Iceland gave us glaciers, geysers, waterfalls—and the perfect backdrop to celebrate someone truly special. Over five unforgettable days between Reykjavík’s vibrant city and the wild beauty near the Golden Circle at the ION Adventure Hotel, we gathered for our friend Kristen’s birthday. With too much wine, too little sleep (thanks to endless daylight!), 10 amazing women and countless iconic views, our group had a truly magical trip.

Highlights, and what we’d recommend to eat, see, and do are below!

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Iceland – Eat!

We ate really well in Iceland, but full disclosure, we didn’t dive deep into super traditional Icelandic dishes. So, maybe we’re not true culinary adventurers. Either way, here’s a rundown of what we loved.

Where we ate:

Silfra

The Silfra Restaurant at the ION Adventure Hotel was perfect for that location (not much else around there!) They serve modern Nordic cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients in a minimalist, nature-inspired setting.

Sumac

Sumac Grill in Reykjavík was at the very top of my list. Their food is a fusion of Icelandic ingredients with Middle Eastern and North African flavors, with dishes like cauliflower with tahini and salmon with kumquat. So unique, and everything was hands-down delicious!

Grillmarket

The Grillmarket in Reykjavík offers a refined dining experience that showcases Icelandic ingredients through open-fire cooking, blending traditional flavors with modern techniques. Great for what it sounds like—delicious grilled meats and veggies.

Monkey’s

Monkeys in Reykjavík blends Peruvian and Japanese flavors, and is set in a very whimsical space featuring a 1920s-style train car and a jungle-meets-retro ambiance!

Vinstofa Wine Bar

A wine bar and bistro inside one of Iceland’s oldest greenhouses on the Friðheimar estate. The menu features all types of tomato dishes—like tomato soup, cheese plates, and bruschetta, utilizing fresh ingredients from the estate’s greenhouses. Disclaimer: you really do kind of have to love tomatoes. Our friend Sara did not but was a great sport, regardless!

Lava at Blue Lagoon

I would highly recommend the Lava Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon for lunch! It’s refined Icelandic cuisine in a beautiful setting—built into an 800-year-old lava cliff, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lagoon. You can go casual, right after your lagoon dip!

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Iceland – See & Do

What we loved:

Golden Circle Tour

We spent an incredible day touring the iconic Golden Circle, hitting every major highlight along the way.

• Thingvellir National Park – Walk between continents in this UNESCO World Heritage Site where geology and history collide
• Kerið Crater – Vivid red volcanic rock and turquoise lake in this crazy large 3,000-year-old crater
• Friðheimar Greenhouse & Stable – Where you learn about Icelandic greenhouse farming and get up close with beautiful Icelandic horses
• Lunch at the Vinstofa Wine Bar at Friðheimar – Wine and a fresh tomato-themed lunch at the wine bar behind the greenhouse
• Geysir Geothermal Area – Strokkur erupts like clockwork, sending boiling water high into the air every few minutes
• Gullfoss Waterfall – As breathtaking two-tiered waterfall thundering into a dramatic canyon

We did this trip as a private tour booked through our hotel and really appreciated having the driver as opposed to having to figure it out ourselves.

Exploring Vik

Our group split up and some people took a car ride to Vik—Iceland’s south coast, which is a couple of hours from Reykjavik. A few sights to see there:

• Seljalandsfoss – A rare chance to walk behind this graceful waterfall cascading from a high cliff
• Reynisfjara Beach – The hauntingly beautiful black sand beach, with dramatic basalt columns
• Vík Church – A postcard-perfect red-roofed church perched above town by the ocean

Rib Whale and Puffin Tour

These tours leave from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour and are a fast-paced, 2-hour adventure that combines wildlife spotting with scenic views. You ride in a 12-seat RIB boat and you’ll get up close to “Puffin Island” and cruise into the Faxaflói Bay in search of whales. We did get to see both puffins and whales, which was really exciting!

Exploring Reykjavik

Exploring Reykjavík was an experience in itself, starting with Rainbow Street leading up to the Hallgrímskirkja church. We strolled past some great street art, admired the design of the Harpa Concert Hall by the harbor, and grabbed pastries from the iconic Brauð & Co., where everything is delicious. Of course, also worked in some shopping!

Even late into the evening, the sky stayed bright—thanks to Iceland’s magical midnight sun—letting us soak in every colorful corner without ever checking the time.

Blue Lagoon

We headed straight to the Blue Lagoon from the airport, and it was the perfect way to shake off the flight and ease into Iceland’s otherworldly vibe. Soaking in the warm geothermal water surrounded by lava rock felt like stepping into another planet. With a drink in hand, it was a relaxing and scenic way to kick off our adventure!

Sky Lagoon

Later in the trip, we visited the Sky Lagoon and it was pure magic. Set right on the ocean’s edge, the infinity-style pool blends Icelandic tradition with stunning modern design. The 7-step ritual, from cold plunge to steam and sauna, was incredibly rejuvenating. It’s a must for anyone visiting!

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Iceland – Stay

ION Adventure Hotel

The ION Adventure hotel is 45 minutes from Reykjavík in the rugged lava fields by Nesjavellir. We chose to stay there for the first part of the trip as it made the Golden Circle really accessible.

The design of this hotel is absolutely stunning—the concrete-and-glass walls have floor-to-ceiling views of mossy plains and volcanic rock. Rooms are stylish and cozy, with organic linens, espresso machines, and sheepskin throws, though I have to say the bathrooms were tiny! Highlights are the spa area—with a heated outdoor pool fed by volcanic springs—and the Northern Lights Bar, perfect for late-night star (and aurora!) gazing during the right season. I am glad we experienced this hotel, but also glad we did not stay there more than a short time, if that makes sense.

Edition Reykjavik

The Reykjavik EDITION could not be better located in the Old Harbour—just steps from Harpa Concert Hall, Laugavegur’s shops, and the vibrant café and gallery scene. The restaurants inside were pretty good and we loved the rooftop bar (“The Roof”) for cocktails. Definitely would recommend this hotel to anyone!

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Iceland wasn’t on my bucket list—until now. I finally get why it’s on everyone else’s! If you get the chance, GO!

xx—BB