Food and Drink
- Street Food Stalls
- Pylsuvagninn (Hot dog stand) near the harbor area
- Popular International Cuisine
- Fernando’s Pizza (Hafnargata 30) for high-quality Italian
- Wine Bars
- Library Bistro (Hafnargata 6); upscale wine and cocktail selection
- Best Food Delivery App
- Aha.is (most reliable app for local restaurant delivery)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Plokkfiskur (Fish stew) at Rain (Hafnargata 17)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Thai Keflavík (Hafnargata 32) offers extensive tofu and veggie dishes
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bakaríið hjá Sigga (Hafnargata 54) for traditional Kleina
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Bónus (Krossmói) or Krónan (Hafnargata) for best grocery prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Elko.is for electronics; Heimkaup.is for general shopping
- Grocery Delivery
- Heimkaup.is provides delivery to the Reykjanes area
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Paddy's Irish Pub (Hafnargata 38) for live music and beer
- Local Brewery
- Gæðingur (nearby in Reykjavik, stocked at local Vínbúðin liquour stores)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Giantess in the Cave (Skessuhellir) at the marina
- Museums & Art Venues
- Duus Cultural Centre (Duusgata 2-8); hosts local art exhibitions
- Historical Sites
- Stekkjarkot (Old turf house ruins near Njarðvík)
- Religious Sites
- Keflavíkurkirkja (The local church, iconic wooden architecture)
- Annual Events
- Ljósanótt (Night of Lights) held every September
- Cultural Districts
- The Marina/Harbor district for history and museum access
- Theater Venues
- Frumleikhúsið (Vesturbraut 17); local theater company
- Local Markets
- Christmas Markets held in the Duus Museum area in December
- Music Scene
- Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll (Hjallavegur 2)
- Street Art
- Murals on Hafnargata depicting maritime history
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the local community center Krossmói
- Art Galleries
- Listasafn Reykjanesbæjar (Reykjanes Art Museum)
- Historic Buildings
- Duushús (former trading post dating back to 1877)
- Local Heritage
- Viking World (Víkingaheimar), home to the ship Íslendingur
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bridge Between Continents (Sandvík), 20 mins drive
- National Parks Nearby
- Þingvellir National Park (approx 1 hour 15 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal path between Keflavík and Garður (approx 10km)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Hólmsberg Cliffs for birdwatching and ocean views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Hafnarberg cliffs for puffins and kittiwakes
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Ásbrú area designated sites during New Year's Eve
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Pósturinn (Vatnsnesvegur 16); DHL pick-up points at KEF
- Tech Repair Services
- Tölvun (Hafnargata 49) for computer/phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sudurnes Sports Center (Sunnubraut 34)
- Language Classes
- Mímir-símenntun often runs Icelandic courses in the area
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bókasafn Reykjanesbæjar (Tjarnargata 12); quiet study areas
- Community Centers
- Krossmói Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Nexus in Reykjavik is the closest major hub; local school clubs
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Iceland (only charity slot machines/lotto allowed)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 850,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 34,000,000 ISK)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 700,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 28,000,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 780,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 46,800,000 ISK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 650,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 39,000,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 720,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 57,600,000 ISK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 600,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 48,000,000 ISK)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% for limited liability companies
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 22% standard rate
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (exceeding 183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.25% (includes municipal tax)
- VAT
- 24% standard; 11% reduced rate for food/books
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to entities in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Yes, levied by municipality (Reykjanesbær), varies by residential usage
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0.8% for individuals; 1.6% for legal entities
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Remote Work Visa allows stays up to 180 days without local tax liability
Essentials
- City
- Keflavík, Reykjanesbær, Southern Peninsula, Iceland
- Population
- Approximately 20,500 (Reykjanesbær municipality)
- Internet Speed
- Excellent; average speeds of 100-500 Mbps via fiber optics (Nova or Síminn)
- Currency & Banking
- Icelandic Króna (ISK); 1 USD ≈ 140 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 152 ISK
- Tap Water
- Extremely safe and drinkable; among the purest in the world
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F Europlug sockets
- SIM Card
- Nova, Síminn, or Vodafone; ~2,900 ISK for 10GB at KEF Airport
- Banking for Expats
- Landsbankinn, Arion Banki; Revolut and cards widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Mainly guesthouses and Airbnbs such as Aurora Hotel or Diamond Suites
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards are accepted everywhere, even for small public toilets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; costs range from 18,000 to 35,000 ISK per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Start Hostel (Lindarbraut 637); dorm beds approx 6,500 ISK
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Hafnargata (Main Street) for proximity to shops and restaurants
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Njarðvík or Central Keflavík for quieter residential stays with fiber optics
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Krossmói 4 (Reykjanes Community Center); localized office rentals available
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kaffi Duus (Duusgata 10); high-speed Wi-Fi and harbor views
- Networking Events
- Heklan (Regional Development Agency) events for local startups
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Iceland Facebook group; local meets at Paddy's Irish Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Taxi Laki (No Uber/Bolt in Iceland); +354 422 2222
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Hopp (electric scooter sharing via app) available in the town center
- Best Beach Nearby
- Garðskagi Beach (15 mins away); rugged coastline and lighthouse
- Top Regional Airline
- Icelandair (domestic routes via Reykjavik Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Icelandair and PLAY (Hubbed at KEF Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 41 (Reykjanesbraut) connects Keflavik to Reykjavik in 45 mins
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- KEF Airport Bus Terminal; Flybus and Airport Direct departures
- Public Transport Passes
- Strætó (Line 55); single fare 550 ISK, month pass available via Klapp app
- Regional Travel
- Bus 55 to Reykjavik; rental cars (Blue Car Rental) for the Ring Road
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- HSS - Health Institute of Suðurnes (Skólavegur 8, Keflavík)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Blue Lagoon (20 mins away) for high-end geothermal wellness
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Sporthúsið (Vatnsnesvegi 30, Keflavík); 14,900 ISK per month
- Laundry Services
- Self-service at Start Hostel or local guesthouses like Berg