Before wrapping up our Icelandic adventure in Reykjavík, we made one last — and incredibly rewarding — detour: a visit to the Blue Lagoon. And if you’re planning your own trip, we highly recommend doing the same.
Instead of driving straight to the city, stopping at the Blue Lagoon first saved us quite a bit of time and unnecessary backtracking. It’s conveniently located near Keflavík International Airport and makes for a perfect final chapter — especially after 10 epic (and let’s be honest, slightly exhausting) days on the road.
There’s something magical about sinking into the milky blue, mineral-rich waters while steam rises all around you. After days of hikes, waterfalls, windswept cliffs, and volcanoes, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to rest our travel-weary bodies. It was quiet, calm, and so incredibly soothing — a total reset before reentering city life.
That said, the Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most visited attractions, and it can get very busy between 10 am and 6 pm. We booked our tickets well in advance to secure our preferred time slot and avoid long waits — something we definitely recommend doing.
We ended up staying just over three hours, which gave us time to soak, enjoy a couple of face masks, float in the quiet corners, and sip on a drink from the in-water bar. If you’re flying out later the same day or just arriving in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon also offers luggage storage on-site, which is super convenient.
Afterward, feeling completely rejuvenated, we made the short drive into Reykjavík for our final two nights. The perfect balance of nature, relaxation, and closure to a once-in-a-lifetime road trip.
After an incredible day of natural wonders, we arrived in Reykjavík just as the sky started to turn golden. We checked in our hotel and headed straight out to explore Iceland’s charming capital.
Starting at the towering Hallgrímskirkja Church, we wandered down to the glassy Harpa Concert Hall, soaking in the contrast between nature and modern Icelandic design and had the world famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Icelandic Hotdog). Trust me, you cannot have just one. We strolled along Laugavegur Street, Reykjavik’s main shopping strip, filled with cozy cafés, quirky boutiques, and some very tempting wool sweaters.
Dinner was a relaxed affair — hearty Icelandic stew and fresh bread, followed by a quick detour to the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront. The cool sea breeze and soft city lights made for a peaceful end to a busy day.
With just half a day left before our flight, we made the most of our final hours in Reykjavík. We started our morning with a cozy breakfast at Sandholt Bakery, indulging in warm pastries and Icelandic coffee. From there, we took a leisurely stroll down Laugavegur Street, popping into local boutiques and picking up a few last-minute souvenirs. A quick detour brought us to the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church—we rode the elevator to the top for sweeping views of the colorful city below.
With the clock ticking, we wandered toward the scenic Old Harbour, passing vibrant street art and cozy cafés. At the Harpa Concert Hall, we paused to admire its modern architecture—those shimmering glass panels looked like fish scales catching the northern light. We grabbed a quick seafood lunch overlooking the water, reminiscing about glacier hikes and waterfall stops from earlier in the trip. As we made our way to the airport, hearts full and camera rolls overflowing, we couldn’t help but smile—Reykjavík had given us the perfect ending to an unforgettable Icelandic adventure.
Final Thoughts From Us:
If you only have one day to see the Golden Circle, this route is still perfect. Each stop offers something different — from earth-shaking natural beauty to bubbling geothermal oddities and powerful history. With a little planning, you can see all three comfortably in a single day, and still have energy left to explore Reykjavík by night. We were lucky to have a buffer day and decided to stay one night each in Laugarvatn and Reykjavík. Would we do it again? Absolutely — but next time, we’re adding the Secret Lagoon or the Kerið Crater to the mix!
Although we didn’t camp ourselves, we spoke to plenty of travelers who did — and the general advice is that you don’t need to reserve campsites in advance. Most operate on a first-come, first-served basis and have plenty of space, especially outside peak hours.
That said, during busy summer months, it’s smart to arrive early or have a rough plan. Popular spots near major attractions can fill up. Camping’s a great way to stay close to nature — just be sure to follow Iceland’s rules and camp only in designated areas!
As we boarded our Air Canada flight home, we couldn’t help but look out the window one last time, watching the dramatic landscapes of Iceland fade beneath the clouds. This trip gave us more than just breathtaking views and bucket-list moments—it gifted us a sense of awe, calm, and connection that we’ll carry long after the plane lands. From glacier hikes to quiet mornings by the sea, every corner of Iceland felt like a dream we were lucky enough to step into. Until next time, land of fire and ice… takk fyrir everything. ❤️
Two Yellow Jackets 