48 Hours in Iceland

My lovely fiancé’s first time abroad, an elation I was unable to conceal. We landed bright and early, before five in the morning, even though Iceland’s midnight sun makes it impossible to distinguish the time. After a fresh cup of coffee and Iceland’s famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dogs for breakfast, we hopped on the bus for Reykjavík.

Our destination today was Hvammsvik Hot Springs, a nature resort with eight geothermal hot springs located in a fjord that glides into the Atlantic Ocean. Just a 45-minute drive from the Icelandic capital, the unspoiled location let us soak in rejuvenating pools of various temperatures. And with the chance to cold plunge directly into the ocean, we happily obliged. We alternated hot and cold, challenging ourselves in the frigid fjord.

The untouched coastal setting, framed by rugged mountains and black-sand shores, made this the perfect couple’s outing. Our minds and bodies remained in pure bliss as we spent several hours lounging in the pools, resting in the sauna, and letting any stress melt into the ocean. We toasted with drinks from the swim-up bar before getting dressed for the bus ride back to Reykjavík.

Back in Reykjavík, we spotted a place for authentic Icelandic comfort food. Svarta Kaffið is a cozy restaurant serving soup in an edible bread bowl. The simple yet hearty menu included a meat-based and a vegetarian soup. Despite the crowd inside, the simple fare was a fitting meal before wandering the heart of Reykjavík.

Before calling it a day, we walked over to the famous Hallgrímskirkja church to enjoy the sights and sounds of this delightful city. After posing for photos with the iconic building and conversing with fellow travelers, we rode back to our accommodation for the evening. We received a surprise in the wee morning hours as an earthquake briefly shook us.

I booked us an Iceland South Coast tour for day two of our weekend escape. Several of Iceland’s most famous, recognizable sights are on the South Coast, and it’s a fantastic day trip from Reykjavík for visitors here only a few days. From my experience, I had no doubt the day would be filled with beautiful memories.

Our tour guide picked us up and drove all the way to Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland. Cloudy, dreary, and rainy, but oh so beautiful! The charming white church overlooks the village and its dramatic backdrop of towering sea stacks, vibrant wildflowers, glossy black-sand coastline, and rocky cliffs. With my explorer’s spirit activated, I raced around the village to fully immerse myself in this North Atlantic fairytale. We rendezvoused near the town roundabout and grabbed hot noodles from Wok In Vík to warm up before our next pit stop.

Next up, a beach that literally left me jaw-dropped during my first visit. Reynisfjara Beach welcomed us with its basalt columns, striking black pebbles, spooky sea cave, and stacks jutting hundreds of feet from the ocean surface. Puffins flying around the cliffside above were an extra treat I didn’t experience last time.

Just a short ride away, we got an up-close meeting with the puffins at the Dyrhólaey volcanic headland. The puffin nesting spot didn’t disappoint as we watched the lovable creatures in their natural habitat. Perched high above the black-sand coastline, we scanned the horizon as the Atlantic waves crashed onto the shore.

A short trek at our next stop led us to the enormous Sólheimajökull glacier. The lunar-like landscape and mammoth ice formation stole our gaze as we stood by the glacial lagoon.

Our final stops were the mighty Skógafoss and dreamy Seljalandsfoss, the South Coast’s two most renowned waterfalls. At Skógafoss, water plunged over the grassy cliffside with intensity, spraying mist at its base. I walked close enough to feel the sheer force of this powerful marvel. After ditching our shoes and trudging through the icy river, we snapped some photos that we will forever cherish. At Seljalandsfoss, we walked around the tumbling waterfall, staring at the dramatic landscape from behind the mist. Pressed for time, we quickly scooted over to Gljúfrabúi, the “secret” waterfall near Seljalandsfoss (probably not much of a secret now). Hidden in a narrow gorge, Gljúfrabúi imitates a giant, natural shower as the wind often blows the falling water against the canyon walls. A jog and coffee stop later, we rode back to Reykjavík.

Our nightcap highlight rolled an intimate bookshop, lively bar, and rocking music hall all into one! Hús Máls og Menningar had the ambiance of a library, yet we stumbled into a concert. We sang and danced to joyful tunes before getting packed up for our journey home.