Winter Wonderland: A trip to Iceland
From chasing the northern lights every night to exploring Iceland’s unique landscapes and swimming in the country’s famous geothermal spa, if you’ve been thinking about heading to Iceland, let this post be your sign to go and book!
Iceland. One of my best memories I’ve had travelling in a long time. We headed out in early February (just after my birthday!) where we experienced the most magical few days.
Arriving in Reykjavík
We didn’t rent a car in Iceland but chose to use coaches through getyourguide for the whole trip including airport transfers - would highly recommend if renting a car isn’t an option you want to go for and you don’t have to worry about getting lost! Also, if you’re a student or recent graduate, it’s a super affordable way of getting around.
Our airbnb was a cosy Icelandic retreat in the heart of Reykjavik and just a 5 minute walk from the centre - perfect.
Our iceland retreat
The cosiest airbnb I have ever stayed in
Reykjavik must-dos
Downtown Reykjavik is filled with bakeries and unique independent shops to visit, I even found a shop that sells globes and maps which I was super excited about (I have an obsession). A city must is visiting Braud and Co and trying their cinnamon rolls - it’s super difficult to miss this bakery with its colourful graffiti art exterior. Here are a few bakeries and cafe’s to try:
Braud and Co as mentioned
Sandholt
Brikk
Bernhoftsbakari
We just loved walking around and stumbling upon different Icelandic architecture, visiting art galleries and cafe hopping if we got too cold!
The Blue Lagoon
Wearing my lyraswim swimsuit at The Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s famous man-made geothermal spa, with water enriched with silicon, algae and minerals… and that’s before the mud mask! The water is about 37°C and 40°C all year round and the whole experience is worth a visit, even if you don’t have too much time as the lagoon is right by the airport! We got the comfort package at The Blue Lagoon, which comes with a free silica mud mask, towel and drink, more than what you need to enjoy the spa if you don’t want to pay extra!
Chasing the northern lights
The ONE reason I wanted to go Iceland - to tick off that bucket list item of seeing the Northern Lights! We went every night after a day of exploring and it was worth the patience because on the last night we got to see the aurora borealis so clearly!
We headed out with getyourguide and honestly had a great experience - on the first night we headed to the bridge between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates that Iceland sits on.. and despite cold evening temperatures, hot chocolate kept us going.
Black sand beach and glaciers in southern iceland
Iceland’s weather is no joke. The beaches were such a spectacular unique landscape, with the sand being black due to the country’s volcanic activity. But the strong winds and ice cold waves mean it’s not your regular beach experience, for the views not for dipping!
We visit the main black sand beach Reynisfjara black sand beach and then headed to Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Iceland’s fourth largest glacier Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
Would I go to Iceland again? Yes! Next time to do The Golden Circle and experience the landscape in summer!
Hello! Salaam! I’m Shaimaa, a Dutch-born Sudanese-Egyptian creative and traveler based in London. I left medical training in 2022 and gone have down the tech route. Here, I share my artwork and creative travel adventures, for the artsy wanderlust out there. Enjoy :)
