If You Only Have 2 Days in Iceland...
Ok, now that I've gotten the "must do" out of the way, I can talk about the Reykjanes Peninsula.
I feel kind of weird about the Golden Circle. We had a great time, the sites are amazing and I absolutely think that you should do it if you never have...BUT...I don't think I would do it again. I really have no complaints whatsoever about it, just in my humble opinion, it's kind of a one and done deal for me.
Not so, for the Reykjanes Peninsula.
We were not even planning on doing this trip but after landing in Iceland from our red eye we were awake and ready to go. Our B&B host invited us to go swimming but polar plunges don't necessarily appeal so he told us to drive around the Reykjanes Peninsula and just "check things out".
This is what I love about Iceland. You don't really need a detailed plan - you can find a beautiful spot nearly anywhere. So, by pointing at a place on a map and saying "go poke around" you can send someone on a really great trip. Enter, the Reykjanes Peninsula.
I think that this could be a full day option if you are a slow paced person who wants to sleep in and spend some time in the city, or a half day option for someone who is motivated and in Iceland during the longer summer days. Because we landed so early, we went and dropped our bags off and headed directly here. In my opinion, if you land in Iceland on Day 1, have another Day 2 and then leave early on Day 3, I would do this option the day you land, the Golden Circle on Day 2 and then fly out on Day 3. You could add the Blue Lagoon onto the morning of Day 3, depending on your flight time.
Here is where people on tripadvisor would usually scold me. YES, driving while exhausted is dangerous no matter where you are and especially in a foreign country. I get that, BUT, we both actually sleep fairly well on flights. We will play it by ear depending on how we feel, but usually we get going as soon as we land and just take a nap later in the day or go to bed early that night. Obviously people are different and you should do whatever feels right for YOU, but I promise that Jorge driving the day we land in Iceland is 1000X safer for you than me driving anytime in my normal day to day life.
So, here is a rough outline of what we did in the Reykjanes Peninsula. You could certainly add or subtract depending on what you see and how you feel.
The entire drive is a little over three hours but we spent about 6-8 hours here total.
Stop 1: Kleifarvatn Lake.
Within a couple hours of landing in Iceland, this is the landscape we were greeted with.
Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on Reykjanes and caught our attention primarily because we weren't expecting to see such an open stretch of black beach in Iceland. There is a short trail that leads you down to the beach and the area is relatively flat and open allowing you to take in a lot of the landscape at once.
Stop 2: Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
The Krýsuvík Geothermal Area consists of several geothermal fields, such as Seltún, with several walking paths, trails and tourist access areas. The smoking landscape is dotted with craters, fissures and mudpots with bright orange, red and yellow colored soil. Lake Graenavatn is in Krýsuvík and has sharply contrasting blue green water, similar to Kerið crater.
There was a raised boardwalk through much of this geothermal area, but also worn walking trails throughout.
These mudpots reminded me of the bogs of eternal stench from Labyrinth.
Stop 3: Grindavik Geothermal Area
So I probably shouldn't say this and instead should talk about how different and cool Grindavik is compared to Krýsuvík but they all kind of seemed the same to me. I mean they are both part of the Reykjanes volcanic system and unless you are a geologist or maybe hydrothermal specialist, I would imagine that they will look very similar to you too. Either way it's worth it to get out and stretch your legs, walk along the boardwalks and spend some time getting inured to the smell of sulfur.
You probably weren't supposed to get off the boardwalk at this point...tsk tsk. You do need to be careful as there can be unstable ground and incredible hot steam and water from these geothermal areas.
Stop 4: Reykjanes Lighthouse and Gunnuhver
The Reykjanes Lighthouse was built between 1907-1908 because the original lighthouse (the first in Iceland) was in danger of falling into the sea. Dangerous sailing conditions and reliance on fishing means that lighthouses are an important part of Icelandic culture and there are currently 13 around the peninsula. The Reykjanes Lighthouse sits on an area of geothermal activity, collectively known as Gunnuhver.
Gunnuhver is the largest hotspring in Iceland and is right in the middle of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. It is said that this area is haunted by the ghost of a woman named Gunna, who, after her death, went about killing people on the peninsula that she had disputes with. A local priest set a trap in one of the hot springs and caught her. Supposedly her ghost remains there to this day, so you have to watch your step while visiting. If the ghost isn't enough to spook you the geothermal characteristics should at least give you pause. The temperatures can range up to nearly 300°C (570°F) and it was at one point entirely closed to the public when the spring became active and expanded, taking out a portion of the platforms. So, tread lightly and stick to the raised platforms.
Stop 5: The Bridge Between The Continents
In Sandvik, you will come across a small footbridge over a fissure which shows where two tectonic plates are diverging between the Eurasian and North American Plate. The Reykjanes Peninsula is directly on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the major tectonic plates are being pulled apart by the Earth's forces. The bridge is named after Icelandic explorer Leif Ericson who was the first known European to discover continental North America.
Also known as "Leif the Lucky Bridge", if you stand right here, you will be at the mid point between Europe and North America.
So, how can I explain the Reykjanes Peninsula?
There are hills and mountains ranging in every color from the black of volcanic rock to the nearly neon green moss that coats the hillsides. There are black sand beaches and misty geothermal areas with orange and red steeped sides. There are seaside cliffs and if you are there in the spring and summer, what seems like thousands of nesting birds dancing in the sky.
