Around the World in Reality: Iceland 2026

I had the opportunity to return to Iceland through work with a travel company, but as the timing coincided with basketball season, Donnell couldn’t join me. So this time, my mom joined me for the week, and as expected, my love for Iceland only grew after my third visit to the Land of Fire and Ice.

Day 1 – Sunday, February 15

We arrived in Iceland early in the morning, as most flights do. After meeting up with our travel company, we headed to breakfast at Kaffi Gola, a cozy café that had opened just 18 months earlier.

We also had the opportunity to visit Hvalsneskirkja, the historic church next door. Built in 1887, it stands as one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks and offered a beautiful glimpse of Icelandic architecture.

From there, we headed to the Blue Lagoon. Although I had visited before, I was grateful that the weather and overall conditions were much better this time around. It was a relaxing way to start the trip.

Next, we headed to Hallgrímskirkja, one of Reykjavík’s most iconic landmarks and the city’s tallest church. While I had seen it before, I hadn’t previously had the opportunity to step inside. The inside was beautiful, and the massive pipe organ was impressive to see up close.

We were then able to check into Hótel Borg, located in a part of Reykjavík that was new to me. The historic Art Deco hotel offered a different feel from places I had stayed before in Iceland.

The evening began with a welcome reception before we called it an early night. As luck would have it, I woke up around midnight and decided to check the Northern Lights forecast. Conditions looked promising, so I made my way down to the waterfront. Once there, I was treated to an amazing display of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.

Day 2 – Monday, February 16

The morning began with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a fascinating Northern Lights lecture with “Iceland’s Science Guy”. He shared insights about the aurora and several interesting facts that stuck with me:

• Aurora Borealis translates to “dawn of the northern light.”
• The Northern Lights season in Iceland typically runs from late August through late April.
• Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be cold to see the Northern Lights. Clear skies and solar activity are far more important than temperature.

It was an informative start to the day and helped me understand the sciences behind the incredible display I had witnessed the night.

We then made our way to Perlan, also known as “The Pearl.” It was one of the most unique attractions we visited, offering an immersive look at Iceland’s identity as the Land of Fire and Ice. From a volcano demonstration to exploring a real ice cave, the exhibits brought the country’s natural wonders to life in an engaging and memorable way. We also spent time on the 360-degree observation deck, which provided stunning panoramic views of Reykjavík and the surrounding landscape.

Next, we visited the National Museum of Iceland, where we explored the country’s history from its earliest settlements through modern times. The exhibits provided fascinating insight into how Icelandic society, culture, and traditions have evolved over more than a thousand years.

A few interesting facts we learned were:

• Early Icelanders spoke Old Norse, the language brought by settlers from Scandinavia.
• Iceland officially adopted Christianity around the year 1000, a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
• Before the introduction of Christianity, many Icelanders practiced Norse paganism.

The museum did an excellent job of connecting Iceland’s rich past to the culture and traditions that continue to shape the country today.

For dinner, we returned to Messinn, one of my favorite restaurants from the food tour I took during my first trip to Iceland. I had been looking forward to revisiting it, and it did not disappoint. To prepare for a late night of Northern Lights hunting, I ordered an Irish coffee to help keep me awake for the adventure ahead.

For our meal, we shared the Plokkfiskur, a traditional Icelandic fish stew. It was every bit as delicious as I remembered, making it the perfect meal before heading out to search for the Northern Lights.

Once it was dark, we went out as a group to view the Northern Lights and were able to catch them for the first time together. While they weren’t quite as bright as the previous night when I saw them, it was still a wonderful experience.

Day 3 – Tuesday, February 17

The day began with a trip along the Golden Circle. On the way, we stopped at the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, where we learned how Iceland harnesses geothermal energy from its roughly 30 volcanic systems to power homes and infrastructure across the country.

We then made our way to Litli Geysir and Strokkur. It was my first time seeing a geyser in person, and it was incredible!

We warmed up for a bit and headed to Gullfoss to see the Golden Waterfall. It was quite the view with a beautiful sky and parts of it frozen over.

Our next stop was Friðheimar Farm. We first stopped at the stables to see a few Icelandic horses. We were then able to learn about and observe the five gaits of the Icelandic horse, compared to the three gaits most horses have.

We then walked to the greenhouse where they are the largest producers of tomatoes in Iceland. They grow three types of tomatoes across 27,000 plants. They also use bumblebees from New Zealand to pollinate.

For lunch, we had tomato soup and fresh bread, which was absolutely delicious. I also tried the tomato beer, which was surprisingly tasty.

Finally, we ended the Golden Circle tour with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offered stunning views throughout. It is also where two tectonic plates meet and the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament.

For dinner, we ate at Apotek, which had been on my list for a while and was conveniently next door. I had the Arctic char and octopus, along with two cocktails, the Dillagin and the Laugardalur. Everything was fresh and very good, consistent with my experiences in Iceland.

Day 4 – Wednesday, February 18

It was time to leave Reykjavík and head north toward Akureyri, often called the capital of North Iceland. We set off on a scenic drive, and the landscapes along the way were breathtaking. We paused for a delicious lunch along the way before continuing deeper into the north.

