Grotta Lighthouse
Grotta Lighthouse
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Located at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula on a black sand beach, this is a favorite spot for bird-watching and catching the Northern Lights.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
560 reviews
Excellent
284
Very good
207
Average
58
Poor
8
Terrible
4
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Ramona Cini
Italy28 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Suggestive place near Reykjavik. At some times it is not reachable due to high tide. In spring birds nest and access is prohibited. We went in August around 8pm and it wasn't crowded. We took advantage of the hot water pool located near the seafront, a few hundred meters before the car park. If you arrive by bus no. 11, the walk is pleasant.

Written August 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gints K
Riga, Latvia220 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Reykjavik is a small town by all standards and very quiet, but lighthouse area was bursting of life late in night. So much traffic and people to get to lighthouse. And the reason was not the lighthouse itself – it was Aurora or northern lights. While we stayed in Iceland all nights there were forecast for clouds and rainy weather, but on last day we saw, that there could be 1-2 hour gap between rainy weather with chance of seeing northern lights – too late for booking excursion so we took city bus to get as close as possible to lighthouse – approximately 1 km walking.
Long story short – for brief moment clouds opened partially and we saw northern lights. To be honest – in real life northern lights were not so impressive in colors as they looks on phone pictures we took, but still impressive sighting then all the sky gets in night so lighted up with northern light.
The tour guide recommended before, that those who want more privacy to go to the golf park nearby as there will be even less light pollution and less people, but we were happy with that we saw already and a bit cold after standing there.
City bus operates every 30 minutes till midnight and many people uses bus after watching northern lights. Truly Icelandic experience.
Long story short – for brief moment clouds opened partially and we saw northern lights. To be honest – in real life northern lights were not so impressive in colors as they looks on phone pictures we took, but still impressive sighting then all the sky gets in night so lighted up with northern light.
The tour guide recommended before, that those who want more privacy to go to the golf park nearby as there will be even less light pollution and less people, but we were happy with that we saw already and a bit cold after standing there.
City bus operates every 30 minutes till midnight and many people uses bus after watching northern lights. Truly Icelandic experience.
Written October 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jesse S
Highland, NY55 contributions
Nov 2022
This isn't a hidden gem as there were a lot of tourists out trying to catch the Northern Lights. It's on the outskirts of the city so there is less light pollution. We did see the lights the night we went, but honestly had just a good of an experience seeing them from our rental home in the middle of the city the next few nights.
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy T
4 contributions
Nov 2022
We skipped the expensive Northern Lights excursions and instead rode out to the light house at 10pm. We were able to get great views of the Northern Lights without the cost. Not sure what the Light House looks like during the day!
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,069 contributions
Jun 2019
Lovely stroll along the coastline and really nice place to watch the ocean and have a walk. One of the most beautiful places near Reykjavik. The view of the mountains along the sea is absolutely stunning. Plenty of seabirds . Just take care about the high tide.
Awesome place for observing the northern lights, near Reykjavik. In winter it is very cold here, the cold wind is blowing. Nice place to spend some time and just enjoy in sea, air ans energy. Every season. You should come here at least once to see it.
Awesome place for observing the northern lights, near Reykjavik. In winter it is very cold here, the cold wind is blowing. Nice place to spend some time and just enjoy in sea, air ans energy. Every season. You should come here at least once to see it.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WendyFromIllinois
Pekin, IL211 contributions
Dec 2019
We heard about this location as a possible place to see the Northern lights. When we noticed on several phone apps that it seems very likely we would see the Northern lights one evening, we drove to the Grotta Lighthouse and noticed several other people had the same idea. We sat along the road for about 30 minutes until some cars started to become impatient and drove away. We finally found a parking spot after about 30 minutes and sat for another 10 minutes before we saw people getting excited. We jumped out of the car to set up the tripod and camera and saw the beautiful light show! I'm grateful we did not have to go far, as this is about 5 minute drive from Reyjkavik.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaye N
Provo, UT2,147 contributions
Jul 2022
We tried to visit the lighthouse but the roads into it were closed. We took some pictures and watched birds in the area but the best part was a little hot pool to soak your feet. A passerby told us about it so we went and used the little hot pot. It was cold outside (in July) but the water felt great on our tired feet. I'd love more time to explore that area.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mdc979
Boston, MA69 contributions
Mar 2023
We went here around 10:30 pm to look for the Northern Lights. We didn't go up to the lighthouse. We had been hunting for about two hours, on our way home from Selfoss and we finally saw a weak view of the Northern Lights through our iPhone camera. It was disappointing, but I'm glad we were able to see it at all since the conditions weren't great while we were there.
