The most beautiful place in the world: Iceland
By Madi Chowen | Posted: August 15, 2025
In January 2024, I visited Iceland, and it was one of the most unforgettable trips of my life. The country’s stunning natural beauty left a lasting impression, and it is rare that a day goes by that I don’t think about it!
On our overnight flight from Boston to Iceland, we were greeted by the Northern Lights right outside the airplane windows! At the time, I had no idea that this was just a glimpse of the incredible beauty we’d experience over the next week.
After landing in Reykjavik, we picked up our rental car and headed into the city center. Renting a car is a must in Iceland, as many of the sights are spread out and not easily accessible by public transport. If you're visiting during the winter months, I highly recommend getting a 4-wheel-drive vehicle — the roads can be covered in snow and ice, and having the right car and the right driver makes a big difference.
We spent the next week road-tripping through southern Iceland, staying 1-2 nights in several towns along the way. Below, are some of our favorite places and recommendations for each stop:
Reykjavik
The drive from the airport to downtown Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes — and once you arrive, you’re greeted by charming, colorful streets filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Reykjavik to soak it all in. There’s so much to explore both within the city and in the surrounding areas.
We stayed at Alda Hotel and Miðgarður Hotel, and I’d happily recommend both! Each is located in the heart of the city, within walking distance to great restaurants and shops.
For breakfast, don’t miss Brauð & Co. and Sandholt — two incredible bakeries where we found ourselves drooling over their incredible breads and pastries. If you head to Brauð & Co., take a short walk to the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church nearby — you won’t be able to miss it!
One of my favorite parts of Reykjavik was strolling down Bankastræti Street, lined with cute cafés, local artisan shops, and with the ocean and mountains in the background.
If I had to choose just one highlight from my entire week in Iceland, dog sledding would easily take the top spot. It was truly a “pinch me” moment, like something straight out of a movie. We booked our dog sledding adventure with Capital Region, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. They provided the proper winter gear and took us on an unforgettable one-hour ride across a frozen lake. Our guides were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing insights about the dogs, the landscape, and the sport itself. They were also super friendly and eager to answer all of our questions, which made the experience even more special. If you’re heading to Iceland, I can’t recommend this experience enough.
We had the chance to visit both the Sky Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon, and each was breathtaking in its own way. The Sky Lagoon, located just 15 minutes from Reykjavik, is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean and surrounded by striking black volcanic rock. It felt more peaceful and less touristy than the Blue Lagoon, which made the experience feel incredibly serene. The Blue Lagoon, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik, is home to the most beautiful blue water I have ever seen. The experience includes complimentary drinks and silica mud masks, which added a fun and luxurious touch to our visit. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting both.
Selfoss
Visiting and staying in Selfoss was a happy accident that we weren’t originally planning on. We set out on our third day to drive the Golden Circle, but ended up having to turn around because of a bad snowstorm. If you plan to visit Iceland in the winter, I would plan very carefully if you want to drive the Golden Circle. Most of the roads aren’t plowed, cell service is bad, and we saw many vehicles stuck on the side of the road. On the first leg of our journey, we stopped at the beautiful Oxararfoss Waterfall, which is located a short 5-minute walk from the parking lot! Soon after, we decided to abort our Golden Circle excursion and stop for the day in Selfoss.
I ended up loving Selfoss! We stayed at Hotel Selfoss, which was a great hotel and had a really nice all-inclusive spa! That night we booked a last-minute dinner at the Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant, and wow, it was such a cool experience. It was a bit more on the expensive side, but worth every penny. The moment you step inside the restaurant, you are transported back to the time of the Vikings, from the beautiful decor and tableware to the authentic Icelandic dishes they serve. It was such a cool and unforgettable experience! We also lucked out that night because we were able to see the Northern Lights. Before going to Iceland, make sure to do research on the Northern Light Forecast and download one of the many apps that can help aid in finding and seeing the Northern Lights!
After visiting Vík, we made our way back to Selfoss and stayed at the Bubble Hotel Ölvisholt. I had high hopes for this unique stay, but due to bad weather and a few other factors, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. That said, I still think it has the potential to be a really memorable experience under the right conditions.
Before checking into the hotel, we explored Reynisfjara Beach, Dyrhólaey, and Skógafoss. Reynisfjara’s black sand and dramatic rock formations were absolutely stunning, Dyrhólaey offered breathtaking views of the coastline, and Skógafoss was an incredible waterfall to see. I highly recommend visiting all three — they’re must-see stops in southern Iceland!
Vik
The small town of Vik was also one of my favorite places we saw! We stayed at Hotel Katla by Keahotels and had a great experience. We booked a day excursion with Katlatrack to go and see the Katla Icecave. The tour includes a 1-2 hour drive in their “Super Jeep” up to the ice caves. They provide you with crampons for the ice and then take you on a hike up to and through the caves. It is absolutely stunning! From there, your tour guide will drive you down to the Víkurfjara Black sand beach in Vik, which is nothing short of breathtaking. After ending your tour, make sure to try their black crust pizza at the neighboring pizzeria. Later on in the day, we walked up to the famous Vík í Mýrdal Church, which overlooks the town.
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