📍 Attractions
Login to addLaugervatn Fontana
One of two mainstream Hot Springs along the Golden Circle Route, Laugervatn boasts 4 pools, ranging from 30-40° C. An access pass costs about £30 (4990 ISK), and allows you to use any of the pools, as well as the 3 steam rooms and sauna. There is also access to the lake - my travel companions jumped in the water TWICE! Lunatics, considering it was -4 during our visit... My toes were enough to convince me it was a terrible idea! Inside, there's a cafe, and they also have a tour where you can watch them bake bread in one of the steam vents.
Strokkur Geyser
Strokkur geyser is one of the (many) highlights of the Golden Circle, and has been developed into quite the tourist attraction, with a Visitor center, shop, and cafe. The region is strewn with bubbling, boiling, and steaming vents, and there is a constant cloud of water vapour drifting off in the wind, giving the whole area an otherworldly feel. The main event, though, is obviously the geyser itself; an easy 5-minute walk from the visitor center, it erupts every 5-10 minutes. Sometimes dramatically, sometimes less so, but no matter the magnitude, it's still a sight to behold! There is plenty of parking too, but it can be quite a busy location, especially in summer, I guess!
Kerid Volcano Crater
Kerid, a long-dormant volcanic crater, is one of the attractions on the Southern stretch of the Golden Mile. It's not a large crater, taking only 15-25 minutes to circumnavigate, and is most famous for its milky-blue lake (which is less impressive in Winter when it's frozen, if I'm honest). The volcano last erupted approx. 6500 years ago, but there is still a very clear cone, with a deep crater. It costs roughly £5 for entry and provides a great photo opportunity and a worthwhile stop.
Gullfoss Falls
The largest Falls in Iceland, and the largest by volume in Europe, Gullfoss falls up to 32 meters over two tiers, and carries a large amount of water down the Hvita River Canyon from the highlands into the Lowlands. One of the main attractions on the Golden Circle, and just about as far from Reykjavik as is possible to go on the loop, it's an impressive sight, even in Winter. Due to snow & ice, certain parts of the path are inaccessible in Winter, meaning you're slightly more limited with how close you can get to the falls. There is plentiful parking available, and Snowmobile tours to Langjökull Glacier also leave from the attraction. Finally, as is standard, there is a Cafe/Shop on site.
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon is probably one of the most must-see attractions in Reykjavik, and it promises to be a great day out. We did not visit the lagoon during our stay, as we found a much cheaper option on the Golden Mile (and we were on a budget!), but this does seem to be a very popular and worthwhile spa. The entrance fee for Sky Lagoon is over £50 per person at the time of writing - still cheaper than Blue Lagoon, and being in Reykjavik, easier to access. You can find out more here: https://www.skylagoon.com/
Rainbow Road
I'm not going to lie, it's hard to justify the rainbow road as an attraction in and of itself, as it's really just a stretch of road in the touristy area of the city that has been painted in the colors of the rainbow. The area around the road is very nice, consisting mainly of cafes, restaurants, and Curio shops, and it's a pretty nice view looking back up the road toward Hallgrimskirkja.
Hotel Viking
Hotel Viking, found in the Southern reaches of Reykjavik, just off the harbour, is the only Viking-themed accommodation option in the city. It's bedecked in dark wood, every room has pictures, artifacts, skins, rugs, antlers, or other paraphernalia on display, and it's got a wonderful, "homey" feel to it. The staff are friendly, the rooms are warm and comfortable (the views aren't always great though), and the breakfast is simple but tasty and filling. It's really tapped into the history and culture of the country, and it's doing it very, very well.
Grotta Lighthouse
The lighthouse sits at the northernmost point of the Reykjavik peninsula, and while it's not necessarily special as a building, it is absolutely amazing as a nighttime stargazing and Aurora viewing spot. Its aspect looking North means most of the light pollution from Reykjavik is limited, but it's technically still part of the city. We went at 9 pm, and unfortunately, we were too early for the best Aurora of the night. Additionally, that early, and it's full of folk who don't understand the concept of keeping the lights off to improve visibility. So, top tip, go late once everyone is in bed!
Hallgrimskirkja
The largest church in Iceland, by quite some distance, Hallgrimskirkja dominates the Reykjavik skyline and is the heart of the city center. It's a really unique building, dating back only to 1986, with its flared front facade, it looks for all the world like a spaceship! Inside, the high ceiling is quite plain, with the notable piece being the organ, containing 5,275 pipes! For less than £10, you can access the bell tower, affording 360° views of Reykjavik and the surrounding landscape. Well worth it!