One week in Iceland: where to go, what to see
Iceland is one country you won't soon forget after visiting. It's not so big which makes it manageable to see in a couple of weeks. We suggest choosing one region of the country though, and really getting to know it rather than wasting your time jumping from one region to the next, using a lot of your presious time and money in transit. The cheapest flights tough down in the capital, Reykjavik. From there, let's head to the Golden Circle with a stopover in the Blue Lagoon.
This is the perfect itinerary if you plan to visit for 7 or 8 days in Reyjkavik, taking 1-2 hour day trips from there with a rental car, although the longer you stay, the better!
Reykjavik
(1-2 days)
With 200,000 people, Reykjavik is the biggest city in the country and is the centre for life, culture, finances and tourism in Iceland. As a city, it's quite spread out so you'll be happy to have a car hire. There is so much going on here, especially in the old town with its brightly coloured houses and the city's great parks and islands. This the perfect base to come back to every night.
Golden Circle
(2 days)
Geysir - this is the so-called "original spouting hot spring" in Iceland. And apparently all other spouting springs in the world are named after this one. The Great Geysir was discovered in the 1400s with a blast of water that went up 80m in the air. It was a hit until the 1950s when the hole became clogged after so many tourists tried to set it off by throwing rocks and trash into it. After an earthquake in 2000, the geysir started to spout again, 2-3 times daily.
Thingvellir - this is the oldest national park in Iceland and includes an 84 square kilometre lake which is particularly important for the Almannagjá rift. This is also the site of the country's original National Assembly. The park, quite uniquely, is managed by the prime minister's office and is also a recognized UNESCO site.
Gulfoss - the most famous waterfall in Iceland can be found here, 32 metres in height, falling into a steep canyon. It is incredible, but your experience will largely depend on the weather when you visit. On sunny days, there are glistening rainbows across the gorge. On wet, grey days, you won't see much of the falls through the thick mist.
Hvalfjordur
(2 days)
While largely considered a suburb of Reykjavik, this place is by far a town of its own right. The Old Town is what makes this place so great to visit, for its old wooden and timber houses on narrow winding streets. It's a buzzing fishing town but still has that small-town feel to it. The town is also located in the middle of a lava field. Just outside the city limits is an amazing fjord, perfect for a day's hike.
Blue Lagoon
(1 day)
Visiting the Blue Lagoon is a highlight for many on their trips to Iceland. The water here remains 40 degrees Celcius year-round, even when the air is freezing. The waters are mineral rich, with sulfur and silica which is known to cure many skin disease, aches and pains. It's not cheap to enter, almost £30 but it's an essential stop on the trip.
Is Iceland on your list of must-visit travel destinations?