Why not discover what Reykjanes has to offer?

Business Iceland recently hosted a group of American journalists in Reykjanes. Here’s a flavour of what they experienced during their four day visit focused on wellness. But be warned, you’ll probably be tempted to come over and follow the exact same itinerary once you read how much fun it was.

Day One

Icelanders love to swim, so what better way to start a trip to Iceland than with a visit to a local pool, in this case Keflavik’s Vatnaveröld (Water World). After an invigorating swim, the group moved on to Bioeffect greenhouse. Surrounded by lava fields near Grindavík, the view through the glass is simply spectacular. The greenhouse contains a mind-boggling 130,000 barley plants. Each barley plant takes around 14 months of careful bioengineering so it can produce EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), a product used to improve skin health.

With lunchtime fast approaching, it was time to get acquainted with the Icelandic passion for hot dogs. In Reykjanes, there is no better place to try one than at Pulsubarinn, though the locals call the place Villabar. It’s customary to try one “with everything”, which means that the hot dog is served on a warm, steamed bun topped with raw white onions and crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard called pylsusinnep, and remoulade, a sauce made with mayo, capers, mustard and herbs.

Travelling’s always tiring, and especially so when jet lag factors into the equation. Fortunately, a stop at Lubbi Peace Studio in the heart of Keflavik’s old town gave everyone the chance to enjoy some gong therapy – meditation enhanced by drinking energy-rich cacao – giving everyone the opportunity to recharge their batteries. Judging by the snores, some of the group were a little more relaxed than others.

Craft beer is equally good for lifting the spirits, and so the group’s next stop was in Garður at local brewery Litla Brugghúsið. Afterwards, a table had been reserved for dinner at El Faro, a new Spanish-Icelandic restaurant that has proved to be a big hit with the locals. As the sun set behind the lighthouse Garðskagaviti, it was time to call it a night. And how better than to end the day as we began, only this time in the rooftop pool at Keflavik’s Hotel Berg?

Day Two

There’s something extremely satisfying about starting the day overlooking the ocean, and so this morning’s gym and yoga session was at the Orkustöðin fitness centre, where you can work out while enjoying a sea view. Energised and ready to roll, it was time to see some of what nature has in store for visitors to the Reykjanes peninsula.

The Bridge between Continents is a popular stop for travellers. A metal bridge extends across what looks like a dried up river bed, but this is Iceland, and nothing’s quite as it seems. In fact, this is the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and the indentation that you see in the earth is actually the gap created as the plates pull apart from each other. Step onto the bridge and you can make the journey from Europe to North America in a matter of seconds – if only air travel could be that fast! The bridge, by the way, was built as to symbolise the connection between Europe and North America.

To keep those hunger pangs at bay it was time to try another of Iceland’s favourite foods, this time something the locals call rúgbrauð. It’s a type of rye bread, but instead of heading to a bakery, do as Icelanders do and make the most of the earth’s heat to cook it instead. At Gunnuhver mud pools and steam vents are a reminder of how geothermally active the ground is in this part of Iceland. There’s really nothing better than eating warm bread straight from nature’s oven.

Iceland’s shoreline is one of the best places to blow away the cobwebs as you feel the sea breeze on your face. One of Reykjanes’ most scenic coastal spots is the Valahnúkur cliffs, a must stop for the drama of its craggy cliffs and eroded sea stacks. There was time to grab a selfie with the rocky outcrop called Karlinn, or The Man, behind you just offshore. This iconic landform has been used in many a photo shoot and is a favourite of movie location scouts.

Local favourite Hjá Höllu restaurant took care of their guests as they provided a healthy and fresh meal. Some of the group even went so far as to rate the soy butter cod as the best dish of the trip. Close by, it was time to burn off a few calories on horseback. Hosts Arctic Horses invited us for a tour of the scenic Hópsnes peninsula. These gentle horses are easy to ride, and a great way to see the area’s shipwrecks and moss-covered lava fields.

Day Three

One of the highlights of a visit to Reykjanes is a close up look at the Fagradalsfjall volcano. It had been dormant for as long as anyone could remember when it awoke in 2021. It was a captivating sight as it blasted magma high into the air; the rivers of lava that oozed down its flanks reshaped the local landscape in front of an awestruck crowd of onlookers. The eruption wound down six months later, but even now the valley with its sulphur-stained, blackened surface is a sight to behold.

Climbing up to the ridge to get a closer look at the craters takes around three hours but this challenging climb is better than any workout and definitely a good way to work up an appetite. After a bowl of the delicious lobster soup at Café Bryggjan beside Grindavík harbour, the group filled up on salted fish and Icelandic pancakes.

No visit to Reykjanes could surely be complete without a visit to the iconic Blue Lagoon. It’s a real treat to check in to the Silica Hotel, whose stylish, sophisticated rooms overlook the lava field. Easing into the milky blue water of this luxury spa is a rite of passage for first-time visitors to Iceland, but no matter how many times you come, it’s always a special experience.

The Blue Lagoon’s Moss restaurant offers a culinary experience perhaps unmatched in Iceland. At Moss, traditional Icelandic cuisine is exquisitely reimagined. Recommended by the 2020 Michelin Guide, Moss occupies the highest point at the Blue Lagoon, affording diners stunning views of the volcanic horizon while they eat.

Day Four

The weather in Iceland can be rather unpredictable, but Icelanders are famously upbeat and adaptable. They reckon a little bit of wind and rain shouldn’t get in the way of having fun outdoors, which is a pretty good attitude to have. That was the certainly the case as the group drove to Kleifarvatn where the plan was to snorkel amongst the hot springs. The team at Dive.is managed to pull it off giving our wellness enthusiasts another memorable Icelandic experience to add to their ever-growing collection.

Sometimes, once is not enough, and that’s certainly the case with the Blue Lagoon. It was back in the water, this time for a relaxing float session. Afterwards the group was given the chance to visit the Lagoon’s research and development centre to learn all about the history and world class products of this famous spa.

Tonight’s meal was at Lava restaurant, another of the dining options at the Blue Lagoon. Built into an 800 year old lava cliff, this restaurant turns food into a work of art on the plate. Exquisitely presented dishes showcase local ingredients in a fabulous setting that will remain in the memory long after you’ve returned home. Much like Reykjanes itself, don’t you think?