Photos are here. Check out our itinerary and map of our route for more details.
Tips...
Sights
- Despite what some naysayers may tell you, the Blue Lagoon is absolutely worth it. It's a gorgeous place and a truly relaxing experience, regardless of the weather. Everything is clean and well-organized, and the friendly employees help you by explaining the procedures for accessing your locker, etc. We bought the cheapest tickets possible, which included a silica mud mask and a drink. The mud mask was divine, and there are lots of options for the drink, including alcohol. Plan to spend around two to two and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon, and buy tickets ahead of time for early in the morning if possible to avoid crowds and lines. It is a once in a lifetime experience.
- My favorite sight in Iceland was the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Diamond Beach across the street. I would say this is a must-see in Iceland.
- Reykjavik may be the capital, but the old town/city center that tourists go to see feels like a small town. It can be easily explored in half a day, but you’ll need a full day if you want to visit museums and such. It is a fun little city, but can be skipped if you’ve got other priorities for your trip.
- The Golden Circle is overrated. We skipped Thingvelir and went to Geysir and Gulfoss. Geysir was pretty cool, but I found Gulfoss to be disappointing. There are way cooler things to see in other parts of Iceland.
- If you go to Skaftafell and you want to see the Svartifoss waterfall, be warned that it’s a 1.8 km climb going uphill the entire way. We turned back around the halfway point because it was too much for us. If you are super athletic and active, you will be fine. If you’re not interested in climbing up hills for 45 min to an hour, I suggest doing the hike to the glacier instead, which I’ve heard is flat.
Food and Drink
- Do your research re: food options in places of interest. Because Iceland imports most of its food, it’s insanely expensive. Grocery stores are somewhat reasonable, but many restaurants cost two to three times what you’d pay in the States. Most days, we had breakfast included in our hotel, bought sandwiches from the grocery store (surprisingly tasty) ahead of time for lunch, and forked over the cash for dinner.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. I packed mine in my suitcase and unpacked it when I arrived in Iceland. Tap water in Iceland is refreshing and completely potable (Icelanders are quite proud of their water!). You can fill up your water bottle at your bathroom sink at your hotel or in any public place. Trust me, it's delicious and will save you money on bottled water!
Transportation
- Rent a car. It's really the only way to see Iceland. We drove along the south coast, eastward, on the Ring Road. It was pretty easy to drive, minus a few one-way bridges every now and then. There are plenty of designated areas along the side of the road to stop and take pictures. However, beware of some of the little side roads that lead to sights; many are filled with potholes and rocks which can damage your car. There was one road that my guidebook said was "good," but it turned out to be a disaster.
- I recommend picking up your rental car at Keflavik Airport rather than in Reykjavik. We did this and it was quick and easy: Our flight arrived around 5:30 am, and after making our way through customs, we picked up our pre-reserved rental car from Cars Iceland and drove straight to the Blue Lagoon for our 8am reservation. Later, we drove on to Reykjavik. A GPS proved especially useful for this; I found the maps of greater Reykjavik confusing.
- Plan to spend a lot of time driving. We shared the driving between two people and it was totally doable. The scenery is stunning, so you’re never bored! Also helpful is to plan your itinerary in such a way that you make a stop to see something every hour or so.
Weather
- We visited Iceland in May and it rained on and off every day. Conditions were wet everywhere. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time and dress accordingly. I wore waterproof hiking shoes, water-resistant pants, and a rain jacket with a hood layered over my sweater. This combination kept me fairly dry, and wearing a hood was much better than carrying around an umbrella.
Planning a trip to Iceland? Feel free to comment on this post with any questions. I'll be sure to respond!
Happy travels,
Beth
Comments
Post a Comment