Your guide to Langanes, Iceland’s ‘end of the world’
Tucked away in a corner of Iceland is the Langanes peninsula, a rugged arm of land stretching out into the chilly ocean. With nothing north of it except the Arctic, this destination is sometimes nicknamed the ‘world’s end’. Visit today to discover a truly untouched part of the world, rich in Arctic beauty and fascinating history.
You would easily find Langanes on a map, as its name literally means ‘long peninsula’. It’s longer and thinner than most of Iceland’s other outcrops, ending in a skinny strip of land called Fontur. If you reach the very tip, you’ll be rewarded by the sight of the lonely Fontur Lighthouse perched on the sea cliffs.
Even if you don’t get that far, a road trip along this peninsula feels like a real adventure. You’ll pass by tiny fishing villages, some populated, others long emptied, as well as ancient farmsteads and even an abandoned radar station.
One of the most special features of this part of northeast Iceland is the local wildlife. Langanes is where you’ll find the country’s largest gannet population. These unusually-coloured birds nest on the dramatic Stóri Karl rock column, surrounded by crashing waves.
So whether it’s for Arctic history, unspoilt natural beauty, or a glimpse of noisy gannet colonies, you have plenty of reasons to discover Langanes.
