When you’re planning a weekend break to Iceland then I’m so excited for you! Iceland is a magical place and I adore it extra with each go to.
When you may spend an entire week on this unbelievable nation, a weekend journey to Iceland is ideal. It’s an costly vacation spot so conserving the journey brief retains the prices down and you’ll simply see so much in a brief house of time.
The place to remain in Iceland
You’re going to be extremely busy throughout this weekend journey to Iceland so I’d suggest selecting budget-friendly lodging in Reykjavik. You received’t be spending a lot time there so don’t waste an excessive amount of cash on a flowery lodge.
I’ve stayed at Kex Hostel and it was beautiful. I do know the phrase ‘hostel’ usually places individuals off however there are personal rooms and it’s not filled with 21 yr outdated backpackers. It’s extra like a sociable lodge.
Hilton Reykjavik Nordica is one other good possibility for a easy lodge in location for worth.
Tips on how to get round Iceland
I extremely suggest hiring a automobile in Iceland. It’s an easy nation to drive in and automobile rent is reasonable compared to taxis and public transport. It additionally provides you loads of freedom and adaptability to see issues at your individual tempo.
I’d decide it up from the airport and use a comparability web site like Kayak to check costs and choices.
Finest time of yr to take a weekend break to Iceland
Actually, Iceland is beautiful at any time of yr! I’ve been in October, November, March and June they usually have been all beautiful instances to go to.
One factor I’d say is that it’s unlikely you’ll get completely heat, sunny, clear-skied days. It’s not like different European locations which actually are a lot nicer to go to in the summertime. It’s usually a bit cloudy and gray so it doesn’t actually matter if you go.
Your weekend break to Iceland itinerary
When you’re taking a weekend break to Iceland I’m going to imagine you’re going Friday-Sunday.
I discovered these flights from Manchester to Keflavik with easyJet from Friday-Sunday and this may be absolutely the ultimate!
Day 1 of your weekend break to Iceland: Reykjavik + Sky Lagoon
While you arrive at Keflavik Airport, decide up your rent automobile and drive straight into Reykjavik. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
Right here’s all the pieces you possibly can ought to see and do in Reykjavik
Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church
Make this your first cease as a result of you possibly can park without cost right here. It’s the tallest church in Iceland at 74.5 meters (244 ft) and the sixth tallest architectural construction within the nation. You’ll be able to go up the tower and get your bearings for the entire metropolis! Be sure to try the magnificent pipe organ with 5,275 pipes!
Guests can go up the tower (tickets value £8 and there’s a raise to take you up) to take pleasure in breathtaking (though very chilly!) panoramic views of Reykjavík and its environment.
Frakkastígur (get a snack at Brauð & Co Bakery) + avenue artwork
Stroll down the press avenue Frakkastígur and admire the normal and vibrant buildings in addition to the road artwork. Pop into Brauð & Co Bakery for a espresso and a snack to gas you somewhat additional!
Solar Voyager
Maintain strolling down Frakkastígur and finally you’ll come to the waterfront and the Solar Voyager sculpture.
Sólfar was designed by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. It was unveiled in 1990 as a tribute to the solar and the ocean, reflecting Iceland’s reference to nature, exploration, and historical past.
The sculpture resembles a Viking ship and is an ode to the spirit of discovery, symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom. Positioned towards the backdrop of Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja, the Solar Voyager turns into particularly enchanting at dawn or sundown, when gentle performs off its polished floor.
Harpa Live performance Corridor
From the Solar Voyager, stroll a couple of minutes to Harpa Live performance Corridor which is totally gorgeous each inside and outside. There’s a beautiful bar/restaurant on the bottom flooring the place we had a espresso (£5) and loved the attractive ambiance.
Harpa Live performance Corridor and Convention Centre was opened in 2011 and can also be on the waterfront. The constructing’s hanging, fashionable design was a collaboration between Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, Henning Larsen Architects, and Batteríið Architects. Its façade is made up of a lattice of geometric glass panels impressed by Iceland’s basalt landscapes, reflecting the encircling sky, sea, and metropolis lights. By day, daylight dances throughout its floor, whereas at evening, the panels are illuminated by a stunning LED show.
There are a number of performances taking place contained in the live performance corridor however if you happen to’ve simply received in the future in Reykjavik then it’s unlikely you’ll have time to take pleasure in one. However, be sure you go inside and luxuriate in the great thing about the constructing inside.
