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Iceland
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  • Andrew's Travels

Iceland

A trip to Iceland with Explore Travel on their "Land of the Midnight Sun" tour. Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 6, 2026
    Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    School of Visual Arts
    1Hlemmur Food HallHlemmur Food Hall; Cod and Chips (excellent)LaugarvigurLaugarvigurLaugarvigur1Laugarvigur; Polar ShopLaugarvigurRainbow Street, with Hallgrímskirkja in the distanceGovernment buildingsArnahol StatueHarpa Concert HallSaebraut seaside walkSaebraut seaside walk; view of modern buildingsSaebraut seaside walk;Saebraut seaside walk; Sun VoyagerSaebraut seaside walk; lava block

    Reykjavik 1; City Centre

    June 6 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    We fly from London to Reykjavik with Icelandic Air to start our "Land of the Midnight Sun" trip with Explore Travel. We have time to have a meal at a local food court close to the hotel and to have a walk around some of the city centre before a guided tour tomorrow.

    We walk along Laugarvigur, the mile-long central and commercial artery of Reykjavik, seeing old-style buildings and impressive street art before turning off after Rainbow Street towards the harbour and the promenade (Saebraut seaside walk), offering impressive sights, including the Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager, before walking up to the hotel. Sunset isn't until 11:45pm this evening!

    A good start to the trip.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    Greater Reykjavik; En route to Grotta Nature Reserve
    Grotta LighthouseA hot tub on the rocky beachCity Centre; Parliament HouseReykjavik CathedralInside the CathedralStatue of Jon SigurdssonRockTjornin (The Pond)Interesting statueHallgrimskirkja (Church of Hallgrimur)View from frontOutsideThe organThe pulpitThe altarGreater Reykjavik; Perlan MuseumSculpture outsideView of Reykjavik city centre from PerlanViewed other sideNaurholsvik Geothermal Beach

    Reykjavik 2; City Centre and Greater City Area

    June 7 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    After breakfast, we drive to Grotta, a natural site and nature reserve on the western side of the Greater Reykjavik area. We see the Grotta lighthouse (built in 1877 and reconstructed in 1947) and the nature reserve.

    We drive back to the city centre and the Harpa Concert Hall and harbour area. We walk to the Parliament Square and then up to Tjornin, a small lake in the centre of Reykjavik. Later, we drive a short distance up to Hallgrimshirkje (Church of Hallgrinur), a protestant Lutheran Church; it is the tallest church in Iceland and the second most tall building in the country. It was completed in 1986 and built to resemble the columnar basalt rock formations that are found in Iceland (eg, at Vika beach, which we will visit later in the trip); it is minimalist inside.

    We drive to the southern part of the Greater Reykjavik area to Perlan, a popular and immersive museum; we do not visit it, but have a short walk and enjoy views from the top of Osjkuhlid Hill, on which it stands - the main building is based around four heating tanks. We then visit the Nautholsvuk Geothermal Beach, near the domestic airport, which is noted for its golden sand, geothermal heated swim lagoon, and hot tubs.

    Then it's off to see some of the Golden Circle highlights....    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    View en route to Thingvellir
    Thingvellir National ParkBooths; ruins of excavated temporary shelters built by chieftainsThis flat area is where the tectonic plates meet or met, apparentlyOxatafoss Waterfall, ThingvellirGeysir Geothermal Area; mud poolStrokkur Geyser (the "Butter Churn")Another geyserView en route to Gullfoss1Gullfoss WaterfallSigridur from Brattholt, the "protector of Gullfoss"View back form from further along

    The Golden Circle highlights

    Jun 7–8 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    The Golden Circle of Iceland is a famous 190-mile looped tourist route from Reykjavik that is often done as a day trip. There are three primary must-see stops, and we visit two this afternoon and one tomorrow morning on our route to Skaftafell.

    The first is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it was the birthplace of the Icelandic Parliament in 930 AD, when 30 clan leaders came together to create a unified nation after years of fighting. It is also of geological interest because the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet here, with a portion of Iceland on each,meaning that you can cross between two continents here. We have a lovely walk between our pick-up points via the Oxarafoss Waterfall.

    We stop off at the Solheimer Eco-village for coffee en route to the Geysir Geothermal Area, the second must-see stop. Located in the Haikadalud Valley, this area features bubbling mud pools and the Strokkur Geyser (known as "the butter churn"), which erupts every 5-10 minutes throwing boiling water up to 130 ft in the air.

    We then drive to the Gullfoss Hotel ready for the third must-see stop of the Golden Circle; the Gullfoss Falls. This is fed by the Havita glacial river and is a spectacular two-tiered waterfall that drops 32 m (105 ft) into a rugged canyon. The name translates to "Golden Falls," giving the Golden Circle its name. We see the sculpture of "Sigridur of Brattholt", a farmer's daughter whose activism helped preserve the Gullfoss Falls, preventing them from being industrialised.

    We set off for Skaftafell via Highway 1, the ring road around Iceland.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    View en route
    Seljalandsfoss WaterfallView en routeSmall farm buildingsSkogafoss Waterfall,11Vik I Myrdal beachBasalt cliffsVik; churchVik; view from beachLava fieldThe glaciers at Skaftafell

    Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Vik I Myrdal

    June 8 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    We leave Gullfoss Waterfall and drive to Skaftafell, stopping at various sites wn route.

