Selfoss

Day Trips

Arrive at Keflavík International Airport and enjoy a scenic drive along the coastline to Selfoss. Stop at a local café to sample Icelandic pastries and fresh coffee while soaking in the crisp morning air. Unpack at your accommodation and take a short stroll around town to orient yourself.

Explore the lively center of Selfoss, visiting handcrafted souvenir shops and the charming riverside promenade. Enjoy a light lunch made with local ingredients at a cozy bistro near the Ölfusá River. Relax in the warm sunshine by the water as you plan the week ahead.

Dine at a family-run restaurant serving fresh Arctic char and locally sourced lamb. Take an evening walk along the riverbanks under the soft glow of the midnight sun or northern lights. Unwind in your room or join a local pub for storytelling and live Icelandic folk music.

Head out early to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where tectonic plates meet. Hike the trails through rift valleys and see the historic Alþingi assembly grounds. Appreciate the clarity of Silfra fissure as sunlight filters through the moss-carpeted cliffs.

Drive to Geysir geothermal area and witness the mighty Strokkur geyser erupt in a dramatic burst of boiling water. Have lunch at the visitor center with views of steaming fumaroles and bubbling hot springs. Wander through bubbling mud pots and feel the earth’s heat beneath your feet.

Arrive at the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall and watch it cascade in twin torrents, illuminated by the setting sun. Capture long exposure photos as mist rises from the canyon. Return to Selfoss for a hearty dinner, reflecting on the day’s natural wonders.

Visit the vivid Kerið volcanic crater and roam its colorful slopes while morning light accentuates the red volcanic rock. Descend into the crater to stare at the azure lake nestled at its base. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding farmlands.

Head to Friðheimar tomato greenhouse and enjoy a unique lunch of tomato soup and fresh bread in a steamy glasshouse setting. Learn about sustainable greenhouse farming in Iceland’s challenging climate. Sample juices and sauces made from vine-ripened Icelandic tomatoes.

Return to Selfoss and treat yourself to a spa-like soak in your accommodation’s geothermal hot tub. Watch the northern lights dance overhead if conditions are right, or revel in the twilight glow. Enjoy a quiet home-cooked dinner with locally foraged ingredients.

Set out to explore Seljalandsfoss waterfall and walk behind its tumbling curtain of water, feeling the cool mist on your face. Capture the waterfall’s reflection in the early light for dramatic photographs. Continue to Gljúfrabúi, a hidden gem tucked behind a mossy gorge.

Visit Skógafoss waterfall and climb the adjacent staircase for breathtaking views from the top. Stop at a nearby café for a bowl of lamb stew and fresh bread. Wander along the river to discover smaller cascades and vivid rainbows in the spray.

Head back to Selfoss and enjoy dinner at a restaurant specializing in fresh-caught fish and seasonal vegetables. Join a guided northern lights hunt, venturing into the dark countryside to capture the aurora. Return to your cozy room to rest before tomorrow’s adventure.

Drive toward Eyjafjallajökull volcano and gaze upon its glacial summit from various vantage points. Learn about the 2010 eruption and its impact on local farming communities. Stop for hot coffee in a roadside rest area with scenic views.

Meet Icelandic horses for a guided horseback ride through lava fields and along coastline trails. Feel the unique tölt gait as you traverse black sand beaches and rolling moss landscapes. Pause for photos and a snack at a secluded shore overlooking the ocean.

Return to Selfoss and visit a local pub for live music and hearty Icelandic lamb stew. Share stories with fellow travelers around a crackling fireplace. Enjoy a peaceful evening walk under the stars before retiring.

Depart early for a day trip to Þórsmörk nature reserve, crossing glacial rivers in a 4x4 vehicle as you enter the valley of the gods. Hike lush trails lined with birch forests and dramatic rock formations. Stop at viewpoint breaks to marvel at the surrounding glaciers.

Continue deeper into the valley, visiting hidden waterfalls and volcanic craters. Enjoy a picnic lunch with gourmet Icelandic cheeses and dried fish while surrounded by alpine scenery. Take a moment to listen to the silence and wind whispering through the hills.

Return to Selfoss as dusk settles over the Highlands, offering glimpses of glowing glaciers in the fading light. Soak tired muscles in a local geothermal pool. Dine on fresh Arctic char and sweet rhubarb dessert at a riverside restaurant.

Drive to Reynisfjara Beach near Vík, renowned for its striking black sand and towering basalt columns. Wander across the sands, minding the powerful sneaker waves, and photograph the striking rock formations. Explore the nearby Dyrhólaey promontory for panoramic ocean vistas.

Enjoy a seaside lunch at a charming café with views of the rolling Atlantic waves. Visit the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and learn the local folk tales behind their jagged silhouettes. Walk along the shore collecting smooth volcanic pebbles and driftwood.

Head back to Selfoss while the sun dips low on the horizon, turning the sky into fiery shades. Stop at Seljavallalaug, one of Iceland’s oldest pools, and take a twilight dip in the mountain-heated waters. Have dinner at your accommodation, reflecting on the beach’s raw beauty.

Embark on a super jeep expedition to Landmannalaugar in the Icelandic Highlands, traversing rugged terrain and glacial rivers. Arrive at the rhyolite hills painted in reds, yellows, and greens. Hike sections of the Laugavegur trail, stopping for panoramic views.

Relax in a natural hot spring nestled between volcanic mountains, letting warm water soothe your muscles. Enjoy a packed lunch of smoked Icelandic salmon and fresh fruit by the spring. Venture out to explore nearby lava fields dotted with vibrant lichens.

Return under a sky full of stars and perhaps a glimpse of the northern lights dancing above the peaks. Share travel tales with fellow adventurers around a communal fire. Arrive back in Selfoss late, cherishing memories of the highland wilderness.

Take a scenic drive to Vík and visit the charming town’s colorful church perched on a hill. Explore local craft shops and stock up on handmade woolen goods. Sip on rich hot chocolate at a seaside café while gazing at the early morning surf.

Hike to the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks and photograph the dramatic basalt formations rising from the ocean. Visit the nearby Dyrhólaey Arch and walk out onto the rocky promontory for thrilling cliffside views. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch overlooking the black sand beach.

Return to Selfoss as the sun sets, bathing the landscape in soft pastel hues. Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant serving seasonal produce and grass-fed lamb. Relax in your room with a view of the Ölfusá River under the moonlit sky.

Head to Reykjadalur Valley for a final geothermal adventure, hiking through steaming vents and mineral-rich streams. Arrive at the warm river and slip into the milky blue waters, enjoying a soothing morning soak. Breathe in fresh mountain air as steam drifts around you.

Have a farewell lunch at a nearby farm café, savoring traditional Icelandic meat soup and rye bread. Visit local bakeries to pick up pastries and souvenirs for the journey home. Take one last stroll through Selfoss’s charming streets and riverside paths.

Enjoy a final dinner at your favorite Selfoss eatery, sampling any dishes you missed earlier in the trip. Raise a glass to new friends made and unforgettable memories under the Icelandic sky. Pack up and prepare for your departure, carrying the spirit of Iceland with you.