Remote, unspoilt and otherworldly, a visit to Iceland is a journey like no other. With over 100 volcanoes, majestic waterfalls, geysers and glaciers, Iceland is a cinematic land steeped in myth and legend. But its northerly location can mean that, for many travellers, plenty of planning is required. For this reason, we’ve put together this guide to help you get the most from your holiday, whether you’re enjoying a long weekend or stopping for an extended stay. Before you begin, please take a look at our range of Iceland tours, or, if you have an idea for your trip not covered in our standard range, why not consider our custom Iceland tours.
A Long Weekend in Iceland
Reykjavik
Already being spellbound by Iceland as we are, our answer to the question of how long you should spend in Iceland is always the same: as long as you conceivably can. However, we know for many that an extended stay will not be an option. Well, we’re delighted to tell you that there are many unforgettable things you can see in Iceland, even with a limited schedule. For those making a shorter trip, we recommend basing yourself in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city. The below suggestions could easily be achieved on a 3-day trip, dedicating one day to the city, one to the thermal pools, and one to the Golden Circle.
In Reykjavik be sure to visit the city’s most famous landmark: the Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church. Standing 74.5 metres tall, the church is one of the tallest structures in the country and offers an excellent view of the cityscape from the top of the tower which can be reached by elevator. Elsewhere, the Harpa Concert Hall is a stunning piece of contemporary architecture and shoppers will enjoy exploring the independent shops and coffee houses dotted around this creative, vibrant city. In the evenings, you will find no shortage of fine restaurants offering boundary-pushing cuisine, or bars selling locally crafted beers. But Iceland’s greatest draw is its natural wonders and many of these are easily accessible from Reykjavik.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
These geothermal baths are one of the country’s most popular attractions and an excellent place for rest and relaxation on your travels. Located a mere 45 minutes from Reykjavik, the waters are rich in minerals that do wonders for your skin. The pools are often busy, so book well in advance to avoid disappointment. For those wishing to go all out, take a spa treatment or relaxing massage at the retreat.
The Golden Circle
Another amazing day trip that can be taken from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle contains three of Iceland’s natural wonders and should be an essential part of any Iceland itinerary. The journey can easily be made with a rental car,on one of the many tours leaving Reykjavik daily or in a private tour if you want to relax and have a private driver/guide to tell you about the locations and history. The first major stop on the route is to the Thingvellir National Park. Lying in a ridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, this haunting landscape was home to Iceland’s annual parliament between 930AD and 1798AD. The next stop is Gullfoss waterfall, a powerful, 32-metre fall that is close to the hearts of Icelanders, as encapsulated by the story of environmentalist Sigríður Tómasdóttir who threatened to throw herself into the crashing waters if energy companies interfered with the landscape. The final major stop of the day would be to the geysers in Haukadalur. Although the most famous of the geysers, Geysir (which gives us the English word), is no longer active, although its baby brother, Strokkur, still puts on a show by blasting thermal waters into the air every 5 to 10 minutes.
For Those on an Extended Trip
Route 1 (the Ring Road)
In addition to the sights outlined above, which can be enjoyed on a short stay in Iceland, visitors on an extended trip should consider taking a rented car or a custom private tour and circling the island on the Ring Road. This route takes you right around the coast of Iceland and allows you to really marvel at the variety of the island’s landscape. Explore black sand beaches on the island’s southern coast and marvel at the haunting sea stacks that jut out from under the waves. In the north, admire Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss; the earth will groan beneath you as walls of water crash from the face of the cliff. Engage with local culture in the many charming villages you will pass through, the local people are always ready to extend their hospitality to travellers. Finally, check out some of Iceland’s volcanoes, such as Eyjafjallajökull, famous for causing global chaos during its recent eruption in 2010. The Ring Road is certainly the best way to explore the diversity of experiences on offer in Iceland, but we recommend a minimum of seven days in the country to complete a full loop.
Whale Watching in Iceland
Our final suggestion for travellers who are not restricted to a short visit is to go whale watching. If you have a day available, we highly recommend taking a whale-watching excursion. In recent years, Iceland has built a reputation as one of the best locations in Europe to see whales. Anyone who has watched these majestic creatures in their natural environment will attest to the silence that sweeps over the boat as visitors first catch sight of an enormous tail rising from the water. It is simply breathtaking.
This is all we have time for today. As you can see, even if you are on a restricted schedule, you can base yourself in the capital and make daily excursions to explore some of Iceland’s most beautiful natural sights. For those staying longer, around 7-10 days is ideal to tour the country via Route 1. If you have any questions for us, or simply want to reach out for a chat, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you!