Once we arrived in Akureyri, we made our way to the Forest Lagoon, tucked into the Vaðlaskógur forest and built into the hillside overlooking Eyjafjörður. Soaking in the geothermal pools with that view was one of those moments that makes you slow down and really take it all in.

Afterward, we checked into Hotel Kea, a historic Akureyri landmark perfectly situated in the heart of the small, welcoming city.

For dinner, I made reservations at Eyja. We had grilled shrimp, fresh bread, and halloumi. Everything was delicious.

After a bout of insomnia, I took a walk around downtown. It was truly lovely at night. I also loved the hearts throughout downtown and on the stoplights.

Day 5 – Thursday, February 19

After breakfast in Akureyri, we set out for a full day of exploring some of North Iceland’s most iconic landscapes.

Our first stop was Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Beyond its sheer beauty, it carries a powerful story tied to Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, where legend says wooden idols of Norse gods were cast into the falls by Þorgeir Þorkelsson. It is one of those places where history and nature feel deeply intertwined. I also had a good laugh finding Tupac on a service sign.

From there, we continued on to the Lake Mývatn area, a volcanic landscape filled with pseudocraters, steam vents, and otherworldly terrain. We enjoyed a Nordic lunch at Sel-Hotel before heading deeper into the region.

We made our way to Námaskarð, a high-temperature geothermal field where sulfur vents and steaming earth create a surreal palette of reds, yellows, and oranges. It felt like stepping onto another planet.

We then explored Dimmuborgir, a dramatic lava field of towering formations, caves, and pillars often referred to as a “dark castle.”

I opted for dinner in the restaurant downstairs, Múlaberg Bistro & Bar. I enjoyed wild king prawns and my first espresso martini.

We ended the night hoping to see the Northern Lights, watching the skies and waiting for any sign of the aurora. Sure enough, we were treated to a beautiful show.

Day 6 – Friday, February 20

After breakfast, we set out for Siglufjörður, a picturesque fishing town tucked along Iceland’s northern coast. The drive alone was stunning, with beautiful snowy views.

Siglufjörður was once the heart of Iceland’s herring industry, not just locally but across the entire North Atlantic. At the Herring Era Museum, we stepped into that history through restored buildings and exhibits that brought the past to life. We learned how the town once thrived with more than 1,200 people working in the industry, from salting herring and factory work to the famous “herring girls” who played a central role in the process. It was fascinating to see how deeply this industry shaped Iceland’s economy and culture before its collapse in 1968 due to overfishing.

For lunch, we also stopped at Baccalá Bar and Restaurant. The fish and chips here were delicious.

We then went next door to a family-run salted cod processing company. We learned about the process from fishing to salting.

At the end of the tour, I did what I said I wasn’t going to do again, which was try fermented shark. Surprisingly, this time it wasn’t as bad as the first. However, this officially earned me a spot in the “Rotten Shark Club.”

We made our way back to Akureyri and headed out one last time to see the Northern Lights. While it was cloudy, the view was still amazing.

Day 7 – Saturday, February 21

After breakfast, we checked out and began our scenic drive south back toward Reykjavík. The landscapes along the way felt like a final gift from Iceland.

We stopped for a hearty lunch at Hraunsnef farmhouse restaurant, a family-run spot that perfectly captured the spirit of Icelandic farm-to-table dining. It was warm, comforting, and exactly what we needed before making our way back to the city.

Once we arrived in Reykjavík, we checked back into Hótel Borg and had the afternoon at leisure to unwind and take in the city one last time. That evening, we closed out our trip with a farewell dinner at Matarkjallarinn, another one of my favorite restaurants.

Day 8 – Sunday, February 22

As luck would have it, our flight was canceled, so we decided to make the most of the unexpected extra day.

In the afternoon, we went whale watching, another first for me. To stay warm, I even tried a “whale punch,” a spiked hot chocolate that felt perfect for the moment.

While on the tour, we saw two humpback whales! They were named Banana and Split, which was cute. I absolutely loved whale watching and will definitely plan to do it again.

For lunch, we ate at Lemmy, a pub with a lot of charm. Since smoking is allowed, we chose to eat upstairs, which offered a nice view of the bar and its beautiful stained glass windows. I had the Spaniard Dog, and it was absolutely delicious.

That evening, I used a voucher from a previous tour to join another Northern Lights boat tour. We were out for about 20 minutes when the clouds briefly opened and we caught a glimpse of the aurora. Even with the cloud cover, it was completely worth it.

Day 9 – Monday, February 23

On our last day, I took a walk before breakfast at DEIG, where I had a cappuccino and the viral crème brûlée donut. This was a great place to people watching and start the morning.

Before heading to the airport, we made a stop at Rainbow Road since my mom hadn’t seen the beautiful street. On our way to the airport, we also caught a rainbow, making it a perfect final moment to end the trip.

Final Thoughts

Iceland has always been consistently amazing for me, and this trip will forever hold a special place in my heart for many reasons. My mom was able to experience this incredible destination, I got to see parts of Iceland I had never visited before, and it was also the last place I was able to talk to my papaw before he passed the following week.

Thank you, Iceland, for the many memories. Will I be back? Without a doubt.