Schließe dich dieser Tour an und entdecke, was Island zu bieten hat! Du besuchst die weltbekannte Blaue Lagune und den Golden Circle sowie die Südküste Islands und die im Westen gelegene Halbinsel Snæfellsnes! Bewundere die Schönheit der Gletscherlagune im Südosten der Insel während einer 2-Tages-Tour in den Süden, entspanne in der Blauen Lagune, mache einen Tagesausflug auf dem Golden Circle und einen anderen Tagesausflug auf die Halbinsel Snæfellsnes – entdecke zahlreiche Wasserfälle, Vulkane, Strände und jeden der drei Nationalparks in Island! Außerdem hast du ausreichend Zeit, um die nördlichste Hauptstadt der Welt, Reykjavík, besser kennen zu lernen.
Darüber hinaus kannst du deinen Urlaub noch spannender gestalten und eine Walbeobachtung vom alten Hafen aus buchen.
Alle Transporte und Unterkünfte sind in dieser Tour inkludiert, sodass du dir nur noch die passenden Reisedaten aussuchen musst!
Kurzinfo
Tour-Informationen:
Verfügbarkeit: Mär. - Okt.
Dauer:
6 Tage
Aktivitäten:
Gletscherwanderung, Wanderung, Besichtigungen, Hot Pot
Schwierigkeitsstufe:
Einfach
Mindestalter:
8 Jahre
Sprachen:
English
Höhepunkte:
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world.
Despite a small population (120.000 and more than 200.000 in the Greater Reykjavik area), it is a vibrant city that draws an ever increasing number of visitors. It is the financial, cultural and governmental centre of Iceland. It also has a reputation of being one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.
Geography
The city of Reykjavik is located in southwest Iceland by the creek of the same name. Throughout the ages, the landscape has been shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the area is geothermal. Much of the current city area area was subglacial during the Ice Age, with the glacier reaching as far as the Álftanes peninsula, while other areas lay under the sea. After the end of the ice age the land rose as the glaciers drifted away, and it began to take on its present form.
The coastline of Reykjavik is set with peninsulas, coves, straights and islands, most notably the island of Videy, and seabirds and whales frequent the shores. The mountain ring as seen from the shore is particularly beautiful. Mount Esja is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavik and lends its distinct feature to the whole area. This majestic mountain is also highly popular for climbing. Other notable mountains that can be seen from the seaside are Akrafjall and Skardsheidi and on clear days one may even see as far to the legendary Snaefellsjokull glacier, at the end of the Snafellsnes peninsula.
The largest river to run through the city is Ellidaa in Ellidaardalur valley, which is also one of Iceland‘s best rivers for salmon fishing.
Transportation
There are no trains or trams in Iceland, but most people travel by car. The city also operates a bus system. There are two major harbours in town, the old harbour in the centre and Sundahofn in the east. The domestic Reykjavik Airport is located at Vatnsmyrin, not far from the city centre and close to Oskjuhlid and Perlan. The international Keflavik Airport at Midnesheidi heath then lies around 50 km from the city. Cars, jeeps and bicycles can be readily rented in the city and many organized tours are also being offered.
What to See & Do in Reykjavik
The local arts scene is strong in Iceland, with both annual events and single ones, many of whom have hit the international stage. For the annual ones please check our articles Best Annual Events in Iceland and the Top Ten Festivals in Iceland. Major events taking place in Reykjavik include the Iceland Airwaves, Gay Pride, RIFF (The Reykjavik International Film Festival), The Reykjavik Literature Festival, Cultural Night, the Reykjavik Arts Festival, Food & Fun, the Reykjavik Fashion Festival and the Sónar music festival.
Among famous people from Reykjavik are artists Bjork Gudmundsdottir, Sigur Ros, writers Halldor Laxness (born in Laugavegur) and Arnaldur Indridason and mayor Jon Gnarr. For more well-known and fairly-well known Icelanders, check our article on the subject.
You might also want to check our article on some of the many things to see and do in Reykjavik, such as visiting the city‘s many museums, exhibitions and galleries, checking out live music, visiting the Harpa music hall or the theatres, visiting the lighthouse at Grotta, the main shopping street of Laugavegur, visiting the old harbour and the flea market, going on a bird- and whale watching tour or visiting Videy island. We also have a top ten list of things to do.
