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Iceland holds a particular place in our hearts. We traveled to Iceland for our honeymoon and it was Mark’s first worldwide flight. As an alternative of going someplace tropical or romantic, we wished to do one thing extra adventurous.
The fantastic thing about Iceland is one thing you possibly can’t describe. You’re feeling such as you’re inside a postcard in every single place you look. Despite the fact that it rained or snowed day-after-day the 5 days we had been there, we had essentially the most unimaginable time. It’s merely probably the most beautiful locations on Earth.
Iceland is the proper place to go to if you happen to’re on the lookout for journey and revel in being open air. This isn’t a spot the place you’re going to chill out. (Besides on the Blue Lagoon, which we’ll cowl later!) As an alternative, you’ll doubtless go to sleep at night time as quickly as you hit the pillow from a full day of mountaineering, driving and exploring.
We did most of our exploring by taking day journeys to varied standard places and we extremely suggest renting a automobile to go exploring. There are many excursions accessible, however if you happen to actually wish to see the great thing about Iceland, rent a car and drive round. You received’t be caught to schedules and get to discover issues that aren’t on a guided tour.
Among the greatest moments of our journey had been after we pulled over on the aspect of the highway as a result of we noticed Icelandic horses, lambs or stunning surroundings that we wouldn’t have the chance to cease and see on a tour. There may be magnificence throughout you in Iceland, not simply on the vacationer locations.
That stated, there are positively some issues you must see when visiting Iceland. Beneath are some highlights from our journey and 12 Should Sees in Iceland.
Iceland Journey Highlights
- Reykjavik
- Hallgrímskirkja church – Reykjavik
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Geysir
- Friðheimar Tomato Farm & Restaurant
- Kerid Crater Lake
- Blue Lagoon
- The Northern Lights
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Seashore
- Skogafoss Waterfall
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
1. Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the most important metropolis and the capital of Iceland. It’s house to just about two-thirds of Icelandic residents and gives stunning views of the ocean and close by hills. The town is comparatively small, straightforward to discover on foot and gives loads of museums, retailers, eating places and enjoyable actions.
We stayed in Reykjavik the 5 days we had been in Iceland and explored quite a lot of town throughout the day. Highlights had been seeing the Harpa Live performance Corridor, exploring the Iceland Museum, strolling round Reykjavik City Centre and having a drink in a MicroBar, a well-liked craft beer bar.
Journey tip: Get the Reykjavik city card to discover all the sights, together with transport.
The folks in Reykjavik (and Iceland normally) are extremely pleasant and welcoming, so don’t be scared to ask for instructions or strike up a dialog.
2. Hallgrímskirkja church – Reykjavik
Additionally situated in Reykjavik is Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran church, probably the most iconic church buildings in Iceland. The constructing, designed to resemble the mountains and glaciers of Iceland’s panorama, was not like any church we’ve seen. Inside homes a formidable digital pipe natural that weighs 25 metric tons. Whereas the church itself is a must-see, the statement tower gives wonderful views of the Reykjavik and surrounding areas. Since it is a standard vacation spot, the road does get fairly lengthy, however it’s definitely worth the wait!
3. Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss (translated to Golden Falls) is a waterfall situated in Southwest Iceland within the canyon of the Hvítá river. It’s one of many major stops on Iceland’s Golden Circle Tour. This was one in every of our first stops on our journey and even in dangerous climate, the views had been breathtaking.
For the reason that climate was actually dangerous the day we went, we didn’t hike the canyon, however if in case you have higher luck than us climate sensible, positively go for it!
4. Geysir Geothermal Springs
After Gullfoss, we headed to Geysir geothermal springs, one other standard spot on Iceland’s Golden Circle Tour. It’s an energetic geothermal spring with greater than a dozen geysers. The most important and most energetic was Strokkur, which erupts about each 10 minutes. Having by no means seen an energetic geyser earlier than, it was unimaginable to see!
5. Kerid Crater Lake
Kerid is a crater lake shaped by a volcanic explosion that occurred roughly 3,000 years in the past. It was the final cease we went to on the Golden Circle Tour. We hiked up and across the lake near sundown and had been in a position to get some stunning pictures of the lake and the encompassing areas. Positively a should see!
Journey tip: Spend in the future doing the Golden Circle Tour and hit all three spots talked about above!
