Iceland has emerged as a hub for an all-in-one vacation, checking off all the boxes for any and every traveler’s desire – everything from natural beauty of mountains and glaciers, adventures of hiking and snowmobiling, and an array of experimental cuisine.
Plan your Spring vacation in the land of fire and ice, and know it’ll be a getaway of excitement (and social media bragging too).
Don’t forget its geothermal wonders, witness the dance of the Northern Lights, and immerse in Reykjavík’s thriving arts scene.
Where to stay
I stayed at Grandi by Center Hotels and was top-down impressed. The hotel’s in-house spa was a highlight, offering a serene retreat after long days of exploring Reykjavík. The spa facilities included a sauna, hot tub, and massage services, providing the perfect environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. The lobby was particularly inviting, featuring stylish work desks and comfortable couches that created an ideal space for both productivity and leisure. This area served as a lively gathering place for guests and locals alike. One of the standout features was the lovely buffet breakfast. An array spread of fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, meats, and cheeses. It’s a fifteen minute stroll to all the action downtown.
What to do in five days
Sky Lagoon offers an immersive geothermal spa experience. Soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the infinity-edge lagoon, while taking in breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean. The spa’s design seamlessly blends with the natural landscape, featuring basalt cliffs, grassy slopes, and moss-covered lava rocks. The highlight of the experience is the Seven-Step Ritual, which includes alternating between hot and cold therapies, a rejuvenating body scrub, and time in a sauna with panoramic ocean views.
Arctic adventures’ Glaciers & Waterfalls, South Coast and Glacier Hiking is an easy sightseeing day trip. Walk behind the 65-meter cascade of Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, and admire Skogafoss’ 60-meter-high waterfall up close. Stroll onto Reynisfjara, with the volcanic black sand beach underfoot, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The friendly and knowledgeable glacier guides ensured an easy hike up, and a stop to drink fresh running glacier water!
Glacier Snowmobiling: Glacier Snowmobiling offers an exhilarating adventure across Langjökull’s icy expanse. Guided by experts and equipped with safety gear, riders zoom over pristine snowfields, marveling at breathtaking vistas of Iceland’s second-largest glacier. This thrilling experience combines adrenaline-pumping action with stunning natural beauty.
Golden Circle Route: While this is a popular tourist attraction, it is for good reason. It’s a 190 mile tourist route that runs by the Thingvellir National Park and includes the Golden Falls, geothermal Haukadalur Valley, and many other can’t miss attractions.
Kerid Crater Lake: It is a stunning crater lake inside a volcanic caldera. Surrounded by magnificent red lava, this crystal blue lake is one you won’t soon forget. It is part of the Golden Circle, so if you do take that trail, you will hit this along the way.
Drangsnes Hot Tubs: Just 20 minutes from Reykjavik, these geothermal hot tubs sit right on the water of a small fishing community.
Gunnuhvre: About an hour’s drive away, this is Iceland’s largest hot spring. Unique to other hot springs, it is made up entirely of sea water.
Geysers: Iceland is home to a fascinating array of geysers, with some 30 active ones scattered across the country. The most famous of these is the Great Geysir, located in the Haukadalur Valley in southwestern Iceland. This iconic geyser gave its name to all others worldwide, derived from the Icelandic verb “gjósa,” meaning “to erupt”. Geysir is now mostly dormant.
Today, the star of the show in the Haukadalur Valley is Strokkur, that erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters into the air. Visitors can witness this spectacular display against the backdrop of Iceland’s rugged landscape, making it a highlight of the popular Golden Circle route. These geysers, along with steaming vents, are a fun way to enjoy the country’s natural wonders.
How to get there
If you’re in or around the Greater Toronto Area, you’ll depart from Hamilton International Airport (YHM) where you can fly PLAY nonstop to Iceland in about 5.5 hours. The airline operates flights between Iceland and Europe, and North America. But irrespective of where you fly from, PLAY offers no-frills service that allows travelers to “pay less, play more.” They also offer the opportunity for extended layovers in Iceland at no additional cost, allowing travelers to explore this captivating country before continuing their journey.
Restaurants You Must Try in Reykjavik:
In the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Monkeys Food & Wine offers a vibrant fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. This trendy establishment has quickly become one of the city’s hottest dining spots. The selection of small plates encourages sharing. One standout dish is the watermelon carpaccio, a refreshing and innovative take on the classic Italian appetizer. The chili-glazed carrots offer a perfect balance of sweet and heat, while the sirloin of lamb showcases the quality of local Icelandic ingredients.
Seafood lovers will rejoice in the array of offerings. The tuna tartare, served with crispy plantain chips, is a fresh start to the meal. The salmon tiradito, a Peruvian twist on sashimi, is a revelation – delicate, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The adjacent Kokteilbarinn (The Cocktail Bar) offers an array of inventive libations crafted by skilled mixologists. Perhaps the most enchanting aspect of dining at Monkeys is the whimsical decor – including a full-sized 1920s-style railroad car inside the restaurant.
Kol Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience that blends modern Icelandic cuisine with international influences. This stylish establishment has quickly become one of the city’s culinary hotspots with its innovative menu and chic ambiance.
The kitchen, helmed by Chef Sævar Lárusson, focuses on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients prepared with innovative techniques. The menu offers an array of exciting appetizers, such as the playful Gyoza tacos, which provide a fun fusion start to the meal. The birch-smoked salmon, served with almond praline, cranberry purée, and Parmesan crisps, offers a refreshing twist on a classic Icelandic staple.
Kol is particularly renowned for its charcoal-grilled steaks, which diners can select based on weight. The miso beef tenderloin, served with pickled pearl onions and a Madagascar pepper sauce, exemplifies the restaurant’s ability to blend international flavors with local ingredients. Seafood lovers will appreciate options like the tiger prawn taco and the saffron langoustine soup. If you’re looking for a unique arctic foodie adventure, try the divine “reindeer filet,” served with hasselback potato, confit blueberries, hazelnuts, balsamic glazed red beets, arctic thyme and blueberry madeira sauce.
A Michelin grade establishment, OTO is one of the hottest and most elegant tickets in the city thanks to its Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine. Runer, one of the wait staff, said that the name is a short-form for “Kyoto,” influenced by the Japanese city. At the helm of OTO’s kitchen is Chef Elvar Ingi Pétursson, whose culinary vision shines in every crafted dish. The restaurant offers a tasting menu that changes with the seasons, ensuring that each visit brings new surprises. Diners might start their evening with a delicate amuse-bouche of smoked Arctic char with dill and cucumber. The bread service, featuring house-made sourdough with cultured butter, is a simple yet memorable highlight.
As the meal progresses, guests might encounter dishes like tender Icelandic lamb served with a vibrant carrot purée and locally foraged herbs, or a perfectly cooked piece of cod accompanied by a velvety cauliflower velouté and crispy kale. For those preferring non-alcoholic options, the restaurant offers house-made fermented juices and infusions that pair beautifully with the menu.