Trip to Iceland: Overview

At the beginning, I would like to thank all of you who assisted me with tips and suggestions for my trip to Iceland  They were extremely helpful in deciding on what to do and see! Thank you!

Now, a little bit about my trip… My husband and I explored Iceland from 3rd to 7th May 2016. 5 days were not nearly enough to see everything what Iceland has to offer, but it was enough to get the sense how wild, pristine and stunningly beautiful this country is.

Skógafoss

TRANSPORT

We wanted to explore the places beyond the capital Reykjavik, but as the public transport outside the capital is not great, we had two options: attending the organised guided excursions or renting a car. Because neither I, not my husband are keen on the tours, we’ve rented a car. Among the plenty of car rental companies, we’ve chosen Sixt, mainly because of the positive experiences with them in other countries.

Scenic Icelandic road

ITINERARY

Day 1:

We arrived to Iceland early in the morning. After we’ve picked up our car at Keflavik airport, we drove the southern part of the Ring Road (Route 1) to Vík, the tiny town we’ve chosen as our basis for two nights. On our way to Vík, we’ve stopped at different points, including Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls and black-sand beach Reynisfjara.

Dyrhólaey as seen from Reynisfjara beach

Day 2: 

On our second day, we’ve followed Ring Road east, all the way to Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoons. On our way back from those two impressive ice-filled lagoons, we’ve stopped at Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park where we’ve done an easy hike to beautiful Svartifoss waterfall.

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

Day 3: 

On our third day in Iceland, we’ve left Vík for Reykjavik. Before we left Vík area, we stopped at Dyrhólaey and at Sólheimajökull glacier where we’d spontaneously booked a glacier tour. Late in the afternoon we’ve finally reached Reykjavik and strolled around the town for a bit.

Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik

Day 4: 

On our fourth day in Iceland, we’ve followed the path almost every tourist in Iceland follows – the Golden Circle – a circle route comprising Iceland’s natural wonders: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir & Gulfoss waterfall. To those we’ve added two more attractions: Kerið Crater and Brúarfoss waterfall.

Þingvellir National Park

Day 5: 

On our fifth and sadly last day in Iceland we’ve headed to the world-famous Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa where we’ve chilled and relaxed before catching our plane back home.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

Despite Iceland was windy and cold, I loved my time in there. There are not many places on this Earth that leave me speechless, but when exploring Iceland, I was left without words so many times, I forgot to count. From the breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls, to the black beaches of southern Iceland, from the volcanic landscapes to the ancient ice at the Sólheimajökull glacier, from the boiling water in geysers, to ice of Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoons, I had to constantly pinch myself if I am still on the planet Earth. Iceland is definitely one of the most beautiful and impressive places I have ever been to.

Reynisfjara beach as seen from Dyrhólaey