Make sure to visit the public square of Austurvollur, one of the city‘s most popular gathering places, where you‘ll also find the national parliament, Althingi, the state church a statue of independence hero Jon Sigurdson, as well as cafés, bars and restaurants. Austurvollur was central in the 2008 protests, along with Laekjargata, home to the House of Government. You are also not likely to miss the great church of Hallgrimskirkja that towers over the city from the hill of Skolavorduholt, wherefrom you‘ll get a great view of the city.
Try a walk by the city pond, greet the many birds that frequent the area and visit the city hall, stationed by its banks. The Hljomaskalagardur is a beautiful park that lies by the pond, it ideal for a nice walk and sometimes concerts get held there. Further off is the campus of the university of Iceland, the Nordic house and the Vatnsmyri wetland, a particularly pleasant place, but be mindful of not disturbing the wildlife there and keep to the pathways.
For a nice swim on a warm day, we particularly recommend Nautholsvik beach.
Visit the Laugardalur valley, home to one of the city‘s best swimming pools, as well as the Asmundarsafn gallery, a beautiful botanical garden and a domestic zoo. A walk by the Aegissida beach, with it‘s old fishing sheds, in the west part of Reykjavik also holds a particular charm. The aforementioned Elllidaardalur valley is also a popular resort.
Another place that offers one of the city‘s best (and free) views is Perlan, up in Oskjuhlid hill. The hill itself is a popular resort, with over 176.000 trees and great opportunities for walking and cycling.
Travel to Alftanes to see the president‘s house at Bessastadir, which is also a historical site in it‘s own right, having been the educational centre of Iceland for centuries. Nearby is a beautiful lava field, Galgahraun, well worth a visit, though there is currently an environmental struggle going on as to it‘s future state.
The city is furthermore a short drive from many of Iceland‘s major attractions, most famously the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. In close vicinity you‘ll also find the Heidmork preservation area, a favourite pastime resort of the people of Reykjavik, as well as the Blue Mountains, one of Iceland‘s most beloved skiing venues.
Finally, we‘d like to stress that these are only some suggestions of the many things you might check out in Reykjavik. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you‘ll be able to make the most of your visit and we wish you a pleasant stay in our capital.
Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon. Conveniently located in the southeast by Route 1, about halfway between the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Höfn, it is a popular stop for those travelling along the South Coast or around the circular ring road of the country.
Geography
As a glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón is a lake that is filled with the meltwater from an outlet glacier. In this case, it is Breiðamerkurjökull, a tongue of Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajökull.
It stands out, however, due to the fact that it also fills with icebergs breaking from the glacier, some of which tower several stories high.
These icebergs, other than their scale, are notable for their colouration. Although they are, as expected, largely white, most are also dyed electric blue in part, with black streaks of ash from eruptions centuries past.
When the icebergs finally make it across the lagoon, they either drift out to sea or wash up on the nearby shore. Because of the way they glisten against the black sands of Breiðamerkursandur, this area has been nicknamed ‘the Diamond Beach’.
In spite of being a rather recent formation, Jökulsárlón is the deepest lake in the country, with depths reaching 248 metres. With a surface area of 18 square kilometres, it is also growing to be one of the largest.
History
Jökulsárlón has not been around since Iceland’s settlement; it only formed around 1935. This was due to rapidly rising temperatures in the country from the turn of the twentieth century; since 1920, Breiðamerkurjökull has been shrinking at a dramatic rate, and the lagoon has begun to fill its space.
Today, the expansion of Jökulsárlón is accelerating. As recently as 1975, it was just 8 square kilometres, and now that size has more than doubled.
In the relatively near future, it is expected that the lagoon will continue to grow until it becomes a large, deep fjord.
Though a dark omen for Iceland’s glaciers and ice caps in general, the retreat of Breiðamerkurjökull has resulted in an incredibly beautiful, if temporary, site. This has not been overlooked by Hollywood.
Jökulsárlón has been featured in the James Bond films A View to Kill in 1985 and Die Another Day in 2002, 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and 2005’s Batman Begins.
