both a local industry and the lives of the municipality’s residents are therefore at the heart of the museum. If you want to get to know the region through more than its landscape, you will find a subject here that focuses on people and work.

The remains of Skagagarðurinn also tell of the land’s earlier use. The protective wall was intended to keep livestock from entering fields; remains are still visible at Garðskagi. Together with the artwork Four Winds, they offer further cultural connections: Helgi Valdimarsson gifted the work to the municipality in 2012. The wall remains and the artwork point to different aspects of local history, each offering a distinct way to explore the area.

Wildlife and time outdoors

Garðskagi Beach is a popular place for outdoor recreation. Garðssjór is also a popular area for whale watching. Harbour seals often rest on Skagaflös. These natural attractions offer several possible focuses for your trip: time at the beach, an interest in whales or a chance to observe wildlife. The municipal museum at Garðskagi is set in a landscape rich in animal and birdlife, so nature is also part of the setting.

For birdwatching, a paved path leads from the fish factory in Gardur to the lighthouse at Garðskagi. You can also explore the birdwatching ponds on foot. Another option is a 4.5-kilometre hike around the Garðskagi headland and through Gardur, passing numerous sites of historical interest.

Choose the right focus for your stay

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Gardur, you can start by considering what you want your stay to focus on: birdlife and trails, time at the beach, or lighthouses and local history. The campsite at Garðskagi has toilets, running water and electricity.

Other places: Grindavík, Njardvik, Sandgerði, Hafnir, Kálfatjörn, Reykjanesbær, Vogar.

For the broader travel overview: Suðurnes.