A Journey Through Iceland: The Ideal Itinerary
Stepping into Iceland is like stepping into a fairytale. Landscapes beyond imagination, excursions into volcanic craters, and breath-taking encounters with natural beauty are the norm here. Begin your journey in Reykjavik, the vibrant capital city.
Day 1: Reykjavik
Reykjavik is no standard capital city – it’s a hub of culture and story. Check out Harpa, the iconic concert hall with its shimmering, geometric facade. Its interesting design mirrors the surrounding landscape, having been inspired by the basalt landscape common throughout Iceland.
Downtown, you’ll find Hallgrimskirkja, an impressive Lutheran church. Take a journey to the top for panoramic views of the city that stretch far into the distant mountains.
Round off your day with a visit to the Old Harbor. Here, a mosaic of old shipping vessels and fishing boats paint a vivid maritime scene. You might even spot a few seals bobbing in the cold Atlantic waters.
Day 2: Golden Circle Excursion
Iceland’s Golden Circle encompasses Pingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. Pingvellir, a UNESCO world heritage site, is where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, offering a dramatic landscape.
Geysir Geothermal Area, named after The Great Geysir, now inactive, offers an active geyser, Strokkur, which spouts sky-high water every 10 minutes.
Finally, experience Gullfoss – ‘Golden Falls.’ There are few sights in nature as mesmerising as the sheer power of this cascading waterfall.
Day 3: South Coast to Vik
On day three, it’s time to explore the South Coast. Start at Seljalandsfoss, an elegant waterfall you can walk behind, followed by Skogafoss with its drop of 60 meters. Both will inspire awe at the sheer might and beauty of Iceland’s natural wonders.
Next, visit the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Its black pebbles, towering basalt columns, and roaring Atlantic waves attract many visitors. But beware, the waves can be unpredictable.
Day 4: Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
Journey further along the southern coast to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. Icebergs calved from the glacier float in the lagoon before drifting out to sea, washing ashore as sparkling ice on the black sand beach, lending it the moniker ‘Diamond Beach’.
Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Oftentimes referred to as ‘Iceland in miniature’, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is perfect for experiencing a geographical snapshot of what Iceland has to offer. Explore the small fishing towns and the majestic Kirkjufell Mountain, the most-photographed mountain in Iceland.
One thing you’ll quickly notice is an enormous glacier-topped stratovolcano, Snaefellsjokull, towering over the peninsula, immortalised in Jules Verne’s ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth.’
In Iceland, there’s always a blend of the expected and unexpected. Constantly captivating. You’re not just observing nature, you’re part of it. Your journey across this lunar-like landscape becomes a personal saga, an epic tale of discovery that stays with you forever.