On the sea-surrounded peninsula of Seltjarnarnes, coastal paths, birdwatching and the history of pharmacy are close together. When planning a stay, you can choose different focuses for nature and culture: the paths lead to the water and Bakkatjörn, while Nesstofa and the Lyfjafræðisafnið offer insights into medical and pharmaceutical history.
Coastal Paths and Birdlife
Walking and cycling paths on Seltjarnarnes offer views of nature, mountains and the sea. One specifically described route leads from Norðurströnd to the car park near Grótta, then along the sea to Bakkatjörn and around the pond. This connects two distinctive places on the peninsula along one route, without assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty.
Grótta lies at the tip of the peninsula and was declared a nature reserve in 1974 because of its rich birdlife. The Grótta lighthouse was built in 1897; another lighthouse was added nearby in 1947. Two conditions are important for a visit: the lighthouse is accessible only at low tide, and Grótta is closed each year from 1 May to 31 July during the bird breeding season, within the wider travel destination of Höfudborgarsvædi. Check the tides before planning your visit and observe the closure period.
Bakkatjörn lies near Grótta and is home to many bird species. A bird hide allows visitors to watch and photograph the pond’s birdlife. Bakkatjörn is also one of the most important breeding grounds for Arctic terns in the capital region. For travellers who want to look out for wildlife along their route, the pond is a worthwhile stop in its own right.
Nesstofa and the History of Pharmacy
Nesstofa is one of Iceland’s oldest concrete houses. The building was constructed between 1761 and 1763 for Bjarni Palsson, Iceland’s first Surgeon General. Today, Nesstofa is a specialised medical history museum administered by the National Museum of Iceland. The historic building and its current use as a museum give the place a clear focus on cultural history.
The Lyfjafræðisafnið preserves objects, pictures, books and documents relating to the history of pharmacy. It also displays important equipment used to prepare medicines and examples of pharmacy interiors from the first decades of the 20th century. The museum therefore focuses both on written and visual records and on objects that illustrate the work and furnishings of pharmacies.
Urtagarður is located on the museum grounds at Nesstofa. Its herb collection includes plants that were used in the past or are used today for healing, food and the promotion of health. The garden shares knowledge about how these uses have changed over time. Visitors interested in the connection between plants, pharmacy and health will find a different perspective here than in the collection of equipment and documents.
Church, Geothermal Sites and Golf
Seltjarnarneskirkja was consecrated on 19 February 1989. Its distinctive triangular roof makes the church visible from afar. As another cultural landmark, it is easy to distinguish from the older history of Nesstofa: here, the focus is on the architecture of a more recent landmark, while Nesstofa centres on the medical history of an 18th-century building.
Geothermal water also shapes two different local attractions. Seltjarnarnes swimming pool uses mineral-rich water drawn directly from a geothermal borehole in Seltjarnarnes. Kvika is a geothermal footbath: a small stone basin with warm geothermal water, designed by artist Ólöf Nordal. Visitors interested in these places can distinguish between the swimming pool and the artwork designed as a footbath.
Golfklúbbur Ness operates a nine-hole golf course with a par of 35 in Suðurnes on Seltjarnarnes. Golf adds another option to the selection of paths, wildlife watching, culture and geothermal sites. The different activities can be prioritised according to your interests, without turning the attractions described into a fixed day itinerary.
Getting There
Bus route 11 runs between Mjódd bus stop and Seltjarnarnes. The nearest bus stop for Grótta, Hofgarður, is one kilometre away. Check the timetable for your specific departure.
Discover more destinations: Kópavogur, Reykjavik, Hafnarfjördur, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær.
Back to the overview of the wider travel destination: Höfudborgarsvædi.
