Old Akranes Lighthouse

Two lighthouses stand a few metres apart on the same rocks, and the older of them is the one you cannot go inside. The squat 1918 tower is one of the oldest concrete lighthouses in Iceland. It worked for the fishing town until 1947, when the taller lighthouse next to it took over. The newer tower is the one open to visitors. Inside there are displays on the history of both lights, a guestbook to sign at the bottom, and stairs up to the top. An attendant runs the ticket house. A cat lives at the site and follows people around the rocks.

• The old tower is closed. Only the newer lighthouse can be entered; the 1918 one is looked at from outside.
• Inside the new tower: displays on the history of both lights, and a guestbook to sign at the bottom.
• Come outside opening hours and the tower is locked. You can still walk around both towers, but there is no climb and no view from the top.
• Toilets are on site, and cards are accepted for the ticket.
• A cat lives at the lighthouse and follows visitors around the rocks.

Old Akranes Lighthouse sits on the shore at the edge of Akranes, around 50 km north of Reykjavík. Drivers park at the site: there is a car park, with street parking alongside it. From there both towers are in front of you, a few metres apart on low rock. The ground around them is open to walk, and the rocks at the base are uneven.

Better: September, when the site is quiet and the ground around the two towers can be walked without company.

Avoid: building the visit around getting inside. The new tower is open only part of the day, and the old one is closed to visitors altogether.

Winter works here: in February the ticket house was open and staffed. Akranes climbs above 10 °C only in July and August, so bring a windproof layer whatever the season.