Travel: The land of fire and ice in a weekend, a week and a fortnight

Marketing efforts to overcome Iceland’s post-financial crisis economy spawned an unprecedented tourism boom. And the introduction of Icelandair’s #MyStopover hashtag in 2014 in particular, was at the root of this.

The social media campaign popularised the airline’s longstanding deal allowing passengers a stopover in Reykjavík at no extra charge on their trans-Atlantic flight. As a result, the number of Americans visiting Iceland each year jumped from 240,000 in 2015 to over 570,000 in 2017.

Last year more than two million tourists entered Iceland – more than six times the total population – and it’s not hard to see why.

A weekend

If you’re only in Iceland for a weekend stopover, base yourself in the capital Reykjavík, which is conveniently located 40 minutes from the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa (just 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport). You can reach the lagoon by car or use a tour company.

The Blue Lagoon is very popular – there are two hotels on site – but remains a must-visit destination. Book ahead online: you’ll want to spend at least two hours relaxing in the 37-39 degree water.

Spend the rest of your weekend exploring the colourful homes and cute coffee shops of Reykjavik. Try the Stofan Café, Reykjavík Roasters, Bergsson Mathús, Sandholt or Brauð & Co – which serves some of the best cinnamon buns in the world.

The best view of the city can be found atop the Lutheran church, Hallgrímskirkja – an iconic Iceland landmark that can be seen from almost every point in the city.

A week

The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist drive in Iceland as it includes three major natural sites in a 300-kilometre route – Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the astonishing Gullfoss Waterfall. Drive yourself or take a tour.

Other destinations to visit during the week are the 60-metre plus waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss; the black-sand Reynisfjara Beach outside Vik; and the glacier river Jökulsárlón in the country’s south-east. Of course, if you are visiting Iceland in winter you’ll want to see the Northern Lights; aurora borealis. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a stunning light display from Þingvellir, or from the free thermal pool at Seljavallalaug.

A fortnight

Fourteen days is an ideal amount of time to travel along Iceland’s Ring Road and drive through the country’s vast and varied landscape, encompassing volcanoes, mountains, horses, beaches, meadows, waterfalls, glaciers, sulphur fields and erupting geysers. A 4WD is advised (although not essential in summer) for some of the unsealed sections.

Despite the tourism population skyrocketing in recent years, you’ll find several parts of the country are scarcely inhabited.

Getting there

Finnair, British Airways, Scandinavian Airlines have connecting flights to Keflavík International Airport, among others. Icelandair’s free stopover is available to passengers travelling between North America and eligible European destinations.

Stay

Popular accommodation includes Hotel Búðir and The Black House in Iceland’s west, Villa Lola in the north, and Ion Adventure Hotel in the south-west.