Gunnuhver Hot Springs is a popular geological site on the south-western part of the Reykjanes peninsula. It is made up of several geothermal pools that are heated by natural gas reservoirs beneath the surface. It's a great place to witness and admire the bubbling and steaming hot springs surrounded by magnificent lava formations. The water of the hot springs has many minerals such as sulfur and iron which create the signature smell of Icelandic geothermal power.

Folklore: The spot is named after Gunna, a woman who lived in Reykjanes some 400 years ago. After dying of starvation, her spirit returned to violently murder her former landlord and his wife (after he allegedly took away her brewing pot after she failed to pay rent). The locals called upon a priest to take care of their little ghost problem, which he solved by casting Gunna into a boiling hot mud pool. While no other supernatural murders have occurred since then, some visitors claim to catch glimpses of Gunna’s ghostly figure through the billowing mist of the pools or hear or screams from time to time.

QUICK NOTES:

• What it is: A geothermal area 30 minutes away from the International Airport.

• Best season: Any.

• Best time of day: Any.

• Nice to know: You can walk between Gunnuhver and the Reykjanes Lighthouse (around 1km / 0.6 miles). Do not walk off the designated paths since the ground is hot and you don't know where you might hit a mud pool.