What to do in Iceland during a short trip? The Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, and more.

The reason most people visit Iceland is to see nature. That is a good reason.

The warmest time to visit Iceland is in late June, July, and early August. You can really come any time of the year if you dress well for the cold.

During a short visit to Iceland, the most popular trips from Reykjavik are to bathe in the Blue Lagoon and to explore The Golden Circle. Both these trips can be taken within a day.

The Blue Lagoon I recommend to most people. There is something magical about having a mineral bath in an outdoor spa in a field of lava. You can enjoy drinks while giving your skin natural care.

Update: There is a new incredible alternative in the Reykjavik area called Sky Lagoon, read a comparison of Sky Lagoon vs. Blue Lagoon.

The Golden Circle is a trip to Thingvellir, Gullfoss & Geysir. Thingvellir is Iceland’s most famous national park and has various natural beauty.

It’s situated on the plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge & is the only place where it is possible to stand on the ridge on land.

Thingvellir is also where Iceland declared independence in 1944 on the 17th of June, celebrated as our national day.

Geysir is where you can see geysers explode out of the ground and pools of mud bubble. It’s probably what most people want to see as part of their trip to Iceland.

Gullfoss is a stunning waterfall created by Hvítá, a big brown glacier river. We once went to Gullfoss with a friend from Israel that shed tears over its beauty.

These trips can be taken as bus tours, but for maximum freedom, I recommend renting a car. Having a car enables you to see more places and stop at inspiring spots to have a look around without being tied to a bus schedule.

If you have a few extra days to spare, It’s fun to extend the Golden Circle and go further south to places like Seljarlandsfoss, Skógarfoss, Vik in Myrdal, Jökulsárlón or if you have a jeep, Thórsmörk. These places are all amazing.

One of the most intimate ways to explore the country is by foot. There are many great hiking pathways to choose from all over the country. Be sure to be well equipped before pursuing those because you can have all kinds of weather conditions in Iceland.

After a hike, going to some of Iceland’s geothermal pools to relax is a great treat. These pools are located all around the country and are popular with most Icelanders.

If you like outdoor activities, some of the best ones are horse riding, river rafting, caving, whale watching, and diving in clear water.

And don‘t forget to stop by some of the local restaurants to taste fresh fish from the Atlantic Ocean, it’s one of the best in the world.

In this blog post, I haven’t even mentioned amazing spots such as Vestmannaeyjar and Snaefellsnes. The possibilities are endless and so many inspiring places to visit.

Enjoy your trip!