Iceland has always been on my list of places to visit for a long time. When my friend Emma and I travelled to Reykjavik, the capital city, back in January, it was a bit of a dream come true. We arrived late in the evening on the last day of the Icelandic festive period (Christmas in Iceland lasts for 26 days). We were greeted with displays of fireworks across the horizon as our airport transfer drove us into Reykjavik - it was a pretty special start to our 4-day trip.
Throughout the weekend, we checked out the museums, docks, colourful houses, and galleries in beautiful, icy (treacherous ha!) Reykjavik. We bathed in the magnificent Blue Lagoon at night as snow fell and took a day trip along the southern coast. During the tour, we were treated to otherworldly landscapes, volcanoes, glaciers and gothic black sand beaches.
SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL
Sólheimajökull is a massive glacier between the very much active and ready to erupt volcanoes Katla and Eijafjallajökkull. It was surreal seeing a glacier up close!
REYNISFJARA
Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s famous black-sand beaches. The waves here were the biggest I've ever seen, the wind was deafening, and the black sand was incredible - very sci-fi. Out at sea, there are huge basalt stacks which according to local folklore were once trolls who got turned to stone.
SKÓGAFOSS AND SELJALANDSFOSS
The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country. Here you could walk up to a viewing platform to see it from above but being afraid of heights I skipped this part, and in summer can walk behind the water. Seljalandsfoss is another incredible waterfall! By the time we arrived, night had already fallen because of the short days during winter (sunrise was 10-11am and sunset 3-4pm). The paths were frozen solid, but it was still pretty spectacular!
Iceland is definitely somewhere I plan on visiting again. If you love nature, the outdoors and fantastic culture and history you would love it here!
Where's your next trip?