In 2017, Jökulsárlón was enveloped into the Vatnajökull National Park, thus it is now fully protected by Icelandic law.
Wildlife
Because of the wealth of herring and capelin that the tides bring into the lagoon, Jökulsárlón is somewhat of a hot-spot for Iceland’s wildlife.
In summer, it is a nesting site for Arctic Terns; stay well away from this area, as these birds are notorious for the fierceness with which they protect their eggs, dive-bombing the heads of any they see as a threat. Skuas also nest on the lake’s shores in this season.
Seals can be reliably spotted here throughout the year, swimming amongst or else hauling out on the icebergs. Jökulsárlón provides them with a safe haven to rest and socialise, especially considering the waters of southeast Iceland are renowned for their population of orcas.
Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Iceland and the third largest glacier in Europe, covering 8% of the island's landmass. Vatnajökull Glacier can be found in the south west of Iceland and is a popular spot for glacier hiking and ice caving tours.
Facts about Vatnajökull
Surface: 8,100 km2
Average thickness: 400 - 600 m
Maximum thickness: 1,000 m
Height: 1,400 - 1,800 m
Highest peak: 2,200 m (Hvannadalshnjúkur)
Information about Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull Glacier belongs to the greater Vatnajökull National Park, which encompasses the former national parks Skaftafell, in the southwest, and Jökulsárgljúfur, in the north. Vatnajökull's highest summit is Hvannadalshnjúkur which rests on top of a stratovolcano known as Öræfajökull.
Underneath the glacier rests some of the most active volcanoes in the country, the most notable being Grímsvötn, Öræfajökull and Bárðabunga. Volcanic activity in the region has occurred on and off throughout the centuries, and many geologists believe that such a period is overdue for immediate future. If their calculations are correct, it would mean significant volcanic activity for Vatnajökull over the scope of the next half century.
The glacier boasts of over 30 outlet glaciers, which are channels of ice that flow out of ice caps but remain constrained on the sides of the valley. The major outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull include Dyngjujökull in the north, Breiðamerkurjökull and Skeiðarárjökull to the south. To the west, one can find the outlet glaciers Síðujökull, Skaftárjökull and Tungnaárjökull.
Glaciers are in constant motion underneath their weight; as they form over the centuries, the accession of snow exceeds its melting, creating a constant "push" on the ice cap. Each year, due to the melting ice water, new ice caves form that disappear come spring.
Numerous rivers run out of Vatnajökull, making up some of the greatest glacial rivers in Iceland:
Tungnaá (west)
Köldukvísl (west)
Þjórsá (west)
Jökulsá á Fjöllum (north)
Skjálfandafljót (north)
Jökulsá á Brú (north east)
Jökulsá í Fljótsdal (north east)
Jökulsá í Lóni (south)
Hornafjarðarfljót (south)
Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi (south)
Skeiðará (south)
Núpsvötn (south)
Hverfisfljót (south)
Skaftá (south)
Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park, in its current state, was established in June 2008. The park now covers an area of 14.141 km2, making it the second largest national park in Europe. Vatnajökull National Park has 14% coverage over the whole island of Iceland.
Rivers divide the highland plateau to the north of the park; an area that sees massive glacial flows in the summertime. The volcanic table mountain Herðubreið towers over this particular region, along with volcanoes Askja, Snæfell and Kverkfjöll.
The canyon Jökulsárgljúfur was carved out by glacial floods centuries ago. At the upper end of the canyon, you'll find Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Further north, the horseshoe-shaped canyon Ásbyrgi is believed to have formed when Óðinn's horse, Sleipnir, stepped his foot down from the heavens.
East around Snæfell, one can find wetlands and ranges, home to roaming herds of wild reindeer and abundant birdlife. Steep mountain ridges make up the south side of Vatnajökull, where outlet glaciers crawl in between the ridges onto the lowlands. The sandy plains of Skeiðarársandur also lie to the south as they reach out to sea. The glacial river Skeiðará runs through this vast desert.
One of Iceland's most visited landmarks is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which sits at the head of outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull. There, large icebergs that have broken off the glacier gather to float in the lake before ending up in the Atlantic Ocean, or on the nearby Diamond Beach.
