Best Things to do in Iceland - The Golden Circle Self-Guided Tour, Reykjavík, Glacier Hikes & Top Tips.

This is all the helpful information I gathered from our trip to Iceland, I hope that this helps you plan your trip to this beautiful country. I’ve split it up into these sections; Reykjavik, The Golden Circle, other cool stuff, and top tips. We went in September found the weather to be pretty good, we had enough daylight hours to get things done. The following is my list of the best things to do in Iceland.

Getting Around

We picked up a hire car from the airport, and this turned out to be the best option for getting around easily during our trip. Having the freedom to explore at our own pace made the entire experience much more enjoyable. I would advise opting for the maximum insurance coverage when renting a vehicle as the car can easily be damaged by factors that are beyond your control, such as unpredictable weather conditions, stones or debris hitting your vehicle, and extreme winds that can cause your doors to literally blow off.

The Golden Circle

We completed this self-guided tour in a single day, visiting most of the popular spots, and we appeared to have ample time at each location.

Our stops were as follows:

Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage site where you can stroll between two continents. There are numerous places to discover here, and all the trails are well-maintained, making navigation simple.

• Almannagjá Gorge - a stroll through Almannagjá is an experience like no other. This gorge, shaped thousands of years ago, is flanked by continental plates on both sides.

• Öxarárfoss Waterfall - a spot you definitely shouldn't miss. It's got a cool mix of history and natural beauty. The trail there is pretty easy and gives you amazing views of the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You might recognize the waterfall from Game of Thrones, which adds to its epic vibe. It's a great place to relax and snap some amazing photos.

• Drekkingarhylur - is a stunning pond located close to the Öxará River. It's a lovely sight, but it has a dark past. Dubbed the Drowning Pool, from the 16th century until 1739, it was the site where many women were drowned as punishment for crimes like adultery and even lying under oath.

• Silfra Fissure - If you're into diving or snorkelling, this place is a must-visit. Even if you don't want to get in the water, you should still check it out. You can see where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates come together. Silfra has the clearest natural freshwater on Earth, with visibility that can reach over 100 meters (300 feet) underwater, making it one of the coolest diving and snorkelling spots around!

  
  

The Geysir Geothermal Area - This is the spot where you can catch the Strokkur Geysir shooting up every few minutes and check out the Great Geysir, which can blast boiling water up to about 70 meters high. It's an amazing sight, with the smell of sulfur in the air and steam rising from the ground. You'll find fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, boiling hot springs, and colourful minerals everywhere.

The place is totally free to visit, but I did feel like I had been robbed after shelling out £32 for two soups at the café.

Gullfoss Waterfall - also knows as the Golden Waterfall, is an absolutely stunning natural sight in Iceland's amazing scenery. It's famous for its massive size and jaw-dropping beauty, making it a must-see spot for anyone visiting the country. Gullfoss tumbles down in two parts, with the first drop around 11 meters and the second an impressive 21 meters into a rugged canyon shaped by nature over thousands of years. There are plenty of spots to soak in the waterfall's power, with well-kept paths and viewing platforms that make it easy and safe to explore.

Flúðir Secret Lagoon - Iceland's oldest swimming pool. It's a natural geothermal spot that's not as crowded as the others because it's a bit off the main path. Mostly locals hang out here, and it's a lot cheaper. It's a natural hot spring in a geothermal area in the small village of Flúðir, about 25 km from Geysir. The Secret Lagoon has been around since 1891, and you can even enjoy a beer while you're there. Relax whilst surrounded by nature, the steam rising, tiny geysers popping, and bubbling hot pots!

Kerid Volcanic Crater - The fresh minerals and growing plants give it these cool red and green colours. There's a blue lake in the middle that really stands out against the reds and greens. You can stroll along a trail around the top or head down and walk around the lake. The parking costs here are around 400 ISK and must be paid to get in.

Seljalandsfoss - this was my favourite waterfall of the trip. You can walk right behind the powerful falling water. It's a great spot to soak in the views of the falls, the lush greenery, and the rugged cliffs. But a heads-up, the area can get pretty wet and slippery, so make sure to wear waterproof clothes and good shoes.

