Reykjavik
Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and a popular tourist destination.
Most people come to Reykjavík to experience the wonders of the great outdoors, but the city center is full of colorful buildings and things to do.
Summer temperatures range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, and winters are snowy but not too cold, making it a great place to visit any time of year.
Reykjavik City Walking Tour
Reykjavik, Hallsgrimkirkja
Towering over the city center, Hallsgrimkirkja, a Lutheran church, is the largest church in Iceland, the tallest building in the country, and one of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks. The building’s shape is reminiscent of a pipe organ. Once inside the church, you can take a lift up to the observation deck, where you can take in the natural beauty of the Reykjavík area.
Ráðhús Reykjavíkur
Start your tour at Reykjavík City Hall in the heart of the city center. Right in front of the city hall is Lake Tjörnin, where you can capture the perfect shot with the calm waters in the background.
The lake is filled with graceful swans that swim in the water, creating a serene atmosphere. When taking photos, try to capture the church and buildings across the street from the city hall and the swans on the lake in one shot. The Nordic-style buildings and white swans will create a romantic atmosphere.
Reykjavik Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is located near Reykjavik Harbor and is housed in a converted building that was once used as a fish freezer.
The museum has a permanent exhibition about Reykjavik’s 150-year fishing history. The exhibits are rich with photographs and videos, which make for a lively atmosphere.
Perlan
Perlan is one of Reykjavík’s most recognizable landmarks. The colorful, illuminated night view is actually a former hot water tank. It’s a stunning sight to behold, with six giant tanks and a glass dome between them that draws on melted glaciers to provide hot water to all of Reykjavík. There are glaciers, ice caves, observation decks, museums, souvenir shops, restaurants, and more.
From the observation deck, you can see majestic snowy mountains, the ocean, and the city in the distance. If it’s too cold to go up to the observation deck, head to the restaurant at the top of Perlan. The dome restaurant is made of transparent windows that slowly rotate 360 degrees at set times to give you the best views of Reykjavik, especially at sunset.
Rainbow Street
A great place to take pictures and buy souvenirs, Rainbow Street is the number one stop on any Reykjavik tour itinerary. Just a three-minute walk from the restaurant, you’ll find a unique street with a colorful rainbow painted on the ground. Both sides of the street are lined with souvenir shops and cafes that are fun to browse. You can pick up cute magnets and Icelandic specialties at any of the shops.
Whale Watching Tour
The waters around Iceland are famous for their whale habitat. A short boat ride away, it’s not hard to spot them. Of course, it depends on your luck, but the chances of seeing a whale are over 70%, so you should definitely try it. You can choose from local companies in Reykjavik’s harbor. Wild dolphins are the main attraction, but if you’re lucky, you might also see humpback whales, gray whales, and orcas.
Iceland
Iceland is a country of natural wonders and mysteries. Tourists come from all over the world to experience the midnight sun in the summer and the mysterious green northern lights in the winter. No trip to Iceland is complete without experiencing the magnificence and beauty of Mother Nature with your own eyes.
The best 7 hot springs
Unique bathing in an Icelandic hot springs at the Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is the place that introduced the world to Icelandic hot springs. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Icelandic hot springs. In the early days, the Blue Lagoon was recommended as a place to start or end a trip due to its proximity to Keflavik Airport, but with the expansion of the spa, restaurant, and retreat hotel, the Blue Lagoon is now a complete destination in itself. The pools are set among mossy boulders and black volcanic rocks, and the setting is so exotic that National Geographic named it one of the 25 New Wonders of the World in 2012.
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is a relatively new hot spring spot that opened in March 2021. Located in the harbor of Kársnes outside of Reykjavík, Sky Lagoon combines raw seascapes with the tranquil atmosphere of a hot spring. The highlight of the Sky Lagoon is the 230-foot (70-meter) ocean-view infinity pool. It’s geothermal and maintained between 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) and 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) year-round.
Secret Lagoon
Opened in 1891, the Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest swimming pool and one of the best hot springs. Locals call the Secret Lagoon Gamla Laugin. Located in the Hverahólmi geothermal area, the Secret Lagoon is a hot spring destination with three nearby geysers. The water temperature is always between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit (37 and 40 degrees Celsius). The private atmosphere makes it popular with travelers and locals alike.
Myvatn Nature Baths
Opened in 2004, the Myvatn Nature Baths are part of the Myvatn Nature Reserve. Located just 65 miles (about 104 kilometers) south of the Arctic Circle, visitors can enjoy the northern Icelandic wilderness and the northern lights at the same time. Lake Myvatn geothermal area draws water from up to 2500 meters below to fill the open-air baths. The water temperature is between 36 and 40 degrees. The water contains sulfur and is said to help with asthma and other respiratory problems.
GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths
The town of Húsavik, where the GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths are located, is a quaint fishing village and home to Icelandic tradition and culture. The geothermal baths are filled with geothermally heated 38-39 degree seawater, just as they have been in the area for generations. Chioshi Onsen is also a great place to see the Northern Lights. As you soak in the cliffside open-air baths, you can look out over the deep blue waters of Skjálfandi Bay and the Arctic Circle. While soaking in the seawater baths, you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of the Northern Lights in the night sky.
Jarðböðin við Mývatn
Mývatn is a typical natural hot spring bath in northern Iceland. The water is blue and milky, and you can feel the wonder of nature just by looking at it. However, the hot springs are best enjoyed by soaking in them.
It’s a lot cheaper than Iceland’s other famous hot spring, the Blue Lagoon, so don’t hesitate to take a dip.
The warm water will melt away all the fatigue from traveling. The water is full of minerals and will leave you with smooth, honey-colored skin. The baths are open-air, so you can enjoy a relaxing soak while taking in the scenery.
Seljaland Waterfall
South Shore and Eyjafjallajökull Super Jeep Tour from Reykjavik
There are many waterfalls in Iceland, but Seljalandfoss is one of the most iconic. It’s famous for a reason. It’s famous for a reason: the path behind the waterfall gives you a great view of the cascading water. However, when I arrived, I was disappointed to find that the falls were frozen and the path behind the falls was closed, defeating the purpose of my visit. Compared to the summer, when there is a lot to see, there are more risks in winter. However, the frozen waterfalls and Sango Boulevard are stunning enough to make it a must-see if you’re traveling to Iceland.
Hofdi Forest
Full day Lake Myvatn Classic tour
Start your trip at Hofdi Forest, where you’ll have views of the mighty Mývatn Lake and even lava columns. Hofdi was originally a promontory on Lake Mývatn, which the landowner planted with trees until it became a forest. A trail through the forest leads to a hilltop lookout overlooking Lake Mývatn. Gazing out over the lake, which is so large that you can’t see the other side, you can feel the magnificence of nature.
Hverir
Private Helicopter Tour in Hengill Geothermal Area with Landing
Head to the geothermal area of Hverir to soak up the mystery of Mother Nature.
The heat from the active volcano causes the mud to boil at temperatures between 100 and 200 degrees Celsius, releasing steam.
From the bubbling black mud to the sulfurous ground, there is a fenced-in walkway that allows you to safely explore the hot geothermal area.
To really get a sense of Hverir’s mystery, head to a nearby hilltop and look down on the area from above, where you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the plumes of smoke, saccharine pits, and uniquely shaped stone towers that have been created by nature.
Grjotagja Cave
Full day Lake Myvatn Classic tour
Griotaiau Cave was made popular by the steaming blue hot springs in season 3 of the American TV series Game of Thrones.
Griotiau Cave is a hidden gem in the Lake Mývatn region, a cave created by a volcanic eruption that holds a pool of hot spring water.
In the past, the water was so hot that you couldn’t touch it, but today it’s only about 40 degrees Celsius, so you can touch it. The cave is on private property, so you can’t bathe in the hot springs, but the beautiful scenery and mysterious emerald-colored water make it a must-see for tourists.
Jökulsárlón
Jokulsarlon, Diamond Beach & Blue Ice Cave (with return flight from Rey
Jokulsarlon is a glacial lake that doesn’t melt all year round, and it’s like stepping into a time capsule and traveling back to the Ice Age. You’ll be in awe of the glaciers you’ve never seen before. If you’re lucky, you might even see a cute seal poking its head out of the glacier to say hello. The lake isn’t the only thing to see in Jökulsárlón. Take a 10-minute walk across the bridge to the beach and you’ll find Diamond Beach. Drift ice floes from the lake sparkle like diamonds.
Trekking to the Skaftafell Glacier
Glacier Hike from Skaftafell – Extra Small Group
Skaftafell is famous for being the location of the space-themed movie Interstellar. The “Glacier Trekking Tour” is a guided tour that takes place three times a day and provides basic equipment such as helmets, walking sticks, and crampons. The glacier cave tour is especially impressive, as the movie scenery unfolds before your eyes, making you feel like you’re on an alien planet. You can crawl through a giant glacier hole and touch the ice that has been frozen for tens of thousands of years.