The volume of Vatnajökull reached its peak around 1930 but has since been in a steady process of decline. Because of rising levels of global temperature, approximately over the last 15 years, Vatnajökull has on average lost about a metre of its thickness annually.
If temperature levels continue to rise, the glacier could be all but gone nearing the end of the next century, leaving only small ice caps on top of the highest mountain summits.
Snæfellsjökull (1446 m) is an ice-capped volcano found on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland.
Though many consider Snæfellsjökull to simply be a particularly impressive ice cap, it is, in fact, a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano. The mountain is actually called "Snæfell" (Snowy Mountain), though the “jökull” (Glacier) is often added to help distinguish it from other mountains of the same name. For the first time in recorded history, Snæfellsjökull had no snow or ice at its peak in August 2012, causing concern amongst locals that climate change is threatening the nature of the mountain.
On clear days, one can see Snæfellsjökull from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, approximately 120 kilometres away over Faxa Bay, making for an impressive sight—and a tick off the bucket list if you can’t make it to travelling across the Peninsula itself. The volcano makes up just a small part of the larger Snæfellsjökull National Park.
History
Nearby villages include Hellissandur, Rif and Ólafsvík, all of which were commercial and fishing hubs throughout the peninsula’s long history of human inhabitance. Fishing took off primarily in the 13th-Century, with fishing stations being built in all areas with easy access to the open ocean.
One notable example would be the settlement of Dritvík, one of the largest fishing stations in Iceland at the time, utilising around 40–60 boats and employing between 200–600 people. Fishing in the region declined during the 19th century due to a change in Iceland’s fishing practises, though it is still an important source of livelihood for those living on the Peninsula.
Snæfellsjökull has, for centuries, been considered to be one of the world’s ancient power sites, a source of mysticism, energy and mystery for the peninsula’s superstitious population. This likely has something to do with the stratovolcanoes place in the Icelandic sagas; the feature takes a prominent role in Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss, a late 14th-century saga that tells the story of Bárður, half-human-half-troll, who became the “guardian spirit of Snæfellsjökull.”
In Literature
Snæfellsjökull serves as the entrance to a fantastical subterranean world in Jules Verne’s classic 1864 novel “Journey to The Centre of The Earth.” Given its central place in the novel, Snæfellsjökull has become one of the most popular spots for visitors in Iceland and has inspired a wealth of writers, poets and artists.
Since “Journey to The Centre of The Earth”, Snæfellsjökull has appeared in the Blind Birds trilogy by Czech SF writer Ludvík Souček (partially based on Jules’ work) and in Under The Glacier, a novel by Iceland’s only Nobel laureate, Halldor Laxness.
Nearby Attractions
Along with the glacier, attractions include the two nearby basalt cliffs called Lóndrangar and the many fascinating lava formations at the beautiful Djúpalonssandur beach, such as the arch rock Gatklettur. At Djúpalonssandur, one can also test their strength just as the ancient sailors once did with the four "strength" stones, Amlóði ('Useless'), Hálfdrættingur ('Weakling'), Hálfsterkur ('Half Strength') and Fullsterkur ('Full Strength'). In the area, one can also explore the Saxhóll volcano crater and 'the singing cave' Sönghellir, which is named after the loud echoes inside.
Skogafoss is one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls of the island with an astounding width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters.
This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland for travellers to visit. It is located in South Iceland, not far from Skogar, which itself features a highly interesting regional museum. Due to the amount of spray the waterfall often produces a single or double rainbow on sunny days.
Geysir is a famous hot spring in Haukadalur valley in South Iceland. Part of the ‘Golden Circle', Geysir gives its name to hot springs all over the world.
Though Geysir itself is hardly active anymore, the area features spectacular hot springs such as the powerful Strokkur, which spouts a vast amount of water every 10 minutes, around 15-20 meters into the air, Smidur and Litli-Strokkur.
North of Geysir are fumaroles, i.e. unlike the hot springs that emit hot water, only steam and gas emanate from these. You may be able to observe bright yellow stains at the fumaroles, this is native sulphur, which crystallizes from the steam. At the southern part of the geothermal area, called Thykkuhverir, you‘ll find various mud pots. Such mud pots are actually fumaroles that boil up through surface water/groundwater and may become steaming fumaroles during dry spells, rather than the usual boiling mud pots.
