This is an article about first the 3 days of Iceland traveling, from Reykjavik in the south-west to Vatnajökull glacier outskirts in the south-east of Iceland.
Day 1: The Golden Circle (east from Reykjavik)
The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist route in Iceland, not only because of its natural attractions but also due to its proximity to Reykjavik. It’s a circle route eastern from Reykjavik, and It’s a perfect trip for the day one, even if you fly-in to Keflavik early afternoon. Don’t forget, in summer the days on Iceland are long. Although there are several natural attractions located across the Golden Circle, the three must-sees are Þingvellir national park, Geysir and the waterfall Gullfoss.
Þingvellir
Þingvellir is a place of geological and historical significance. Alþingi, a national parliament of Iceland, the oldest parliament in the world, was founded in 930 AD in this breathtaking nature, located at the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and at the shore of Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.
Geysir
Geysir is the most well-known geyser in the world, the one, that actually gave rise to the word. Once powerful geyser that used to reach heights over 500 ft (150 m) is today a sleeping (hopefully not forever dead) giant. Official explanations talk about the impact of geological changes, earthquakes and also man-made interventions to revive the activity. Fortunately, his neighbor Strokkur takes care for tourists with his 100 ft (30 m) eruptions every few minutes.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss (Golden Falls), located at Hvítá river, is a powerful and pretty unusual waterfall, falling into a 105 ft (32 m) deep, 66 ft (20 m) wide and 1,6 mi (2,5 km) long crevice. It looks like once upon a time it was a typical river flowing across the land, and then, one day, the ground got cracked, and water is now leaking through a crack. An absolute must-see waterfall, so much different from the others.
Day 2: To the south – from the Golden Circle to Vik
On the way from the Golden Circle to Vik, we will see two of the tallest plunge waterfalls in Iceland (Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss), famous open-air museum Skógar and beautiful black beaches of Dyrhólaey.
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
With the height of 200 ft (60 m), Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are the two tallest plunge waterfalls in Iceland. It’s not surprising that both waterfalls are of the same height – they both drop from the southern highlands, with only a few miles distance between them. While driving along Route 1 at the foothills of highlands, we can observe numberless smaller waterfalls, but none of them is as impressive as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss.
Seljalandsfoss is well-known for a small cave behind the falls, where visitors can walk and observe the falls from the back side.
Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland and due to the amount of spray a rainbow can be seen on sunny days. Visitors can come very close to the waterfall at its bottom, but it is also possible to climb to the top using a steep footpath at its righthand side. Needless to say that views at the top are magnificent.
Skógar
Just near Skógafoss, there is a small village of Skógar with its incredible museum, consisting of the folk museum, open-air museum, and transport museum. All three museums are astonishing, showing the way of life in Iceland through the centuries. Due to the unique climate and geological conditions also the way of life was specific, and so are the exhibitions. An absolute must-see.
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a peninsula reaching out into the ocean on the south coast of Iceland. It is the southernmost part of the country, and it consists of steep lava rocks and beautiful black sandy beaches. It was created during a submarine volcanic eruption about 80.000 years ago. On sunny days it offers a spectacular view towards highlands and the glacier behind them. On stormy and rainy days the focus is on high foamy waves of roaring Atlantic that furiously attacks black sands and rocks.
Dyrhólaey is well known for its abundant birdlife, with puffins as stars of the show.
Day 3: To the southeast – at the edge of Vatnajökull, the largest European glacier
Eastern from Vik we are heading into the plains heavily impacted by volcanos and glaciers – Mýrdalssandur outwash plain, Eldhraun lava field, and Laufskálavarða lava ridge bring us to the Skaftafell national park and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon at the edge of the Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier.
Mýrdalssandur plain
Mýrdalssandur outwash plain awaits you right after leaving Vik. It is a black sand desert, formed from material washed out from Mýrdalsjökull glacier during Katla eruptions.
Eldhraun lava field and Laufskálavarða lava ridge
Right after leaving Mýrdalssandur Route 1 brings us to Eldhraun lava, world’s biggest lava field that was created in the 18th century in one of the most significant known eruptions in history. This breathtaking area is today covered with moss.
Laufskálavarða is a lava ridge, surrounded by thousands of stone cairns built by travelers in the belief that this will bring them good luck.
Remnants of the Skeiðará Bridge
Few miles before reaching the south-eastern outskirts of Vatnajökull there is a rest area with remnants of the Skeiðará Bridge destroyed by glacial floods caused by volcano eruption back in 1996.
Skaftafell national park
After a few more miles the Route 1 reaches the Skaftafell national park offering several hiking possibilities. Those eager to go for a longer walk might head up to Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s most magnificent waterfalls. For those that just want to stretch their legs after a long drive briefly, a short walk to the glacier will be a better decision – the southern edge of Vatnajökull is waiting just behind the first curve, only 15 minutes walking distance.
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
Few miles further along Route 1 we reach Jökulsárlón glacial lake that lies at the south-eastern outlet of Vatnajökull glacier. Numerous large icebergs, constantly breaking off the glacier, float on the water. Jökulsárlón is considered as one of Iceland’s natural wonder.
Sailing excursions with amphibian boats among the icebergs that are offered at the lagoon are one of the highlights, especially for children.
Days 4 – 7:
For days 4-7initnerary, please read the upcoming episode of »One week Iceland travel for beginners – part 3«.