Iceland is a country of great geographic beauty and one of the most amazingly unique places that a tourist can visit. Many visitors who come to Iceland take advantage of the Iceland Air Stopover which allows them to add a long connection in Iceland on the way to Continental Europe. As a result of this, these visitors often have limited time in Iceland. To assist tourists who are visiting Iceland for anywhere from 48-72, I compiled this list of the “5 Must Visit” places for anyone who comes to Iceland. It is possible to visit all five of these places in 48 hours.
The Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is located between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik. Many tour agencies offer packages that include transportation from the airport to Reykjavik with a stop at the Blue Lagoon. After many hours on an airplane, there is nothing more relaxing than taking a dip in the geothermally heated waters of the Blue Lagoon. To see a more detailed description of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, click HERE.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular tour and consists of three stunning attractions. The first stop on the Golden Circle Tour is þingvellir National Park. As the only UNESCO Heritage Site on Iceland’s mainland þingvellir National Park marks the spot where the North American Tectonic Plate meets the Eurasian Tectonic Plate. While visiting the park, it is possible to walk between two different continents.
The second stop on the Golden Circle Tour is Gulfoss. Gulfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and has two observation decks. One of the decks is located above the waterfall, and the other is located at eye level.
The third stop of the Golden Circle Tour is Geysir. Geysir is home to Iceland’s Strokkur Geysir which erupts every five to ten minutes causing water to shoot up to 40 meters in the air. In addition to the Strokkur Geysir, there are many other examples of geothermal activity near the Geysir area.
Guests can visit the Golden Circle by renting a car or by taking a tour. For additional information on the Golden Circle, click HERE.
Sólheimajokull Glacier
The Sólheimajokull Glacier is located on the way to the South Coast Waterfalls and is not far off the Ring Road. It is highly recommended not to climb the glacier without the services of a guide. Having a guide ensures that the traveler has the proper equipment and follows the safest route. If a visitor is not interested in climbing the glacier, it is still worth visiting Sólheimajokull. A short walk from the parking area provides a spectacular view of the lava-colored glacier.
For more information on Sólheimajokull, click HERE.
South Coast Waterfalls
The South Coast Waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss are equally spectacular, in my opinion. Skógafoss has observation areas above the falls and at the base of the falls. Seljalandsfoss is unique as it has an observation area behind the waterfall. Similar to the Golden Circle, it is possible to visit the South Coast Waterfalls by renting a car or taking a tour.
For more information on the South Coast Waterfalls, click HERE.
Hallgrímskirkja Church's Observation Deck
The Hallgrímskirkja Church’s Observation Deck provides exceptional views of Downtown Reykjavik and the Icelandic Coast. For any traveler staying in Reykjavik, I highly recommend taking the elevator ride to the top. For more information on the Hallgrímskirkja’s observation deck. Click HERE.
