One of my favourite things to do in life in travel and last year my husband James and I went to Iceland for our honeymoon. It was hands down one of my fave countries I’ve visited so far. One week was literally not enough time to fully explore all the amazing things Iceland has to offer. But I sure did cram as much as I could into that one week!
It was so hard to pick and choose what to do in such a short amount of time. There were some things I HAD to see and do no matter what. If you ever decide to visit Iceland you should definitely check these out.
The Blue Lagoon
I know I know, The Blue Lagoon a total tourist spot and yes there are many private, less touristy natural geothermal springs but dammit I didn’t care. The whole place is aesthetically pleasing and just so vibey.
The water is amazing and so therapeutic. They even offer in-water massages. Just picture yourself sipping on some wine while experiencing the
Oh, and trust me on this, spend the extra money to purchase a Premium ticket, it’s worth it for the extra perks. In addition to standard entry, you also get a silica mask + another mask of your choice; use of a robe and slippers; a table reservation at Lava Restaurant (their butter is amazing!) and sparkling wine if you do choose to dine. You also now have the option to stay at the lagoon at the Silica Hotel and also experience their Retreat Spa.
Snorkeling at Silfra
Silfra is located in the Thingvellir National Park. It’s a rift formed in the divergent tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. Can you imagine swimming between two tectonic plates?! I mean is that bucket list-worthy or what!
This experience may not be for everyone because it does require dry suits which can be constricting and the water is cold. I beg you though, try and thug it out. Don’t worry about not being able to swim because the suits enable you to float the entire time. You are fully clothed except for your shoes, outerwear, and jewellery. So the only things that really get wet are your hands and face/hair. I won’t lie my fingers and face were totally numb but I didn’t care because I was just in awe. The water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom. You can even choose the dive option if you are an experienced diver.
The tour company we used was Iceland Adventure Tours and they were awesome. They gave great instructions, were super funny and we even got hot chocolate after!
The Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
The glacier lagoon is considered one of Iceland’s natural crown jewels and rightly so. The calm blue water is dotted with icebergs that come from the surrounding glacier. The icebergs jut out of the water like huge jagged monuments and each one is unique. The lagoon flows through a waterway that empties into the Atlantic Ocean that leaves chunks of ice on the nearby beach giving it its name The Diamond Beach. The ice chunks literally look like huge raw diamonds nestled on black sand.
Ice Cave – Inside the Glacier
I was
This was such a cool excursion, the glacier is vast and the ice cave was like being inside
Our guide also chipped off a piece of the glacier and we got to eat it. It was the most refreshing piece of 900-year old ice I’ve ever eaten.
Black Lava Pearl Beach
The black lava pearl beach and the famous black sand beach located near Vik should be on your must-see list. We only had time for the black lava pearl beach on this trip but it was definitely worth the drive. The waves are insanely powerful and people have been caught in them and swept out to see so you have to be very careful not to get too close to the water. But it really is a sight to behold.
The rocky coastal lava formations give the beach a life of its own. On the shore you will see bits of rusted metal from the wreck of a British vessel. The metal and the pebbles are all protected and it is prohibited to remove them from the beach.
So have I convinced you to go to Iceland yet? Are you packing your bags? There is still so much more of this beautiful country that I have yet to see so I will definitely be going back very soon! If you know some more great places to visit or things to do share them with me pretty please!
XO
Kris