Grótta Lighthouse
About Grótta Lighthouse
Grótta Lighthouse stands on a small tidal island at the western tip of Seltjarnarnes, about ten minutes' drive from downtown Reykjavík. It's one of the easiest places near the city to get open sky over the sea, and on a clear day you can see Snæfellsjökull glacier across the bay. The white tower dates from 1947, though a light has marked this point since 1897.
Grótta is only an island at high tide. A narrow causeway of sand and rock links it to the mainland at low tide, and you can walk out and stay for up to six hours. Check the tide table on the Seltjarnarnes town website before you set off, because the sea covers the causeway again on the rising tide.
The island is a protected nature reserve with hundreds of nesting Arctic tern pairs, and it closes to all visitors for the nesting season starting May 1. The town lists the end date as July 15 on one page and July 31 on another, so plan your walk to the lighthouse for August through April. Even during the closure, you get a clear view of the tower from the shore.
On clear winter nights, Grótta Lighthouse is a popular spot for northern lights, since the sky over the sea is darker than anywhere in the city center. Bring warm layers, because the wind off the bay can be fierce. Kvika, a small geothermal footbath designed by artist Ólöf Nordal, sits on the shore near the lighthouse and is free to use year-round.
Without a car, take bus 11 out to Seltjarnarnes and get off at Lindarbraut/Hofgarðar, about a 15-minute walk from Grótta. Allow an hour if you cross to the island, or 20 minutes for a sunset stop on the shore.
Day tours that visit Grótta Lighthouse
Browse all day tours →
Good to know
Can you walk to Grótta Lighthouse?
Yes, at low tide, across a narrow causeway from the mainland. Check the Seltjarnarnes tide table first, and don't stay on the island longer than six hours.
When is Grótta closed?
The island closes to all visitors from May 1 for the bird nesting season. Seltjarnarnes gives the end date as July 15 on one page and July 31 on another, so expect it to reopen in August.
Is Grótta Lighthouse good for northern lights?
Yes. It faces open sea at the edge of the city, so the sky is darker than in central Reykjavík. You still need a clear night and active auroras.
How do you get to Grótta Lighthouse from Reykjavík?
It's about ten minutes' drive from downtown Reykjavík, with parking by the shore. By bus, take route 11 to Lindarbraut/Hofgarðar and walk about 15 minutes.
Where is the footbath at Grótta Lighthouse?
Kvika, a small geothermal footbath by artist Ólöf Nordal, is on the shore near the lighthouse. It's free and open year-round.
More Islands
All attractions →
Trip planning — free, no commitment
Put Grótta Lighthouse on your route
Tell us your dates, pace and can’t-miss list — a local planner builds the route, stays and tours around it, and stays a text away while you travel.