Favourite Experiences:
- Looking out over Reykjavík from the top of Hallgrimskirkja
- Watching the Strokkur geyser erupt
- Swimming in the geothermal waters at the Blue Lagoon
Reykjavík was my home-base during my stay in Iceland and I really enjoyed getting to know the town. Reykjavík is small and very walkable (especially if the weather is good!). The downtown area has great shopping, restaurants, bars, and attractions like Hallgrimskirkja, the Old Harbour, Sólfarið, and the Harpa. I gave myself two full days to explore Reykjavík, and it was more than enough. I also stayed in the downtown area at Loft Hostel. I would definitely recommend Loft Hostel for anyone travelling on a budget. The location is excellent, the rooms are clean and spacious, and the hostel has a great rooftop bar which is great for meeting up with fellow travellers. In addition to exploring Reykjavík, I went on two day tours around the Reykjavík area with Grayline. The Golden Circle Classic Tour is the most popular day tour from Reykjavík, and includes stops at Þingvellir National Park, Gulfoss, and Strokkur Geyser. The Viking Horse and Blue Lagoon Tour includes a riding-tour on an Icelandic Horse at Laxnes Horse Farm, and a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. These tours both take place relatively close-by to Reykjavík and provide a great overview of the types of natural attractions Iceland has to offer. Below are my favourite photos from Reykjavik and the surrounding area:
Views of Downtown Reykjavík from Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral
Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral in Downtown Reykjavík
Sólfarid (The Sun Voyageur) Viking Ship Sculpture
My first of many Skyr! Skyr is an Icelandic treat similar to yogurt that comes in lots of flavours (be sure to try the coconut, my fav!)
The view from the Rooftop Bar at Loft Hostel (At 10:30pm!)
The freshest Fish & Chips I’ve ever had at Kaffivagninn in the Old Harbour
Looking up inside the Harpa Concert Hall
Views from the Old Harbour
Amazing lobster soup from Saegreifinn in the Old Harbour
Downtown Reykjavík is so picturesque
A little pedestrian street downtown called Skólavördustígur. The artwork on the street was made by local students who were asked to draw scenes of Reykjavík
Views of the mountains from the Old Harbour
Standing where the North American & Eurasian tectonic plates meet in pingvellir National Park (Stop #1 on the Golden Circle Tour)
A closer look at the tectonic plate divide in pingvellir National Park
Hiking through amazing geological formations in pingvellir National Park
pingvallakirkja in pingvellir National Park
Gullfoss (Golden Waterfalls) is a double waterfall, and stop #2 on the Golden Circle Tour
The higher of the two Gullfoss waterfalls
Waiting for Strokkur to erupt at the Geysir Park (Stop #3 on the Golden Circle Tour)
So much geothermal energy coming from the ground at the Geysir Park
Checking out the Jesus mosaic inside Skálholt Church (Stop #4 on the Golden Circle Tour)
The strong and sturdy Icelandic horse is the size of a pony when full grown
Arriving at Laxnes Horse Farm for a 90-minute trail ride through a volcanic valley
Hitting the trails for a beautiful ride at Laxnes Horse Farm, 30 minutes outside of Reykjavík
Views from the trails at Laxnes Horse Farm
Me and my horse for the day, Vördur
Arriving at the geothermal pools at the Blue Lagoon, 45 minutes outside Reykjavík
The warm waters at the Blue Lagoon are filled with silica and sulfur, which have healing properties for your skin
The Blue Lagoon has two restaurants on site, a full-service spa, swim-up bars, and an electronic bracelet system for entrance, lockers, and drink purchases