Rainbow Road
Maintain strolling across the metropolis and make your solution to Reykjavik’s ‘Rainbow Road’. Also called Skólavörðustígur, a part of Rainbow Road is painted with a vivid and daring rainbow design, an emblem of pleasure, help for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and to have fun variety.
There are many nice outlets, bars, cafes and eating places alongside this avenue so it’s a beautiful place for a wander.
When you’re feeling peckish then cease for fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish. There are three areas across the metropolis however we visited the one on Rainbow Road and the fish was scrumptious.
All in all, that first a part of our Reykjavik in the future itinerary took about 3.5 hours. This didn’t really feel rushed so you would do it sooner if you happen to’re brief on time.
Sky Lagoon – Purpose for a sundown time slot
You’re then going to get again in your automobile for the 11 minute drive to Iceland’s Sky Lagoon. When you don’t have a automobile, you’d have to get in a taxi.
The Sky Lagoon will certainly be a spotlight of your weekend break to Iceland. It’s an expensive geothermal spa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2021 so it’s comparatively new and competes with the Blue Lagoon.
I used to be completely blown away by the Sky Lagoon. It’s man-made however feels prefer it may very well be a pure lagoon with its moss-covered partitions and stone paths and swimming pools carved into the rock. However there’s additionally a bar, a waterfall and ideal seats to take a seat and overlook the ocean because the steam billows round you.
There’s an unbelievable infinity pool that appears to merge seamlessly with the ocean and the sky. With billowing steam and infrequently cloudy skies, it truly is troublesome to see the place one ends and one other begins. The water is heated by geothermal vitality, so it’s deliciously heat no matter Iceland’s often-chilly climate.
Sky Lagoon is understood for its Ritual, a seven-step wellness journey impressed by Icelandic bathing traditions. The journey features a chilly plunge (I positively didn’t do that step!), sauna, physique scrub, and steam tub, a recent juice after which ending with a heat rinse within the geothermal waters.
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You may as well take pleasure in a drink from the swim up bar and I extremely suggest visiting at sundown for probably the most breathtaking views because the solar goes down. (I booked the 15:00 time slot in November and this was excellent to look at the sundown!)
When reserving your Sky Lagoon bundle, you possibly can guide both Saman or Ser. I unintentionally booked Ser which was the costlier possibility and consists of the personal altering rooms which, admittedly, have been beautiful, however I’m undecided I wanted to pay an additional £17 for it! You do have to guide your bundle prematurely.
Icelandic Road Meals
When you’re at a centrally situated lodge then I’d positively suggest heading out into Reykjavik for dinner and drinks. There’s such an incredible ambiance at evening time and I’d even say it’s higher at evening than it’s within the day!
Head to Icelandic Road Meals for dinner. Right here you’ll discover conventional Icelandic meals with a contemporary twist and an off-the-cuff ‘quick meals’ vibe. It additionally isn’t fairly as costly because the extra conventional eating places!
Day 2 of your weekend break to Iceland: The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s final sightseeing loop, filled with waterfalls, geysers, and historical past. Consider it as Iceland’s best hits album, however in street journey kind and only a one-hour drive from Reykjavik.
So, what precisely is the Golden Circle? It’s a 300-kilometer (186-mile) route that takes you thru three of Iceland’s greatest points of interest: Thingvellir Nationwide Park, Geysir Scorching Springs, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
When you’re brief on time then you possibly can truly drive the Golden Circle in 3-4 hours however I like to recommend taking your time and making a day of it.
Your first cease will likely be Thingvellir Nationwide Park, a UNESCO World Heritage web site. Not solely is it the place the world’s first parliament was established in 930 AD (yep, the Vikings have been manner forward of their time), but it surely’s additionally the place two large tectonic plates—the North American and Eurasian—are actually pulling aside. You’ll be able to truly stroll by the rift valley the place they meet, which is form of like straddling two continents without delay. Oh, and if you happen to’re feeling adventurous, you possibly can even snorkel or dive within the Silfra fissure, a crystal-clear glacial water rift between the plates. Fairly cool, proper?
I truly did this fashion again in 2014 and it was unbelievable! Learn extra: Snorkelling between tectonic plates in Iceland.
Subsequent, we hit Geysir Scorching Springs. This place is the place the phrase “geyser” truly comes from, due to the Nice Geysir, which used to erupt often. Nowadays, its little sibling, Strokkur, steals the present, blasting boiling water as much as 30 meters (100 ft) within the air each couple of minutes. It’s the proper spot for that traditional “ooh-ahh” second (and possibly somewhat shock if you happen to’re standing downwind). The entire space smells like sulfur, however hey, that’s simply a part of the geothermal appeal!
