Explore the northern part of Europe and travel through the 7 great escapes in Reykjavik, Iceland. Travellers cannot find a city at the northernmost part of the globe than the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. This city may have a provincial appearance but it is known as the one of liveliest cities in Europe. When travelling to Reykjavik, one must know the city’s seasons because during the winter months, the city only experiences 4 hours of sunlight while during the summer months it can have 24 hours of sunlight. Maximize your travel time by visiting Reykjavik during the summer.
Iceland is a member country of Schengen which means the country implements the Schengen visa for its transient tourists. Before you even pack your bags and head to this northern territory, make sure that you have the proper documents to secure a Schengen visa. It is quite easy to apply for a Schengen visa; you just need to complete the following requirements:
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- Current passport-sized photos with white background
- Completed Schengen Visa application form
- Proof of travel such as flight booking, travel itinerary, and hotel booking – You may get a Flight Booking for Visa and Hotel Reservation for Visa just for your visa application without having to pay for the airfare or hotel booking.
- Travel Insurance – It is better to acquire this from Schengen Travel Insurance, an affordable and reliable insurance company.
- Personal Coverage Letter
- Bank Documents
- For employed travellers, a No Objection Letter is highly recommended
7 Great Escapes in Reykjavik, Iceland:
There are many sights to see in the city of Reykjavik but there are 7 must-see places that will complete your entire Icelandic trip.
7) Gullfoss Waterfall
Bring out your thickest winter coat and prepare a pair of winter boots and go to the natural wonder known as Gullfoss Waterfall.
Located in the Hvita River Canyon, this natural tourist magnet is more than 20m high and pours out more than 100 cubic meters of water per second. The waterfall has three tiers and its vastness will surely surprise every tourist who visits it.
6) Haukadalur
After visiting the Gullfoss Waterfall, tourists can proceed to Haukadalur. This geothermal wonder is one of the most famous Icelandic sites because it has a large geyser named Strokkur.
Geysers are craters created by steaming hot springs flowing under sheets of ice. Since hot water tends to rise, steaming water burst out of the craters like natural fountain shows. The reason why tourists visit Haukadalur is because of this scientific phenomenon. Thousands of gallons of hot water burst of out the crater every so often so get your cameras ready to capture this once in a lifetime event.
5) Whale Watching
Travel to Reykjavik during the summer and book yourselves tickets to a ferry that can take you for a few hours of whale watching.
Reykjavik is one of the places where rare whales like sperm whales, humpback whales, and minke whales surface to play or to take a breather. While waiting for the whales to appear, take in the view of the Arctic Ocean to the north as well as the Atlantic to the south. Where else can you go that can take right in between two majestic bodies of water? Only in Reykjavik, Iceland!
4) Horseback Riding in Reykjavik
There are many elegant wild horses in Reykjavik that will definitely catch your attention. If horses are your thing, then do take a horseback riding tour at the northern part of Reykjavik.
There are currently 3 tour agencies in Iceland that offer Icelandic horseback riding tours. Some of these tours last for a couple of hours while some even last for days. Select the tour that fits your budget, schedule, and of course your travel taste. These horseback riding tours will take you through the vast lava fields of Reykjavik that is surrounded by ice-tipped mountain ranges.
3) Thingvellir National Park
This UNESCO Heritage Site is filled with unique stone piles that was proclaimed as a natural phenomenon. Aside from the many stone piles, tourists can also see the tectonic plates that separates the Americas from Europe.
These natural cracks and ridges are filled with crystal clear water which adventure divers dive into. This was also the site where the Vikings established the first democratic government in the 1st century AD. Going to Thingvellir National Park is both cheap and easy. There is no entrance fee to this enormous park and it can be accessed by a private car.
2) Solheimajokull
This place is actually 2 hours outside of Reykjavik but its impressive scenery is something all tourists should experience. Book a tour to Solheimajokull and get ready to take a scenic glacier walk on the Solheimajokull Glacier.
The activity is not for the faint of heart; all adventurers will undergo a routine briefing and quick training on how to properly walk on ice and all the safety guidelines. Expect to not just walk on this huge glacier but also go through ice sink holes, crevasses, and ice ridges. The entire hike lasts for an hour and half and goes for about 11km. It is a one-off activity that you should definitely include in your plan.
1) Blue Lagoon
Everybody must have heard or seen pictures of the most popular tourist magnet in Iceland. Blue Lagoon deserves to take the first spot in the 7 Great Escapes in Reykjavik, Iceland not only because of its picturesque and dreamy location but also because the entire lagoon is man-made.
This is the one place in Reykjavik where the ice meets the hot springs that come from a nearby geothermal plant. Guests can take a dip in the lagoon’s crystal blue waters and feel the comforting heat of about 37°C. The hot springs is such a great contrast to the cold Icelandic weather.
7 Great Escapes in Reykjavik, Iceland – Head North!
Excited to see all the great escapes in Iceland? Before you pack your winter clothes, make sure that have all pertinent documents that will help you secure a Schengen Visa. If Iceland is just one of several European countries you wish to visit, then it is good to know the other Schengen countries to maximize your visa. Should you have more queries about the visa application process, you may contact us through our website or Facebook page.