Best of Iceland in 2 Weeks Iceland

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1 Best of Iceland in 2 Weeks Iceland Written by Marina Tomic Explore the pure and untouched nature of this surreal island with its captivating volcanoes, otherworldly lava fields, massive glaciers and mighty waterfalls. Summary 2 nights: Reyjavík for unique architectures, endless nightlife, cultural activities and geothermal spas. 1 night: Snæfellsnes Peninsula for unearthly rough nature, volcanoes and impressive lava caves. 1 night: Akureyri for its small town atmosphere and whale watching tour. 1 night: Mývatn for its infamous lake and volcanic geothermal activity. 1 night: Seyðisfjörður for a taste of the fantastic East Fjords, remote fishing villages, and kayaking or hiking opportunities. 1 night: Höfn for a quiet night and as a gateway for exploring South Iceland s natural beauty. 1 night: Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell for the mystic ice lagoon, a myriad of glaciers and great glacier hiking trails. 2 nights: Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk for the most stunning landscapes, including black sand deserts, impressive volcanoes, lush valleys and enormous glaciers. 3 nights: Heimaey Island for its national festival, puffin spotting, horseback riding and more volcanoes. General information Circle the country in a 4x4 car to ensure that you can access all the remote and rough areas. Rental car booking is available via most hostels and hotels, as well as established rental car agencies like EuroCar, Sixt, hertz etc. To get the most authentic nature experience, camp whenever condition allows, which is most likely in the summer when the temperature is more stable. Travelling to Iceland in the summer is also recommended because of the long daylight hours. The sun basically never sets, so you could even go for a midnight hike! Reykjavík Catch a plane to Iceland s vibrant capital Reykjavík. Compared to most European capitals, Reykjavík is only a village but it is the country s cultural, political and economic center and it has plenty to offer to tourists and locals alike! Fall in love with its creative spirit, hip cafes, bars and, most of all, its friendly and easy-going locals. The best way to explore the city is by walking through its lovely historic streets and peek- 1

2 ing your head through the shop windows of the many charming stores and cafes. You won t fail to spot Hallgrímskirkja church the city s iconic church that is visible from almost anywhere in Reykjavík due to its hilltop location. For its exceptional form, the architect drew inspiration from the intriguing shapes of hardened lava. If you re lucky, you ll hear an organ player playing some impressive notes on the enormous pipe organ inside the church. For more architectural treats, stroll to the Old Harbour with the modern Harpa concert hall, the City Hall by the Tjörnin pond and the Pearl, a domeshaped glass building that houses a museum, a restaurant and a viewing platform. After all the sightseeing and walking you might want to relax and treat yourself. Thanks to high geothermal activity, Iceland is home to countless hot springs and spas, which are perfect for recharging after an exhausting day. The most well-known geothermal spa the Blue Lagoon is less than an hour s drive from Reykjavík and is situated in the midst of a moon-like lava rock landscape. Most people elect to visit the Blue Lagoon on their way in/out of the airport in Keflavik due the its proximity to the airport. Sink into the steaming, blue waters and marvel at the mystic scenery around you. After this, join the locals and experience Reykjavík s energetic nightlife while sipping some Einstöck beers. Be sure to bring plenty of cash for alcohol in bars like everything else in Iceland, it is quite expensive. Around 40 minutes east of the city, you ll find the beautiful Þingvellir National Park. It is particularly remarkable because it s situated at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where two tectonic plates meet. Cracks and rifts characterize the landscape one of which is the fascinating Silfra rift, which boasts crisp, clear water with perfect visibility for divers who want to explore this geologically important place. Þingvellir is also of cultural and historic importance to Iceland the first Icelandic parliament was founded here. Eat & drink Concerning food, Icelandic cuisine is very rich in fish, lamb, dairy products and certain vegetables. Most restaurants will serve fresh, delicious fish of the day and a healthy vegetable soup of the day. Make sure to try the creamy, smooth and budgetfriendly Skyr a traditional Icelandic dairy product similar to Greek yoghurt. After exploring the capital and its surroundings, head north on the so-called Ring Road, Iceland s national road that circles the whole island. Drive for about 2.5 hours to reach Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the west. Snæfellsnes Peninsula The 90km long Snæfellsnes Peninsula boasts some of Iceland s toughest and most magical landscapes and is far less touristy than most of the other parts of the country. Drive along the southern coast of the peninsula and stop for a coffee in Arnarstapi or Hellnar, two little fishing villages. You ll spot the big snowcapped volcano in the north Snæfellsjökull which attracts most visitors to the peninsula. Its fame partly derives from its role in Jules Verne s Journey to the Center of the Earth. Snæfellsjökull is the place where the protagonist discovers the passage that leads to the center of the earth. To spare yourself several strenuous hiking hours, tackle the steep, winding dirt roads, which lead up to the glacier on the volcano, with your 4x4. Another must-see are the Vatnshellir lava caves, which are only a 10-minute drive from Hellnar. Take the spiral steps down 35 meters below the surface to discover caves and tunnels 2

