Grindavík

Reykjanes

Grindavík was evacuated in late 2023 when volcanic fissures opened across the Reykjanes Peninsula; the town remains largely uninhabited. Since November 2024 the area is open to visitors, but over 90% of homes have been bought out, and lava from the January 2024 eruption destroyed houses in the northern part of town. As of mid-2026, scientists consider another eruption in the area highly likely. Check safetravel.is before visiting and stay on marked paths — ground fissures are present. What you find is genuinely striking: a fishing town abandoned mid-life, lava barriers built to protect streets, new lava fields reaching the edges of neighborhoods. Guided tours access restricted zones and give the best context for the scale of what happened. The Saltfish Museum in the cultural center Kvikan, which covered the town's fishing heritage, has been subject to closures — verify current status before the visit. The Blue Lagoon is about 6.5 kilometers away and commonly paired with a Reykjanes day trip. Grindavík is roughly 50 kilometers southwest of Reykjavík via Route 43.

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