An early winter visit to Iceland was the catalyst for many things, one of which is itching to see more incredible things around the world beyond the cities and sites that populate our Instagram feeds. Iceland is like venturing to another planet; it is secluded, quiet, raw, and breathtaking. As I return to Australia from Iceland, I have changed everything, and as I fall into the distraction of my next trip, I wanted to share my top 10 sights.
Glacier Lagoon
Sight: The sight itself is phenomenal. Getting up close with glaciers without having to do a glacier walk appealed to us. The site is vast, impressive, and a must-see.
Location: It's directly off the ring road, parking is easy, walking to the water's edge is very accessible, and you are also right across the way from Diamond Beach for an extra bonus.
Favourite part: We were there on a still day, so the mirroring of the glaciers made for some incredible photography. For more shots, please check out my photography site, faimos.com
Vestrahorn
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Sight: You can literally walk on water here. The mountain horns contrast against the black sand. We were there in the morning when the mist added an unexpected and magical atmosphere.
Location: Before taking a tunnel, there is a hidden exit. From here, you make your way to what looks like a campsite. There is also a cafe, where you pay a fee to drive down to the water's edge.
Favourite part: The fun we had taking photos here. It's such a diverse location; it has reflection, shallow water, mountain peaks, dunes and hardly any people. It was one of my favourite mornings; if my husband hadn’t needed coffee, we may have missed it. (Also, the coffee shop waffles smelt terrific - I’m vegan, so I didn't partake, but wow, that heavenly scent)
Sauðafellsvatn (aka Intersteller)
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Sight: Water fills the top of a volcano crater, which is then surrounded by black sand and, on the day we were there, snow. The contrast of black and white literally transports you to a different planet. There is a calmness here like no other. We were alone with our guide. The silence was definingly peaceful.
Location: You can drive into the crater (with a guide—we used Southwest Tours). Our guide added this to the itinerary because the planned mountain road was unsafe. This improvisation turned out to be so much more special than we anticipated. (Side note: Don't be mad at your guide if they have to abandon your plans. They have to keep you safe; if you ask them, they’ll take you to their favourite places. What an insight!)
Favourite part: The feeling that we were inside the top of a volcano, covered in snow, on the edge of what looked like a black lake, it was very surreal.
Diamond Beach
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Sight: It’s an Instagram favourite. The large pieces of ice that sit delicately on top of the black sand are as incredible as they look. The way the water spills over the ice is something everyone should see if they can; it's so relaxing to witness.
Location: You can walk to the beach from Glacier Lagoon, leaving your car parked in the same car park.
Favourite part: The sound of the ice smashing against each other as the waves move them around.
Driving along the mountains to Fáskrúðsfjarðarhöfn
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Sight: Driving everywhere in Iceland is incredible, but on this day, the reflection of the mountain on that lake, along with the early winter colours and the snow-topped mountains, was breathtaking (be the passenger if you can :-))
Location: As you make your way to the small town of Faskrosfjordur, there is a gentle hill that takes you into a valley, the water is on your left, the way the road seems to take you into the mountain as the reflection appears to mirror the mountain. It is breathtaking.
Favourite part: It just appears, as with many of the sites in Iceland - you turn a corner and these incredible things just arrive in front of you. It is impossible to capture these parts of the ring road.
Blue Lagoon
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Sight: The famous Blue Lagoon is a place to unwind after all the driving, and we visited it on one of our final days. The surrounding volcanos warm the aqua-coloured, mineral-filled water. The cold air brushes your face as your body relaxes while submerged in the water.
Location Just outside of Reykivek, we ventured down a new gravelled road as the volcano had just erupted before we arrived. It will be well signposted. It is very well-known and popular with tourists. Due to its fame, there is a delicious cafe, and the changing and washing facilities are excellent. The expanse of this place allows you to have your own moment, even if it seems busy it is large enough to still find solace.
Favourite part: The face mask bar. We went for the premium package, which meant we had three masks. Going through the mask and the various drink options kept us entertained for about four hours. Blue Lagoon was bliss; making our way around the steam room, sauna, and hot pool was delightful.
