Capital Region · Iceland
Reykjanesviti Lighthouse
Reykjanesviti is Iceland's oldest lighthouse, perched on the dramatic Reykjanestá cliffs at the very southwestern tip of Iceland, surrounded by steaming geothermal vents and lava fields.
About Reykjanesviti Lighthouse
Reykjanesviti is Iceland's oldest lighthouse, perched on the dramatic Reykjanestá cliffs at the very southwestern tip of Iceland, surrounded by steaming geothermal vents and lava fields.
History & Background
A lighthouse has stood at Reykjanestá since 1878, making it Iceland's oldest. The current structure was built in 1908 after the original collapsed in an earthquake. The area sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian plates diverge, making it one of the most geologically active coastal areas in the world. The nearby Gunnuhver mud pools — named after a ghost — are among the most powerful geothermal features on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Key Facts
- ✔Iceland's oldest lighthouse — first built in 1878
- ✔Located at the southwestern tip of Iceland
- ✔Sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge tectonic boundary
- ✔Near Gunnuhver geothermal mud pools
- ✔Part of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark
