All Things Iceland

Iceland, a land of fire and ice, offers a myriad of awesome routes for tourists to explore attractions, but none as well known as the Golden Circle. This popular tourist route is easily accessible from Reykjavik, and it encapsulates the raw beauty and geological marvels of Iceland.

In this comprehensive guide, I will take you through the classic stops of the Golden Circle – Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Spring, and Gullfoss Waterfall – and share insights on additional stops that will transform your journey into an unforgettable adventure.

Tip: If you were only to do the three main stops, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs, Gulfoss as a round trip adventure that started and ended in Reykjavík, it will be about 3 hours and 27 minutes of driving without traffic or 233 kilometers (145 miles) according to Google Maps.

Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listeners and followers can submit questions for the “Ask Jewells About Iceland” podcast episodes I plan to do. Here is the link to submit your question. It is a super simple form that only asks for your question and first name to submit. I will create a separate podcast episode to answer the questions submitted. It’s basically an ask me anything segment that I decided to start in 2024.

If you are traveling from the Reykjavík area or the West part of the country, your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This isn’t just a place of outstanding natural beauty; it’s a cornerstone of Icelandic culture and history. Here, the Althing, the world’s oldest functioning parliament, was established in 930 AD. As you walk through the park, you’re literally strolling between continents; the park lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

The sight of the vast, rugged landscape stretching out before you is awe-inspiring. In one part of the park is the gorgeous öxarárfoss waterfall. You can easily walk to it and other parts of the park, but there is also the option to drive to different points.

Please know that you are expected to pay for parking at the main parking lot, which is where the information center is located. If you do not pay, you will likely get a fine that your rental car company will bill you for.

Tip: Don’t miss the Silfra fissure, known for its crystal-clear waters and popular for snorkeling and diving.

Next on the list of the main stops is the Geysir Hot Spring Area. Home to the famous Strokkur geyser, which erupts every 8-10 minutes, shooting a column of water up to 30 meters in the air, this geothermal area is a testament to Iceland’s volcanic activity.

The ground is alive here, with bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and the smell of sulfur in the air. The area is named Geysir because the hot spring Geysir used to shoot water into the air too but it is now dormant.

Fun Fact: The English word “geyser” derives from Geysir, the name of an old geyser in the area.

The crown jewel of the Golden Circle is undoubtedly Gullfoss Waterfall. Known as the ‘Golden Falls’, this stunning two-tiered waterfall thunders into a deep canyon, creating a mist that often produces beautiful rainbows, adding to its ethereal beauty.

The power and grandeur of Gullfoss are mesmerizing, and the story of its conservation is equally compelling, epitomizing Icelanders’ respect for their natural environment. During summer, there is a trail that runs alongside the falls that allows you to get a closer vantage point and feel the power the waterfall rumbling beneath you. During winter, this path is often roped off because it can be icy and dangerous to walk on.

Photo Tip: Capture the falls from various viewpoints to appreciate their full majesty.

While the main attractions are spectacular, there are numerous additional stops along the Golden Circle that can enrich your journey. Please note that I am not saying you need to do all of these additional stops but I think it is helpful to feature some that might interest you. Feel free to pick and choose the locations you want to add to your itinerary.

Brúarfoss Waterfall

Brúarfoss Waterfall is a hidden gem with its brilliant blue waters and fairy-tale-like surroundings. The great thing is that the parking lot for this area has change and it now only takes about 5 minutes to walk to the waterfall. It used to be about 1.5 hours one way, which was not convenient for most people.

Kerið Crater

Kerið Crater, with its striking red volcanic rock and a deep blue lake at its bottom, is a geological wonder. The crater is believed to be around 3,000 years old, and the contrast of colors here is simply stunning.

Fontana Spa and Geothermal Bakery

Relax at Fontana Spa, where you can enjoy geothermal baths and a unique Icelandic tradition of baking rye bread in the ground. The spa is in Laugarvatn, and it’s a perfect place to unwind and soak in the geothermal waters while enjoying the scenic views. The same people that run the spa have the geothermal bakery, where you can eat fresh Icelandic rye bread that was baked in the ground using geothermal energy.

Hrunalaug Geothermal Hot Pools

Off the beaten path, Hrunalaug offers a more private and rustic hot spring experience. These small, natural pools are a great spot to relax and soak in the Icelandic wilderness. The owners of these pools regulate how many people can enter to keep it from getting too crowded and every visitor gets 1 hour and 30 minutes to enjoy the pools. Please note that there are no showers here and the changing facility is an old turf house. It is truly a more authentic geothermal bathing experience.

The Secret Lagoon

Another must-visit geothermal pool is the Secret Lagoon. Located in Fludir, it’s one of the oldest natural geothermal pools in Iceland, offering a more authentic and less crowded experience than the famous Blue Lagoon. While it is named the Secret Lagoon, it is definitely not a secret any longer. Like other places along the Golden Circle, many people visit it throughout the year, especially during summer.

Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse and Restaurant

Friðheimar is an innovative greenhouse cultivation center. Here, you can learn about the magic of growing delicious tomatoes using geothermal heat. The on-site restaurant, set amidst the greenhouses, offers fresh tomato-based dishes, making it a delightful gastronomic experience.

It’s warm in there, smells amazing, and the food is delicious. If you do plan to come here, I highly recommend making a reservation way in advance. Spots for this restaurant fill up quickly in every season.

Minilik Ethiopian Restaurant

For a unique dining experience, Minilik Ethiopian Restaurant offers a taste of Ethiopia in the countryside of Iceland. It’s a great way to add some culinary diversity to your trip. I have eaten there and it was delicious.

The owners are an Ethiopian woman and her Icelandic husband. She is cooking the food and he is the host that seats everyone, as well as takes their orders. Ninty percent of the restaurant is decorated with items from Ethiopia.

I want to give a shout-out to Go Car Rental Iceland and Go Campers.

I use their cars and campers when I travel around Iceland, and I’ve partnered with them for over 4 years now. The main reasons? Their customer service is amazing, and they have a wide range of vehicles to choose from.

They’ve also given me a link so you can save 7% on your rental, plus get a couple of really useful extras.

With Go Car Rental, you’ll save 7% and get free 4G WiFi with your rental.

With Go Campers, you’ll save 7% and get a free sleeping bag included.

You can head to gorentals.is/allthingsiceland
for the discounts.

Once you enter your travel dates, the 7% discount is automatically applied.

For Go Car:
When you get to the extras section, select 4G WiFi. You’ll see the price stays the same, even though it has been added.

For Go Campers:
Choose a sleeping bag under the “Sleeping” section, and same thing, the total price won’t increase.

And just so you know, using my link gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the ways you’re supporting All Things Iceland and the content I create. Thank you in advance for that.

If you are not sure what to pack, you can get my free packing checklist for Iceland that provides the essentials, and some extras, that you can pack for winter and summer.

While the Golden Circle offers a fantastic snapshot of what Iceland has to offer, the country has much more to explore. From the black sand beaches of Vik to the stunning fjords in the Westfjords, each region of Iceland has its unique charm and attractions. Don’t hesitate to extend your Icelandic adventure beyond the Golden Circle.

I’ve received many amazing emails from listeners of the podcast and followers on social media asking me for my advice on what to do in Iceland. Due to the high demand for this information, I created some resources. All of the ones I will talk about are available through the tab at the top of this page called “Trip Planning Help”. Click on that and you will find links to everything I am about to share.

One of the resources is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link. After you fill out a survey and pick a time that is available for both of us, we do a one-hour video chat via Google Meet.

During this time, we chat about your interest, parts of the country you want to visit, how to get the most out of your time, helpful information to know about Iceland before coming, and any questions that you have. I have done over 100 of these calls since I first announced them and I always feel delighted when I hear at the end of the call that people feel even more excited about their upcoming trip because of the consultation.

Another great resource is to grab full access to my Iceland map. This map was created for those who want to pick out places and hidden gems around Iceland to make up their own itinerary or add to one that they already created.

With full access, you get over 260 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.

A one-time purchase gives you lifetime access, which includes any updates I make to the map.

Here is a link to my Iceland map: rexby.com/jewells/Iceland.

Drekkingarhylur pool or drowning pool. It is a deep pool near the bridge in Almannagjá, the narrow valley you walk through when you enter the area from the main parking lot, was a place where people were executed. Until the early 18th century, women in Iceland who were found guilty of crimes such as adultery, incest and murdering infants were tied in sacks and drowned there.

Gullni hringurinn – The Golden Circle

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

In the North on Drangey Island is where this tale takes place. It’s said that a man went to hunt birds and collect eggs on the island. As soon as he stepped foot on the island, he dropped died.

Word got around about the sudden death of this man and people felt that the reason for the death was an evil spirit or a devil. Guðmundur “The Good”, who was known as an individual that dealt with these types of spirits, went to try and sanctify the island a few times. In doing so, one time he met with the Devil.

According to the legend, the devil said, even evil needs a place to reside. Guðmundur gave it some thought after hearing this from the devil and decided to set aside a cliff area where the evil spirit/devil lives. It is a place where people are not allowed to hunt or collect eggs. In essence, it is a protected area.

This specific cliff is called Pagan Cliff. Since no one is 100% sure that an evil spirit doesn’t reside there and will kill you, people have decided to just leave it be. So, if you ever plan to go to this island keep that in mind.

You can take tours to this island. Don’t worry, your guide knows not to take you to the off limits cliff. Also, Drangey island is an important place in Grettir’s saga, a folklore story I will be sharing at another time.

Along with Drangey island, there are so many amazing places to see in North Iceland. The Diamon Circle route is one that is popular but I’ve had the opportunity to visit so many awesome natural wonders. If you want to add the north to your list of places to visit, I recommend grabbing My Iceland Map. It has over 260 different places around Iceland that I enjoy, including accommodations, museums, hot springs to bathe in, natural attractions, and more.

Whether you just grab the map or full access, which comes with pre-made itineraries, you will have loads of recommendations for things to do in the north around the country. You can find the link to my map here or under the “Trip Planning Help” tab at the top of the page.

The word Drangey has an interesting meaning. First it is two words together. Drangur and ey.

Ey means island. Drangur is stone pillar. If you look at a picture of Drangey island, you will see a small stone pillar next to it the larger island. Together those words are drangey or stone pillar island.

1 .The Guardians of Iceland and other Icelandic Folk Tales

2. Icelandic Folk Legends: Tales of Apparitions, Outlaws, and Things Unseen

3. The Little Book of the Hidden People: Twenty Stories of Elves from Icelandic Folklore

4. Icelandic Folk Tales

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

There are three main parts to the Winter Lights Festival – The Lights Trail, Museum Night, and Pool Night. I’ll explain each of them briefly and will provide a link where you can find out more about the 150 events going on during this festival where a number of artists participate.

Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listeners and followers can submit questions for the “Ask Jewells About Iceland” podcast episodes I plan to do. Here is the link to submit your question. It is a super simple form that only asks for your question and first name to submit. I will create a separate podcast episode to answer the questions submitted. It basically like an ask me anything segment.

The Lights Trail, a magical walk from Hallgrímskirkja down Skólavörðustígur to Austurvöllur, adorned with stunning light artworks that glow from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM daily during the festival. It’s the perfect way to explore outdoor art and make those Instagrammable moments with your loved ones.

Pool Night on February 1st turns your regular swim or relaxing time in the hot tub into an extraordinary experience with events happening at each pool around the capital area. Dive into twelve different pools from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, all for free, and swim in a sea of light and joy.

For all those art aficionados, light lovers, and anyone looking to brighten up their winter, the Winter Lights Festival is your wonderland. Mark your calendars and let’s light up the night in Reykjavik!

For more insights and details, be sure to check out Winter Lights Festival – About.

Imagine a world where museums stay open late into the night, offering quirky and unique events to tickle your fancy. That’s Museum Night for you, happening on February 2nd, where the city’s museums transform into nocturnal wonderlands from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

I  highly recommend dressing extra warm because you will spend a lot of time outdoors if you want to get the most out of this festival. If you are not sure what to pack, you can get my free packing checklist for Iceland that provides the essentials, and some extras, that you can pack for winter. In addition, my summer packing list comes along with it too, so you already have that for when you plan to visit in the warmer months.

Every night of the festival, Hallgrímskirkja church is not only lit up but there is a light show that goes along with music happening periodically. I think it is every 15 minutes or so.

The kickoff to the festival starts with the first light show there. It is so much fun to watch and a great place to kick off your walk down the lights trail.

Vetrarhátíð – winter festival

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

Today, we’re diving into some intriguing Icelandic tales from East Iceland, specifically some tales from the life of Pastor Vigfús Benediktsson. Back in the 18th century, Vigfús found himself dealing with some pretty wild supernatural encounters. Luckily for him, some of the intuitive and resourceful women in his life were able to help him out when he was in some spooky situations.

Before landing the gig at Kalfafellsstadur, Vigfús was the pastor at Einholt. Around this time, he bumped heads with a local named Ólafur at Viðborðssel. Let’s just say things got heated from time to time.

One day, Vigfús planned to visit his parishioners, despite the nasty weather. His wife, sensing trouble, advised against stopping at Ólafur’s place, the guy who he bumped heads with, but Vigfús went anyway. At Viðborðssel, Ólafur welcomed him and offered a drink from a mysterious bottle. At first, Vigfús did not drink from the bottle but as time went on he was getting thirsty, so he loosened the cork on the bottle.

Just as Vigfús was about to have a sip, his wife burst in, warning him not to drink. Instead, she took a swig, and spat it out. The dog in  the room licked up the liquid she spat out and died on the spot! After that, she reassured Vigfús it was safe to drink, and he did without any harm. Personally, I wouldn’t want to touch the bottle after seeing the dog die from drinking for it but clearly Vigfus trusted his wife with his life.

On another occasion, Vigfús was traveling through the Öræfi district and ended up at Hnappavellir, planning to push on to Hof, which was not far off. While he had been offered an escort, he did not find one necessary, so he set off alone despite the late hour.

Later, he showed up at a nearby croft, Litlahof, and saw that someone was in the window. The woman that came out to greet him was surprised to see the pastor so late. Pastor Vigfús asked her if he could stay the night and that she keep a light burning the whole night.

Back at home, Malfríður (Sigfús´s wife) woke up in a panic because she knew that her Fúsi, the nickname she has for her husband Sigfús, was in trouble. To make sure no harm came his way, she gnawed on a piece of gray cloth from her bodice all night until dawn. When dawn arrived she knew he was safe and she stopped gnawing on the cloth.

Before his East Iceland days, Vigfús had a tough time in Aðalvik in the Westfjords, thanks to some hostile magicians. They had been using their magic to torment Vigfús and that is why he had left the area to serve in the East. Even though he was far removed from them, their grudge against him had not subsided, so they decided to wake up a ghost and sent it to kill Vigfus after he moved east!

As his leather-clad ghost made its way to Vigfus, it stopped first at Tvisker, scaring a farmer named Einar on Shrove Tuesday. When the ghost arrived early in the morning, Einar was the only one awake. Einar asked the stranger where he was from and the answer was the Westfjords. Einar assumed the stranger had a message for him, so he asked if he had any news and the ghost replied that one of Einar’s sheep was dead in the fields.

When Einar heard this, he immediately felt something was not right because how can a man from the Westfjords, which is very far from the East, know the mark that Einar has on his sheep. Just to note that it is common practice for farmers to mark their sheep in some way so they can find them during the yearly sheep round up called rettir or if they get lost in general. It make sense that someone from your own region would know the mark you have on your sheep but for a person from a very far area to know this is odd.

To test the stranger even more, Einar asked him where a key was that had been lost twenty years prior. Without a hesitation, the ghost told him exactly where it was. Now, Einar knew for sure this was not a regular person. He mustered up the courage and demanded that the stranger get out. The ghost did as he commanded but not without leaving his mark. As he crossed through doorways, the frames of the doors was ripped off and the wood pieces that once were doorframes were found scattered outside the next day.

The ghost continued with his mission to kill Vigfus. Before it reached Einholt, the nanny for the children of Pastor Vigfus, asked him to sleep in her bed that night and she would sleep in his. She was an old and wise woman that knew many things, so Vigfus did as she suggested. That same night the ghost arrived to the Pastor’s house in Einholt.

The next morning Vigfus was alarmed when he saw that the sheets in his bed where the nanny slept had been ripped to shreds. The older woman was lying on the floor and looking so weak. Vigfus went to see if she was ok.

She was able to tell him of the fierce confrontation she had with the ghost that night and that the sorcerer brothers that had sent the ghost will not being sending any more messages. It took all her strength to relay that to him. After taking a deep breath, she lay her head down and died.

Grab full access to my Iceland map. This map was created for those who want to pick out places and hidden gems around Iceland to make up their own itinerary or add to one that they already created. With full access, you get over 250 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.

East Iceland is a lovely place that most people just drive through and don’t often take the time to check out because they don’t know what they are missing. I will do an episode dedicated to the east but one thing that adds to the spookiness of this area is that it tends to be quite foggy.

In my opinion, thick fog lends itself to scary ghost stories and I can only imagine what people have seen or thought they saw in the dense fog that can descend upon the region.

Þoka – fog

1 .The Guardians of Iceland and other Icelandic Folk Tales

2. Icelandic Folk Legends: Tales of Apparitions, Outlaws, and Things Unseen

3. The Little Book of the Hidden People: Twenty Stories of Elves from Icelandic Folklore

4. Icelandic Folk Tales

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

Unfortunately one of the worst case scenarios has happened in Grindavik when an eruption started this past Sunday early in the morning. Two fissures opened and one of them was right next to some houses.

Everyone in Iceland and in many parts of the world who have heard about this have heavy hearts because we have been seeing the destruction of people’s homes right before our eyes and can’t do anything about it.  My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes.

In this update, I will share what is known right now, how the current eruption is impacting the rest of Iceland, if flights to and from Iceland are impacted, what the government is saying/doing, what’s happening at the Blue Lagoon, and where you can keep up to date about the eruption if you want more frequent information.

As a reminder, the last eruption was on December 18th and it stopped after two days.