About 2 km from Geysir is an old preserved natural pool called Kúalaug. One can bathe in it and it has room for 3-5 people at a time, but care should be taken, as the area around the pool is very delicate. The temperature is 39-43°C, depending on how you are positioned in the pool. The water is slightly muddy, as the pool is built on soil, and the bottom is slippery due to algae, so caution is advised.
In Haukadalur there has also been tree planting in recent times and today the forest Haukadalsskógur is one of the largest in South Iceland. Aspen, various types of pine, and other plants have been tried out there and experiments and research continue. We also recommend visiting the tree museum, built in the memory of forester Gunnar Freysteinsson. There are good paths and roads in the forest and the wood is specially designed to accommodate wheelchairs.
Haukadalur has been a church site since ancient time. The current wooden church was last rebuilt in 1938 but the variety and appearance of the church dates back to 1842, making it one of the oldest of its kind in Iceland.
Haukadalur is indeed a historical place. It was settled during the age of settlement and scholar Ari “The Wise“ Thorgilsson grew up there. The first pastoral school in Iceland was also built there.
For accommodation, Hotel Gullfoss is about 7 km from the Geysir area, and closer still is the Hotel Geysir.
Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found on the Hvítá river canyon in south Iceland. The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, finally cascading 32m down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power.
Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate waterfalls. The first, shorter stage of the waterfall is 11m, whilst the second stage is 21m. The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70m, descending into the 2.5km long Gullfossgjúfur canyon (geologists indicate that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.)
In the summer, approximately 140 cubic metres of water surges down the waterfall every second, whilst in winter that number drops to around 109 cubic metres. With such energy, visitor’s should not be surprised to find themselves drenched by the waterfall’s mighty spray-off.
In the early days of the last century, Gullfoss was at the centre of much controversy regarding foreign investors and their desire to profit off Iceland’s nature. In the year 1907, an English businessman known only as Howells sought to utilise the waterfall’s energy and harboured ambitions to use its energy to fuel a hydroelectric plant.
At the time, Gullfoss was owned by a farmer named Tómas Tómasson. Tómas declined Howell’s offer to purchase the land, stating famously “I will not sell my friend!” He would, however, go on to lease Howells the land, inadvertently beginning the first chapter of Icelandic environmentalism.
It was Tómas’ daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who would lead the charge. Having grown up on her father’s sheep farm, she sought to get the lease contract nullified, hurriedly saving her own money to hire a lawyer. The ensuing legal battle was an uphill struggle; the case continued for years, forcing Sigríður to travel many times by foot to Reykjavík if only to keep the trial moving. Circumstances became so difficult that Sigríður threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if any construction began.
Thankfully, in 1929, the waterfall fell back into the hands of the Icelandic people. Today, Sigríður is recognised for her perseverance in protecting Gullfoss and is often hailed as Iceland’s first environmentalist. Her contribution is forever marked in stone; a plaque detailing her plight sits at the top of Gullfoss.
Restaurant / Cafe
Besides Gullfoss, visitors can enjoy the views from Gullfoss Cafe, a locally run delicatessen that serves a wide variety of refreshments and meals. The menu has options to tantalise everyone’s taste buds; hot soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes. There is also a shop on site where visitors’ can browse and purchase traditional Icelandic souvenirs.
Thingvellir is one of the most important sites to visit in Iceland for its landscape, history and cultural value.
The Icelandic parliament was founded in Thingvellir in 930 and remained there for centuries.Thingvellir is surrounded by a beautiful mountain range and is the site of a rift valley, marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic range. Today it is a natural park, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and considered a vital part of the ‘Golden triangle’ (with Geysir and Gullfoss). Of particular note is the magnificent gorge Almannagja, which marks the eastern boundary of the north American plate and into which the beautiful waterfall Oxararfoss falls.
Other notable attractions within the park include the beautiful lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland, the Silfra fissure, one of the world's top dives, and Gjabakkahellir, one of Iceland's most interesting lava tubes.
