Iceland has always been number one on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. It was my dream to visit for my 30th birthday, and everything was in discussion to happen, but then Covid-19 came along and forced me to put my plans on hold. It took a few extra years, but I finally made it, and let me tell you, it was absolutely worth the wait!
One of the main things I wanted to see in Iceland is the Northern Lights. My eldest son, Jaxon, has picked up on this and he also put this at the top of his own bucket list so this became something we just had to do! I planned it all without letting the boys know and we told them on Christmas Day that we were going, and we were leaving the next day. To say they were excited was an understatement!
Day 1: Boxing Day – Travel Day & Exploring Reykjavik
Landing in Iceland was breathtaking. The views from the plane as we descended were incredible, unlike anything I have seen before. After checking into our hotel, we headed straight into Reykjavik’s city centre to grab some food and explore.
Our first stop was Pósthús Food Hall, a lively spot with plenty of food options. We then wandered to Skólavörðustígur Rainbow Street, a vibrant and colourful road leading up to Hallgrímskirkja Church, Reykjavik’s iconic landmark. We did want to go in (and you usually can) but there was a concert on so we weren't allowed in! Originally, we had planned to visit the Perlan Museum, but after a long day of travel, the boys were exhausted. We decided to call it an early night to rest up for the next day.
Day 2: Blue Lagoon & Whale Watching
We started the day with a visit to the world-famous Blue Lagoon, arriving at 9 AM. It was still dark, which made the experience surreal. It felt like we were floating in the warm water in the middle of the night! The contrast of the steaming lagoon with the freezing air (and falling snow) was something else, though the sulfur smell took a little getting used to.
After lunch, we headed to the harbour for a whale-watching tour. I kept my expectations low, but we were lucky. Within just 30 minutes, we spotted our first humpback whale! In total, we saw five whales and even a few seals, making for an unforgettable experience. To cap off the day, we had dinner at Public House Gastropub, which was amazing but super expensive. It was a small-plates-style restaurant, and while we had to cancel one dish due to it being out of stock, we didn’t mind—it saved us £20 off the bill!
Day 3: The Golden Circle
We left Reykjavik, slightly anxious about the road conditions with all the snow. Our first planned stop was Þingvellir National Park, but the roads were completely undriveable, forcing us to change plans. Thankfully, we stumbled upon Kerið Crater instead, and it turned out to be a fantastic detour! Jaxon and I walked all the way around the crater, though it was so slippery that we had to slide down on our bums at one point!
Next, we visited Gullfoss Waterfall, where the temperature hit a bone-chilling -13 °C. I took my glove off to take a photo at one point and instantly regretted it, my fingers went numb in seconds! The waterfall was stunning, but it was busy, and we didn’t stay too long. We then moved on to the Geysir geothermal area, where the boys had fun watching the geysers erupt.
That night, with clear skies, I was hopeful we might finally see the Northern Lights. I even set an alarm to wake up in the middle of the night, but no luck, just a starry sky.
Day 4: Waterfall Hopping & The Bubble Hotel
This was our waterfall day! Our first stop was Seljalandsfoss, a breathtaking waterfall you can actually walk behind (though we didn’t because of the ice). Nearby, we found a roadside café advertising street food, though it only served fish and chips or lasagne! We opted for fish and chips, and they were fantastic—coming from Wales, that’s saying something!
Next was Skógafoss, even more impressive but extremely windy. Cole was not a fan, so we didn’t stay too long. We then made our way to Vík, a gorgeous little town where I could easily have spent more time. The black sand beach was stunning but freezing!
That night, we checked into the Bubble Hotel, a clear, dome-shaped tent in the middle of the woods, designed for stargazing. Another perfectly clear night, but still no Northern Lights! However, we did see a sky full of stars and a couple of shooting stars from our bed, which was still a magical experience.
Day 5: A Snowstorm & The Scariest Drive of Our Lives
We woke up to an unexpected snowstorm, and because we were in the middle of nowhere, we had to leave quickly. Our plan was to visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, but the storm threw everything into chaos. We debated whether to continue or turn back, and after checking the road conditions, we decided to push forward.
Big mistake. The roads were awful—the worst driving conditions we had ever experienced. It was stressful and exhausting, and it literally took us all day. We finally made it to our Airbnb, where we grabbed a takeaway, relaxed in the hot tub, and recovered from the day. Still, no Northern Lights!
Day 6: Jökulsárlón & Back to Reykjavik for New Year’s Eve
With much clearer skies and roads, we made our way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, and wow—what a sight! The lagoon was full of floating icebergs, and the beach was dotted with chunks of ice, making it look like something out of a dream. It was one of the highlights of my trip.
We then began the long drive back to Reykjavik for New Year's Eve. Most restaurants were closed, but we managed to find a spot for dinner. Fireworks were going off throughout the evening, and we made our way to Harpa Concert Hall for an incredible view of the city’s celebrations.
And then, finally—it happened. The Northern Lights appeared. On our last night, on New Year’s Eve, we saw them in the sky. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip.
Iceland was everything I dreamed of and more. From waterfalls and glaciers to whale watching and the elusive Northern Lights, it was an adventure from start to finish. The trip may have been years in the making, but it was absolutely worth the wait.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat.
This featured blog entry was written by LaurenF3 from the blog The Bucket List Traveller.
Read comments or Subscribe
By 