Seltjarnarnes: Coastal Paths, Birdlife and Medical History

Seltjarnarnes lies on a peninsula surrounded by the sea. Nature, birdlife and history shape different sides of the town: walking and cycling paths run along the coast, birdlife can be observed at Bakkatjörn, and Nesstofa is devoted to pharmacy and medical history. You can get to know Seltjarnarnes through both its landscape and its notable buildings and collections.

Coastal Paths, Bakkatjörn and Grótta

The peninsula has walking and cycling paths with views of nature, mountains and sea. A combined walking and cycling path leads from Norðurströnd to the car park at Grótta and then along the sea to Bakkatjörn, which it loops around. The route makes it easy to distinguish the different stretches and destinations: Grótta lies at the tip of the peninsula, while Bakkatjörn is a landmark along the way in its own right.

Bakkatjörn is home to many bird species and is one of the most important breeding grounds for Arctic terns in the capital region. A birdwatching hut makes it possible to observe and photograph the birds at the pond. Grótta was declared a nature reserve in 1974 because of its rich birdlife. The lighthouse there is accessible only at low tide; check the current tides before visiting. In the wider Höfudborgarsvædi destination, Grótta is closed every year from 1 May to 31 July during the bird-breeding season.

The history of the lighthouses can also be traced through time: the Grótta lighthouse was built in 1897, and another lighthouse followed nearby in 1947. The structures and protected birdlife offer different historical and natural points of interest along this stretch of coast.

Nesstofa and the History of Pharmacy

Nesstofa is a specialised museum of medical history administered by the National Museum of Iceland. The building is one of Iceland’s oldest concrete houses and was built between 1761 and 1763 for Bjarni Palsson, Iceland’s first chief surgeon. Here, architectural history and medical history come together.

The Urtagarður is located on the museum grounds at Nesstofa. Its collection includes herbs that were used in the past or are used today for healing, nourishment and promoting health; the garden shares knowledge about these uses, past and present. The Lyfjafræðisafnið preserves objects, pictures, books and documents relating to the history of pharmacy. The Pharmacy Museum displays important equipment used to make medicines, as well as examples of pharmacy interiors from the first decades of the 20th century.

Another notable building is Seltjarnarneskirkja. Its triangular roof stands out, and the church is visible from afar. It was consecrated on 19 February 1989. For a themed walk, this creates a contrast between the more recent church and the much older history of Nesstofa.

Geothermal Energy and Other Activities

Kvika is a geothermal footbath: a small stone basin filled with warm geothermal water, designed by artist Ólöf Nordal. Seltjarnarnes swimming pool also uses geothermal water. The mineral-rich water is drawn directly from a geothermal borehole in Seltjarnarnes. The two places represent different uses of geothermal heat, from a small footbath to a swimming pool.

Golfklúbbur Ness operates a nine-hole, par-35 golf course in Suðurnes on Seltjarnarnes. Special rules apply when playing on the Nesklúbburinn golf course to protect nesting birds. Nature and recreational interests thus also meet in the context of golf.

Getting Around

Bus route 11 runs between Mjódd bus terminal and Seltjarnarnes. The Hofgarður stop is the closest to Grótta, one kilometre away. Check the route 11 timetable before travelling; if you plan to visit the lighthouse, also check the tides and Grótta’s seasonal closure period.

Discover more destinations: Kópavogur, Garðabær, Hafnarfjördur, Mosfellsbær, Reykjavik

View the wider travel guide: Höfudborgarsvædi.