Gerđahreppur in Iceland. Garđur. Icelandic Towns. Travel to Reykjanes Penisula. Tourism in South West Iceland.

Continuing north from Keflavík, the road passes Leira, one of Iceland's finest golf courses and one of the countryšs few links facilities, to reach the village of Garđur, the old northern outskirts of which are still clearly defined by a large earthwork which once marked the boundaries of a Viking estate of the same name. Today, however, Garđur is better known for its two lighthouses, the older of which was used until recently as a centre for studying the thousands of migrating birds which arrive there from Greenland and North America every year to breed on the surrounding shore. Other attractions include a well-equipped campsite, and Útskálakirkja, a church dedicated in pre-Reformation times to St. Peter and St. Thorlákur, Iceland's only native saint. The present structure was completed in 1861-63.

Old church in Iceland

Gerđahreppur Local Folk Museum
Housed near the newer one of the two local lighthouses today the older over a century old and until recently used as a centre for studying the tens of thousands of migratory birds which arrive there each spring from Greenland and North America to bred on the surrounding sands, rocks and skerries, this museum houses a variety of fascinating exhibits showing how life was lived in the past, both on land and at sea. Among the items on display is a collection of engines used to power local fishing vessels.

Gerđahreppur Local Musem is open from 13:00-17:00 from May 1 - August 30, and at other times by arrangement. For further information, please call the curator at (+354) 422 7135.

Lighthouses in Iceland

Village of Gardur

Icelandic sunset