Gardur lies at the northern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, on inner Miðnes. When planning a trip, visitors can choose from different aspects of the area: lighthouse history, visible traces of settlement, birdwatching and other wildlife.

The local sights offer a variety of points of interest. The lighthouses tell the story of the headland, while the museum and wall remains offer insights into fishing and life in the community in earlier times. The beach and observation spots, by contrast, are places to enjoy the outdoors and wildlife.

Lighthouses and Historical Traces

The old lighthouse at Garðskagi was built at Garðskagatá in 1897. The new lighthouse followed in 1944 and is now one of the headland’s most important landmarks. These two dates provide clear chronological reference points in the history of the lighthouses. The new tower shapes the image of Garðskagi as a landmark; the older one adds an earlier chapter to the story.

The remains of Skagagarðurinn, still visible at Garðskagi, reveal another side of the past. During the settlement period, the wall was used to keep livestock away from the fields. Its purpose makes it clear that the area’s history is tied not only to seafaring but also to protecting land used for farming. Visitors interested in life in the community can explore topics related to the development of fishing and the history of the people who lived and worked there at the Folk Museum in Gardur.

The artwork Four Winds is also part of the area’s cultural heritage: Helgi Valdimarsson gifted it to the community in 2012. Together with the Folk Museum and the wall remains, it broadens the picture beyond the lighthouses, which are visible from afar. The subjects are quite distinct, ranging from fishing and community history to an artwork with a documented gift.

Coast, Wildlife and Observation

Garðskagi beach is a popular place to enjoy the outdoors. Garður offers several different opportunities for wildlife watching: Garðssjór is a popular whale-watching area, and harbour seals often rest on Skagaflös. The community museum at Garðskagi is set in a landscape rich in animal and birdlife. The places mentioned also differ in what visitors can observe: whales, seals or the local birdlife.

The birdwatching ponds in Garður can be explored on foot. A paved birdwatching path runs from the fish factory in Garður to the lighthouse at Garðskagi. The path is thus described by its surface, purpose and endpoints. Another hike is 4.5 kilometres long and runs around the Garðskagi headland and through Garður, passing numerous historically interesting places. Visitors who want to factor a specific distance into their plans can distinguish this hike from the birdwatching paths, for which no distance is given.

Planning Accommodation and Your Stay

When looking for hotels in Gardur, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: lighthouses and historic places, a walk to the birdwatching ponds, or the 4.5-kilometre hike with its historic stops. This groups activities by interest without turning the different paths into a single route. The beach, whale watching at Garðssjór and the frequent resting places of harbour seals on Skagaflös each offer another reason to plan time outdoors.

As another accommodation option, the campsite at Garðskagi has toilets, running water and electricity. Check whether the campsite is available for your dates before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Hafnir, Reykjanesbær, Sandgerði, Grindavík, Vogar, Kálfatjörn, Njardvik

Return to the main travel overview: Suðurnes.