My Clay Tablets
Iceland 🇮🇸 hero image

Iceland 🇮🇸

February 2025

South-West Iceland in 4 Days

In this post, I will share the highlights from my recent trip to Iceland 🇮🇸.

It was a short adventure full of memorable experiences. I bathed in the famous Blue Lagoon, hiked the landmarks of Thingvellir in harsh Icelandic weather, toured icy fields on a snowmobile, and chased spectacular northern lights at night.

Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja, a lutheran church and a major symbol of Iceland
Hallgrimskirkja, a lutheran church and a major symbol of Iceland
Cafe Loki breakfast meal: rye bread with mashed fish, smoked trout, smoked lamb, dried fish with butter, and a taste of fermented shark.
Cafe Loki breakfast meal: rye bread with mashed fish, smoked trout, smoked lamb, dried fish with butter, and a taste of fermented shark.
Streets of Reykjavik
Streets of Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Reykjavik
The Sun Voyager sculpture
The Sun Voyager sculpture

Blue Lagoon

I stayed at the Blue Lagoon resort and experienced the world-renowned thermal baths, spa and dining, all provided with flawless service.

Morning at the resort
Morning at the resort
Approaching Blue Lagoon

Snowmobile adventures

I booked a half-day snowmobile tour which started from the parking lot of Gullfoss.

First, we were transported to the basecamp located 45 minutes away in the ice fields of Langjökull.

After everyone in the group geared up, and a brief snowmobile 101 was completed, we were ready to go.

Ice cap landscapes
Ice cap landscapes
Transporting to the basecamp
Transporting to the basecamp

Aurora or Northern Lights

I was very fortunate to experience the aurora on most of the nights of my trip. Hotel staff will typically offer a room call when auroras begin, but apps like My Aurora are also very helpful.

Aurora from ION Adventure Hotel
Aurora from ION Adventure Hotel

The Golden Circle

For the second part of my trip, I stayed within the Golden Circle, where many major Icelandic landmarks are located.

Gullfoss waterfall
Gullfoss waterfall
Þingvallakirkja (Thingvellir Church). Rebuilt in 1859. According to the sagas, a church has been standing at Þingvellir since the year 1017, no more than 17 years after Iceland's conversion to Christianity
Þingvallakirkja (Thingvellir Church). Rebuilt in 1859. According to the sagas, a church has been standing at Þingvellir since the year 1017, no more than 17 years after Iceland's conversion to Christianity
Thingvellir view
Thingvellir view
Kerid Crater
Kerid Crater
Krýsuvíkurkirkja, built in 1857
Krýsuvíkurkirkja, built in 1857

Friðheimar tomato greenhouse

This tomato farm has on-site restaurants and offers tours.

Flower greenhouse
Flower greenhouse
The greenhouse
The greenhouse
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
Icelandic horse
Icelandic horse

Travel tips

  • Do not underestimate the weather in winter and wear many layers. The wind makes temperatures effectively much colder than expected.
  • Book popular spots like Friðheimar in advance.
  • You don't really need to carry local cash in Iceland.
  • English is widely and well spoken.
  • Prices for food are generally higher than in the USA.
  • Use mobile apps to get notifications about northern lights in your location.
  • Keflavik International Airport has a great selection of stores for duty-free shopping (drinks, skin care, clothing, etc.).
  • Renting a car is recommended. Driving in Iceland is straightforward, but there are few gas stations outside the capital.