In November 2023, seismic activity near Grindavík led to the evacuation of its population of roughly 4000 people. In December that year, a new eruption started and another eruption followed in January 2024 where lava flowed into town, big cracks opened on the ground and houses were destroyed. Grindavík was closed to the public for almost a year but reopened in October 2024.
In October last year, long-term plans for Grindavík were unveiled. Defensive walls north of the town will be raised by 2 to 3 m over a 450 m section to guard against future lava flow. Some houses will be demolished, while others will be rebuilt or can be lived in again. Demolition of houses is expected to begin this January and that work to last until mid-2027. The Town of Grindavík (municipality) is cooperating with companies to develop tourism initiatives in town, through infrastructure projects and online visibility.
The harbour is also being redeveloped. The harbour was the only part of Grindavík that didn’t move during the eruption, keeping the fisheries lifeline intact.
A few other places in town weathered the storm, so to speak: the bank, the church and “an Avebury-like ring of ancient stones” as BBC describes it.
The Reykjanes Peninsula entered a new period of high volcanic activity in 2021, expected to last for many years to come. The American and Eurasian tectonic plates run beneath the Mid Atlantic Ridge that lies beneath the peninsula. The plates are constantly moving in opposite directions and creating earthquakes, fissures and volcanoes.
The mountain Fagradalsfjall is close to Grindavík and there it is possible to view a real lava field, which was formed in eruptions in 2021 and 2022.
See Grindavík After The Eruption of 2023
As mentioned in the beginning of this article, Grindavík opened again to the public in October 2024. There are a few tours available to see the town and learn more about the increased volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent years as well as its effects on nature and people.
Volcanic Wonders with Grindavik Visit starts in Reykjavík and then goes through unique landscapes with rugged coastlines, volcanic craters, lakes and dramatic lava fields. The first stop is Seltún, one of Iceland’s most iconic geothermal areas with boiling springs and mud pools. Second stop is Fagradalsfjall Volcano, Iceland’s youngest volcano. Here, you can see the dramatic lava fields left behind by its recent eruptions. The now hardened landscape still tells an incredible story of nature’s raw power. Hiking to the viewpoint takes around 45 minutes each way. Once there, the guide will provide insights into the geology of the area and stories from the time of the eruptions. The last stop on the tour is Grindavík, where you can see how the town has adapted in the aftermath of recent volcanic eruptions. One striking highlight is the rift cutting through part of the town—a vivid reminder of the tectonic shifts that shape Iceland. The guide will explain the fascinating science behind these formations and show you how the locals have reinforced Grindavík, including the protective barrier built to shield it from lava flows.
This tour is very fragile to weather, winter conditions and volcanic activity. The itinerary can change between days and without notice.
Grindavík, Krýsuvík & Eruption Site Half Day Tour begins with a visit to the lake Kleifarvatn, a lake surrounded by black sand shores and rugged volcano cliffs. It is one of Iceland’s deepest lakes and reflects dramatic skies and landscapes in its surroundings. Seltún is the next stop, with its vibrantly colored mineral deposits. Third stop is the crater lake Grænavatn, with waters that shimmer in brilliant green hues due to high sulfur content. Nátthagi is the fourth stop, known for its dramatic lava flows from the 2021 eruption. In Grindavík, you’ll see the eerie silence of a once-thriving fishing town, now deeply impacted by volcanic and seismic activity. The last stop on this tour is Sundhnúkagígar lava field, where you can see steam rising from the ground and explore the fresh volcanic landscape.
The DT 119 Reykjanes Peninsula & New Lava & Grindavík is a full day tour (7-8 hours) in a superjeep with a driver guide stopping at these locations: Kleifarvatn, Krýsuvík, the Bridge between Continents, Reykjanesviti lighthouse and Gunnuhver hot spring area.
Volcano Circle Tour – Grindavík Town, Reykjanes Lava Fields and Hot Springs is a minibus tour that takes around 7 hours and stops at Kleifarvatn, Seltún, Nátthagi, Grindavík, Gunnuhver, Reykjanesviti lighthouse, and the Bridge between Continents
References:
- The Icelandic town abandoned to the volcanoes (BBC, 17 Oct, 2025)
- Niðurrif í Grindavík hefst líklega fyrir mánaðamót (Mbl.is, 12 Jan, 2026) – in Icelandic
- Pistill bæjarstjórnar: Árið 2025 – Uppbygging, samstaða og trú á framtíð Grindavíkur (Town of Grindavík, 19 Dec, 2025) – in Icelandic
