Iceland had been calling our names for quite some time, and we finally answered. From the moment we landed, it felt like we were dropped into a mythical realm, where the crisp air shimmered with magic, and it seemed totally possible that a tiny fairy or mischievous gnome might pop out from behind a mossy rock at any second.
The landscape is really impressive with its rolling green hills, wild volcanic terrain, and fields of lupine flowers popping in every shade of purple, making every corner feel like we’d wandered straight into nature's paradise.

Staying at an Airbnb in Selfoss turned out to be the ultimate move. We spent our evenings having cozy cookouts, packed our lunches for epic road trips, and unwound in an outdoor jacuzzi. Because nothing beats sinking into warm bubbles while the chilly Icelandic evenings nip at your face. Armed with a rental car, enough layers to survive a mini ice age, and a thirst for adventure, we were ready to conquer the land of fire and ice. Even in late June, the cold hits differently, cue the warm jackets and hoodies!
From steaming hot springs to jaw-dropping waterfalls and crazy beautiful black sand beaches, this trip was pure magic. Buckle up, because things are about to get wild!

We kicked things off at Þingvellir National Park, where we geeked out over standing between two continents - literally. The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, and we were right in the middle of it! In fact, the gap between these two plates is widening by about 2 centimeters every year, making it one of the most active tectonic zones in the world. It felt like standing on the edge of the Earth's crust, witnessing the forces that shape our planet!

Then, it was off to Haukadalur Valley, home of the legendary Strokkur geyser. Every 5–10 minutes, the geyser is shooting boiling water up to 30 meters (about 98 feet) into the air like nature’s own fireworks show! The name "Strokkur" actually comes from the Icelandic word for "churn" or "stir," reflecting the way the water is stirred up before each eruption! We were totally mesmerized until the wind changed direction and gave us an unexpected geothermal shower. Iceland, you cheeky little thing. :)
Pro tip: Go early before the crowds roll in!

Next up, Gullfoss. Gullfoss is Iceland's most famous waterfall and a must-see attraction. It is located in the canyon of the Hvítá river. If waterfalls had a leaderboard, this beast would be #1. It was massive, loud, and downright hypnotic.

From there, we visited Kerið Crater, a volcanic masterpiece with a sapphire-blue lake sitting right in the middle of fiery red slopes. Interesting fact: the crater is actually a volcanic caldera that’s around 3,000 years old, making it a pretty ancient natural wonder! The bright blue lake inside the crater is the result of rainwater collecting in the basin, and its vivid color pops against the red volcanic rock, creating a stunning contrast that's basically a nature photographer’s dream!

The day ended with a hidden gem. Gljúfrabúi. To reach Gljúfrabúi, you have to walk through a narrow gorge, and while there are some rocks to step on, you’ll definitely need to wade through the water. But no worries, ropes are guiding the way, so we held on like pros as they helped us navigate the entrance to this sneaky little waterfall hiding behind a mossy canyon. It was a little slippery, a little wild, but totally worth it to find this hidden gem! Hiking boots soaked? Absolutely. Regrets? Zero.

Waterfall chasing continued as we hit Seljalandsfoss, where you can actually walk behind the roaring cascade. At a majestic 200 feet tall, this waterfall is a showstopper in every sense. The path behind it gives you a whole new perspective, with the mist spraying your face as the water crashes down in front of you. It’s like stepping behind a curtain of nature’s pure power, and trust us, it’s totally worth getting soaked for! Tip: pack a rain jacket!

Then came Skógafoss, a towering waterfall that had us feeling tiny in the best way possible. With mist rising and rainbows appearing like magic, it was straight-up cinematic. Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls, and if you climb the 500+ steps to the top, you’re treated to jaw-dropping views of the surrounding landscape. The waterfall is so powerful that the mist often creates multiple rainbows on sunny days—nature’s way of showing off!.

But the real curveball of the day? Reynisfjara Beach. Black sand, dramatic sea stacks, and eerie vibes. It felt like a Viking saga about to unfold, as if a mighty longship could appear on the horizon at any moment, ready to storm the beach with a crew of fearless warriors. We climbed the basalt columns like the adventurers we were born to be and braved the howling wind that had zero chill (literally). And just down the coast? Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, where puffins stole the show. The views were nothing short of breathtaking. Standing at the top, you could see the crashing waves below and the rugged cliffs rising sharply against the sky, vast stretches of black sand beach, towering sea stacks, and the endless ocean stretching out to the horizon.

A must-do while exploring Iceland is soaking in a natural hot spring, which felt like we had unlocked some ancient Icelandic secret. Iceland is basically a giant outdoor spa, with so many hot springs scattered across the country. But a word of warning: the water can go from 'ahh, this is nice' to 'OH WOW THAT’S HOT' real quick! So be really careful when you approach one. It’s all part of the charm, though; the geothermal activity beneath the surface is what gives Iceland its magical energy.

Our last day was all about Reykjavík, and what a way to wrap things up. Strolling through the city, we soaked in the artsy, laid-back vibe, popping into quirky little shops and admiring colorful street art. We also checked out the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church, which stands as one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, reaching 244 feet into the sky. Its design was inspired by the stunning basalt columns found in Iceland’s landscapes, and it took over 40 years to complete!
The oceanfront views, the chill atmosphere of Reykjavík, and it was the perfect way to wind down after our action-packed adventure. And just before we said goodbye to this magical land, we met some of Iceland’s famous fluffy ponies, who trotted right up to us like old friends. With their windswept manes and gentle eyes, they were the perfect farewell to an unforgettable trip.

And if you're wondering how we managed to see so much in a single day, well, it’s summer in Iceland, where the sun just refuses to go down. Seriously, the day barely ends, and we’re like, “Hey, why not squeeze in one more waterfall?” Iceland’s basically nature's 24/7 amusement park.

Iceland delivered big time for us. Amazing landscapes, a little unpredictable weather, but the kind of adventure that makes you feel alive. It’s a dream for nature lovers and hikers alike. There’s always a new trail to explore or a hidden gem to uncover. And let’s be real, we’re already plotting round two. Who’s in?

Imagine slurping the freshest tomato soup of your life inside a greenhouse, surrounded by vines dripping with ripe, ruby-red tomatoes. That’s Friðheimar—where farm-to-table is literally table-in-farm! From fresh-baked bread to their legendary tomato dishes, every bite is a love letter to Icelandic greenhouse magic. Trust us, this is a restaurant recommendation you won’t forget!