3 created by flowing lava. It is truly remarkable to observe the bizarre rock formations and wonderful colors in this 8000-year-old cave. If you re equipped with camping gear (which hopefully you are), pitch your tent in the northern part of the Snæfellsjökull National Park in a little village called Hellissandur amidst an intriguing lava field. On the next day, hit the road towards the east along the splendid northern coastline of Snæfellsnes. Make sure to stop in Stykkishólmur (1 hour drive from Hellissandur) - a picturesque little town that is surrounded by countless small islands. Head east for about 4 hours to Iceland s second biggest city Akureyri. Keep an eye out for some beautiful Icelandic horses in the fields. Akureyri Sitting at the head of Iceland s longest fjord, Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is a laid-back town amidst a gorgeous landscape. It s the perfect base for hopping on a boat and spotting some big whales! Spend a relaxing afternoon roaming through Akureyri s lovely center while taking in the friendly atmosphere. After a few beers, crash at Akureyri Backpackers, a hip and affordable hostel in the heart of the city. The next day should be packed with whales (fingers crossed). Iceland s hub for whale watching lies about an hour northeast of Akureyri, but if you want to avoid overcrowded boats, book a tour from Akureyri that will take you up the impressive Eyjafjörður fjord. Lined with snow-capped mountains on each side, the journey through the fjord grants stunning views, which can only be topped by majestic whales surfacing from the water. If you re unlucky and don t come across any whales, most whale watching operators will give you a voucher that is valid for several years so you might just have to come back! Head further east along the Ring Road to stumble upon glorious waterfalls, a mystic lake and bubbling mud pools. Mývatn Lake Mývatn and its surrounding volcanic and geothermal area are often collectively referred to as Mývatn. Literally called lake of midges mý ( midge ) and vatn ("lake") the lake rightfully carries its name since thousands of midges fill the skies in the summer months. Make a compulsory stop at Goðafoss (translated waterfall of the gods ) on the way to Mývatn. There are waterfalls around nearly every corner in Iceland, however, Goðafoss is arguably one of the most beautiful ones. Head further east on the Ring Road to Mývatn lake, then turn right to follow a smaller road (Mývatnsvegur) to pass long stretches of the lake. Despite the tons of annoying midges, it s a worthwhile experience to camp by the lake near Reykjahlíð. On the way to relax at Blue Lagoon s little sister the Mývatn Nature Baths take the little dirt roads that pass through the remarkable Hverfjall volcano. A quick but steep hike later, you ll be walking along the rim of its impressive crater. Pack up your tent and brace yourself for a day of steaming cracks, boiling mud pools and lava fields! The whole Krafla area is teeming with volcanic and geothermal activity. Don t miss 3