Early on Sunday morning, like about 3 AM, after hundreds of earthquakes, residents of Grindavik that had moved back to the town were evacuated. At around 8 in the morning, the eruption began. This is the fifth eruption in 4 years on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The first fissure caused concern, but the level of fear heightened to a new level when a second fissure opened up very close to the town.

It’s being estimated that this eruption is one quarter the size of the previous one. There were thoughts that it could last up to a week but recently it looks like it is fading out. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what will happen next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhTraaomFr8&feature=youtu.be

You can donate to the efforts to help the residents of Grindavik here – https://www.raudikrossinn.is/english/donate/donate-now/

The Prime Minister of Iceland,  Katrin Jakobsdottir, said today that,

Katrín Jakobsdóttir

Due to the Blue Lagoon’s proximity to the eruption, it is currently closed. While the Svartstengi power station is still in tact, there is evidence of land rising in its area. We are waiting to see if that subsides or if another fissure opens up there too.

Fortunately, there are not disturbances to flights arriving or departing from Iceland. The eruption is happening on the same peninsula where the airport is located BUT the airport is in a safe area away from the lava.

There is also no concerns about ash causing issues with flying because the eruption is not causing ash to form.

Due to the volatile nature of the eruption, the uncertainty of where a fissure can open up, and that authorities are working around the clock to finish building a wall to direct the lava in another direction, people are prohibited from visiting the eruption.

Please do not put your life at risk to see this eruption because it ultimately puts Search and Rescue team members lives at risk who will need to save you if you get into trouble.

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024.

Even though this story is based in West Iceland, it starts out on the Reykjanes Peninsula in a small village. A group of men ventured to Geirfuglasker, known as Great Auk rocky island, on a g mission to capture great auks (a type of bird). But when it was time to sail back, they realized one of their own was missing. Reluctantly, they returned home, heavy-hearted and believing him lost to the sea.

A year later, the same crew found themselves back at the the same rocky island, and to their surprise, they found the missing man alive and well. He revealed an incredible tale: elves had enchanted him and held him captive for a year. The interesting part is that they treated him kindly yet keeping him away from his world. Even though they were nice to him, he longed for his home and elated to return to the world he knew with the group.

But his story took an unexpected turn. An elf woman, with whom he had shared a brief but intense connection, was expecting his child. She made him vow to baptize the child if she brought it to his church.

Time passed, and during a mass at Hvalsnes church, a mysterious cradle appeared outside, bearing a note demanding the child’s baptism. This raised suspicion among the people in the village that the man who had vanished for a year was the father of the child.

The pastor confronted him, but he vehemently denied any connection. At that moment, a tall, imposing woman emerged, cursing the man for his denial. She proclaimed that he would become a monstrous whale, a terror of the seas, then vanished with the cradle, leaving the villagers in shock and awe.

Driven to madness by the curse, the man raced to the sea and leapt from a cliff, instantly transforming into a whale that later was called Redhead because the man was wearing a red cap on his head when he plunged into the sea. Redhead became notorious and feared because he sank nineteen ships in his wrath.

One of the people deeply impacted by Redhead’s wrath was a blind pastor who lived at Saurbær. Tragedy struck when Redhead drowned the pastor’s sons during a fishing trip. Grieving yet determined, the pastor, guided by his daughter, made a pilgrimage to the fjord. One thing that made the pastor different than others who encountered this whale is that he was skilled in magic.

There, he and his daughter spotted the whale in the water. The pastor used a stick that his stuck in the ground along the shore to lead the whale through the fjord and up the Botnsá River. Not surprisingly, the huge whale struggling in the narrow, shallow waters. As they reached the roaring Glymur waterfall, the ground trembled like there were massive earthquakes because of the whale’s immense flailing about trying to fight against the magic. In fact, it is said tha the hills above Glýmur waterfall (glýmur meaning roaring) are called Skjálfandahæðir or Shaking hills because of this incident.

Finally, the blind pastor, with the help of his daughter leading him, had dragged Redhead the hot-tempered whale up to Hvalvatn Lake. Due to pure exhaustion from the difficult climb, Redhead died in the lake. The most intriguing part of the is story to me is that remains of whale bones have been found in this lake, which has led people to believe that it is a true story. When the pastor and his daughter returned home, the villagers were grateful for the work he had done to rid Redhead of the seas so it could be a little safer for all.

Hvalfjörður is only 26 kilometers from Reykjavík, which is about an hour one way. It’s a lovely fjord and the drive is really nice. If have time and you want to take the scenic route, I recommend not taking the tunnel and driving on the longer road around the fjord. Due to the beauty of the fjord, remote location, and proximity to the city, many Icelanders have cabins in this area.