The South Coast of Iceland is the country's most visited sightseeing route, along with the Golden Circle.
The famed South Coast shoreline stretches from the greater Reykjavík area and is dotted with natural wonders such as cascading waterfalls, volcanoes both active and dormant, black sand beaches and glacier lagoons.
Geography, Nature & Wildlife
Iceland is divided into eight geographical regions. Out of these, the Southern Region is the largest, as it spans over 24.000 square kilometres with its administrative centre in the municipality of Selfoss.
What is known as the South Coast embodies the shoreline of this particular region. The area consists of a lowland that is mostly composed of marshlands, bays and cultivated pastures that are met by a series of black beaches where the estuaries to the east and west of the district close off the coastal body.
Underneath the soil rests a vast lava field, known as Þjórsárhraun. Its edges reach several hundred metres offshore where the ocean waves crash upon them, thereby protecting the lowland from the invasion of the sea. This results in the South Coast being unusually lacking in the deep fjords that so distinctly characterise the rest of Iceland's shore line.
The region boasts vibrant bird life during all seasons. It is not only rich with both marshland birds and seabirds but also migrating birds such as the North Atlantic puffin. Some species stay throughout the harsh Icelandic winter, including the northern diver, the loom and various species of gulls and ducks.
Highlights of the South Coast
The South Coast offers an unprecedented array of natural wonders that draw thousands of visitors each day. When driving the route from Reykjavík City, the highlights in their correct order are:
These attractions count for but a fraction of what the South Coast has to offer. The vast sand plains of Sólheimasandur are home to a crashed DC-3 Plane Wreck, and close to Seljavellir by the Skógar Village there's Seljavallalaug, one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland.
4 Übernachtungen in Reykjavík (verschiedene Kategorien verfügbar; Frühstück inklusive, außer in der Kategorie Super Budget)
Flughafentransfer am Ankunfts- und Abreisetag
Eintritt zur Blauen Lagune (Standard-Eintritt, Upgrades verfügbar) und Transfer
Golden Circle-Tour im Minibus (optionale Aktivitäten verfügbar)
2-tägige Südküsten-Tour mit Gletscherwanderung (Mini-Bus)
1 Übernachtung in einer Unterkunft im Vatnajökull-Nationalpark während der Fahrt zur Südküste (Frühstück inklusive, privates Bad je nach Verfügbarkeit)
Tagestour zur Halbinsel Snæfellsnes (Minibus)
Detaillierte Reiseinformationen mit spannenden und interessanten Fakten zu Natur, Geschichte und Kultur Islands
Persönlicher Reiseberater, der dir mit Rat und Tat zur Seite steht
Isländische Steuern
Flüge
Mittag- und Abendessen
Was du mitbringen solltest:
Wanderschuhe
Warme, wind- und regenfeste Kleidung
Badesachen
Kamera
Gut zu wissen:
Selbst im Sommer kann das isländische Wetter unberechenbar sein, bringe daher bitte Kleidung für jede Wetterlage mit. Bitte beachte, dass der Reiseverlauf eventuell an deine Flugzeiten angepasst werden muss.
Internationale Flüge sind nicht inklusive.
Tagesübersicht
Tag 1 - Willkommen in Island!
Starte dein Abenteuer mit einem Besuch in der Blauen Lagune auf dem Weg vom Flughafen in die Hauptstadt Reykjavik. Vergiss all deine Sorgen in dieser fantastischen, warmen Lagune, umgeben von einzigartiger Natur. Verbringe den Rest deines Tages mit dem Beziehen deines Zimmers in einem gemütlichen Hotel im Stadtzentrum und entdecke, was Reykjavik alles zu bieten hat. Wahlweise kannst du die Blaue Lagune auch an deinem Abreisetag besuchen, somit hast du mehr Zeit um die Stadt zu erkunden (abhängig von deinen Flugzeiten). Vergiss nicht das alte Zentrum der Stadt genauer zu erkunden und besuche die Einkaufsstraßen, die interessante Umgebung des Hafens, das neue Konzerthaus Harpa sowie die eindrucksvolle Kirche Hallgrímskirkja. Im April und September besteht außerdem die Möglichkeit, Nordlichter zu sichten, von Mai bis August kannst du die langen Sommertage und die Mitternachtssonne genießen.
