When you exit the terminal building you see adarkbank of sinister clouds in the North, but whether they are rolling in or rolling out is of no concern to you since you knowhow to pack fortravel in Iceland; you packed light, but you packed welland the warm and waterproof layers are at the ready in your suitcase along with your hiking boots.
Towards Reykjavík
You collectyour vehicle and head straight to theBlue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. The drive is short and easy, and since you arriveearly, you avoidthe crowds and are one of the few people there. This is the perfect place to gatherstrength after the red-eye flight and experience the raw volcanic energy of theReykjanes Peninsuladirectly.
After a couple of rejuvenating hours,you drive towards Reykjavik,feeling so refreshed that you decide to leave the busy Reykjanesbraut main road and make use of the longer but less congestedRoute 420instead.This old seaside trail takes you through small rural neighbourhoods and strange lunar landscapeswhere abandoned houses and ancient fishing huts stand from patches of grass in the rugged lava fields, like the displaced artefacts of an abandoned museum dedicated to a long lost way of life.
- See also The Ultimate Guide to Driving in Iceland
The Golden Circle
In just over an hours drive you arrive in central Reykjavik, where you have booked your accommodation, and decide to treat yourself to a meal at one of the 5 bestrestaurants in Reykjavík, all of which arelocated in the city centre within walking distance from one another.
After the delicious but affordable feast, you leave the capital. You knowthat Iceland is home to countless sites and wonders well worthy of your time and attention, but since this is but a shortweekend trip you have decided to limityour travels to the greater South-West region. Less will definitely be more this time around.
- Seealso: Top 10 Hotels in Iceland
You drive throughNesjavellir, where pillars of steam rise from the all-encompassing mountains and follow the winding road until ittakes you to Kerið, an otherworldly volcanic crater composed of redrock walls which embrace an opaque aquamarine lake in the crater's bottom.
Here you relax and take in the scenery before heading for the geothermal valley of Haukadalur, a magical place of unbound power, where thegeysers Strokkur and Geysir compete for your attention.
Ashort distance away, the mightyGullfosswaterfall, Iceland's single most popular attraction, awaits you. You follow a footpath all thewayto the river's edge and as you look down into the gorge, you manage to get at least somesense of this waterfall's unspeakablepower.
Your last stop of this long day is the Þingvellir National Park,where youwalk the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and explore the beautiful area which isfundamental to Iceland'shistory: the Icelandic parliament, Alþingi, was founded in Þingvellir in 930 andheld its sessions here until 1799. This is the cradle of Icelandic culture, unchanged for millennia, and every rock and pebble has a story to tell.
Now that you have singlehandedly completed what is commonly referred to as the Golden Circle Tour, Iceland's most popular tourist route, you are ready to head back to central Reykjavík,driving through a landscape bathed in thesoft light of the evening sun.
After a short visit to one ofReykjavik's many pubs, youhead back to your lodging and get some much-neededsleep. Tomorrow's a big day.
- See also:Nightlife in Reykjavík
An Early Start
Reykjavík is surrounded by mountains, many of which have popular and accessible hiking routes that provide a great view of the city. MountEsjawould be an ideal choice; throughout centuries, Esja has bothbeen the delight of outdoor enthusiasts and a limitless source ofinspiration for countless poets and free thinkers. Esja is "the mountain of Reykjavik”.
But you, however, have set your mind on thebeautifulReykjadalur(steam valley), which is situated in the mountains above the small town ofHveragerði,a thirty-minute drive from the capital. Reykjadalur is a geothermal area where steaming hot water flows down the mountains, forming a river to which locals and foreign travellers alike, flock to bathe and relax.
Photo fromHiking and Bathing in Reykjadalur Geothermal Valley - Hot Spring
Unwinding in the hot river after a decent hike, surrounded by the mesmerising mountain colours, is an exceptional experience in and by itself, but you have chosen a moredaring approach and booked aguided horseback tour; this day trip takes you even further into the mountains, which are full of hot springs, lava fields, and other natural wonders.
An Evening in the City
You return to Reykjavík late in the afternoon. There are countless ways to spend an eveningin the city, but you decide to walk through the harbour district of Grandi, which in recent years has been developed from an industrial area to an artistic venue filled withworkshops and galleries.
Closeby, on the Vesturbugtharbour, you have booked thebest value whale watchingtrip,which takes you out into Faxaflói bay where you spend the early evening hours marvelling at minke and humpback whales, whale-beaked dolphins and countless other extraordinary marine animals.
- See alsoTop 10 Things to Do inReykjavik
Upon returning to land you enjoy a late dinner at one ofGrandi's many bistros and restaurants, before continuing your walk along the coastline. Eventually, you reach theGrótta Lighthouse Island,awalkers paradisein which a great number of birds have built their nests under theprotection of the fierce Arctic Tern.
On your way back you locateKvika, a wonderful little man-made thermal footbath in the middle of the rocky beach, where you dip your feet and take in the evening view ofFaxaflóibay, the mountains ofSnæfellsnes Peninsula, andSnæfellsjökullglacier. This is the perfect place to watch the scarlet midnight sun refuse to set and bid farewellto this strange island in the North-Atlantic.
Tomorrowyou have an early morning flight to catch.