Hvalfjörður literally means whale fjord

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Visiting Iceland in September is an experience that combines the tail end of summer’s allure with the onset of autumn’s charm. Here’s what you can expect:

Length of Day: In September, the days start to get noticeably shorter. You can expect around 11 to 14 hours of daylight.

September 1st – The sun rises at 6:09 AM and sets at 8:44 PM, which is 14 hours and 35 minutes of day light

On September 15th – The sun rises at 6:49 AM and sets at 7:54 PM, for a total of 13 hours and 5 minutes of day light.

September 30th – The sun rises at 7:32 AM and sets at 7:01 PM, which means we have a total of 11 hours and 28 minutes of daylight.

Northern Lights: The diminishing daylight hours increase the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights, especially towards the end of the month.

My Ultimate Packing Checklist  will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the summer list. Just know that it can be a little chilly during the evening in July, especially in the north, so you will need some thicker layers.

If you are looking to avoid the crowds of summer, September is a lovely time to visit. There are still long daylight hours and, as I mentioned above, most, if not all, highland roads are open. Plus, you can potentially see the northern lights!

Even though this is a shoulder season month, I still highly recommend booking accommodations far in advance. More people have been finding out that September is a great time to visit, so there is spillover of people from the peak summer months. This means accommodations you want might be a little hard to snag.

I want to give a shout-out to Go Car Rental Iceland and Go Campers.

I use their cars and campers when I travel around Iceland, and I’ve partnered with them for over 4 years now. The main reasons? Their customer service is amazing, and they have a wide range of vehicles to choose from.

They’ve also given me a link so you can save 7% on your rental, plus get a couple of really useful extras.

With Go Car Rental, you’ll save 7% and get free 4G WiFi with your rental.

With Go Campers, you’ll save 7% and get a free sleeping bag included.

You can head to gorentals.is/allthingsiceland
for the discounts.

Once you enter your travel dates, the 7% discount is automatically applied.

For Go Car:
When you get to the extras section, select 4G WiFi. You’ll see the price stays the same, even though it has been added.

For Go Campers:
Choose a sleeping bag under the “Sleeping” section, and same thing, the total price won’t increase.

And just so you know, using my link gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the ways you’re supporting All Things Iceland and the content I create. Thank you in advance for that.

Before hopping into the random fact of the episode, I want to share some Iceland trip planning resources. I’ve received many amazing emails from listeners of the podcast and followers on social media asking me for my advice on what to do in Iceland.

Due to the high demand for this information, I created some resources. All of the ones I will talk about are available through the tab at the top of this page called “Trip Planning Help”. Click on that and you will find links to everything I am about to share.

One of the resources is that if you’re interested in getting personalized trip planning advice from me, you can book me for a consultation via this link. After you fill out a survey and pick a time that is available for both of us, we do a one-hour video chat via Google Meet.

During this time, we chat about your interest, parts of the country you want to visit, how to get the most out of your time, helpful information to know about Iceland before coming, and any questions that you have. I always feel delighted when I hear at the end of the call that people feel even more excited about their upcoming trip because of the consultation.

Another great resource is to grab full access to my Iceland map. This map was created for those who want to pick out places and hidden gems around Iceland to make up their own itinerary or add to one that they already created.

With full access, you get over 250 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.

A one-time purchase gives you lifetime access, which includes any updates I make to the map.

Here is a link to my Iceland map: rexby.com/jewells/Iceland.

A few years ago, I headed to Landmannalaugar in mid-September. I had a blast going toward the end of the season because, so few people were there. The one thing that reminded me that weather in the highlands is volatile is that the skies were clear, blue and lovely while we were in the natural hot spring there. In less than 10 minutes, the sky turned gray, cloudy and ominous.

The wind picked up and snow started to fall from the sky. There was no indication in the forecast I had checked that this would happen. It only lasted about 5 minutes or so but it stuck with me. We were in a safe location but there have been others who have underestimated Icelandic weather, which then put them in potentially dangerous, if not fatal positions. I don’t say this to scare anyone but rather to share an experience that is possible anywhere in the country, but especially in the highlands.

September – Yes, spelled the same as September in English but it is said differently in Icelandic.

Visiting Iceland in September offers a unique blend of late summer and early autumn experiences. With its dramatic landscapes transforming colors, fewer crowds, and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s a perfect time for those seeking a mix of adventure and tranquility. Always be prepared for variable weather conditions and enjoy the diverse range of activities that Iceland has to offer during this beautiful month.

Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

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Today is the first episode of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. This one is extra special because tomorrow is January 6th and it is said that many magical things happen then in Iceland.

