Travel stories

How to Plan an Epic Weekend in Iceland

iceland

“You just witnessed the creation of the newest land on Earth,” is not something you usually hear during a long weekend getaway in the summer. But that’s what my tour guide told me just hours after I finished my week’s work. I was in Iceland for two nights for my first international trip since February 2020. It was the ideal amount of time to experience bucket-list-worthy adventure, city exploration, and much-needed relaxation.

While most people (understandably) spend their long weekends driving to the beach or to the country, I decided to fly to Iceland. It may appear insane, but I assure you that it is entirely feasible. And, like me, you might get to see an active volcano.

Flights

icelandair

It’s a quick five-hour flight from New York to Reykjavik, and Icelandair has a daily flight. That means you could finish work on a Thursday, run to the airport, and begin your international trip. The return flight is just as simple on Sunday, with a daily departure from Reykjavik to the New York area, giving you nearly three full days on the ground. And, because some of the top attractions are only a couple of hours away from the airport, it’s a great place to cram a week’s worth of FOMO-inducing activities into a few days.

Day 1

sky lagoon

Our first day was supposed to start with a quick power nap in the morning, an early afternoon dip and lunch at the new Sky Lagoon, and then a few hours wandering the streets of Reykjavik. That all changed when our tour guide informed us that the best day to see molten lava was Saturday, the day we arrived. We had originally planned a Sunday morning hike. However, because seeing lava was my top priority for the trip (I’m a huge volcano fan), we rearranged the itinerary slightly.

So we checked into the ION City Hotel (many hotels allow early check-in), had the most divine cinnamon roll I’ve ever had at Brau & Co and a latte at Sandholt, changed into hiking gear, and were in the car by 9:45 a.m. and headed to the Geldingadalir volcano.

geldingadalir volcano

To get to the main crater viewing point, we took the C route (access paths change with the lava flow). Along the way, we saw smoke still rising and recently cooled lava from the March 19, 2021 eruption, which began after 800 years of dormancy. Unfortunately, there was also heavy fog at times, which reduced visibility to near zero. Though hopeful, I mentally prepared myself NOT to see lava as I had hoped. That seemed to be the case after about an hour of hiking to the viewpoint. We couldn’t see anything despite hearing the gushing sound of lava spewing from the crater.

We walked a little further, still in the thick fog, until I looked up and saw a glow. At that point, the clouds parted and a large lava flow appeared. I’m referring to a lava waterfall falling in one direction and a molten river flowing in the other. You could feel the heat, hear the crackling, and smell the landscape burning. It’s a sensory experience that’s difficult to put into words. To top it all off, lava was erupting from the crater like a geyser every few seconds.

We stayed in the area for about an hour, taking everything in before heading back to the car. We hiked for about nine miles (easy to moderate difficulty) in four hours. With the most exciting part of the weekend behind us, it was time to kick back and relax.

We arrived at the Sky Lagoon just before 5 p.m., covered in mud and damp from the rain, to unwind from our lava-fueled afternoon. The geothermal pool, which is about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik, opened just a few months ago. It’s no surprise that it’s become an instant hit. It has its own appeal despite being much smaller (and a different color) than the Blue Lagoon. The rejuvenating destination is perched right on the ocean, with rock formations perfectly framing the point where the thermal pool, sea, and sky appear to meet.

Even though the locker rooms were crowded, there was plenty of space to change (we chose the Sky Pass with private changing facilities) and find an intimate nook in the water. We even had a few drinks at the swim-up bar before embarking on their seven-step ritual, which included sitting in an oceanfront sauna with a floor-to-ceiling window.

ban thai

The last thing on our agenda for the day was grabbing dinner near our hotel in Reykjavik. Ban Thai was our choice. Yes, Thai food may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Iceland. However, there are several restaurants, one of which has a menu with over 200 homemade items. So it was a sound decision before our 12-hour sleep.

Day 2

Despite a brief noise disturbance around 11 p.m., we awoke refreshed. ION City hotel, is located in the heart of the city on a pedestrian-only street, making it ideal for exploring the city. However, the nearby bars can get a little rowdy on weekends.

ion city home

Even with our limited time, we saw the ruins of one of Iceland’s first houses at The Settlement Exhibition, took a picture on the Rainbow street between Bergstaastraeti and Laugavegur, walked past the 244-foot-tall Hallgrmskirkja church, ate the world’s best hot dog (according to Bill Clinton) with everything (ein me öllu) at the Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand, and visited different stores.

blue lagoon

We were ready to leave by 2 p.m. for our final stop of the weekend, The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon.

The architecturally modern five-star hotel is located directly on the famous Blue Lagoon and features private pools with the same vibrant waters. We jumped right into the water after our welcome champagne and room tour at the property’s spa. In fact, the spa and its revitalizing focus are so prominent that guests are encouraged to wear bathrobes everywhere except the fine dining restaurant Moss. Yes, you even wear them to the free afternoon tea.

blue lagoon1

Phones are not permitted in the spa area, which includes a room of hanging “nests,” a steam cave, and the blue waters themselves. We were hungry after all of that relaxing, so we grabbed a quick bite at the casual Lava Restaurant before showering for our 8:30 p.m. dinner reservations at Moss.

It felt good to put on nicer clothes for a nearly three-hour seven-course meal with wine pairing. Tasting menus are the only option at the highly regarded restaurant, and they feature seasonal ingredients as well as local favorites such as skyr. The lamb, another Icelandic specialty, was served on freshly picked lava stone from the volcano we hiked the day before.

We retired to our room, which had one of the most breathtaking views ever. Before we closed our eyes for the night, we saw a lava rock field and blue waters.

Day 3

Unfortunately, our last day in Iceland had arrived. But, because our flight wasn’t until afternoon, we could squeeze in some last-minute relaxation. So, after breakfast, we decided to try a floating massage in a roped-off section of the Blue Lagoon.

With only a few hours left, we took one last dip in the Blue Lagoon’s public area. Despite the fact that it is busy, you may have plenty of space to roam and enjoy the natural wonder in peace. If you want to take photos, bring a waterproof phone case.

We were on our way to the airport after a quick shower and packing our belongings. I couldn’t believe we were already on our way home and how much we had accomplished in such a short time as we boarded the plane. We saw two natural wonders, went on a four-hour hike, visited two spas, ate a seven-course meal, and received a massage.

I’ve always thought Iceland would be a fantastic vacation destination. But knowing it’s possible during a long weekend makes it even more appealing. So, if you’re wondering what to do with the rest of your year, consider Iceland.

Accommodation in Reykjavik

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