Explore Iceland: The Land of Fire & Ice

Most flights arrive in Reykjavik in the morning. Pick up your rental car at the airport. Spend the afternoon at one of Iceland’s Geothermal Spas, sipping a cocktail while soaking in the warm healing water overlooking the sea.

Spend the day at your leisure exploring the Golden Circle. Visit Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Geothermal area.

Other stops include Kerid Crater Lake, Reykjadalur Hot Spring and the charming town of Selfoss. You can add on snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure Rift, the tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates.

There are a number of nice places to eat in the Golden Circle. Lindin Restaurant is a charming family-run restaurant located a little off the beaten trail. Another good option is Fridheimar Farm, which offers farm-to-table Icelandic cuisine. This place is fairly well-known, so you should expect crowds. I would definitely recommend getting ice cream at Efstidalur, a sustainable dairy farm where you can watch the cows being milked while enjoying your delicious treat.

Today, you make your way along Iceland’s Southern Coast.

The first natural attraction to see is Seljalandsfoss. Visible directly from the ring road, it is one of the most visited waterfalls in all of Iceland. There is a hollow cave that allows visitors to walk behind the falls.

Skogafoss is the next stop. A thick curtain of water plunging 200 feet. It is one of the most notorious waterfalls in Iceland. During the summer months, Skogafoss has a near-constant rainbow. In the winter, the water still flows but creates an array of ice and icicles.

Diamond Beach is a breathtaking natural attraction that gets its name from the black sand and ice crystals that sparkle like diamonds. As the glacier melts, massive icebergs break off and float into the lagoon. Small and large pieces of ice wash up on shore, where they have been polished like diamonds by the erosion of the waves.

Walk along Diamond Beach, mesmerized by the sparkling ice formations and enjoy the rugged beauty.

Across from Diamond Beach is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, an arctic lagoon filled with blue and white floating icebergs. You can take a 45-minute boat tour, but you need to reserve a spot online before arriving. You can witness the icebergs floating out into the sea. If you go in the winter, you will also see seals feasting on the fish that collect in the lagoon for warmth!

Stop in Hofn, a great little town to enjoy a nice meal in southern Iceland. Located on a tiny peninsula, the foodie town is a major fishing hub with lots of restaurants of seafood and fresh food. I would recommend trying either Pakkhaus, a delicious farm-to-table spot in an old barn, or Humarhöfnin Veitingahús, an upscale seafood restaurant known for its lobster dishes.

From the glacier lagoon, you’ll want to start making your way back towards Reykjavik. There are several beautiful attractions to visit along the way back, and Vik is a great destination.

Not far from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Fjaðrárgljúfur is one of the most beautiful canyons in Iceland. There’s a long, sheer rock wall carved through erosion by the river below. Enjoy views of the canyon on the hiking trail at the top of the canyon.

The black-sand beach at Reynisfjara is a must-see on any drive through southern Iceland. It Is rated as one of the top 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world!

The coarse black sand is made up of crushed volcanic rock. On one side of the beach, you will notice enormous basalt columns in hexagonal shapes, similar to Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway. It is a fabulous photo opportunity. Enjoy lunch on the patio at the beachfront Black Beach restaurant before heading back towards Reykjavik.