Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Keflavík, if you follow Rte 41 for 9km, through the village of Garður
(
www.sandgerdi.is
), you'll reach beautiful wind-battered
Garðskagi headland
, one of the
best places in Iceland for
bird spotting
- it's a big breeding ground for sea birds, and it's
often the place where migratory species first touch down. It's also possible to see seals,
and maybe
whales
, from here.
Two splendid
lighthouses
, one tall and one tiny, add drama, and you can get
near-360-degree sea views from the tall one. There's also a small
folk museum
( 422
7220;
www.svgardur.is
;
adult/child Ikr500/free; 1-5pm Apr-Oct)
, filled with a pleasing mish-
mash of fishing boats, birds' eggs and sewing machines. Upstairs, balconied
2 Light-
houses Restaurant
(Tveir Vitar; 422 7214;Garðurbraut 100;mains Ikr1950-5000; 8am-
noon Mon, to 10pm Tue-Thu, to 11pm Fri, 10am-11pm Sat, 10am-10pm Sun Apr-Oct)
has superb
views over the ocean to Snæfellsjökull.
There's a tranquil, free
camping
area by the lighthouse, with toilets and fresh water; and
a guesthouse in town.
minutes, six daily) to Sandgerði and Keflavík.
Sandgerði & Around
Five kilometres south of Garður, Sandgerði (population 1571) is an industrious fishing vil-
lage.
Sudurnes Science & Learning Center
( 423 7551;
http://thekkingarsetur.is/english/ex-
hibitions/
;Gerðavegur 1;adult/child Ikr600/300; 10am-4pm Mon-Fri, 1-5pm Sat & Sun May-Sep,
10am-2pm Mon-Fri Oct-Apr)
has a fascinating exhibit about Polar explorer Jean-Batiste Char-
cot, whose ship
Pourquois Pas?
wrecked near here in 1936 (all but one perished). There
are original artefacts from the wreck and memorabilia. Other displays include stuffed and
jarred Icelandic creatures (look out for the walrus and the freaky
Gorgonocephalus
) and a
small aquarium.
Vitinn
( 423 7755;
www.vifinn.is
;Vitatorg 7;mains Ikr4100-6850; 11.30am-9pm May-Sep, re-
duced hours Oct-Apr)
, across the street, is not to be missed. A friendly husband-and-wife
team serves heaps of seafood (stored in tanks out back in the courtyard) in marine-chic
surrounds. The crab bisque is delicious, and they are putting in a greenhouse to grow their
own herbs and veg.