On January 6th, Iceland bids a vibrant farewell to its Christmas season, a day steeped in magic and folklore. Known as Þrettándinn or “The Thirteenth,” this day marks the culmination of a thirteen-day yuletide celebration. Having 13 days of Christmas is uniquely Icelandic in its charm and mystique.

In Iceland, Christmas starts on the 24th of December, and Þrettándinn, literally translating to “the thirteenth,” aligns with what many know as the twelfth night of Christmas. But here, it holds a deeper significance, intertwining with the enchanting lore of Huldufólk, the hidden people of Icelandic tales.

As the day unfolds, the end of the festive season is celebrated. The last of the Yule Lads their family begin their journey back to their homes in the mountains. This retreat signals the end of their annual visit, as they vow to return next Christmas.

Under the starlit sky, Icelanders traditionally gather around roaring bonfires on this day. Songs of the New Year and elfin melodies float through the air, a celebration of community and folklore.

But the magic of Þrettándinn extends beyond the visible. It’s a day when cows are whispered to possess the gift of speech. Their words a tantalizing mystery, yet one must resist the urge to listen, for their voices are said to bring madness. Seals shed their normal appearance and wander the land in human form. It’s a sight both wondrous and eerie.

The most fascinating part of all is that the Elf King and Queen are said to show up at the bonfires. They dance and sing around the crackling flames. Their jubilant voices echo through the night, a reminder of the enchantment that pervades this mystic evening.

Þrettándinn stands as a unique and captivating finale to Iceland’s Christmas season. A day where the line between the ordinary and the magical blurs, leaving behind memories as vivid as the Northern Lights themselves.

After this day, the festive spirit dims in homes across Iceland. Christmas lights might stay up until the end of the month because the light is nice to see during the dark months. However, trees are dismantled, and decorations are tucked away until next year.

Due to so many random facts already shared in this episode, I don’t have a separate segment for that but the Icelandic word of the episode is Þrettándabrennur, which translates to the thirteenth bonfires.

Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega

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It’s the end of 2023 and it has been quite year in Iceland, my personal life and for All Things Iceland. This episode is a recap that hits on all those areas, and I share what I have in store for 2024! Of course, included in my recap is an update about the most recent volcanic eruption.

Like most of my episodes, I will also have a random fact and an Icelandic word of the episode to share at the very end.

I’ll start out with the personal bits first. For those that listened to my 5-year anniversary episode of the podcast in June, you know that Gunnar and I are no longer together. Deciding to split was not easy. While I decision to no longer be together happened in 2022, our divorce was not finalized until July 2023. The divorce process in Iceland is a minimum of 6 months. There have certainly been some challenging times throughout the process.

I learned a lot about myself and fir the first time in a long time, I started to live on my own. Even though I continued to work on All Things Iceland, I took many much-needed breaks for my personal well-being and that helped me to feel so much more refreshed every time I came back to publish videos, podcast episodes or to projects for other companies.

While my life changed drastically the last couple of years, it has transformed me in ways I never imagined. As I have shared in the past, Iceland is my home and I love being here, so it is where I plan to stay for the foreseeable future.

I saw my family much more than I have in previous years. I came to the US three times, which is quite a lot for me, but it was awesome. I met some of my listeners and followers out on the streets of Reykjavik or at a coffee shop. I am often not able to meet up with people because of my schedule but I have thought of hosting dinners where people visiting can dine and chat with me in person while in the country. I would love to hear people’s feedback about that. Feel free to email me at jewells(at)allthingsiceland.com or message me via Instagram, if you are interested in that idea.

Even though, this fits into both the personal and professional part of my life, it was such a joy to be one of the people featured on Geography of Bliss hosted by Rainn Wilson.

For those who have not heard of it or seen it, the actor who played Dwight Shrute on the hit show The Office (specifically the US version), hosted a travel show where he goes around the world to find out what happiness means in different cultures. The first episode is Iceland. It was originally aired on Peacock, which is NBC’s streaming service, but I think it is available on several platforms now.

Not including this one, I published 32 podcast episodes last year, which surprised me because I didn’t feel like I put out that much in 2023. As you’ll soon learn about 2024, I have a lot more in store for the podcast because I miss having lots of great episodes going out that hit on many different aspects of Iceland’s culture, history, language, nature, and travel.

I couldn’t do as many interviews as I wanted in 2023, but my favorites were with Chief Phil Fontaine from Canada and Aka Hensen from Greenland.

I learned so much from all my interviews but those two were eye opening for me in many ways. I have them linked in the show’s description on my website allthingsiceland.com, if you would like to listen to them.

The podcast reached 187 countries last year. For those that are curious, listeners from the US are my largest audience but the top 7 are US, Canada, Iceland, the UK, Germany, Australia, and Norway.