4 the unearthly landscapes of Hverir, the Viti and Askja craters, and the Leirhnjúkur lava field. Make a little detour to Dettifoss, reputedly the most powerful waterfall in Europe, before heading to the East Fjords, which is roughly a 2.5- hour drive. Seyðisfjörður, East Fjords It would take too much time to explore the striking eastern coastline with its many fjords and fishing villages. If time is limited, you should focus on the remote village of Seyðisfjörður. Situated at the head of a fjord lined with mountains, this little town has only 700 inhabitants but it has a very vibrant art scene and plenty of outdoor activities to offer. Take a walk through the village with its colorful houses that bear a striking resemblance to Norwegian-style wooden houses. Don t miss the lovely blue wooden church! Art permeates Seyðisfjörður - even on a little hillside above the town you ll find five interconnected concrete domes that form the Tvisongur Sound Sculpture. Step in and start singing! To finish off the day, enjoy a tasty dinner at Hotel Aldan, before crashing at the affordable Post- Hostel. To explore every nook and cranny of the fjord, jump into a kayak with Hlynur Oddsson, a very experienced and charismatic guide. If you have some extra time, hike up one of the trails around the village for a sensational view of the fjord. On your way back through the mountain pass that connects Seyðisfjörður to the rest of the country, stop at the small but beautiful Gufufoss waterfall, which can be spotted from the road. After you reach Egilsstaðir, turn back onto the Ring Road and head south towards Höfn. Höfn Höfn is one of the main gateways for exploring the Vatnajökull National Park. You ll probably keep your nose glued to the window during the drive from the East Fjords to Höfn which passes the most extraordinary landscapes. It s just the beginning! Höfn itself is a quiet, unspectacular harbor town, but it offers amazing views of the massive Vatnajökull glacier and its many smaller outlet glaciers. Walking along Höfn s coastline at dusk and watching this incredible scenery unfolding before your eyes is a truly mind-blowing experience. Spend a night in this tranquil town, at Höfn Hostel for example, before heading out to explore the raw nature of southern Iceland! Head west on the Ring Road passing countless glaciers until you reach one of the most fascinating natural phenomena of Iceland Jökulsárlón. 4

5 Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell Vatnajökull National Park covers a large area of the southern Iceland with various landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and rivers. Vatnajökull itself is Europe s largest ice cap by volume. It is practically impossible to see all of this enormous national park, so the best way is to focus on a couple of the area s highlights the Jökulsárlón ice lagoon and Skaftafell. Marvel at the mystic ice lagoon Jökulsárlón, with its beautifully formed blue and white ice blocks floating in the frigid water. If you have some additional time, get on one of the boats and meander your way through the looming ice chunks. Make your way to Skaftafell and pitch your tent in the spacious camping ground. From there, choose one of the many hiking trails to wander off into the nature. Don t miss Svartifoss waterfall, notable for its dark basalt columns, and the Sjónarnípa viewpoint with breathtaking views on Skaftafellsjökull glacier. Drive on along the Ring Road to discover more of the rugged nature of Southern Iceland. Laugavegur Hiking Trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk (3-5 days), which passes aweinspiring volcanoes, black lava fields and deserts, icy glaciers, steaming hot springs and lush green valleys. After a 2-hour scenic drive you ll reach Vík, Iceland s southernmost village. Walk along the rare black sand beach and admire the craggy cliffs and pointy sea stacks. The lovely little church situated on a hill against the backdrop of a mountain is definitely also worth a picture. On your way to the highlands, stop at yet another magical waterfall Skógafoss, with the option to camp by its tumbling waters. The next couple of days should be dedicated to venturing into the highlands on the designated F- roads. Most of these dirt roads are only accessible in the summer and with a 4x4 car, hence make sure to rent such a car. Road condition with live updates is available at Iceland s official traffic site Vegagerdin 1. Be sure to check the website before proceed to any F-roads. Drive along the rocky roads and sense the sheer power and tranquility of Iceland s nature. Take the F208 to Landmannalaugar one of the highlights of Iceland s natural beauty with its colorful rolling hills and hot springs. You will have to cross some shallow glacial rivers, which is a fun adventure, but should be done with caution. Try walking through the stream to ensure that it is safe and solid before crossing it by car. Landmannalaugar Þórsmörk and In Landmannalaugar, put up your tent in the camping ground by the mountains and recharge in the hot springs nearby. The next day, strap on your hiking boots and conquer some of the peaks for the unforgettable views. You could spend days and days hiking the long, rough trails of Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. One of the most famous hikes is the To reach Þórsmörk, you will have to leave your car somewhere and hop on a bus that is equipped to cross the large river on the way. Set out on one of the many hiking trails for an exploration of this mesmerizing volcanic landscape, including

6 the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Conclusion Park your car at Landeyjahöfn harbour and board a ferry to Heimaey island. This dense itinerary covers most of the highlights that give you a glimpse into the raw nature of Iceland, but you could spend weeks and weeks exploring all the remote corners of this unique country. 6