    First, we visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which is noted for its height and the possibility to walk behind the curtain of water from one side to the other. We do this and get a little wet due to the wind blowing as we emerge!

    Our next stop is Skogafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, standing at 62 m / 203 ft.

    We also stop at Vik I Myrdal, a black sanded and rocky beach with basalt cliffs and their columns. We then stop off at the village of Vik to see the beach there.

    As we drive on to Skaftafell, we stop off and have a short walk on a large lava field and see the moss growths on the boulders.

    It's been a long day, by the time we arrive at Hotel Skaftafell!    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    Skaftafell Walk 1; Lambhagi, one of the oldest visible ancient monuments in Skaftafell
    View of SvartifossSvartifoss"Power" station for Sel farmsteadSel FarmInsideViewSvartifoss1SvartifossBasalt columnsSvartifoss1Jokulsarlon Glacier LagoonAmphibious Vehicle for the boat ride1Harbour SealThe Glacier that feeds the LagoonView from the beachOn the beachSkaftafell Walk 2; sites of geological interestAt Skaftafell GlacierSkaftafell Glacier

    Skaftafell Reserve and Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon

    June 9 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 5 °C

    We visit Skaftafell Nature Reserve, an area of wilderness inside the larger Vatnajokull National Park, and go on the walk towards Sel, an old, original farm in the area, and then on to Svartifoss Waterfall before returning to the visitor centre

    After lunch, we drive to Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon, with waters dotted with icebergs from the surrounding Breioamerkurjokull Glacier, part of the larger Vatnajokull Glacier; we go a amphibious vehicle boat ride to see more. The lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach.

    Then it's back to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for a walk along the geology trail to Skaftafell Glacier.

    A full day.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    View back to the Glacier
    Views back and forward from the hay cartOn the cape / The tractor pulled hay cartWalking upMonumentPuffinPuffinThe lighthouse on the cape headlandMore puffinsSkuaSheepOn the way backOn the way backViiew en route to the Eastern Fjords regionViiew en route to the Eastern Fjords regionViiew en route to the Eastern Fjords regionViiew en route to the Eastern Fjords regionViiew en route to the Eastern Fjords regionReindeerHorseThe other side of the Fjord is officially in the Eastern Fjords region of Iceland

    Ingolfshofoi Nature Reserve / To Eastern Fjords

    June 10 in Iceland ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    After breakfast, we drive to the start point for the "Puffin Tour" in the Ingolfshofoi Nature Reserve; this is run by a small family business that offers authentic tours on the family's farm Hofsnes. We take a tractor pulled hay cart to cross over to the Ingolfshofoi Nature Reserve on a remote headland on the black sand coast of southeast Iceland. The whole experience was truly amazing and is described on the photo captions.

    We then drive towards the Eastern Fjords region of Iceland.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    Eastern Fjords region: The lower blue dot is Djupivogur, and the upper blue dot is Faskrudsfjordur
    Djupivogur harbourA decorated wallThe old church (deconsecrated)SculpturesReindeer en routeView across a fjordView across a fjordFaskrudsfjordurFaskrudsfjordur harbourJoe's Favourite; Seafoods in garlic sauce, served on a flaguette bread with saladView from our hotel window next morningOur hotel (Fosshotel Eastfjords); formerly a French HospitalThe French Connection....View of ReydarfjordurView en route

    Eastern Fjords Region

    Jun 10–11 in Iceland ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Our first stop in the Eastern Fjords region is Djupivogur, a historic trading village dating back to 1589.

    We then travel to Faskrudsfjordur, another old trading port; this was home to a hospital founded to serve French fishermen working here until 1935 (the former hospital building dating from 1903 has now been restored as a hotel - the one we are staying in). Later, we enjoy an amazing meal at Cafe Sumarlina.

    Next morning, we set off through the Eastern Fjords and on to Husavik in the north of Iceland.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    View en route; the glacial valley
    Old farm remainsGlacial witness; the name given to glacial erosionViews south to Vatnajokull Glacier from a vantage point stopFjalladyrd; old farm buildingsFjalladyrd; the ChurchWalking to Selfoss and Dettifoss Falls from the car parkSelfoss WaterfallViewback to SelfossDettifoss WaterfallDettifoss WaterfallDettifoss WaterfallAt Dettifoss WaterfallJokulsa a Fjollum River (the source of Dettifoss Waterfall)View en routeHusavik; Husavik Church, built in 1907Inside the churchMonumentThe oldest building in Husavik, now part of a restaurant on the harbourHusavik harbourHusavik harbourView from the harbour back to the churchHusavik public gardensHusavik public gardensHusavik public gardensIn the Husavik Ol microbrewery; Iain, a very active CAMRA member (left) with the owner (right)

    Fjalladyrd, Dettifoss Waterfall, Husavik

    June 11 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    We leave the Eastern Fjords region and cross up to the north of Iceland. There are great views en route, and we stop for coffee at Fjalladyrd; this is the highest inhabited farm in Iceland and now offers a range of facilities.

