Hi adventurers! Welcome back to Faraway Fable. One of the more unique destinations I’ve had the pleasure to visit, Iceland is one of my favorites, with stunning waterfalls, hikes that feel like a fairytale, and the occasional troll sculpture (more on that later). Here’s a guide to my favorite destinations to add to you Iceland itinerary.
Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón, also known as Glacier Lagoon, is one of the most visited destinations in Iceland. About a five hour drive from Reykjavík, Glacier Lagoon is a bit far from the city but could not be more worth it. To get to the lagoon, you simply take the Ring Road from Reykjavík and along the way, there is so much to stop and see with lava fields and black sand beaches being some of the most stunning stops. Once you get to Jökulsárlón, there are a few ways you can take in its beauty.
One option is to explore the lagoon by foot, walking along the shore to get a view of the icebergs floating across, and maybe to even see a seal or two playing in the icy waters. Another option is to take a boat tour across, which is what my family and I elected to do. Offered in the summertime, the amphibian boat tours take you among the icebergs to get an up-close view of their grandeur. One of my favorite parts was also getting to hold a piece of ice straight from the icy blue waters of the lagoon. It’s definitely the little things that make this trip worth it. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, you can also explore the lagoon by kayak.
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are two of the many waterfalls that have made it to this list, and they are some of my favorite places we stopped on our trip.
The falls of Barnafoss have quite a grim history, the name translating to Children’s Waterfall, based upon the story of two young boys who once tried to cross the rapids of the falls. The two boys tried to cross the river and had fallen off the stone, their mother then having the arch destroyed to prevent the recurrence of what occurred that day.
But, though the saga that gives the falls their namesake is grim, the falls have come to be a hidden gem of Iceland, located about an hour and a half away from Reykjavík. With stark rock formations holding the water that rapidly rushes through, Barnafoss is a breathtaking wonder of the fierce waters.
Just a few minutes walk from Barnafoss, Hraunfossar represents Iceland’s waters on the more gentle side. The name translating to
Lava Falls in English, Hraunfossar’s tiered formations were created out of a neighboring lava field. I will never forget the amazement at seeing the bright blue waters for the first time, looking like something from a painting come to life before my eyes.
Skógafoss
On our trip, Skógafoss was one of the waterfalls I was most excited to visit because it has been featured both in the show Vikings and HBO’s hit fantasy series Game of Thrones. If you’re a fan of either, you’ll recognize the staggering waterfall from Floki’s journey to Iceland and from a scene in season eight of GOT with Jon and Daenerys. But, even if you’re aren’t visiting Skógafoss because of it’s identity as a filming location, there is still reason to make a stop.
The waterfall itself is around sixty meters high and spans about twenty-five meters wide, making it a true wonder to behold. The falls are highly accessible from the Ring Road, and you can walk all the way up to the falls themselves.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is probably the most talked about natural wonder of Iceland, and though you may think it’s overrated, it’s famous for good reason. Part of Iceland’s golden circle tour, Gullfoss is often one of the first stops for travelers and is one of my favorites. The falls sit in a unique two-tier formation with waters rushing into the canyon below. If you’re a fan of The Amazing Race, you’ll recognize the falls from the semi final episode of season 34.
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is one of the more unique locations on the list, and is one of my favorites in Iceland because of the black sand beaches. I had never been to a black sand beach before visiting Dyrhólaey, but it’s absolutely breathtaking in how unusual it appears. But it’s most popular feature is the natural stone arch that jets out into the icy ocean waters.
It’s name literally translating to “door hill island,” Dyrhólaey has a natural arch created from years of water erosion that stands 120 meters high. Seen as a sea door of sorts, the arch has garnered worldwide fame.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
This destination departs from the pattern of natural wonders in that it is simply a hot dog stand, but is one of the most famous hot dog stands in the Iceland, and in the world, visited by a multitude of celebrities for its classic Icelandic hot dogs.
Pylsur hot dogs are made with lamb, beef, and pork, and are topped with sweet mustard, fried onions, raw onions, and the best part … a creamy remoulade sauce. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the most famous spot to grab yourself a pylsur, and it’s located right in Reykjavík. But, if you simply can’t wait to experience the savory deliciousness of an Icelandic pylsur, there is also a location within the airport to try.
Brú Milli Heimsálfa
Brú Milli Heimsálfa is a fun stop for the whole family, in that you can stand between two continents, as the bridge connects the North American plate with the Eurasian plate. Separated because of the tectonic fault line running through the peninsula, Brú Milli Heimsálfa is a fun stop where after visiting, gives you the opportunity to say you’ve stood in two continents at once.
Bonus: Skessuhelli – Giganta’s Cave
A guide to Iceland would not be complete without mentioning trolls and elves. One of my favorite parts about driving through Iceland is seeing elf houses along the mountains. But, there is also quite a presence of trolls in the area, with many a statue commemorating sagas of their presence in the land of ice and snow. To see a troll up close and personal, consider visiting Skessuhelli, also known as Giganta’s cave, to see Giganta herself and the story that was inspired by the work of elementary school teacher Herdís Egilsdóttir who published stories of Sigga and Giganta in the mountains.
Though there is so much more to Iceland, these destinations are some of my favorites, and I hope they can become some of yours as well. If you have any questions about any of the destinations mentioned today or about visiting Iceland, let me know in the travel questions form. Have any suggestions on where I should travel next? Let me know in the recommend an adventure form.