6. Friðheimar Tomato Farm & Restaurant
One of the distinctive locations we went to in Iceland was Friðheimar Tomato Farm. It’s a tomato greenhouse with a wonderful restaurant hooked up. They provided Three programs for lunch, all, you guessed it, tomato based mostly. We bought the tomato soup and freshly baked bread, which was excellent to heat us up on a chilly, damp day. Afterward, we toured the greenhouse and noticed how they grew completely different tomatoes.
Journey tip: In the event you’re a vegetarian, it is a great spot to go to!
7. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a should for anybody touring to Iceland. A geothermal spa situated in southwestern Iceland, it provided the proper day of leisure after a number of days of mountaineering tough terrain. The power is high notch, with nice views, tremendous pleasant employees and a swim up bar. What extra might you ask for?
In the event you’re seeking to go to the Blue Lagoon, be sure to book in advance. Though they let you keep so long as you want when you get there, you could have a reservation to enter. They don’t enable walk-ups. We registered on-line a number of weeks earlier than our flight.
Journey tip: When you’ve got a protracted layover at Keflavík airport, ebook a reservation on the Blue Lagoon for a number of hours. They provide a shuttle to and from the airport and also you’ll be relaxed and rejuvenated on your subsequent flight!
8. The Northern Lights
One of many major causes we booked our journey in winter was to try to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. We’re each a little bit of astrology nerds and seeing the Northern Lights was on our bucket listing.
One of the best months for viewing in Iceland are from September to April (we went in October) when the times are brief and there’s full darkness at night time. In the event you’re planning a visit to Iceland throughout these months, positively add it to your listing of issues to do.
One in all our regrets from our journey was reserving a Northern Lights tour. Since we had been naive and didn’t know any higher, we thought the tour was going to take us to an unique location, however rapidly realized we might have simply adopted the tour buses in our rental automobile (what many individuals did) and saved a ton of cash. Lesson discovered. Since you possibly can’t management the climate, there aren’t any ensures you’ll really get to see the Northern Lights both, so you may be spending cash only for a flowery bus trip to the center of nowhere.
We really bought a lot better views the next night time on our personal than we did on the tour as a result of the sky was clearer. As an alternative of reserving a tour, simply exit at night time to a darkish location and see if you could find them. You’ll have far more enjoyable this fashion!
Journey tip: Study lengthy publicity images to get some superior Northern Lights photographs!
9. Reynisfjara Black Sand Seashore
Reynisfjara Black Sand Seashore is situated in Vik, a small city situated on Iceland’s Ring Highway. It was voted by Nationwide Geographic as one of many high 10 non-tropical seashores on the planet.
One of the spectacular sights was the Reynisdrangar rock pillars, which you may acknowledge if you happen to’re a Recreation of Thrones fan. You possibly can’t inform from the images, however it was extremely windy and chilly after we bought right here, so we weren’t in a position to spend as a lot time as we might have favored, however the views had been unimaginable and it was positively definitely worth the drive.
Journey tip: Benefit from the seaside from afar. The surf is extremely harmful!
10. Skógafoss Waterfall
There isn’t a scarcity of waterfalls in Iceland. As your drive by way of the nation, you’ll see them in every single place, however Skógafoss was one in every of our favorites. It’s huge and never too removed from Reykjavik, so it may be a pleasant day journey. It was one of many few moments on our journey the place we really bought some solar, which made the view much more spectacular.
Journey tip: This can be a great spot for drone images if in case you have one!
11. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
In the event you’re heading to Skogafoss, you’ll want to cease at Seljalandsfoss as effectively. It’s one other spectacular waterfall not too distant, so you possibly can go to each in in the future. One of the best half about Seljalandsfoss is which you can stroll all the best way round it, making for some spectacular pictures.
Journey tip: When visiting Seljalandsfoss, you’ll want to put on your waterproof clothes. You’ll positively get moist whereas strolling across the falls.
12. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Presumably probably the most spectacular sights in Iceland was the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. We drove 5 hours from Reykjavik to see it and it was price each minute. You merely can’t comprehend how huge it’s till you see it. Don’t miss this!
Journey tip: Except you’re into life-threatening conditions, don’t climb the icebergs! They’re critically harmful!
Planning a trip to Iceland? These are our 12 must-sees for an epic Icelandic journey!
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