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n 2010, the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption introduced the world to a unique island, full of remarkable natural beauty and incredible people. Iceland, the land of ice and fire, became a major tourism hot spot after the eruption, developing excellent tourist infrastructure and a high standard of service and hospitality. Having dreamed of visiting for a number of years, we were finally able to discover the island ourselves.
Although Iceland should be seen both in winter (Northern Lights, ice caves, cross country skiing) and summer (hiking, seeing wildlife, flora), we decided to go during the summer months due to the almost 20 hours of daylight, mild weather (10-15°C / 50°F to 59°F), and the accessibility of all areas by car and hiking. The summer months are the most popular so there is an increase in prices and the amount of people. Renting a car is essential and hotels should be booked in advance (preferably 4-5 months). Make sure to pack waterproof shoes, trousers, and jackets, as the weather can be unpredictable.
Enough with the technicalities! What was it like?
Day 1: Arrival and Golden Circle
Our first day was dedicated to the Golden Circle. We started at Thingvellir National Park, where we spent 2-3 hours walking between two continental plates and saw our first waterfall. Seeing a waterfall in Iceland is a great introduction to the unbelievable beauty you will see all over the island. Next, we relaxed at the Secret Lagoon, a favorite thermal bath among locals. A quick stop at Gullfoss Waterfall was followed by a visit to Geysir Hot Springs, where we watched the Strokkur Geyser erupt every 7 minutes. A geyser is a natural hot water fountain that periodically erupts due to the heating of underground water by geothermal energy, causing pressure build-up and release. We stayed at the Geysir Hotel, just 3 minutes from the geyser, allowing us to visit the site with fewer crowds. The hotel had a fantastic view of the surrounding nature and some rooms can see the top of the geyser over the trees.
Day 2: Waterfall Day
We checked out and headed to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, spending an hour there. There is a easily accessible walkway that allows you to go around (and behind) the waterfall itself. Although you should be ready to get soaked, it is a great experience. We then visited Skógafoss Waterfall for another hour, with an optional hike on the Fimmvörðuháls trail. Our accommodation for the night was at Black Beach Suites, which felt like being on Mars. We explored Dyrhólaey, visiting both the lighthouse and the view parking lot, where we might spot puffins. We ended the day at Reynisfjara Black Beach, a famous but crowded location. The beach itself is stunning and puts the magnitude of the natural features into perspective. A word of warning. The beach has ‘sneaker waves’ which are large waves that can suddenly flood large parts of the beach and knock people off their feet. There are many warning signs posted all over the beach but many people choose to ignore them. The dangerous of being pulled into a freezing ocean do not need to be explained, so make sure you keep a safe distance and look out for instructions and warning signs.
Our planned horse riding on the beach was canceled due to weather conditions, a reminder of Iceland’s unpredictable summer weather. We were invited to have a look at the horses in their stables and the people there explained the differences between Icelandic horses and other horses. We then made several scenic stops, including Gönguleið um Eldhraun and the Lómagnúpur Scenic Spot. We hiked to Svartifoss Waterfall, a short 1.5-hour trek. At Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, we took a Zodiac boat tour to see glaciers up close. We saw seals. The feeling of cruising around floating glaciers in a boat is difficult to describe, the size of the ice wall, the pristine blue hues of the newly cracked or flipped icebergs make the whole area look like a scene from a movie.A quick visit to Diamond Beach followed, where icebergs sparkle like diamonds on the black sand. We highly recommend this activity. We checked in at Fosshotel, enjoying the spa (with a view over the ocean) before dinner.
Day 4: Puffin Tour and Glacier Hike
We joined the Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour to see puffins in their natural habitat. The guides were incredible at explaining the history of the area and also about the animals that inhabit it. Seeing the Puffins up close was incredible, and we were lucky with how many of them were present that day. The Puffins are not scared of people but are scared of sudden movements. The day continued with an exhilarating glacier hike, guided by experts. Where we were given equipment and were able to scale one of the glacier’s many tongues. The climb was exhilarating and the views were equally fantastic. This was probably the highlight of our trip.
Day 5 and 6: Reykjavik
On our way back to Reykjavik, we stopped at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon for a 1-hour walk through its stunning landscape. The hike itself was not too difficult and the views were well worth the walk. The canyons can be seen both from the bottom (at the start of the hike) and from the top (throughout the hike). There are also some platforms for people to have a better look or to take a beautiful photo. We spent the entire day exploring Reykjavik, a vibrant and interesting city for exploring. We recommend going to the central part and walking around without a specific location in mind. The city is beautiful and there are a lot of nice shops and cafes for small breaks or a bit of shopping. The restaurants that we most recommend are The Fish Company (Fiskfélagið), Apotek, and Sushi Social.
We had an evening flight back, so we spent the whole day at the Blue Lagoon, which is located near the airport, making it very convenient to visit on your first or last day in Iceland. We recommend visiting it on the last day of the trip as its a great way to relax at the end of a epic adventure. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland, near the town of Grindavik. The lagoon is a popular tourist attraction, known for its milky-blue waters, which are rich in minerals and said to have healing properties.The temperature in the bathing and swimming area is very comfortable, averaging 37–39°C (98–102°F). It is essential to book several weeks in advance to ensure your spot, plan to spend around 3 hours at the Blue Lagoon. There are different types of tickets available, the basic ticket includes entrance to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask at the mask bar, and one drink at the in-water bar. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses. We also had lunch at their Lava Restaurant before heading to the airport.
Conclusion
Iceland is a land of beautiful contrasts, the lushness of waterfalls and forests contrasting with endless ocean beaches made of dark sand. We think that this country allows for everyone to find something for themselves. It is a highly developed destination with very friendly people. Locals speak English, and there are many tour companies to choose from. Most natural attractions, like parks and waterfalls, are free, though parking fees apply and can be paid online or at on-site machines.Compared to Barcelona, expect to double your expenses for most things in Iceland. If Iceland still isn’t on your bucket list, do not hesitate.
