A few years ago, my family and I road-tripped across Iceland and visited all its scenic landmarks. Three of my favorite places were the capital Reykjavik, a small town called Vik, and a volcanic crater lake named Kerið.
Reykjavik is located in the southwestern part of the island and is the largest city in Iceland. The United Nations and World Bank estimate Reykjavik’s population to be around 120,000. Because of its relatively large population, it offers several unique local attractions, restaurants, and grocery stores. On our trip, Reykjavik was our first stop because it was near the airport, and we were able to grab any essentials we might need. Then, we drove to Hallgrímskirkja, the largest Parish church in Iceland. Admission to the church is free. Sometimes, they even allow you to join the ceremonies that occur.
The second attraction we stopped at was Harpan, the home of the Icelandic opera and Reykjavik’s Big Band. This performance hall has its own unique architecture and can be noticed from a distance. Unlike most traditional and older-style buildings in Iceland, the Harpan’s exterior is built with colored glass, giving it a modern appearance.
The last attraction we visited in Reykjavik was the Sun Voyager, a large sculpture made with steel and granite. Created and opened in 1990 through a competition to celebrate Reykjavik’s 200th anniversary, it resembles a Viking boat and is an ode to the sun. It symbolizes hope, freedom, and the exploration of potential undiscovered territory.
Vik, a small town of just over 750 people, is located on the Southern coast of Iceland. Vik is known for its stunning black sand beaches. Our first stop at Vik was the Reyniskirkja Church, which stands atop a hill that overlooks the seafront village. Its bold red roof provides a striking contrast of color, and its location offers a panoramic view of the beach.
Right next to the church is Reynisfjara, a popular black sand beach at Vik. Its roaring waves, icy water, and dark black sand offer a very different experience from most beaches nearby. It was unlike any beach view I’d ever seen before. The tide’s dramatic changes have caused fatal accidents, so visitors are warned to stay at least a hundred feet away from the water.
Kerið, a volcanic crater lake, is also located on the Southern part of the island. The crater is near the ‘Golden Circle’ a famous 300-kilometer tourist route from Reykjavík to the southern highlands of Iceland. Many tours operate around this area because of the sheer number of attractions concentrated in one area. From the Pingvellir National Park (a landmark for the division of two continental plates) to strong geysers, the Golden Circle has a lot to see. For just $3, you can gain entry to self-tour the crater. It took us half an hour to walk around the crater, and down to the lake located at the bottom. This scenery was very different from the other locations in Iceland, so I definitely recommend visiting.
If you ever visit Iceland, take some time to stop by Reykjavik, explore the small town of Vik, and take in the unique scenery that Kerið offers!
Iceland sounds absolutely amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit, and your vivid descriptions make the island sounds mesmerizing. Vik sounds particularly interesting, with its incredibly small size and black sand beaches. The Icelandic beaches sound so far from the mild ones on the east coast, and it is difficult to imagine such aggressive waves and dark sand.
Iceland is one of those countries that nobody seems to care all that much about, yet everyone wants to visit at the same time. I have also always wanted to visit, and I think it is so cool that you got to do so! It is so interesting to me how different places have such different parts about it- for example- the black sand beaches. Awesome blog post!
Wow, Iceland sounds really cool. My passion blog is also about traveling and places that I have been and so I love reading about new places that I haven’t been to. Kerið sounds like a very interesting place to go to, and I definitely want to visit Iceland at least once in my lifetime. Also, when I think of Iceland I immediately think of the northern lights, and so I hope I get to see this unique event at some point. Overall, I liked the blog and looking forward to what you write about next.