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Keflavík

Keflavík is a town in southwest Iceland, home to Keflavík International Airport nearby. As the gateway to Iceland, it's often the first stop for travelers arriving in the country.

Updated August 15, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Keflavík
Gateway airport
Keflavík Airport (KEF)
Best season
Jul–Aug
Time zone
Atlantic/Reykjavik
Sights covered
9 places

Sights worth seeing

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Viking World museum

Museums & galleries

Viking World museum

Viking World Museum is located in Njarðvík, near Keflavík, Iceland. It's a great place to browse the exhibits at a relaxed pace in a quiet small town.

Garðskagaviti

Views & landmarks

Garðskagaviti

Garðskagaviti is a lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula in southern Iceland, with its current building dating to 1944. Inside is a maritime heritage museum well worth visiting.

St. John Paul II Church

Temples & religious sites

St. John Paul II Church

St. John Paul II Church is a Catholic church in Keflavík. It's a peaceful stop for a quiet look around while traveling through the Suðurnes region in southwest Iceland.

The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll

Museums & galleries

The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll

The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll is housed inside the Hljómahöll concert hall in Reykjanesbær. It traces the history of Icelandic popular music while letting visitors soak up the atmosphere of a live concert venue.

Ásbrú

Shopping & districts

Ásbrú

Ásbrú is a redeveloped area built on the former U.S. military base at Keflavík, now home to Iceland's largest university campus and a leading startup incubator. It's a striking example of a military base transformed into a hub for education and entrepreneurship.

Kirkjuvogskirkja

Temples & religious sites

Kirkjuvogskirkja

This small wooden church stands in the coastal village of Hafnir near Keflavík, its tar-black exterior catching the eye. It's the only black-painted church on the Reykjanes Peninsula, and a good stop on the way to the Bridge Between Continents.

Stafnesviti

Views & landmarks

Stafnesviti

This orange lighthouse rises along the coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula, striking against the cliffs where waves crash below. Standing since 1925, it's a great spot for a walk amid dramatic, otherworldly coastal scenery.

Sandgerði lighthouse

Views & landmarks

Sandgerði lighthouse

This yellow lighthouse stands at Sandgerði harbor near Keflavík, offering views of the Reykjanes Peninsula's coastline alongside a modest fishing village scene. It's also a great spot for photos, with fishing boats and open sea as the backdrop.

How many days do you need?

Routes grouped by travel distance so each day stays comfortable.

Average temperature by month

5-year average

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11° Jul
11° Aug
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-0° Dec

Getting there

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Getting around the city

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Fares and timetables change often, so we don't list them here. Check the operator or the booking site for current prices and schedules.

Keflavík Tours & Experiences Booking

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Local data

Get an eSIM for Iceland before you go

Activate mobile data with a QR code instead of swapping SIM cards. Buy it before departure and switch it on the moment you land.

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Where to stay

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