    We drive on through Northern Iceland towards Dettifoss and Selfoss Waterfalls; whereas Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe (44,000 litres of water pre second!), Selfoss is more humble and beautifully shaped.

    We then drive on to Husavik; this is Iceland's oldest settlement and very picturesque. It is the whale watching centre of Iceland, but we decline the optional whale watching tour, having been on several already. We enjoy a walk around the town, seeing the main sights (see captions on photos for details). A particular highlight was the Husavik Ol microbrewery, where the beer was only 1000 Krona during World Cup games! It was an excellent evening...    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    Stop off en route to Asbyrgi
    PuffinMap of AsbyrgiThe towering vertical cliffs of AsbyrgiBotnstjörn Lake: A tranquil pond at the closed end of the horseshoeThree birdsEyjan (The Island),a massive 25-meter-high rock formation that divides the centre of the canyonLake Myvatn area; Hverir - fumaroles and mud potsLake Myvatn area; Dimmuborgir - lava parkLake Myvatn; a bird watching area thereView of Lake MyvaynGeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths

    Asbyrgi Canyon and Lake Myvatn

    June 12 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    After a brief stop at a viewpoint over Shaky Bay, we proceed to Asbyrgi Canyon, a crescent-shaped glacial gorge formed from an old dried out river bed when the Glacier changed course; or, it could be formed from the hoof print of Sleipnir, the eight legged horse of the God Odin.... We enjoy a short walk at the end by towering vertical cliffs and the water.

    Next, we drive to the Lake Myvayn area; our first visit is to the fumaroles and mud pots of Hverir at the foot of Mount Namafjall, the Sulphur mountain; Lake Myvatn is on the other side of the mountain, and is the fourth largest lake in Iceland, 275m above sea level, and formed 3,800 years ago. It is a short drive to Dimmuborgir, where we have lunch and then walk around the lava park here, seeing the interesting shapes of various volcanic caves and rock formations, reminiscent of an ancient collapsed citadel. We then follow the so-called Silica Road for a while to get back to Husavik.

    Then, it's off to GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths close to Husavik; there are several oudoor pools of naturally heated seawater at different temperatures, a steam room, and a bar - perfect. It was a wonderful experience.

    We finish the day with an excellent meal at the Salka restaurant in Husavik, a short walk from the hotel.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    En route to Gudafoss; Pseudo-crater formed from lava pushing up from the ground
    Walking to Godafoss WaterfallGodafoss WaterfallGodafoss WaterfallGodafoss WaterfallGodafoss WaterfallEn route to AkureyriAkureyriAkureyri Lutheran ChurchTown centreTown centreTown centreAkureyri Botanical GardensAkureyri Botanical GardensAkureyri Botanical GardensViewViewHof Cultural Centre; outside/ insideAkureyri HarbourViews en route to Grabrok CraterViews en route to Grabrok CraterGrabrok Crater; there is a path to the rimLittle Grabrok Crater / Raudbrok CraterGrabrok Crater from the rimGrabrok CraterViews from Grabrok Crater; General view / Down to an old sheep pen

    Godafoss, Akureyri, and Grabrok Crater

    June 13 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We are heading back to Reykjavik for our final evening today; our first stop en route is Godafoss, a 30m wide by 12m drop waterfall - if Dettifoss is the Beast, this is the Beauty.

    The next stop is Akureyri; it is the capital of North Iceland and is located at the southern end of Eyjafjordur, the largest fjord in Iceland. We stop here for a walk around the attractive town and to visit the Botanical Gardens.

    We then drive south towards Grabrok Crater; this was formed from a volcanic fissure eruption over 3,000 years ago and is the largest of three craters along a 600m fissure. We walk up the wooden staircase and enjoy the sweeping views ofmosscovered kava fields.

    Then it's back to Reykjavik; it's not a big farewell dinner tonight as it's fairly late, so we go to Borg 29 food hall for a pizza.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsIcelandTraveler
    The former French consulate and British embassy; the site of the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev Peace Summit
    Reykjavik Harbour AreaHarpa BuildingTjornin (The Pond); View across to Hallgrimshirkje and Frikirkjan ChurchesTjornin (The Pond); View of City HallStatue on the walk around The Pond1Two Poets seated by The PondGnome by Gorse flowersStatue on the walk around The PondFrikirkjan Church, also known as the Free ChurchView across to City Hall from the other side of The PondStreet viewGovernment BuildingLaugarvigur; Iceland Punk Museum entranceIt's worth reading.....1Rainbow Street, leading off LaugarvigurLaugarvigur; Rainbow House?Street Art

    Reykjavik 3; City Centre

    June 14 in Iceland ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    We are flying back to the UK late this afternoon and have time to see some of the views and sights in Reykjavik that we missed at the start of the trip.

    We walk towards the Harpa Concert Hall via the Saebraut seaside walk and back to the hotel via a walk around Tjornin (The Pond), and then along Laugarvigur (see captions on photos for details).

    We have had a great trip to Iceland!    Read more

    Trip end
    June 14, 2026