24 Hours in Iceland: The Layover of a Lifetime

I previously mentioned the importance of giving yourself ample time during layovers. You could say I took that message to heart. I found an inexpensive fare to get me Paris on the designated arrival date, the only catch? A 24 hour layover in Iceland. I saw this as an opportunity to have a pre-adventure to my Travel Study program and an exciting destination for my first solo travel experience. Please note that this was personal travel and not part of the Travel Study program. I have decided to include it to show some of the opportunities to explore on the way to your final destination.

The flight from Denver was surprisingly short (only 6.5 hours!) and I arrived bright and early in Iceland at 6am. I had a full day planned ahead of me and hit the ground running. I was able to store my luggage near the airport and take a bus transfer to Reykjavik. The drive was scenic, highlighting the unique terrain of the Land of Fire and Ice. Silver clouds filled the sky, contrasting the dark volcanic rock and bright green moss which covered the landscape - I felt like I was on a different planet. Across the island, splashes of purple from the nootka, a native flower species, accentuated the mountainsides.

Following the drive, I was dropped off in the city center where I spent a few hours before getting picked up by the tours I had scheduled. I didn’t do extensive research on the Reykjavik city center, but I had a few places in mind. Interested by the unique architecture, I knew I had to see Hallgrasminskirja church. I walked up the nearby hill to survey the city. At the top, I was met by the statue of Arnarson, a Norweignan who is considered the first settler of Iceland! I saw the very tip of the steeple in the distance and began to navigate my way there. After a short walk (and thoroughly enjoying the colorful and cute Nordic buildings), I found it and the architecture did not disappoint.

After the church, I grabbed a coffee and windowshopped along the city streets. Even with the long, Icelandic street names, the city was very easy to navigate by foot. I decided to go to the waterfront to enjoy a nice view while I munched on a snack. I soon arrived at the Harpa concert hall. While most recommend seeing this at night for its brilliant light display, it was equally beautiful during the day. Colorful glass makes this building a unique landmark on the sea.

From Reykjavik, I booked a tour for the Golden Circle. This area is a popular route throughout southern Iceland that highlights some of the natural wonders and beauty of the landscape. On the tour van, we zipped away from the city and soon entered the rural countryside with only the sheep and horses as inhabitants. Our first stop was Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site marks the original location of the Icelandic parliament and is home to the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia - talk about a dynamic duo.

It’s crazy to think that I was standing at the beginning of the continent I call home. Between the plates is “No Man’s Land,” marked by the river and lakes filling the void.

After snapping some pictures and a quick walk along the North American plate, it was time to board the bus for Gullfoss. In Icelandic, this means “golden waterfall” and it definitely lived up to its name. I was absolutely floored by the beauty, size, and power of the waterfall.

From Gullfoss, we went to Geysir, the original site where the word "geyser" is derived from. Bubbling pools of turquoise filled the terrain, with some spewing water over 80 meters high!

We returned to the bus station and, despite my 6 hour tour of the Golden Circle, my day was not over yet. Perhaps the most iconic site of Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, which also happened to be my last destination for the night.

The drive there was desolate; the lava fields seemed to go on forever. In the distance, a plume of white steam spouted from the land. Upon approaching it, the landscape revealed milky blue waters, in stark contrast to the nearly black volcanic rock. Though this site is technically man-made, it’s a beautiful combination of man and nature. The silica and sulfur rich waters from the nearby geothermal plant create a unique environment unlike any other and also works wonders on the skin. While often regarded as a tourist destination (which it is), I loved it and thought it was worth every penny. There are several smaller hot springs all over Reykjavik, too, which are much cheaper and are more private if that’s what you’re looking for! It was somewhat rainy and overcast during my tour (typical Icelandic weather from what I was told), but in the evening sun peeked out. It was nice to spend a few hours in the warm geothermic waters, smoothie in hand, relaxing after my busy day.

The Blue Lagoon is very close to the airport and is an easy layover destination. I went to a hostel in Keflavik to rest for the night, arriving right as the midnight sun popped out to say hello.

Iceland was a layover of a lifetime. International travel usually requires long flights and thousands of miles to be covered. Time and cost permitting, it is nice to have a pit-stop along the way to stretch your legs and explore a new place before your final destination. I'm grateful for the time I had in Iceland and would love to return again soon. This was my first time traveling internationally by myself and I'm happy to say I had an amazing experience. Exploring Iceland definitely boosted my confidence and competency for travel - something that I will carry with me as I continue on to France. Though I'll always prefer traveling with a buddy, it is empowering and very rewarding to do it on your own. While Iceland was fun, it was soon time to depart for Paris. The real adventure is about to begin!