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Krýsuvík geothermal area

ReykjanesGeothermal areaEntry feeOpen all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Krýsuvík
Krýsuvík
KRÝSUVÍK IN SHORT

Krýsuvík, centred on the Seltún geothermal field, is a small but colourful area of hot springs, mud pools and steam vents on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is about 40 km (around 40-45 minutes) from Reykjavík, open all year, and a car park fee applies. Most people spend 30-45 minutes on the boardwalks.

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About Krýsuvík

Krýsuvík is a geothermal system that stretches across part of the Reykjanes Peninsula, and Seltún is the part most visitors see: a compact hillside of bubbling mud pots, hissing steam vents and mineral-stained ground in yellows, reds and greys. Wooden walkways and a couple of viewing platforms let you get close without stepping onto the fragile, often scalding-hot ground.

It is an easy stop to combine with the rest of the Reykjanes Peninsula, including the nearby lake Kleifarvatn and the geothermal coastline further south. Because it sits on active ground close to the surface, the landscape here can change after earthquakes or eruptions in the area, so paths are sometimes rerouted for safety.

The Krýsuvík system lies in a fissure zone on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and takes in several geothermal fields, among them Seltún, Hverahvammur and Hverahlíð. Seltún is the one with the boardwalk, and signs along it explain the geology in plain terms. Red, green and yellow hills frame the steam, coloured by the minerals the hot water leaves behind.

Quick facts

RegionReykjanes Peninsula
From ReykjavíkAbout 40 km, around 40-45 minutes by car
EntryFree to walk the boardwalks
ParkingFee applies (ISK 750 per car, ISK 1,500 per bus), paid via app or on site
Opening hoursOpen all year, no fixed hours
Time needed30-45 minutes

How to get to Krýsuvík

On a guided tourKrýsuvík features on some Reykjanes Peninsula day tours from Reykjavík, often combined with the Blue Lagoon or Reykjanesviti.
By carFrom Reykjavík, follow Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut) through Hafnarfjörður towards Keflavík and turn left onto Route 42 at the edge of town. Route 42 runs south past Kleifarvatn to the Seltún car park, which is well signposted. You can also come from the south, where Route 42 meets the coast road between Grindavík and Þorlákshöfn.
By public transportThere is no regular public bus to Krýsuvík, so a car or a tour is the practical way to visit.
ParkingThere is a car park right by the boardwalks. A parking fee applies, paid by app or at the site.

Krýsuvík, Kleifarvatn, Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon fit into one day trip, or into a few hours on a stopover at Keflavík Airport. Check safetravel.is first, as access around Grindavík has been affected by the eruptions of recent years.

Places to explore near Krýsuvík

The boardwalk takes half an hour. These stops, all within a short drive, turn it into a half day.

The hill path above SeltúnFrom the top of the boardwalk a steeper path climbs past sulphur-crusted steam vents, called solfataras, to a viewpoint over the geothermal field, the lake and the ocean. It is loose and muddy in places, so keep to the trodden path.
GrænavatnA short way south along Route 42, Grænavatn is an explosion crater filled with green water, coloured by algae and minerals. It is 46 metres deep and only a few hundred metres across. A trail circles it in about 20 minutes, and from the rim you can see the colour change where the lake gets deeper.
Gestsstaðavatn and AugunGestsstaðavatn, across the road, takes its name from Gestsstaðir, a farm abandoned in the Middle Ages. The two small pools on either side of the road are called Augun, the Eyes. Like Grænavatn, they are explosion craters formed at different times.
KleifarvatnThe largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula and one of the deepest in Iceland at 97 metres. Route 42 follows its shore. The water level dropped after earthquakes in 2000 opened cracks in the lake bed.
Krýsuvíkurberg cliffsOn the coast south of Krýsuvík, these sea cliffs are among the best bird-watching sites in the area. Thousands of seabirds nest above the Atlantic surf in summer, and from the track along the top you can pick out kittiwakes, razorbills and guillemots. Stay well back from the edge.

The vents and mud pots are boiling. Keep to the boardwalks and marked paths everywhere in the area.

Best time to visit Krýsuvík

SummerEasiest walking conditions and long daylight. Also the busiest time on the boardwalks.
WinterThe area is open, but boardwalks can be icy, and steam can reduce visibility in cold, still air. Take extra care with footing.

Safety and practical tips

  • Stay on the boardwalks. The ground around the vents is thin, unstable and can be scalding hot underneath.
  • The smell of sulphur is strong and normal for a geothermal area.
  • Wear sturdy shoes; boardwalks can be uneven or slippery when wet.
  • Combine your visit with nearby Kleifarvatn lake if you have time.

Facilities and accessibility

There are toilets at the car park. There is no café or shop on site; the nearest services are in Hafnarfjörður or Grindavík.

On the map

Open in Google Maps →

Nearby places worth a stop

KleifarvatnKleifarvatnLarge lake a short drive awayThe Blue LagoonThe Blue LagoonPopular geothermal spa on the Reykjanes PeninsulaGunnuhverGunnuhverAnother geothermal area further along the peninsulaLeiðarendiLeiðarendiLava cave off the road from HafnarfjörðurSkátalaugSkátalaugSmall warm pool near KrýsuvíkGrindavíkGrindavíkFishing town on the south coast of the peninsula

Where to stay near Krýsuvík

Most visitors see Krýsuvík as a stop on a day trip from Reykjavík or the Reykjanes Peninsula rather than staying overnight nearby.

Krýsuvík FAQ

Is there an entry fee for Krýsuvík?

Walking the boardwalks is free, but a parking fee applies at the car park.

How far is Krýsuvík from Reykjavík?

About 40 km, around 40-45 minutes by car.

Is Krýsuvík safe to visit?

Yes, if you stay on the marked boardwalks and paths. The ground beyond them can be dangerously hot and unstable.

Can I visit Krýsuvík in winter?

Yes, it is open all year, though boardwalks can be icy so take care with footing.

What is the difference between Krýsuvík and Seltún?

Krýsuvík is the whole geothermal area. Seltún is the best-known field within it, the one with the car park and boardwalks.

What else is there to see near Krýsuvík?

The green crater lake Grænavatn, Kleifarvatn lake and the Krýsuvíkurberg bird cliffs are all a short drive away.

See Krýsuvík with a local

Tours and trips that include Krýsuvík, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.

Reykjanes Peninsula Private TourPRIVATEReykjanes Peninsula Private TourFrom 179,900 ISK per groupReykjanes GeoParkDAY TOURReykjanes GeoParkFrom 19,300 ISK per personReykjanes Volcano Fields & GrindavíkDAY TOURReykjanes Volcano Fields & GrindavíkFrom 14,990 ISK per personVolcano Tour & Sky LagoonDAY TOURVolcano Tour & Sky LagoonFrom 32,999 ISK per personVolcano Tour: Grindavík Volcano Village & the Blue LagoonDAY TOURVolcano Tour: Grindavík Volcano Village & the Blue LagoonFrom 36,499 ISK per personVolcano Tour in IcelandDAY TOURVolcano Tour in IcelandFrom 15,990 ISK per person
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