Grotta lighthouse Reykjavik stands at the western tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, at the edge of the greater Reykjavik area. You can walk out only during low tide, and the island is reachable on foot for roughly a six-hour window around low tide. From 1 May to 15 July, going out onto Grotta is not allowed.
Where Grotta lighthouse is and what makes it special
Grotta is a lighthouse at the western tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, at the edge of the greater Reykjavik area. It sits on a small low-lying tidal island at the outermost point of Seltjarnarnes.
A lighthouse was first built here in 1897 and the current one was reconstructed in 1947, still guiding ships through Faxafloi bay.
Tides and the walk out to the island
You can walk to the lighthouse along a causeway only during low tide. The island is reachable on foot for roughly a six-hour window around low tide.
At high tide the sea covers the path and it becomes a true island, so visitors can be cut off if they linger.
A protected nature reserve and the nesting-season closure
Grotta has been a protected nature reserve since 1974, home to Arctic terns, eiders, and gulls.
During the bird breeding season, from 1 May to 15 July, going out onto Grotta is not allowed and it is closed to traffic. In that period you can still view the lighthouse from the mainland shore.
Kvika, the little warm foot bath by the shore
A small warm geothermal foot bath called Kvika sits nearby, where you can soak your feet.
Sunsets and northern lights at Grotta
Being away from the brightest city lights, Grotta is a popular winter spot for viewing the northern lights with an unobstructed sky.
It is also a favoured location for sunrise and sunset photography, and the same dark-sky setting makes it a handy base for northern lights photography without leaving the city.
Visiting Grotta or seeing it on a Reykjavik tour
Grotta is at the edge of the greater Reykjavik area, on Seltjarnarnes at the outermost point of the peninsula. If you want to compare options in the city, see Reykjavik tours.
Bring the right layers
Use the Iceland Packing List to organise clothing and essentials before setting out for Grotta Lighthouse Reykjavik: tides, access, and seasons.