There are many European countries after that, but I loved to see all of the ones on the list. Some that stood out to me as I scrolled through the list of 187 countries are the Aland Islands, Cameroon, Honduras, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, the UAE, and Taiwan (which is pretty high up there in terms of numbers).

It’s an honor to reach one person but to have reached over 846,000 listeners in the lifespan of this podcast blows my mind. I have so much gratitude for all of you. 

We had two volcanic eruptions in one year! Litli Hrútur Eruption started on July 10th and was over by August 8th

It was in an isolated area on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The biggest issue that came up during that eruption is that large moss fires made for difficult breathing conditions for hikers to the site.

At the end of October, the town of Grindavík started to experience constant earthquakes. By November, the town had been evacuated and facilities like the Blue Lagoon were shut down for safety reasons because of a potential eruption.

Icelandi Review

On December 18th at 10:17 PM, an eruption started on Reykjanes Peninsula north of Grindavik and quite close to the Blue Lagoon but far away enough to not harm it.

Plus, a protection wall made of lava rock had been constructed around the Blue Lagoon and Svartstengi Power Plant to try and protect them. Surprisingly, the eruption started really strong and pumping out a faster rate of lava than the last three but it also ended after two days.

Because the eruption had died down and there weren’t a lot of earthquakes, some people who live in Grindavik were able to speak Christmas at home.

The Blue Lagoon was closed from November until December 17th. After the eruption on December 18th, the Blue Lagoon closed again. On their website, they state that they will re-evaluate their status on December 29th.

I will explain a few more of the top stories but after that I will mostly just talk about some headlines before moving on to what is in store for the podcast in 2024.

An Icelandic woman Edda Björk Arnardóttir was extradited to Norway amidst widespread controversy, as reported by RÚV. She was charged with unlawfully taking her three sons from Norway to Iceland last year, defying a Norwegian court’s custody decision favoring the children’s father. The father, an Icelandic resident in Norway, had legal custody.

Despite this, Edda Björk, using a private jet, retrieved her sons from Norway and brought them back to Iceland without the father’s consent. Four months ago, Norwegian authorities requested her extradition for trial. Before being extradited, she was detained at Hólmsheiði prison in Iceland, where her supporters, including friends and family, unsuccessfully attempted to prevent her extradition.

She is currently held in a high-security Norwegian prison, awaiting sentencing. This has caused such a stir in Iceland and abroad because many are in support of Edda Björk.

It is estimated that 70-100 thousand people gathered at Arnarhóll for the Women’s strike.

Conclusion of the whole meeting:

Women’s strike on 24 October 2023!

Check out this link for more information about the strike and all the demands of the women who met and organized the strike.

Well, no one is sure if the previous eruption is over or if it is just taking a break. Some experts are saying there might be an eruption around NYE. We shall see what happens, and I will update you if anything new happens.

Gleðilegt nýtt ár! – Happy New Year

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The latest volcanic eruption in Iceland started on Monday, December 18th at 10:00 PM UTC. When it started the fear was that the town of Grindavík would be in danger of being submerged in molten hot lava. Here is the latest on what is happening and if the town is in danger.

The eruption started north of Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Due to major damage from earthquakes and the potential of magma breachin the surface, Grindavík had been evacuated some weeks ago.

Even though, no one was certain where the eruption would happen, it was fairly certain that one was mostly likely to happen in this area or even underneath the town. As of right now, the lava appears to be flowing away from the  town and is confined between two mountains – Sýlingarfell and Hagafell.

Even though the eruption is happening across the road from the Blue Lagoon and the power station, there is no current indication that either are in danger. The Blue Lagoon opened on December 17th again after being closed for weeks, but then had to close again due to the eruption nearby.

It’s hard to say when it will be deemed safe for the Blue Lagoon to open again. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and it will be announced when the iconic location will open in the future.

Currently, flights to Iceland are not impacted at all by the current volcanic eruption. While this eruption is happening on the same peninsula where the airport is located, it is still far enough away from it to have an impact.

There is no expectation that there will be ash created that can pose a threat to engines of planes. If anything, you might be able to see the eruption well from the window of your flight if you are arriving in the country when it is dark. If anything changes regarding flights, I will definitely announce it.

While I understand the trepidation some people fear of coming to Iceland when an active volcanic eruption is happening, there is no need to cancel your plans to visit. There is only a very small area on the Reykjanes Peninsula that is currently impacted by this natural occurrence.

The rest of Iceland is open for you to explore and enjoy. Like I mentioned above, flights are happening according to schedule and there is no current expectation that this eruption will cause delays or cancellations.

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að lesa og sjáumst fljótlega.