There aren't enormous waterfalls or shooting geysirs, but there is something about Reykjanes that has me wanting to go back.
What if you only have 1 day? No worries, I've got you covered.
I feel kind of weird about the Golden Circle. We had a great time, the sites are amazing and I absolutely think that you should do it if you never have...BUT...I don't think I would do it again. I really have no complaints whatsoever about it, just in my humble opinion, it's kind of a one and done deal for me.
Not so, for the Reykjanes Peninsula.
We were not even planning on doing this trip but after landing in Iceland from our red eye we were awake and ready to go. Our B&B host invited us to go swimming but polar plunges don't necessarily appeal so he told us to drive around the Reykjanes Peninsula and just "check things out".
This is what I love about Iceland. You don't really need a detailed plan - you can find a beautiful spot nearly anywhere. So, by pointing at a place on a map and saying "go poke around" you can send someone on a really great trip. Enter, the Reykjanes Peninsula.
I think that this could be a full day option if you are a slow paced person who wants to sleep in and spend some time in the city, or a half day option for someone who is motivated and in Iceland during the longer summer days. Because we landed so early, we went and dropped our bags off and headed directly here. In my opinion, if you land in Iceland on Day 1, have another Day 2 and then leave early on Day 3, I would do this option the day you land, the Golden Circle on Day 2 and then fly out on Day 3. You could add the Blue Lagoon onto the morning of Day 3, depending on your flight time.
Here is where people on tripadvisor would usually scold me. YES, driving while exhausted is dangerous no matter where you are and especially in a foreign country. I get that, BUT, we both actually sleep fairly well on flights. We will play it by ear depending on how we feel, but usually we get going as soon as we land and just take a nap later in the day or go to bed early that night. Obviously people are different and you should do whatever feels right for YOU, but I promise that Jorge driving the day we land in Iceland is 1000X safer for you than me driving anytime in my normal day to day life.
So, here is a rough outline of what we did in the Reykjanes Peninsula. You could certainly add or subtract depending on what you see and how you feel.
Stop 1: Kleifarvatn Lake.
Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on Reykjanes and caught our attention primarily because we weren't expecting to see such an open stretch of black beach in Iceland. There is a short trail that leads you down to the beach and the area is relatively flat and open allowing you to take in a lot of the landscape at once.
Stop 2: Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
The Krýsuvík Geothermal Area consists of several geothermal fields, such as Seltún, with several walking paths, trails and tourist access areas. The smoking landscape is dotted with craters, fissures and mudpots with bright orange, red and yellow colored soil. Lake Graenavatn is in Krýsuvík and has sharply contrasting blue green water, similar to Kerið crater.
Stop 3: Grindavik Geothermal Area
So I probably shouldn't say this and instead should talk about how different and cool Grindavik is compared to Krýsuvík but they all kind of seemed the same to me. I mean they are both part of the Reykjanes volcanic system and unless you are a geologist or maybe hydrothermal specialist, I would imagine that they will look very similar to you too. Either way it's worth it to get out and stretch your legs, walk along the boardwalks and spend some time getting inured to the smell of sulfur.
Stop 4: Reykjanes Lighthouse and Gunnuhver
The Reykjanes Lighthouse was built between 1907-1908 because the original lighthouse (the first in Iceland) was in danger of falling into the sea. Dangerous sailing conditions and reliance on fishing means that lighthouses are an important part of Icelandic culture and there are currently 13 around the peninsula. The Reykjanes Lighthouse sits on an area of geothermal activity, collectively known as Gunnuhver.
Gunnuhver is the largest hotspring in Iceland and is right in the middle of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. It is said that this area is haunted by the ghost of a woman named Gunna, who, after her death, went about killing people on the peninsula that she had disputes with. A local priest set a trap in one of the hot springs and caught her. Supposedly her ghost remains there to this day, so you have to watch your step while visiting. If the ghost isn't enough to spook you the geothermal characteristics should at least give you pause. The temperatures can range up to nearly 300°C (570°F) and it was at one point entirely closed to the public when the spring became active and expanded, taking out a portion of the platforms. So, tread lightly and stick to the raised platforms.
Stop 5: The Bridge Between The Continents
In Sandvik, you will come across a small footbridge over a fissure which shows where two tectonic plates are diverging between the Eurasian and North American Plate. The Reykjanes Peninsula is directly on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, where the major tectonic plates are being pulled apart by the Earth's forces. The bridge is named after Icelandic explorer Leif Ericson who was the first known European to discover continental North America.
Stop 6: Anywhere along the coast
Yup, anywhere. We found some of the best spots just by pulling over when it struck our fancy, or following worn gravel roads to their end. Like our host advised, "just poke around".
So, how can I explain the Reykjanes Peninsula?
There are hills and mountains ranging in every color from the black of volcanic rock to the nearly neon green moss that coats the hillsides. There are black sand beaches and misty geothermal areas with orange and red steeped sides. There are seaside cliffs and if you are there in the spring and summer, what seems like thousands of nesting birds dancing in the sky.
There aren't enormous waterfalls or shooting geysirs, but there is something about Reykjanes that has me wanting to go back.
What if you only have 1 day? No worries, I've got you covered.
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