Iceland Food & Travel Guide

This article is also available in German

Let me tell you something and believe me when I say Iceland is the most beautiful country I’ve ever been. It’s true, I haven’t seen all countries yet, I am still missing some continents on my travel list but I think no other country and it’s nature is just like Iceland. The wild ocean, the strong wind, black sand beaches, vulcanos, breathtaking nature, the most beautiful landscape covered in moss – yes, that’s Iceland.
There were especially two phenomenons during my short trip to Iceland which made this the best trip I ever had. First the Jökusárlón, a glacier sea in the southeast of Iceland, which you all might know from the pictures of wide iceblocks in all kind of blue and grey shades swiming in this crystal clear and cold water. Yes, I was there, I felt it, I touched it and I loved it. My heart beats faster when I first saw these giants floating in a lake of glacier water and in that moment, I felt alive. (find pictures down below)

Iceland Food & Travel Diary

I don’t know if I can say that my second spectacle from Iceland was the most beautiful one, well it was beautiful indeed, but I have to say that seing the Aurora Borealis, also know as the Northern Lights, where probably the most spiritual one, besides my travel to Japan. Can you imagine big light snakes on a starry clear night, crawling from the one endless side of the sky to the other? Imagine seing it grows and dances, in different directions and shapes, in a bright green color that looks so magical and mysterious to you because you haven’t seen this kind of color yet? Jason and me we’re very quiet when experience this wonder of nature and I think we had the same thoughts. Life is about just be, just love, just do and just live. This is me, this is you, we are human beings and we should appreciate our life and ourself. I am very glad to find more of myself in this wild nature of Iceland and I can not wait to travel more, see more, breath more, live more and especially come back here.
Now please enjoy my travel diary on my blog as well as video on BUN BAO before I get too sentimental about my short trip to this, again, beautiful country. And please, if you get the chance to travel and experience Iceland, do it! You won’t be disappointed, I promise. Love, Alice.

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Geysir Strokkur

Geysir, Haukadalsvegur, Island
Geysir fountains in the geothermal area, east of Reykjavik;
Free parking, no entrance fee – good restaurants
Alice’s tip: Make a stop at the vulcano grate Kerið (see below) and enjoy the stunning landscape

Bláa Lónið / Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon, GPS coordinates: 3°52’754″N / 22°26’693″W
Natural geothermal hot spring, spa & wellness area near Grindavík, close to the airport;
Free parking, Shuttle bus & baggage service available, entrance fee from 35€;
Alice’s tip: Very touristy (!), but worth going. Book online and save 5€, Standard ticket (35€) is totally enough; don’t forget to bring slippers, towels, bathrobe, hair dryer, waterproved iphone case to take pictures… prepare for high prices.

Kerið

Kerid, GPS coordinates: 64°2’27″N   20°53’5″W
Explosion grate; free parking, entrance fee of 3€
Alice’s tip: great to take pictures and an awesome view over the landscape on top

DC-3 Airplane Wrackage on Sólheimasandur

DC-3 Airplane Wrackage, GPS coordinates: 63°459’523″N / 19°364’618″W
Airplane Wrack in the middle of nowhere, no entrance fee;
Alice’s tip: Trust your navigation to a part where it takes you until it says you have to park your car (!) and keep on driving until you see the plane, which is hidden behind a dune! The path is marked, don’t be afraid of driving through nowhere-land. Here’s a great guide how to find the plane.

Reynisfjara / Black Beach Sand in Vìk

Reynisfjara, GPS coordinates: 63° 24′ 07.2″N / 19° 02′ 27.5″W
Black sand beach, wild sea, amazing cliffs and pure nature
Alice’s tip: Also check out Dyrhólaey, the other side of Reynisfjara, be aware of the waves, they are faster than it seems. And if you are lucky, you can spot Pullin birds!

  

Þingvellir / Thingvellir National Park

Þingvellir National Park; Route 36
Endless roads through different landscapes, beautiful view, great hiking area
Alice’s tip: come here to see the Northern Lights/aurora borealis!

  

Reykjavík

Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland
Iceland is very expensive in general (compared to €); e.g. snacks like sandwiches or starters like soup start at 1200 ISK (aprox. 8€), entrées double the price; supermarkets are not very cheap either; walking through the city is no problem since it is pretty small (half day should be enough)
Alice’s tip: buy food etc. before heading to Iceland (bread, water, instant food…)
Where to stay? Icelandair Marina Hotel, Tryggvagata, 101 Reykjavík
Central, great view at the harbour and a good chance to see the polar lights by night!
Where to eat lobster soup? Sægreifinn, Tryggvagata, 101 Reykjavík
Try the lobster soup, variety of grilled fish or wale (steak); small space!
Where to eat fish & chips? Icelandic Fish & Chips, Tryggvagata 11, 101 Reykjavík
Try the Fishermans Stew or the Catch of the day; Great hot chocolate!
Where to have coffee? Reykjavik Roasters, Kárastígur 1, Reykjavík
Super nice place, very quiet; good cakes, free Wifi!

 

Jökusárlón

Jökusárlón – Glacier Lagoon/Sea; GPS coordinates: 64°04′13″N 16°12′42″W
Wonderful glaciers, a true wonder of nature; free parking, no entrance fee;
Alice’s tip: The most beautiful thing I have ever seen and a must-see when in Iceland. Also check out the other side of the bridge at the black beach; come here to watch the Northern lights/aurora borealis!

     

Aurora borealis / The Northern Lights

The Northern Lights / Aurora borealis; everywhere in Iceland!
Alice’s tip: Check out this website for the aurora forecast to get a chance where and when to spot the beautiful aurora borealis! Better drive outside the city (e.g. Pingvellir National Park) to see them dancing!

Photo: I heart Alice

This article is also available in German