Lastly, we get to Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls.” This waterfall is an absolute beast—large, roaring, and stunningly stunning. The Hvítá River drops right into a deep canyon in two phases, making a dramatic, misty spectacle. When you’re fortunate and the solar’s out, you may even catch a rainbow over the falls.
Again within the early 1900s, there was a plan to show Gullfoss right into a hydroelectric dam, however a neighborhood farmer’s daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, fought to guard it. Due to her, we get to take pleasure in this pure marvel in all its glory.
One of the best half concerning the Golden Circle? It’s tremendous straightforward to do. You are able to do it in your rent automobile and discover at your individual tempo, or hop on a guided tour if you happen to’d quite sit again and benefit from the journey.
Both manner, you’re assured some mind-blowing surroundings, fascinating historical past, and loads of Instagram-worthy moments. Oh, and when you have time, take into account including some additional stops just like the Kerið Crater, a shocking volcanic lake, or the Secret Lagoon, a soothing sizzling spring.
Make your weekend journey to Iceland additional particular
In your second night in Iceland you would positively hit the bars and eating places in Reykjavik. A fantastic possibility right here is to take an Icelandic foods and drinks tour to expertise among the finest locations to eat and drink within the metropolis. In fact, you would simply make up your individual too!
If that’s not your vibe then take into account a Northern Lights Tour! In fact, you’re by no means assured to see the unpredictable Northern Lights however it is a as soon as in a lifetime alternative and for plenty of individuals it’s a danger value taking!
Day 3 of your weekend break to Iceland: Journey exercise + The Blue Lagoon
Your remaining day throughout your weekend break to Iceland is actually going to be dependent in your flight time residence. When you’re fortunate sufficient to have a night flight residence just like the easyJet flights I discussed on the high then you definately’ve received time to squeeze in a morning journey exercise after which a visit to the Blue Lagoon in your manner again to the airport.
The Blue Lagoon is ideally located 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport so it makes an incredible place to go to in your manner again.
In fact, you could desire to spend your remaining morning in Reykjavik enjoyable however if you happen to’re the adventurous kind then listed here are a few of my favourites!
Iceland Journey Actions
You’re going to have one which departs early however there are loads to select from!
The Blue Lagoon
Now you is perhaps considering that you just’ve already visited a geothermal spa throughout your weekend break to Iceland, do you actually need to go to two? I’d argue that sure, you 100% want to go to two!
The Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon are such totally different experiences, neither one is healthier than the opposite, they’re simply totally different and unbelievable in their very own proper. And as I mentioned earlier than, The Blue Lagoon is so near the airport that it might be impolite to not, proper?
The Blue Lagoon is one in every of Iceland’s most well-known and photogenic spots! This place is like stepping right into a dreamy, otherworldly spa the place the water is a milky, electrical blue, and the steam rises mysteriously into the air. It’s all due to geothermal magic—the lagoon is fed by superheated water from deep underground, wealthy in minerals like silica and sulfur. Supposedly, these minerals do wonders on your pores and skin, so slathering on the complimentary silica mud masks is a should!
Regardless of wanting like a pure marvel, the Blue Lagoon is definitely man-made. It was shaped within the ‘70s when water from the close by geothermal energy plant (don’t fear, it’s completely clear and pure) began pooling within the lava fields. Folks seen the water left their pores and skin feeling wonderful, and voilà—the Blue Lagoon spa was born!
It’s the proper place to unwind after an extended day of adventuring by Iceland’s epic landscapes. Whether or not you’re soaking with a cocktail in hand from the in-water bar, chilling in a steamy cave, or getting a flowery in-water therapeutic massage, it’s pure bliss.
Journey Hack Tip: E-book your tickets prematurely! This place will get packed, and also you don’t wish to miss out. Oh, and if you happen to’re apprehensive about your hair—sure, the silica could make it really feel like straw. Simply coat it in conditioner earlier than you go in and check out your finest to not get it within the water.
The Blue Lagoon is 100% definitely worth the hype—simply be able to by no means wish to depart!
And there you could have it. Absolutely the final weekend break to Iceland. You’re going to get residence feeling such as you’ve been away for every week and there’s one thing so magical about Iceland that may stick with you eternally. It’s a really particular place!
