Grotta Lighthouse, Reykjavik

The Grótta Lighthouse, located on a small island at the end of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula near Reykjavik, holds significant geographical and historical importance. The nearby town of Seltjarnarnes, hard to pronounce for some, seamlessly joins with Reykjavik and is one of Iceland's oldest settlements. Interestingly, this area used to be bigger and more important than Reykjavik a few centuries ago.

Nowadays, when you're in Reykjavik, you can take a beautiful walk from the Grandi harbour along the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. This path, known as the Seltjarnarnes Jogging Path, leads peacefully to the lighthouse. You can get to Grótta Island when the tide is low, walking over the rocky causeway to see the island and its lighthouse. The Grótta Lighthouse, sometimes called the Seltjarnarnes Lighthouse, has a unique round design and works automatically. Its light, essential for ships, flashes in a special pattern – three short flashes, a long one, and then a pause – to help ships navigate safely near Reykjavik Harbour's rocky shores.

The area around Grótta Lighthouse is great for photography. Between the parking spot and the island is a bay where the water sometimes reflects the sky, creating a peaceful scene. The bay, separated from the channel by a line of breakwater rocks, changes with the tides. During high tide, and especially when it's windy, the waves crashing against these rocks create a stunning view. Whether the sea is calm or wild, it offers different chances to take amazing pictures of Iceland's scenery.