Only a short flight from the UK and you are transported to a fascinating land of fire and ice unlike anywhere else in Europe. Travelling for the weekend, we got to experience the captivating city of Reykjavik alongside the wonders of the Golden Circle. This short trip to Iceland has left me longing to go back and explore the rest of the island.
Travelling in October, we managed to get really cheap flights from Luton with EasyJet even in half term. We found an amazing apartment through Airbnb right in the heart of downtown Reykjavik which was ideal for our family and my parents who also came along. Check it out here if you fancy self catering. There are some good hotels with family rooms but we found that the prices were slightly cheaper for a holiday rental and it meant we could cook some nights as eating out doesn’t come cheap.
So where do I start? So many great sights covered in just 3 days.
Day 1
We started our trip taking in the sights of Reykjavik. On our way up to the Hallgrimskirkja Church we passed Lake Tjörnin. With the sun glistening on the icy lake, you could imagine the fun that could be had ice skating in the depths of winter. Dominating the skyline, the stunning Hallgrimskirkja Church has a striking, modern design and you can take the lift to the top for incredible views of the city and its colourful buildings. The Old Harbour is a great place to stop for lunch. We sampled some delicious Icelandic cuisine at Reykjavik’s oldest restaurant Kaffivagninn. The new Fly over Iceland just a few minutes’ walk away, is great fun for kids and adults alike taking you on a multimedia flight around the island stimulating all your senses with wind, mist and scents. Not cheap but certainly good fun!
Day 2
The next day we ventured out on our Golden Circle tour, leaving the modern city around us and out into a unique landscape. Heading through the quiet roads winding through lava fields steaming with hot springs, we made a quick stop for coffee and amazing cinnamon buns. Then we made our first stop at the Kerid Crater. This striking volcanic crater is filled with blue green water against the black and red slopes. With the sun low in the sky, it had an eerie otherworldly feeling. Next stop was jaw droppingly stunning Gullfoss waterfall. Plunging in two dramatic stages, the sheer power is mesmerizing.
On our way to the Geysirs, our tour guide stopped off at a stable. We fed the majestic Icelandic horses. These beautiful creatures from Mongolian descent can be seen in the fields all over Iceland. The Geysir hot spring area was a pretty cool experience with boiling mud pits, bubbling geysers and the lively Strokkur shooting water 30 metres into the air every few minutes.
Last stop was Pinvellier. This extradodinary geological site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet offers views for miles and miles over fissures and snowy rivers. Walking through the dramatic crevice surrounded by rugged rock formations and the impressive waterfall Öxarárfoss was incredible.
Our tour guide was brilliant, giving us plenty of information all about the natural landscape as well as the society and people of Iceland with a great sense of humour throughout. A definite must do when visiting Reykjavik!
We also joined an evening tour to hunt for the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, our luck wasn’t in but it was a great opportunity to star gaze away from the bright city lights and learn more about this phenomenon. Do it at the start of your holiday and if you don’t see them you can try again for free on another night. Before heading out of Reykjavik, the tour included entrance to the Aurora Reykjavík museum. We all enjoyed learning more about the Northern Lights and the tales and beliefs of their meaning to cultures around the world. It was presented in a fun way and kept the children engaged. You could also have a photo with the Northern Lights back drop and dress up in funny masks which certainly amused them.
Day 3
For panoramic views of Reykjavik and the snow-capped mountains, head to the Perlan museum with its 360˚observation deck. You can either enjoy a 20-minute stroll from the centre or take advantage of the free shuttle bus. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the natural wonders and history of Iceland. The 100-metre ice cave is fun. The planetarium show gives you a taster of the Aurora Borealis and explains how this fascinating wonder of nature is formed. You can easily spend most of the day here.
Whilst in Iceland don’t forget to try the Icelandic hot dog. Usually made with lamb and served in a toasted bun with fried onions and remoulade, it is the perfect snack to warm you up. Icelanders also love their licorice. Try it in an ice cream or with chocolate! Valdis ice cream parlour do a salted licorice ice cream. Trust me, it’s amazing!
Day 4
On the last day we decided to try out the public thermal baths which due to the constant supply of geothermal water are dotted all over the country and something of an institution for Icelanders. Only 10 minutes by bus from the city centre, the Laugardslaug pool is a family complex with indoor and outdoor pools, ice bath, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms. The children loved the slides and basketball hoops in the pool and thought it was incredible that they were swimming outdoors in 5˚c. If only we had this here in the UK, winter would be so much better. Unlike public pools at home, it was immaculately clean with an excellent system of leaving your shoes in a locker outside the changing room and showering before entering the pool and then showering and drying again before going back into the changing rooms. No dirty, soggy puddles on the floor to wade through! At around £5 entry for adults, £1 for children and free for under 5s, it’s a fraction of the price of the Blue Lagoon and we knew the children would love the slides.
A breathtakingly beautiful country with friendly, happy people. Seamless efficiency whilst retaining a real sense of soul and vibrancy. With whale watching and trips to see the puffins, I would love to visit in summer too, to experience both seasons. Until next time Iceland…
Getting to and from Reykjavik airport
The best option is to book one of the shuttle buses. We booked a return journey with Grayline and it was well organised and efficient. As we walked out of the arrivals, we were greeted by friendly staff and then shown to the bus stop which was a short walk away. The coaches were very comfortable and the journey to the main bus station takes around 45 minutes. You are then transferred on to a smaller minibus to take you to the nearest stop for your accommodation.
Great family friendly places to eat
Arriving quite late in evening, we decided to get a takeaway from PizzaPastaDeli which was only 10 minutes’ walk from our apartment. The pizzas were delicious with an interesting range of toppings as well as the usual favourites for the kids. The veggie options with toppings including avocado, sweet potato and feta were a bit more exciting than your average takeaway. They also have discounted prices on pick up between 5-9pm – a great value option compared to typical Icelandic prices.
On the second evening we ate at Islenski Barinn. This cosy pub offers a good selection of burgers and Icelandic hot dogs as well as delicious fresh fish and meat dishes. The kid’s menu was great too and they even had board games. Prices were very reasonable by Icelandic standards. Try the Icelandic pancakes served with rhubarb jam and also salted caramel for dessert! The food was so good we went back again on our last night.
Fam Full of Wanderlust 