Tag 2 - Der Golden Circle
Entdecke den Golden Circle während einer Tagestour, bestehend aus dem goldenen Wasserfall (Gullfoss), dem geothermalen Tal, wo du den Geysir bewunderst, und dem Nationalpark Þingvellir. Dies ist der Erste von insgesamt drei Nationalparks, die du besuchen wirst. Þingvellir ist übrigens ein UNESCO Weltkulturerbe. Dort wurde unter anderem das Parlament Alþingi gegründet, eines der ältesten basisdemokratischen Parlamente der Welt. Der Nationalpark ist auch bekannt für seine geologischen Aspekte, da dort die tektonischen Platten von Amerika und Eurasien auseinander driften.
Im geothermalen Gebiet Haukadalur kannst du den Geysir Strokkur regelmäßig mehrere Meter hoch ausbrechen sehen. Dort findest du auch den alten Geysir, Namensgeber sämtlicher Geysire der Welt, der jedoch nicht länger ausbricht.
Zum Abschluss hast du die Möglichkeit, von Nahem zu betrachten, wie der atemberaubende Gullfoss Wasserfall die Kaskaden des Flusses Hvítá hinabfällt.
Verbringe eine weitere Nacht in Reykjavík.
Tag 3 - Tour zur Südküste: Hin...
Dein heutiger Tag bringt dich entlang der Südküste bis zum Vatnajökull Nationalpark, der zweite Nationalpark während deines Aufenthaltes. Auf dem Weg siehst du die einzigartigen Wasserfälle Seljalandsfoss und Skógafoss. Obwohl beide ähnlich hoch sind, ist die Erscheinung ganz unterschiedlich!
Du besichtigst des Weiteren Gletscher, Vulkane, schwarze Sandstrände, die beeindruckenden Wellen des atlantischen Ozeans und hoffentlich auch ein paar Papageientaucher, Schafe und Pferde. Manche Orte sparen wir uns eventuell für den Rückweg auf – je nachdem, wie viel Zeit wir an jedem Ort verbringen werden. Die Auswahl ist groß!
Das Ende des Tages verbringst du an einem der atemberaubendsten Orte Islands: der Jökulsárlón Gletscherlagune. Die Lagune liegt am Fuße von Europas größtem Gletscher und ist voller Eisberge, die dort vom Gletscher abgebrochen sind. In unmittelbarer Umgebung befindet sich auch ein schwarzer Sandstrand, auf dem viele kleinere Eisberge zu finden sind – und wenn das Sonnenlicht sich im Eis bricht, dann erinnern sie an das Funkeln von Diamanten, woher auch der Name „Strand der Diamanten“ stammt.
Deine Nacht verbringst du in einem gemütlichen Hotel oder Gästehaus an der Südküste.
Tag 4 - Tour zur Südküste: ... und wieder zurück
Nachdem wir die Gletscherlagune im Morgenlicht erkundet haben, machen wir uns auf den Rückweg nach Reykjavik – mit einem Stopp im Skaftafell-Naturreservat, wo wir eine Wanderung auf dem Gletscher unternehmen! Vergiss nicht, gute Wanderschuhe mitzubringen, an denen Steigeisen befestigt werden können, damit du sicher auf dem Eis gehen kannst.
Unterwegs halten wir dort, wo wir auf dem Hinweg nicht halten konnten, wie beispielsweise die Klippen von Dýrhólaey, wo Papageientaucher bewundert werden können und man einen fantastischen Ausblick über die Südküste genießen kann. An schönen Tagen kann man bis zu den Westmännerinseln sehen und den Mýrdalsjökull-Gletscher sowie den Eyjafjalljökull-Gletscher im Norden bestaunen – und weit entlang der schwarzen Strände in östlicher und westlicher Richtung blicken.
Nach zwei aufregenden Tagen kehren wir zurück nach Reykjavik, wo du die Nacht verbringen wirst.
