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About My Trip to Iceland
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My Icelandic adventure started with a perfect layover at the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the airport. Soaking in the milky blue water was the ideal way to unwind after a long flight. In Reykjavik, I explored the Golden Circle, a route packed with incredible sights. Þingvellir National Park with its dramatic rift valley and Geysir with its erupting geysers were unforgettable. I even conquered the climb to the observation deck at Hallgrímskirkja Church for breathtaking views of the city.
Venturing outside the capital, I joined a South Coast tour that ticked all the boxes. We climbed the ever-changing Sólheimajokull Glacier, drank refreshing glacial water, and marveled at the power of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. The nine-hour adventure was tiring but packed with stunning scenery and unforgettable experiences.
Iceland’s unique landscape, from geothermal wonders to cascading waterfalls, left me awestruck. This trip offered relaxation, exploration, and adventure – everything I could have asked for in an unforgettable journey.
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I flew from Minneapolis to Reykjavik, Iceland with Iceland Air. I learned that you can book a stopover in Iceland for multiple days at no extra cost! The flight itself took only 6 hours, and Iceland Air even included complimentary checked bags and advanced seat assignments.
There was a bit of a wait at passport control upon arrival in Iceland, but after clearing customs, I easily hopped on a bus to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik.
I arrived at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport at 8 am after an eight-hour flight. I was tired and sore and looking for activities until I could check into my hotel. Luckily, the Blue Lagoon was located between the airport and Reykjavik, so I decided to make a stop.
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa with geothermally heated waters. Many tour companies offer packages that include transportation from the airport to the Blue Lagoon and then on to your hotel. Because I arrived early, there were not many people there.
I was able to store my luggage for a fee and headed towards the entrance. The water was warm and perfect for relaxing after a long flight. I swam in the lagoon and explored the waterfalls, steam rooms, and swim-up bar.
After about 45 minutes, I got out to take pictures. I realized I had forgotten to rent a towel, so I quickly went to the amenities store and rented one. I then continued to explore the lagoon and took a break in the steam room.
Even though the Blue Lagoon is a tourist trap, I am glad I visited. It was a great way to relax and spend the morning after a long flight.
I stayed at a hotel called the City Center Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland. It was centrally located and affordable, which was exactly what I was looking for. Even though the room was on the small side, it had everything I needed for my stay, including a private bathroom.
The hotel was also kind enough to store my luggage after I checked out since my flight didn’t leave until after midnight. Just a heads up, though: be prepared for the hot water to have a strong sulfur smell – that’s just how it is in Iceland!
The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist route in Iceland. It includes three main attractions: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area.
My first stop was Þingvellir National Park, where I saw the rift valley where two tectonic plates meet. The park also has Iceland’s largest natural lake. I walked down into the valley for a closer look. There is a fee to use the bathroom there.
After visiting the Gullfoss Waterfall, we stopped at a mall that was accidentally built on the fault line between the tectonic plates! This gave us the chance to stand in both North America and Europe at the same time. The mall also has a grocery store with good prices.
Our final stop was Geysir, an area with active hot springs and geysers. The Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes. There are signs warning visitors of the dangers of the hot water. The most interesting part for me was the bright blue water caused by silica.
The entire tour took about eight hours. My pick-up and drop-off locations were convenient. I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Iceland!
I paid 1,000 ISK ($7.25) to go up to the observation deck of the Hallgrímskirkja Church. There is an elevator that takes visitors most of the way to the top, but the last few floors involve walking up some very steep and narrow steps. The climb was difficult, but the view from the top was amazing. I could see colorful houses, a cruise ship in port, the Harpa Concert Hall, the Reykjavik Regional Airport, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Even though most of the popular tourist sights in Iceland are outside of Reykjavik, I recommend spending time in the city and visiting the Hallgrímskirkja Church. You don’t need a tour to go up to the observation deck.
The first stop of the tour was the Sólheimajokull Glacier. Our guide recommended wearing warm clothes but I ended up being too hot. After a safety demonstration, we climbed the glacier, which was mostly a hike due to melting. The glacier was interesting to see because it’s constantly changing and has layers of volcanic ash from past eruptions. Our guide even let us drink the glacial water!
After about three hours of climbing, we turned around and headed back to the base camp. The next stop was Skógafoss, a waterfall where I climbed to the top for a beautiful view. The climb was tiring but worth it.
The last waterfall on the tour was Seljalandsfoss, which was as beautiful as Skógafoss. There was a path that allowed me to walk behind the waterfall. The entire tour took nine hours, but it was a fun and unforgettable experience.