Skogafoss - another waterfall on the way to our hotel for the night. It is pretty remarkable to see with a 60-meter drop and 25-meter width. We only had a quick stop here as we had been driving loads & I was all waterfalled out, but if you hang around, you can climb 370 steps to a lookout spot with amazing views of the Skoga River and the surrounding scenery.

Reykjavík - Iceland's Capital City

We dropped our car off at the hotel and decided to explore the capital on foot. This is what we did:

• try "the best hot dogs in the world" at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur but make sure you try to visit outside of lunchtime to avoid waiting in a huge queue

• visit Hallgrimskirkja - the tallest church in Iceland, an iconic landmark in Reykjavik

• watch the sunset at Lake Tjornin - watch the the sky light up fiery colours

• take a stroll along rainbow street - the lively atmosphere and stunning murals create an enchanting experience for all who wander through

• visit the monument to the unknown bureaucrat - a tribute that honours the countless individuals who work diligently behind the scenes in the world of administration and governance, often without recognition or acknowledgment for their contributions to society

• visit Laugavegur - a vibrant main street that serves as the heart of the city, adorned with an eclectic array of colourful street art and bustling with a diverse selection of shops, restaurants, and bars that cater to both locals and tourists alike

• if you are lucky enough you will be able to catch the northern lights

• try some Icelandic delicacies at Icelandic street food - you can indulge in a warm soup and if you are brave enough try fermented shark

  
  
  

  

  Rainbow Road Iceland

  

  

  

  

  The best hotdogs in Iceland?
  
  

Other Things To Do:

Kleifarvatn Lake - on our way from the airport to Reykjavik, we decided to take a little side trip to Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It's the biggest lake in the area, going as deep as 97 meters. The mix of dark volcanic rock and bright blue water is absolutely breathtaking, especially with the geothermal steam adding to the view. This detour gave us a taste of Iceland's stunning natural beauty and set the vibe for our adventure.

Fatjokul Glacier Hike - a thrilling 5-hour tour across the glacier. Fatjokul translates to "falling glacier," which perfectly describes the dramatic ice chunks breaking off - which we were lucky enough to see whilst we were there. The tour company will provide you with crampons and winter boots if you don't have your own. We were greeted with breath-taking views of the blue and white glacier stretches, framed by rugged mountains. The hike was both refreshing and educational, giving us insights into how the glacier formed, the effects of climate change, and its unique ecosystem. We made our way through deep crevasses, towering seracs, and sparkling ice formations. We were also allowed to drink the fresh glacier water flowing from a hole in the ice - refreshing. The whole day was a thrilling experience but made even better by the fact I found a piece of black obsidian on the ice.

Standing on an Icelandic Glacier

A shining piece of black obsidian

Glacier Trek

Hiding in an ice hole

Raufarhólshellir, Lava Tunnel - since the weather was rough and the winds made it risky to do stuff outside, we switched up our plans from ice climbing to checking out the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel. This change let us enjoy the area's cool geological features indoors. The lava tunnel, an amazing result of old volcanic activity, offered us a fun experience. There is a part of the tour where they turn the lights off and you are plunged into complete silence & darkness.

Black Beach - Reynisfjara is known for its cool black sand and amazing basalt caves and pillars. The beach is known for being pretty windy, when I went, it was super windy with an amber warning, which made the place feel even more intense with the waves crashing and the black sand swirling around. Just be careful though, because there are sneaker waves that can sneak up and pull you in. If you want to get an idea of the wild weather we experienced have a look here.

Top Tips:

• Look out for Icelandic lava bread, traditionally baked by burying dough in hot volcanic ash. Black in colour, it is unique and flavourful. It reflects the island's geothermal activity and culinary heritage.

• If you have a long day of exploring make sure you fill up at breakfast as eating out all day can become quite costly. Most hotels offer a buffet style from continental to Icelandic delicacies including fish oil.

• If you are travelling on a budget it is possible stock up on some shopping at the supermarkets - having the car meant we could get there easily and we made sure we had snacks and bottled water with us in the car.

Iceland is a wonderful place to visit and even although we crammed a lot in I still feel as though we only just scratched the surface. I cant wait to return to this beautiful county to see more.

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions please drop them below. And as always any support is appreciated.