3 Best Sights in Garður, Reykjanes Peninsula and the South Coast (with the Golden Circle)

Two lighthouses can be found on Garðskagi, and Garðskagaviti is the smaller and older of the two. It is also known as “the lighthouse of love”: wives of fishermen would take a stone from the black-sand beaches surrounding the town, go to the top of the lighthouse, and walk in circles and pray for their husbands out at sea. Nowadays, you won't find too many women roaming the stairs, but if the northern lights forecast looks good, this beach is a great place to watch them. You also might be rewarded with some prime bird-watching—species like gull-billed tern, American bittern, and purple gallinule can be spotted here.

The northernmost swimming pool on the peninsula is a charming little pool with a red color scheme. It contains all the necessities of an Icelandic swimming pool, including a gym, sports hall, two hot tubs, a kiddie pool, and a sauna.

Taking Highway 45 from Garður, you will drive through the colorful little town of Sandgerði, one of Iceland's major fishing communities. About 6 km (4 miles) on from there, you will pass this funky-looking church smiling down on you from a hill. The church at Hvalsnes was consecrated in 1887. It was built with basalt stone retrieved from the surrounding area, and the wood interior was crafted with driftwood from the nearby shores.