In my Ice Spice Era
Okay, Now Where? A Travel Guide for Iceland
If there is one thing I am good at, it’s planning a trip. I’m certainly better at creating and executing a travel itinerary than I am at writing my monthly-ish article for this newsletter.
This past weekend, I visited Iceland for three days with two of my best friends. We had such an incredible time that I figured it was worth sharing our itinerary on the off chance any of you are planning to go to Iceland anytime soon. (If you aren’t planning on going anytime soon, I'd recommend moving it up your bucket list). Without further ado, I present a three-day guide to (a small geographic portion) of Iceland.
Day 1 - South Coast
I have truly never seen anything like the South Coast in my life. Every couple of minutes one of us would say “wow” at a new vista. We started by driving to the our farthest stop and making our way back towrads Reykjavik.
Stop 1: Reynisfjara Beach
This beautiful black sand beach is 2.5 hours from Reykjavik.
Stop 2: Skogafoss
This waterfall was amazing. There is a staircase that leads to the top of the falls, which is 100% worth the workout.
Stop 3: Return to Reykjavik
Stop 4: Dinner at Íslenski Barinn
Stop 5: Drinks at Röntgen Bar
Day 2 - Golden Circle
From the limited research I did ahead of this trip, the Golden Circle is THE road trip to do, and understandably so. Like Day 1, driving the Golden Circle feels like you have been transported to another planet.
Stop 1: Grab pastries from Brauo & Co
Stop 2: Drive to Gullfoss
Stop 3: Visit the Geysirs
If you enter through the left side of the parking lot, there is a path that takes you in a loop, which gives you an aerial view of the geysers before you get up close and personal with them.
Stop 4: Lunch at Frioheimar Tomato Farm
This geothermal tomato and herb farm was such a fun dining experience. While the food did not change my life, the experience of eating between rows of tomatoes was well worth the trip.
Stop 5: Drive back to Reykjavik through Thingvellir National Park
Stop 6: Dinner at Vínstúkan Tíu sopar.
Stop 7: Book a Northern Lights Tour and cross your fingers (we didn’t see any activity until the very last moment the night before we went home).
Day 3 - Reykjavik and Lagoon
After two days of driving around, Day 3 is about wandering and relaxation.
Stop 1: Wander around Reykjavik
We grabbed breakfast at Sandholt Bakery.
Walk by the Hallgrímskirkja - one of the coolest churches I’ve visited.
Stop 2: Visit Sky Lagoon (a 15-minute drive from the city center).
We had to cancel our original plan to visit the Blue Lagoon due to potential earthquake / volcanic action, but in the end, we didn’t miss it too much because the Sky Lagoon is AMAZING. They have saunas, steam rooms, salt scrubs, and champagne. I’d honestly go back to Reykjavik just to visit this spa again.
Where to Eat / Drink in Reykjavik:
Íslenski barinn: A famous Icelandic Restaurant with a very long line.
As adventurous an eater as I tend to be, I did not dive into the extreme classic Icelandic classics like fermented shark (and frankly I felt liberated when I found out that Anthony Bourdain said it was one of the only foods he would never try again).
Tip: Make a reservation ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in line in the cold.
Röntgen Bar: We loved this bar so much we went back twice.
Great ambiance & art. Played Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac. Very friendly staff. Would go back this weekend if I could.
Brauð & Co: Might have the best cinnamon roll I have ever had. No photos because we inhaled it in the car on our way to Gullfoss.
The ham and cheese croissant was also *chef’s kiss*
BakaBaka: Super wholesome bakery with a Sunday Pizza Night.
Sandholt: Another bakery and a good place to sit down for breakfast and people-watching.
Mat Bar: Even though they IDed us, they had a very friendly staff and good wine.
Vínstúkan Tíu sopar: Very cool wine bar with delicious small plates.
FWIW: We rented a car, which I highly recommend if you have the ability. Iceland has an app called Safe Travel, which updates you on driving conditions. Having a car also means you can drive to the Northern Lights / Golden Circle without relying on a tour bus or a costly driver.
BTW: My travel guides are also on Instagram. If you want to see all the places I tagged ahead of the trip (even the places I didn’t visit), you can view my Google Map here. 🗺️
Weekly Reccos:
What to read 📖: We are witnessing a pandemic of inhumanity: to halt the spread we must cling to the law.
What to watch: Great British Bake Off… In trying times, it’s therapeutic to watch wholesome British people attempt to bake a Crème caramel. 🥮
What to listen to 🎧: Why is this Happening: Life in the West Bank with Sari Bashi.
What to do: Visit Iceland (and if you can’t do that, enjoy the outdoors).