Tag 5 - Die Halbinsel Snæfellsnes
Die heutige Tagestour führt dich auf die hinreißende Halbinsel Snæfellsnes. Die Krone ist der Snæfellsjökull Gletschervulkan – der in Jules Verne „Reise zum Mittelpunkt der Erde" als Einstiegsort hinab in die Erde erwähnt wird. Um den Gletscher herum befindet sich ein weitläufiges Lavafeld, welches von Moos bedeckt ist und viele verschiedene Höhlen verbirgt. Dies ist der einzige Nationalpark Islands, der direkt mit dem Meer verbunden ist. Die Klippen entlang der Küste sind einzigartig und atemberaubend, wie du von den Orten Hellnar und Arnarstapi aus sehen kannst. Du besuchst den wunderschönen Lavastrand Djúpalónssandur, entdeckst weitere Wasserfälle und den bekannten Berg Kirkjufell, einer der bekanntesten Orte zum Fotografieren.
Bereite dich darauf vor, auf Trolle zu treffen - die Gegend ist reich an volkstümlichen Überlieferungen.
Deine letzte Nacht verbringst du in Reykjavik.
Tag 6 - Reykjavík und Abreise
An deinem letzten Tag in Reykjavik kannst du je nach deiner verfügbaren Zeit etwas ganz besonderes Unternehmen und dich einer Walbeobachtung vom alten Hafen in der Innenstadt aus anschließen. Dies ist ein optionaler Ausflug, der etwa zwei bis drei Stunden in Anspruch nimmt und dir die Möglichkeit bietet bietet, eine Vielzahl an Walen und Vögeln, direkt vor Reykjaviks Küste zu entdecken.
Alternativ kannst du auch die Blaue Lagune besuchen, wenn du dies nicht an deinem Anreisetag bereits gemacht hast – oder du genießt ein wenig Last-Minute-Shopping.
Der Transfer zum Flughafen ist inklusive.
Unterkunft in Reykjavík
Nachfolgend erhälst du einen Überblick über die verfügbaren Unterkunftskategorien. Buchungen der Kategorie Super Budget werden im Schlafsaal gebucht. In den Kategorien Komfort und Qualität werden Alleinreisende in Einzelzimmern untergebracht und Buchungen von mehr als einer Person bei ungeraden Zahlen standardmäßig in Dreibettzimmern arrangiert. Wenn du in einer Gruppe reist und ein Einzelzimmer haben möchtest, dann erstelle bitte eine separate Buchung. Bitte beachte, dass Unterkünfte im Rahmen einer geführten Tour von unseren Unterkunftsbestimmungen ausgeschlossen sind. Wir geben immer unser Bestes, individuellen Wünschen nachzukommen, was zu einem Aufpreis führen kann.
Super Budget
Zimmer oder Schlafsaal-Betten mit Gemeinschaftsbad in Gästehäusern oder Hostels, wie z.B. Hostels der HI-Kette, im Großraum Reykjavik. Frühstück ist nicht inklusive.
Komfort
Zimmer mit privatem Bad in einem 3-Sterne Hotel, wie z.B. Fosshótel Barón, oder qualitativen Gästehäusern. Zentral gelegen. Frühstück inklusive.
Qualität
Zimmer in einem 4-Sterne Design Hotel im Stadtzentrum mit privatem Badezimmer. Hotel in bester Lage, wie z.B. Hotel Alda. Frühstück inklusive.
Stornierungsversicherung
Diese Versicherung ermöglicht es dir, deine Buchung kostenfrei zu stornieren. Die Kosten für die Versicherung belaufen sich dabei auf 5.000 ISK pro Reiseteilnehmer. Die Stornierung muss spätestens 48 Stunden vor der exakten Startzeit der Tour erfolgen. Um die Buchung zu stornieren und die volle Rückerstattung zu erhalten, kontaktiere bitte unser Service-Team unter info@guidetoiceland.is mindestens 48 Stunden im Voraus und drücke deutlich deinen Wunsch zur Stornierung, unter Angabe der Buchungsnummer, aus. Bitte beachte, dass diese Versicherung nur die Stornierung des kompletten Paketes abdeckt. Individuelle Einzelleistungen innerhalb des Paketes unterliegen unseren AGB. Die Kosten der Versicherung sind weder übertrag- noch erstattbar.
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