Iceland is a country of stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and friendly people. It has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I finally got the chance to visit it with my friends David and Gabby. We spent a week exploring some of the most amazing sights and experiences that Iceland has to offer, and I want to share them with you in this blog post.
Day 1: Arrival and Blue Lagoon
We arrived at Reykjavik airport in the morning, and took a bus to our hotel located in Laugardalur, a green and peaceful area of the city. After checking in and resting for a bit, we had a hearty breakfast at the hotel, and then relaxed for a while. We also visited the Laugardalur Park, where we rode scooters and explored the botanical garden, the zoo, and the sculpture garden.
In the afternoon, we took a bus to the Blue Lagoon, one of the most famous attractions in Iceland. Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in Iceland, specifically in a lava field in Grindavík, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland. The mineral-rich seawater creates a milky blue color and a soothing effect on the skin.
We spent a couple of hours soaking in the lagoon, applying the silica mud mask, and enjoying the views of the volcanic landscape. It was a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
After the lagoon, we took a bus back to Reykjavik, and had dinner at Kopar, a grill and cocktail bar by the old harbor. I had the carrot soup and the cod fish, which were both delicious and fresh. David and Gabby had the adventure menu, which consisted of nine courses of creative and delicious dishes, such as rock crab soup, lamb fillet, and chocolate cake.
We also enjoyed the live music and the cozy atmosphere. It was a perfect way to end the day. After dinner, we walked around the harbor and noticed that it was still bright outside, even though it was 11:30 pm.
We learned that Iceland has a phenomenon called the midnight sun, where the sun never sets completely during the summer months. This means that there are long hours of daylight, and sometimes the sky changes colors from pink to orange to blue. It was a magical sight that we will never forget.
Day 2: Waterfalls, Black Beach, and Glacier Lagoon
On our second day in Iceland, we explored some of the most stunning natural attractions on the south coast. We saw two majestic waterfalls, a dramatic black sand beach, and a mesmerizing glacier lagoon. It was a day full of awe and adventure!
Iceland is a country of waterfalls, with over 10,000 of them scattered across the land. Some are larger than others, and some plummet into small blue pools while others dribble over moss-covered rocks or lava fields.
We explored two of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. We were amazed by their beauty and power, and we had fun viewing them from various points and levels. The highlight of our day was walking behind Seljalandsfoss, which gave us a unique and stunning perspective.
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Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls
We also learned that Seljalandsfoss is one of the many waterfalls in Iceland that are fed by the melting glaciers.
Skogafoss Waterfalls
Our next stop was Skogafoss, another impressive waterfall that is 60 meters tall and 25 meters wide. We climbed up the stairs to the top of the waterfall, where we had a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
After the waterfalls, we continued to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, where we saw the striking contrast between the dark sand and the white waves. We also admired the basalt columns and the rock formations of Reynisdrangar, which are said to be the remains of trolls that were turned to stone by the sunlight. We were careful not to get too close to the water, as the waves can be very powerful and dangerous. 5
Our final destination of the day was Hofn í Hornafiroi, a town near the glacier lagoon of Jokulsarlon. The glacier lagoon is a stunning sight, where huge blocks of ice break off from the glacier and float in the water. We took a boat ride on the lagoon, and got to see the icebergs up close, and even got to hold a piece of ice for some pictures. It was amazing to see the different shapes, colors, and sizes of the ice, and to learn about the history and ecology of the glacier.
It was a long day of driving and sightseeing, but we were rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views and experiences of our lives. We returned to our hotel in Laugardalur, tired but happy, and rested for the next day.
Day 4: Sunrise, Glacier Hike, and Downtown
The fourth day was another early start, as we wanted to catch the sunrise at Hallgrimskirkja, the iconic church that dominates the skyline of Reykjavik. We walked to the church from our hotel, and climbed up the tower, where we had a spectacular view of the city and the mountains. The sunrise was one of the best we had ever seen, with the sky changing colors from pink to orange to blue. It was a magical moment that we will never forget. [7] ![Sunrise at Hallgrimskirkja – Iceland Travel Blog] ![Hallgrimskirkja Church – Iceland Travel Guide]
After the sunrise, we joined another guided tour that took us to the Solheimajokull glacier, where we did a three-hour glacier hike. We put on our crampons, helmets, and harnesses, and followed our guide on the ice.
We learned how to walk on the glacier, how to use the ice axe, and how to avoid the crevasses. We also saw some amazing features of the glacier, such as ice caves, moulins, and moraines. It was a thrilling and educational adventure that made us appreciate the beauty and power of nature. [8] ![Solheimajokull Glacier Hike – Iceland Travel Blog] ![Solheimajokull Glacier Hike – Iceland Travel Blog]
At night, we explored the downtown area of Reykjavik, where we saw the colorful houses, the street art, and the quirky shops.
We also had dinner at Matarkjallarinn, a cozy and elegant restaurant that serves Icelandic and international cuisine. We had the tasting menu, which included dishes such as smoked puffin, grilled lamb, and skyr cheesecake.
We also enjoyed the live jazz music and the friendly service. It was a great way to end the day. [9] ![Matarkjallarinn – Iceland Travel Blog] ![Matarkjallarinn – Iceland Travel Blog]
Day 5: National Park, Geysers, and Volcano
The fifth day was our last full day in Iceland, and we wanted to make the most of it. We rented a car and drove to the Thingvellir National Park, where we saw the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We walked along the Althing, the site of the oldest parliament in the world, and saw the Oxararfoss waterfall, the Thingvallavatn lake, and the Silfra fissure. We also learned about the historical and cultural significance of the park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [10] ![Thingvellir National Park – Iceland Travel Guide] ![Thingvellir National Park – Iceland Travel Blog]
After the park, we drove to the Haukadalur geothermal area, where we saw the famous geysers of Geysir and Strokkur. Geysir is the original geyser that gave its name to all the others, but it is mostly dormant now. Strokkur, on the other hand, erupts every few minutes, shooting a jet of hot water and steam into the air. We watched the geysers for a while, and also saw the bubbling mud pools, the steaming vents, and the colorful minerals. [11] ![Haukadalur Geothermal Area – Iceland Travel Guide] ![Haukadalur Geothermal Area – Iceland Travel Blog]
Our final stop of the day was Grindavik, where we saw the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which had been erupting since March 2021. We hiked to a safe viewing point, where we saw the lava flowing from the crater and forming new land. We also felt the heat and heard the sound of the eruption. It was an awe-inspiring and humbling sight, and we felt lucky to witness it. [12] ![Fagradalsfjall Volcano – Iceland Travel Blog] ![Fagradalsfjall Volcano – Iceland Travel Blog]
We drove back to our hotel, packed our bags, and prepared for our departure the next day.
Day 6: Departure and Farewell
The sixth day was our departure day, and we had to say goodbye to Iceland. We checked out of our hotel, took a bus to the airport, and boarded our flight back home. We were sad to leave, but we were also grateful for the amazing week we had in Iceland. We made some unforgettable memories, saw some incredible sights, and had some fun adventures. We also learned a lot about the country, its people, and its culture. We agreed that Iceland was one of the best places we had ever visited, and that we would love to come back someday.
I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip to Iceland, and that it inspired you to visit this wonderful country yourself. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!