{"id":168,"date":"2019-01-24T19:14:25","date_gmt":"2019-01-24T19:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=155988"},"modified":"2019-01-24T19:14:25","modified_gmt":"2019-01-24T19:14:25","slug":"visiting-iceland-in-2019-detailed-itineraries-for-the-land-of-fire-and-ice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/2019\/01\/24\/visiting-iceland-in-2019-detailed-itineraries-for-the-land-of-fire-and-ice\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Iceland in 2019: Detailed Itineraries for the Land of Fire and Ice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/harquail\/30542043766\/\"
\nPosted:<\/strong> 1\/24\/2019 | January 24th, 2018 <\/p>\n

Windswept volcanoes. Black sand beaches nuzzled against rugged coastlines. Secret hot springs hidden in misty valleys while majestic waterfalls cascade from every hill.<\/p>\n

Welcome to Iceland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a destination unlike any other in Europe<\/a>. Its unique landscapes and natural wonders perfectly complement the modern capital of Reykjavik<\/a> with its caf\u00e9 culture and boozy, rambunctious nightlife.<\/p>\n

Iceland is known as both the Land of Elves<\/a> and the Land of Fire and Ice. It\u2019s a country where you\u2019ll find smoldering active volcanoes and vivid blue glaciers side by side. Horses and sheep dot the countryside, colorful puffins flock along the cliffs, and whales breach the choppy Atlantic waters that envelop this tiny island.<\/p>\n

It’s easy to see why Iceland has become such a popular destination in recent years (all those cheap stopover flights have helped greatly too). <\/p>\n

And, while it\u2019s not the most budget-friendly country in the world, there are still ways to see the sights without breaking the bank<\/a>!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning a weekend getaway or want to drive the entirety of the island, this list of Iceland itineraries will ensure that you see the best the country has to offer!<\/p>\n

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. One Weekend in Reykjavik<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Four Days in the South<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Four Days in the North<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. One Week: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. One Month: Everything!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    What to See and Do in Iceland: One Weekend in Reykjavik<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Day 1<\/strong>
    \n\"the
    \nTake a tour of the city<\/strong>
    \nI always like to start my trips with a free walking tour. They\u2019re a fantastic way to see a destination, learn about its history and culture, and get all your questions answered by someone who knows what they\u2019re talking about.     City Walk<\/a> and Free Walking Tour Reykjavik<\/a> both offer great free tours of the city. They\u2019ll help you get a sense of Reykjavik so you can decide what you want to revisit later. The tours are donation based, so just make sure to tip your guide!<\/p>\n

    Explore Laugavegur<\/strong>
    \nWhen you\u2019re in need of a coffee or snack, go for a stroll down Laugavegur, a shop- and caf\u00e9-lined street in the center of the city. This is the oldest (and coolest) street in Iceland, and you\u2019ll find everything from expensive couture to dollar stores here. Be sure to stop in a bakery for a pastry or a coffee. My personal favorite is Mokka Kaffi.<\/p>\n

    Visit a museum<\/strong>
    \nAfter that, make your way to the National Museum of Iceland, where you will learn everything you need to know about this tiny Nordic nation. The most famous piece in the collection is the Val\u00fej\u00f3fssta\u00f0ur door, a piece carved in the Middle Ages that illustrates the saga of the lion and the knight. The museum does a fantastic job of giving you a robust history of the country without being boring. <\/p>\n

    If you\u2019d rather visit a more unconventional museum, consider a visit to the Icelandic Phallological Museum instead. Colloquially known as the Penis Museum, this small institution is home to the world\u2019s largest collection of penises and penis-themed art. Yes, you read that right! There are almost 300 items in the museum, including whale penises and (allegedly) troll penises! It\u2019s a small museum, but it\u2019s actually incredibly informative \u2014 if you\u2019re not too shy!<\/p>\n

    National Museum: Su\u00f0urgata 41, +354 530-2200, thjodminjasafn.is. Open daily 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays in the winter). Admission is 2,000 ISK (1,000 ISK for students\/seniors). <\/p>\n

    Icelandic Phallological Museum: Laugavegur 116, +354 561-6663, phallus.is\/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,700 ISK per person.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Go for a swim<\/strong>
    \nOnce you\u2019ve gotten tired of walking, go for a refreshing swim in the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool. Swimming and saunas are how locals relax and unwind after work. It\u2019s basically a national pastime. This pool is Iceland\u2019s largest and was built in 1968. It\u2019s actually a whole complex with hot tubs, a thermal steam bath, a waterslide, and even mini golf! If you have extra time, check out the nearby garden and zoo too.<\/p>\n

    Sundlaugavegur 105, +354 411-5100, reykjavik.is\/stadir\/laugardalslaug<\/a>. Open weekdays 6:30am-10pm and weekends 8am-10pm. Admission is 625 ISK, though if you have the Reykjavik City Card, it\u2019s free!<\/em><\/p>\n

    Take in the nightlife<\/strong>
    \nEnd your day enjoying the city\u2019s famous nightlife back around Laugavegur. This is one of the best party cities in the world, so there\u2019s something for everyone. Just make sure to go during happy hour so you don\u2019t blow your budget (alcohol in Iceland is not cheap!). Here are a couple of my favorite hotspots in Reykjavik:<\/p>\n