Within a few minutes drive from the center of Reykjavík you will find a a lovely nature reserve where you will find wild bird life, black sand beaches and a light house.
The walking path along the ocean is very popular among locals. It is very relaxing and nurturing to take a nice walk along the seaside while listening to the waves and enjoy the stunning panoramic view. Mountain Esja is right in front of you and on a clear day you can easily see Snæfellsjökull glacier.
A very popular small hot tub is also located near Grótta lighthouse. It is foot tub where you can rest your feet in warm water while enjoying an amazing view of the sea and mountains all around.
The Grótta area is just as stunning in winter as it is in summer. Even though it is very close to Reykjavík and city lights, you will find it pitch dark at night and therefore a great place to hunt for the northern lights in winter if you aren´t able to go outside the city to hunt for them.
It is ideal to rent an bike and take an hour or two to explore the city. It is a great idea to bike the path from the city center, all around Grótta area and even go all the way to the geothermal beach in Nauthólsvík. Use the baths, they are wonderful to use to explore the city on a bike.
If you are a golfer, there is a nice golf course in the Grótta area.
