SNAPSHOTS OF ICELAND - Happy-Go-Lica

“I have fantasies of going to Iceland, never to return….”
– Edward Gorey

My Favourite Things To See & Do In & Around Reykjavik

I can’t recall a time where I was ever not taking photos of anything and everything. It’s one of the fastest and rawest ways to record your surroundings in the moment and requires very little knowledge about cameras to get started.

The long term benefits of enthusiastically snapping away whilst travelling like I do is that warm, nostalgic feeling you get when you come across an old photo album and flick through moments in time that bring back precious memories shared with the special people in your life.

Which is how I arrived here!

I recently stumbled across a photo album of a very spur of the moment weekend trip my best friend and I took to Iceland some years ago. I hope you enjoy seeing snapshots from our trip as much as I did reminiscing about how much fun we had.

I’ve coupled my images with recommendations of some of my favourite aspects of the trip, which I hope inspires you to visit one day!

Blue Lagoon

There is no way you can come to Iceland without paying the Blue Lagoon a visit! The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located on a lava field and offers you the chance to swim in water heated from a nearby geothermal power plant.

Naturally rich in minerals, the water is a gloriously milky blue (due to its high silica content) and makes for a wonderfully relaxing experience. The water is also rich in algae and salts making it ideal for caring for your skin and offers numerous healing qualities.

Just be prepared to brace yourself for the outrageously cold run from the changing rooms into the water, which is kept at an average temperature of 37–39 °C. Cozy!

TOP TIP: Hide your hair! Believe me, you will want to keep your hair tucked as far away from the mineral-rich water as possible. The water dries your hair and makes it stiff and hard to manage for a good few washes after you leave.

Horse Riding Through Lava Fields

Horse riding was a last-minute addition to our trip as we had an afternoon to spare and the experience did not disappoint! We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður (there were only 3 of us in total) where we changed into thick snowsuits, helmets boots and were introduced to our beautiful Icelandic horses.

I was very much a beginner in comparison to others on the tour which was not an issue and I was given a friendly horse to ride, so I would recommend people of all riding abilities.

The 2 hour excursion was so relaxed and scenic (check out the photos!) and it was really refreshing to escape into nature and see the lava fields and hillsides up close.

Did you know?

There are no mosquitoes in Iceland? NONE. Apparently Iceland and Antarctica are the only two places in the world where mosquitoes are not found.

Street Art

It is impossible to not stumble across some insane street art while out and about in Reykjavik.

Many of the pieces you will see are part of a project called ‘Wall Poetry’ and have come to be as a result of a collaboration between visual artists and musicians as part of the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in 2015/2016.

From the incredibly ambitious and larger scale designs to smaller-scale quirky tags, the vast array of street art is an eclectic and instant identifier of the identity of the capital city.

The Food

I loved Iceland’s food scene.

From the way that the food is prepared all the way through to how it is presented and the atmosphere in which it is served, eating out in Reykjavik will certainly be a highlight of your trip.

I would urge everyone to take full advantage of the fresh fish dishes on offer as these are likely to be some of the best you will sample!

Oh, and be sure to try Maltextrakt, a traditional Icelandic soft drink.

Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tours

While I did not end up seeing any whales or dolphins during our boat tour (we just about made it back to land after catching the start of a crazy snowstorm!), I would still say this was one of the best experiences we had during our trip.

The views of the landscape were phenomenal from the water.

Be sure to take some sea-sickness tablets with you, regardless of whether the sea is choppy or not! I always find it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to making sure you feel well and are able to enjoy your tour to the fullest.

Reykjavik City Centre

Reykjavik is not only the capital city of Iceland but it is also the largest city in the country. The best way to immerse yourself and become acquainted with the city is to explore it on foot – a well rounded walking tour shouldn’t take more than a few hours in fact!

Hallgrimskirkja

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend visiting the towering Hallgrimskirkja church during your stay.

Climbing to the top of striking concrete structure will allow you to soak up the impressive panoramic views of the rainbow-coloured houses below and give a unique overview of the city from above.

The Landscape

We visited during March which is apparently slightly off season, but also the perfect time to enjoy the last of the snow before spring begins.

Driving around Iceland during this time allows you to experience a landscape like no other, with the scenery and landscape glowing white under a thick coat of snow against the backdrop of a dramatic sky.

The Shopping

Souvenir shops aside (of which there are plenty!), Reykjavik also has some beautiful boutique stores along their high-street (Laugavegur), selling everything from toys to chocolates all the way through to Nordic-style interior decorations. Fans of Scandinavian design will have a ball wandering through town!

Until Next Time…

I know that this post has barely scratched the surface of all the magic, history and wonder that Iceland has to offer its visitors. During my liminited few days in Reykjavik and time spent visiting other locations nearby, I fell in love instantly with the country, the nature and the people. I can’t wait until I get a chance to return, perhaps during a different season, and to explore further afield too.