Part 2 of my complete Iceland itinerary for your first time is here! In case you missed it, you can check out part 1 which covers all the sites around the Golden Circle and Iceland’s southern coast.

 

Guesthouse Langaholt on Iceland’s Western Peninsula

Landbrotalaug Hot Spring

DAY 4: WESTERN PENINSULA

6 STOPS | DRIVE TIME: 3.5 HOURS | MAP THE ROUTE HERE

After more than 8 hours of driving the previous day, we spent day 4 of our trip relaxing at the Guesthouse Langaholt located on Iceland’s Western Peninsula. Our only activity for the day, besides enjoying late breakfast and an afternoon nap as the snow fell outside our window, was watching the sunset while soaking in a natural hot spring. Although we didn’t do much exploring, there is so much to see and do in this area of Iceland. If I ever get to go back, I’ll definitely vist a few of these spots.

1. Snæfellsjökull  is a 700,000 year old glacier located inside a national park of the same name. In addition to the stunning views, you can also hike and fish here.

2. The Vatnshellir Cave is actually an 8,000 year old lava tube located 35 meters below ground. Spelunking tours are offered year round. You can check for availability here.

3. Skardsvík Beach is a golden sand beach a rarity for Iceland. In between the rocky cliffs you’ll find multiple walking trails and hidden coves making this the perfect place to explore. This is a MUST on my next trip to Iceland.

4. At first glance, the Öndverðarnes Lighthouse isn’t that impressive to look at,but the views there cannot be beat!

5. Die hard Game of Thrones fans may notice something familiar about the Kirkjufell Mountain. It’s where parts of season 6 and 7 were filmed. Visitors go there to admire the unique arrow shaped mountain, flowing waterfalls and serene views.

6. The Landbrotalaug Hot Spring is another MUST when you visit Iceland’s Western Peninsula. This natural hot springs can be a bit tricky to find, but it is more than worth the effort. We got there late in the afternoon just as another couple was leaving. We popped sipped our glasses of wine and watched the sun set behind the mountains. It was a pretty epic experience.

You can use these coordinates to find it: GPS: N64°49.933 W22°19.110. You’ll know you’re getting close when you spot a red farm house. After you park, there’s a short walk over a quiet pond to the hot spring. Be aware that the spring is pretty small and can’t fit more than a few people. Also, depending on when you arrive, you may have to wait for other visitors to finish before getting in. That’s when an extra bottle of wine comes in handy!

Travel Tip: Iceland is covered in these natural hot springs. This site maps them out so you can easily find them all! Hot springs hopping anyone?

7. We were on a hunt for the Northern Lights since landing in Iceland. Each night we would head out after the sun finally set – usually after 10pm – in hopes of getting a glimpse of the dancing lights in the starry. Luckily we managed to spot them every night, but they happened to be particularly beautiful in this region. The optimal time of year for viewing the Northern Lights in Iceland September through early April.

Travel Tip: These two apps – My Aurora and Aurora Forecast – help predict optimal time and location for viewing the Northern Lights. They came in really handy!

 

Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik Iceland

The Blue Lagoon

Krýsuvík geothermal field in Iceland

DAY 5: REYKJAVIK

6 STOPS | DRIVE TIME: 2 HOURS| MAP THE ROUTE HERE

Like many travelers, Reykjavik was our first stop after landing in Iceland. But we waited to do our exploring in this area until the end of our trip. As you can see from this post, most of Iceland’s attractions are located outside of Reykjavik, but there are still some interesting things to do in and around the city.

1. Hallgrimskirkja is perhaps the most popular and recognizable attraction in Reykjavik. This famous church located in the very center of the city. It is home to an impressive organ and lookout point at the top of its bell tower, which provides excellent views of the city. Tickets to go up to the top are $10 and can be purchased in the gift shop.

2. The Laugardalslaug pool is open year round and is a favorite among locals. In addition the Olympic size lap pool there are also multiple hot tubs each one a different temperature as well as a steam room. It’s a great alternative if you can’t make it to the Blue Lagoon!

3. Kleifarvatn is the largest lake in Iceland’s southwest peninsula. There are several lookout points along offering picture perfect views. On quiet days, the water forms a perfect mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains.

4. . Krýsuvík is a geothermal field located about 30 minutes outside of the city. It is definitely worth a pit stop. Just be prepared to plug your nose – the surfer smells are strong!

5. The Blue Lagoon has arguably become Iceland’s most famous attraction, which means it can get very crowded! Try to select an early time slot if you want to avoid the bus loads of visitors that arrive later in the day. You’ll also need to purchase your ticket in advance. Choose between the Comfort ($70), Premium ($99) or Luxury ($530) package. Each includes a signature silica mud mask and a complimentary cocktail which can be ordered at the swim up bar. We waited to book out tickets a few days in advance and got stuck with a 3pm time slot. Despite it being a bit crowded, we had a wonderfully relaxing time floating around the lagoon, hopping in and out of the various steam rooms and sauna and sipping on our complimentary cocktails by the swim up bar, which took on a bit of a party atmosphere at that time of day.

6. You can’t visit Iceland without sampling some of its traditional cuisine. Cafe Loki, located across from the Hallgrimskirkja church, serves up some of the best Icelandic dishes. Some classics include lamb soup, sweet rye bread – traditionally cooked underground in a boiling hot spring – and fermented shark, which is typically followed by a shot of Icelandic schnapps. There are numerous restaurants in Reykjavik where you can try varying versions of these dishes. But if you dine at Cafe Loki, don’t leave without trying their rye bread ice cream!

We had planned to spend our last night in downtown Reykjavik, but ended up booking a room closer to the airport at the last minute since we had an early morning flight back home. Unfortunately, there were several adorable cafes and boutiques we passed by that I didn’t get a chance to check out. Depending on when your flight departs, I would definitely recommend exploring a bit more of the city if time allows.

Believe it or not, there is still so much more to see and do in Iceland. This list only scratches the surface! It is such an incredible country with so many hidden treasures to discover. If it’s not already on your bucket list, add it now and use this itinerary as a guide to help you plan an unforgettable Icelandic adventure!

 

PIN IT!