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
Springfield, MO3,229 contributions
Oct 2021
I love lighthouses, being in a landlocked state (missouri), and this is a beautiful one. We drove the road from town as far as possible, then walked a short distance. Unable to walk to the lighthouse because of tides, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
Written December 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zeryx
Dunfermline, UK208 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited on a cold and windy morning but found the walk around the nature reserve very enjoyable. We didn't see anyone walking across to the lighthouse so weren't aware you were allowed to go over.
Very scenic area!
Very scenic area!
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How is the parking situation at the lighthouse? Is there a public parking area? Or do we need to park a distance away and walk?
Written March 2, 2023
is it difficult to walk on the rocks towards the lighthouse during low tides? i see they are huge uneven rocks with slight sand in the edge but not sure it's enough wide for walking in the sand
Written November 20, 2019
How do we get from Reykjavik to Grotta if we don't have a car? Would a taxi wait for us, or is there a bus service?
Written November 15, 2019
We did have a car and it was a quick drive, so I would imagine 30-60 minute walk. I do believe there was a bus stop just before the car park/turning circle.
Written November 17, 2019
does a full moon reduce the view of the lights or is new moon better
Written July 26, 2019
I am not sure whether the moon affects the lights, you just need clear skies, if you can see the stars you are likely to see the lights and it is a nice spot to look out over the sea, it does get very cold though, most people sit in their cars to wait for any activity, others take a blanket to wrap around them
Written August 24, 2019
We really like this location and wish to stay at a B&B that is close by. Which one is the closest one to the lighthouse?
Written February 19, 2019
Hey Gwen,
the closest one i know is the Blue House B&B.
bluehouse.is
I stayed there 1 month ago and we walked 5 min from there to the lighthouse. I booked it because i wanted to be close to auroras :)
Written February 19, 2019
Q cobra un taxi desde Reykjavík ida y vuelta al lighthouse?
Written November 27, 2018
I have heard that you can only reach the lighthouse during low tide but where can I find the timing of low/ high tide of the day? If I go during daytime will I be pretty much safe or will I possible be stuck at the lighthouse if I don’t leave on time? Thanks
Written September 2, 2018
you do not need to worry about being stuck. there is a beautiful view from the parking area, just next to the lighthouse. I don't know where can you see the tide times, but we went there morning and evening and it was safe to walk over to the lighthouse. beautiful place.
Written September 23, 2018
Can you walk from Reykjavík harbour or is it too far?
Written December 10, 2017
you can walk but it takes roughly an hour. there is also a bus you can catch - for example for the way back. make sure to chevk the weather because the walkway is very exposed to wind and rain.
Written December 12, 2017
At what time we should arrive there for good photo in April?
Written September 12, 2017
Sunset is between 8 and 9 pm and you will have the sun behind the lighthouse on the sea (perfect photo opportunity). Sunrise is between 5 and 6 am.
Written September 13, 2017
I will be there in March next year. Can I watch the birds at that time? And where I can check the timing of tide?
Written September 4, 2017
Lots of birds returning in mid to late March. There was a tide chart posted on the estuary when I was there.
Written September 5, 2017
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