Lost in Iceland: A four day trip to the land of fire and ice
My trip to Iceland almost feels like a distant dream. In fact, my time spent in Iceland felt somewhat surreal. Did it actually happen? Was it a vivid dream? Hard to tell. With unforgettable landscapes torn from the pages of a fantasy book, each new experience unveiled istelf, page by page, transporting me to a different place in time. Everywhere I looked, left me in awe. Iceland is one of the youngest landmasses in the world, which gives this raw and unspoiled country a level of grandiose that demands respect (inadvertently). I have been lucky enough to visit many beautiful parts of the world, and until this day, Iceland continues to be one of the most unique and beautiful places I have been to.
Here are my recommendations for a four day trip.
Know before you go:
Currency: Icelandic króna
Capital: Reykjavík
Language: Icelandic (English is spoken throughout)
Weather: Can be unpredictable. Winters can be mild yet windy and summers can be pretty cool. It’s always best to check the weather depending on time of year you are visiting but plan on packing some warmer clothing and layers!
Best time to see northern lights: Late August to mid-April, with the winter months being the best time to see them
Packing Tip: Uniqlo’s Heattech Collection This collection is lightweight, takes up little room in a suitcase and provides the perfect insulation. The clothing feels like a second layer of skin and they’re super soft and comfortable. I bought several pairs of long johns and long-sleeved shirts to wear below my clothes. Very affordable, and very much worth it.
Post Flight Tip: Joe the Juice at Reykjavik Airport. I took an overnight flight and a friend of mine that I consulted prior to my trip (who happens to be a native from Iceland) mentioned that her go-to after a long flight to Iceland, is Joe the Juice for a coffee and a ginger shot. I was feeling a bit under the weather so the ginger shot was a perfect immune booster and the nice dark roast coffee snapped me out of my groggy state.
Day One: Reykjavik
Blue Lagoon – The Blue Lagoon is probably one of the most popular Iceland attractions and I recommend going either right when you arrive or when you are leaving Iceland as it is close to the airport. For me, there was no better way of recovering from a red eye flight like a nice spa experience in a geothermal pool. Book your tickets in advance as they do sell out. If you go first thing in the morning, it’s not as busy which is always a bonus for any major tourist attraction. It’s very serene and you will feel relaxed and refreshed. If you are looking to splurge a little, book a reservation at their Lava restaurant. The cod was delicious.
Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral - This church was designed to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland’s landscape. The photo below shows the comparison of the church (left) to the actual result of basalt lava flows from the black sand beach (right). The church towers over the beautiful city of Reyjavik and you can go to the top for a small fee to take in the beautiful views of the colourful homes in Reykjavik.
Sun Voyager – The Sun Voyager is a sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason in Reykjavik. It’s often mistaken for a Viking ship but is actually a dreamboat and an ode to the sun. It’s a beautiful sculpture and there’s a nice path to walk alongside the ocean.
Experience: Mink Viking Portrait Studio - I am always down to play dress up, and this was a pretty cool experience. Mink Viking Portrait Studio is a studio that allows you to unleash your inner Viking by dressing up as one, and then having professional photos taken. You get to try on some cool, specially chosen articles of clothing and it makes you feel like a true Viking. The photographer and owner has worked on the set of Game of Thrones (creating costumes and leather work for them) when they filmed in Iceland. It is a great souvenir and a super fun experience.
Day Two: Golden Circle Loop
Geysir Hot Spring Area – I remember learning about Geysers in Geography class in grade 7. Here, you are surrounded by bubbling mud puddles and hot springs that make you feel as though you’re on another planet. The Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes and it was a full circle moment for that little 7th grader in me.
Gullfoss Waterfall – This waterfall reminded me of Niagara Falls if it were wedged between a crack in the earth, minus all of the touristy shops and hotels. It’s one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland and photos do not do it justice.
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park – If being wedged between two continents sounds exciting to you, then visit this park. It’s a beautiful hike between a valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart.
Kerið volcanic crater – Kerið is a volcanic crater that is about 3000 years old. It is part of a group of volcanic hills called Tjarnarholar and it is now inhabited by a beautiful lake filled with sapphire coloured water.
Day Three: Southern Iceland Coast
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – This waterfall is a result of a volcano and what makes it very unique is that there is a path that travels behind the waterfall. Make sure to dress in rain gear as you will likely get wet from the mist!
Skógafoss Waterfall - Skógafoss Waterfall has a 60 meter drop, making it one if Iceland’s larger waterfalls and it really takes your breath away with all its grandeur. It was my favourite out of all of the waterfalls and if you hike about halfway to the top, there’s a lookout where you can get some incredible shots.
Sólheimajökull Glacier – Sólheimajökull glacier is the tongue of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. There are some relatively easy hikes, although some recommend you walk the glacier with a professional guide. It’s a very unique experience and if you tour the glacier with a guide, they talk about the effects of global warming and you can see the effects right before your eyes.
Black Sand Beach – Black Sand Beach was another one of my favourite Iceland spots to visit. It seems like something straight out of a Game of Thrones episode. Stark, black beaches and giant basalt walls that lead to caves, create the most visually stimulating scenery.
Evening Experience: Northern Lights Tour – It goes without saying that if you plan on visiting Iceland, you should definitely go and see the northern lights. Whether you’ve seen them before or not, they are well worth it. Imagine hues of greens and blues and pinks dancing against the night sky. They are mesmerizing and the experience is a must-do while in Iceland. I visited towards the very end of the winter season and I was still able to see them in April. BusTravel Iceland offers some great tours.
Day Four: Private horseback riding tour on Icelandic horses
Sólhestar Horse Rental – I heard about this horse stable on Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog a few years ago. It was well worth the experience. This beautiful stable is located just outside of Reykjavik and was the perfect morning activity before heading to the airport. Icelandic horses are truly unique and were brought to Iceland by Vikings in the 9th century, making them one of the oldest breeds of horses in the world. Because the importing of horses and interbreeding was made illegal a long time ago, the present day horse has not changed much from the horses of the past. While most horses have three gaits (a walk, trot and gallop), the Icelandic horse has five. On this incredible private horseback experience, the tour guide allowed me to try the ‘tölt’. It was the perfect way to end the trip and take in the Icelandic countryside for one last time before my flight.
