Iceland Midnight Sun

Arriving at Iceland

Day one of your Iceland midnight sun trip starts with your arrival at Keflavik International Airport, located in the middle of Reykjanes Penninsula's lava field. On your way to the country's capital city, you can choose to make a stop at the Blue Lagoon. Known for its azure colors, healing waters, and luxurious treatments, the world-renowned spa has a mystical ambiance with its location in the middle of the moss-covered lava field. Your visit to the spa, if you choose to go, will be scheduled according to your flight timings. If there is no time to fit in a spa visit today, it will be rescheduled to another day.

After you reach the city, you are free to your own devices for the rest of the evening to explore the city. Visit the city's numerous boutiques, check out the museums, and enjoy some great coffee in the city's quirky coffee shops.

However, it is in the evening when the capital city comes alive with several cocktail lounges and bars offering live shows. You will be spoilt for choice here when it comes to picking a restaurant. With the midnight sun, the city is in twilight throughout the night.

Touring the Golden Circle

On day 2, it is time to leave the lively city and start your golden circle tour Iceland by heading into the arms of nature. A short drive from the capital takes you to some of Iceland's most amazing sites. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack your camera before your guide picks you up today.

The first stop of the day is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Þingvellir National Park, where, over a thousand years ago, Viking settlers created Alþingi, the Iceland parliament. It is also the point of great tension that tears the land apart as the North American and European continental plates meet.

The tension causes the formation of gorges and fissures in the landscape. One such fissure is Silfra, which is now filled with clear glacier water. Being a popular snorkeling spot, you can choose to go one snorkeling tour of Silfra, where you can literally swim between two continents.

The next stop is the home of bubbling hot springs and erupting geysers, the Geysir geothermal area. The main attraction of the area is the hot spring that erupts every few minutes-- Strokkur. During your exploration in Geysir, you will see clays of mystical and unique colors due to exposure to the minerals in the boiling water, making it an ethereal sight and experience.

The last stop for the day is Gullfoss waterfalls. When crowned by the midnight sun, the massive waterfall in the glacier river Hvita is one of Iceland's most marvelous attractions. It is a must-visit in your trips to Iceland.

For the thrill-seekers, a snowmobile tour from the Gullfoss waterfall is a great option. During this tour, you will head to the Langjökull, zooming across the white expanse on a fast snowmobile.

Those wanting the thrill in a milder dosage can take up horse riding across the stunning countryside of Iceland on an Icelandic steed. You can also try out the famously smooth gait here.

Tonight will be spent in the capital city.

Of Volcanoes and Glaciers

Today, you will be whisked out of the city. Following the southern coastline, you will reach the Vatnajökull National Park, where you will stay for the night at the foot of the largest glacier in Europe. Be ready for some thrilling adventures and stunning scenery on your way.

Today's first stop is Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Here, you can completely encircle the falling spring water as it falls high and narrow over a cavern.

Next stop is yet another waterfall that is as beautiful as Seljalandsfoss, but vastly different. With a powerful cascade that creates a large amount of mist as it falls on the flat surface below, Skógafoss is mighty and gorgeous. Here, you stand the chance of seeing double rainbows on sunny days.

The two glacier-covered volcanoes, Eyjafjallajökull and Katla, tower over the south coast. In 2010, the former erupted and halted air traffic for a few days. The latter, however, remains dormant under the ice cap of Mýrdalsjökull glacier.

Add some adventure and excitement to the day with opting for a glacier hike on one of Mýrdalsjökull’s outlet glaciers, Sólheimajökull. Stunning views of the blue crevasses, white glacier peaks covered black ash from volcanic eruptions in the past, and frosty mountaintops are some of the things that this adventure offers you.

You will, then, head to Reynisfjara's black sand beach, where you will hear the thundering noises of the North Atlantic Ocean waters smashing into the 66-meter tall Reynisdrangar sea stacks. As you enjoy the beach, keep your eyes peeled for puffins that nest nearby.

After the last stop, you will head east towards your accommodation in Vatnajökull glacier.

Glacier Lagoon and Beach

On day 4, you will explore what is considered to be one of the most beautiful Icelandic locations, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. The glacier lagoon is filled with icebergs broken off a nearby glacier. These icebergs float lazily on the calm water, making their way towards the ocean. Seals swimming, playing, and hunting for food is a common sight between these bergs.

Get a closer look at the icebergs by opting for the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon boat tour, especially if you are traveling between May and October. For the tour, you will sail among the massive bergs boarded on an amphibious boat. Needless to say, you will fill your camera with some stunning photographs here.

Take a short walk from the lagoon and you get to the Diamond beach where smaller icebergs wash on the black shores and shine like gemstones, thus earning the beach its name. This creates the perfect backdrop for selfies and family photos.

After the photogenic adventures of the day, it is time to head back to the city for the night. On your way back, your local guide will give you insider knowledge of the Icelandic nature by stopping at some of the popular places.

Hot and Cold

Today you make the choice of being hot or staying chill on your Iceland midnight sun tour.

Turn up the heat by joining a trip into the earth to visit the magma chamber of the now-dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano. Reminding you of a dragon's treasure trove, you will find some lovely natural art as the minerals paint the walls with their vibrant colors at this cavernous space.

If you like being chill, then be ready to get real cold, colder than you might be used to at Langjökull. A day trip to the glacier will have you whizzing across it on a snowmobile before going inside it, heading deep within the icy halls of the blue ice mass.

In the area, you will come across multiple waterfalls cascading over the lava and melding with the river-- Hraunfossar. Yet another waterfall is nearby, Barnafoss, which cascades to the same river.

At the end of the day, you will either want to heat up or cool down in downtown Reykjavík. You can always find something tasty or fun to occupy your time in the city.

City or Nature

Day 6 is yet another day of making a choice. Today you get to choose between relaxing or exploring the city and getting another taste of the Icelandic nature.

If you just didn't have enough of the wild Icelandic nature, you can join a tour to the highlands. Boarding a super jeep, you will be heading up into the mountains to the natural paradise of Landmannalaugar. Nestled in the shadow of the mighty Hekla volcano, this area is known for its scenic beauty due to the colorfully streaked rocks and cliffs.

Here, you can partake in a number of activities such as hiking and the quintessential Iceland experience of some high-quality geothermal bathing in the hot springs nestled under the rocky hills. Nature lovers and those wanting to reach the less easily reached parts of Iceland will love this trip and option.

On the other hand, if the vibrant city calls to your soul, you can opt to stay behind at Reykjavík and get a better understanding of the Icelandic culture. You could go touristy by visiting a museum or do what the locals love to do-- hit the geothermal pools to listen to the latest gossip, discuss politics or philosophy, while enjoying the healing powers of the warm water.

If you get a 24-hour city card, you will have free entry to the Settlement Exhibition, Árbær Open Air Museum, and the city's many geothermal pools. You may also enter the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo, museums, galleries, and public transport for free.

On the flip side, you could head down to the Old Harbour of Reykjavík and go for a whale tour. You can also choose to have a trip to the Blue Lagoon spa on this day. Regardless of your choice, be assured that today will be a blast!

Heading back home

It is the last day of your tour and the time to say your goodbyes to the land of ice and fire.

If your flight is later in the day, you can choose to head to the Blue Lagoon spa today. It is the perfect opportunity to unwind before your flight back home. As you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich water, here, you can reminisce about the great adventure you just had in Iceland.

If you have already been to the spa on other days or simply wish to skip it, you still have plenty of things you can do at Reykjavík if you have a later flight. You could take this time to visit the Harpa concert hall or Hallgrímskirkja church.

Alternatively, you could also take a walk down the Laugavegur shopping street and stock up on some souvenirs, which is a highly recommended activity. However, if you have an early flight, we wish you a pleasant journey home.