Sun Rise at Mývatn
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Sight: Parts of the lake were frozen, reflecting the sunrise almost magically. This sunrise was the most serene and peaceful compared to some other mornings. We stumbled across this little side street, which offered us the most stunning view for our breakfast on the go.
Location: Many of the sites in this area require driving around part of this lake. There are many opportunities to explore its stunning views.
Favourite part: The blue hues in the Northern Lights, which lit up the skies each night. The sky in this part of the world tells its own story.
Northern lights
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Sight : We were lucky enough to see these twice, and on both occasions, it made me feel like I was at the top of the world and there was a gap in the looking glass surrounding the earth. That might sound silly but the energy of this sight is mesmerising. The lights move fast, as if they trace the edge of the looking glass we live in and then they’d disappear.
Location: You will be on for a chance in most northern parts of Iceland. Most hotels offer wake-up calls if they see you, for those who want to be woken. We were lucky they appeared for us about 9-10 p.m.
Favourite part : The movement of the lights, it’s like the light rays are straight but they move in a wave. It's very therapeutic to witness.
Gjáin or Elf Grotto to us
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Sight: As you walk over a snow-drenched car park, you wander down some precarious steps into what was described to us as an Elf Grotto. The climate changes and the vegetation is lush and somehow protected from the harsh winter above. We jumped over rivers via boulders and marvelled at the powerful and hidden waterfalls. This place was an unexpected gem.
Location : Easy to get to with good shoes, the stairs ave very slippery when icy don't let it surprise you.
Favourite part : The surprise itself. We had no idea what to expect. Our guide just told us that if he were an elf, this was where he would live, and when we got there, it made perfect sense.
Kerid Crater
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Sight: This crater is easy to reach and offers some diversity from the mountainous landscape we’d been witnessing.
Location: It is right off the ring road, and parking is next to the site. There are no railings, and you must pay an entry fee.
Favourite part : the colours, the stillness of the water.
Unexpected Joyful moments in Iceland.
I got a strange satisfaction from the landscapes' colours, which remained from the previous season as the environment around us switched to Winter. One moment, it was red and sage, then black and white. The contrast was impossible to explain in a picture. By the time we made it to Reykivek, it was winter, and snow covered every surface.
Iceland is an incredible place to visit, especially if, like me, you’re a photographer enthusiast - however, I urge you to go slowly; some of our days felt like a treasure hunt for the best photo as quickly as possible as it was so cold, I think we may have missed several moments to be in awe of our surrounding. We had to keep reminding ourselves we were not participating in the amazing race. We completed the ring road in 7 days, rearranging some more remote destinations due to road closures. Seven days in this remote and relatively unspoilt place were enough for us, but if you want to feel immersed, I suggest an additional few nights to reduce drive times. What Google estimates is correct, in theory, in the summer when you can do the speed limit. At times, during the stormy days, our 3 hours of suggested driving would take 8 hours, including many stops.
Things to consider when travelling to Iceland
Iceland is remote and seasonal, and tourism is Iceland's primary industry, so there are a few instances where the Icelandic people will look to profit from your visit; this is to be expected; it’s warranted and charming. The food, hotel, and tours come at a heftier price than you might expect. Deal with it, it's 100% worth it. You are, after all, visiting their pristine country, and without these incredible tour guides, hoteliers and cafes, the Ring Road would be impossible to explore.
If you travel on a budget, you can make lunch in your car, mix up your accommodation, and ensure your breakfast is included. There are incredible hotels for every price point.
To start shortlisting hotels go to Expedia. For an in depth look at the hotels we stayed in click here.
To summarise, Iceland offers a travel experience beyond the crowds and the gimmicks of other countries. The raw beauty will have you memorised. The driving is long and worth the dedication, but this trip is not for the faint-hearted or the impatient. Make sure you go with someone with whom you can spend hours each day in the car. It should be someone you really love. Some locations require a long trek to reach ‘the spot’ that pulled you there; others are moments away from the road. Look into this when mapping out your days. Planning is a must in Iceland, but be prepared to alter your plans at whim; on some days, the weather will make it impossible to see anything. Have realistic expectations about this. This might be your next destination if you are prepared to pack patience, planning, and perseverance with all your winter clothes. If not, maybe save this one for that once-in-a-lifetime trip that you work up to.
