Southern Iceland has some of the most well-known attractions including the popular tourist route called the Golden Circle located here covering about 300 km’s (190 mi) looping from Reykjavik into the southern highlands and back. It’s natural beauty and proximity to Reykjavik makes it convenient for day trips. Travelers can incorporate a stop-over on flights to Europe or North America on Iceland Air so now it’s easier than ever to visit this region. While there’s plenty to see here, we’ll be going through some of the highlights that stood out for us. So, let’s begin!

@LetsGetTripsy

1

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a must see in south Iceland and it’s just 20 minutes to the south of Keflavik Airport. Remember to reserve your visit well ahead of time…but if you should forget, show up at 7 am and you may just get in anyway. Price can vary and is usually less expensive in the early morning and late evening. The Comfort option gets you a mud mask, towel and 1 free drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and ranges from 7,000 to 9,000 Icelandic Krona. For our free drink Meggan got a nutritious smoothie. I had a glass of wine at 8am. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere… right?

Located in a lava field near the fishing town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula the Blue Lagoon gets is geothermal heated water from the nearby Svartsengi Power Station. The water temperature ranges from about averages 37–39 °C (or 99–102 °F). There’s also and spa, hotel and restaurant on site. Unless you’re paying the big bucks for the Retreat Spa’s private facilities, be prepared to get naked with other tourists before entering. It’s the law in Iceland that you shower before swimming in any pool or public hot-spring.

2

Seljalandsfoss

Behold Seljalandsfoss. This beauty drops 60 meters (or 197 ft) and is part of the Seljalands River which has its origin in the volcano glacier of Eyjafjallajökull. If you don’t remember it by name, and let’s be honest most don’t, it’s the volcano underneath this glacier that caused havoc when it erupted in 2010 and disrupted air traffic from North America to Europe due to the massive ash it produced.

One of the neat things about Seljalandsfoss: not only can you admire it from the front but there’s also a party in the back, via a pathway (albeit a wet one) that gives a unique perspective from behind. I would have been soaked if it weren’t for Meggan’s insistence on me owning a raincoat for the first time since I was old enough to enjoy a good splash in a puddle.

3

Strokkur

This is Strokkur. It’s a short walk in from the main parking lot at the visitor center. It was first mentioned in literature in the late 1700’s and is one of the few geyser’s in Iceland to erupt on a consistent basis. Usually every 6 to 10 minutes. Some eruptions are higher than others but it was a crowd-pleasing every time, we stayed for about 5 before heading out. The water that comes out is near boiling so don’t get too close as we’re guessing the experience would bring back different memories than running through your parent’s sprinkler.

4

Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach in Southern Iceland near the town of Vik. It’s been rated one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, and with good reason. The ‘sand’ is more like round pebbles and the waves make a unique sound as they crash upon them. The sea stacks in the background are said to have originated when two trolls tried to drag a three masted ship to land unsuccessfully. When daylight broke they became needles of rock.

Along the cliffs you’ll find awesome rock formations created by the rapid cooling of basaltic lava. While I’m not sure of the science, the beauty is undeniable. Along with the many sea birds flying overhead, it’s like a scene from a fantasy film.

5

Kerið

Iceland has many volcanic craters. One of the most picturesque is Kerið (Also spelled Kerith or Kerid). It’s about 55 m (180 ft) deep, 170 m (560 ft) wide, and 270 m (890 ft) across. Kerið’s is one of the youngest volcanic craters because it’s approximately 3,000 years old, about half the age of the others.

The crater is on private land and you’ll have to pay 400 ISK per person to visit. Other craters we visited were free but this was the only one we saw with a lake in it.