JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON

 

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, which is an outlet glacier from Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in all Europe. The glacial lake is getting bigger every year and it is now about 18 km².

If you already went to Jokulsarlon one day, you can find it totally different when you go back because the landscape is always changing. In fact, the glacier tongue is receding very fast, letting many ice chunks fall from it. Some icebergs are incredibly bright blue, others have gray streaks from the ash residue of anterior volcanic eruptions. Depending on what kind of icebergs there are floating in the lagoon, Jokulsarlon can look like a completely different place from one month to another. That is why no one would never get bored of the glacier lagoon.

Jokulsarlon is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Iceland, it is definitely the highlight of the South Coast.

 

HOW TO GET THERE

Jokulsarlon is about 370 kilometers (230 miles) east from Reykjavík. It is very close to the Ring road and from the Icelandic capital, the drive is approximately 4.5 hours. It is located in the South-Eastern part of Iceland, on the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, in Austur Skaftafellssýsla county. Jokulsarlon is on the southeastern border of the Vatnajökull National Park.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The lagoon is accessible all year round, but boat tours are only in operation during the summertime and are dependant on the weather.

It is recommended to bring appropriate clothing such as warm clothes, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and good shoes even if the sun is shining and you are visiting during summer. Always dress in layers so if you are too warm you can take one layer off and vice versa.

There is a café with restrooms right beside the lagoon. There, you can have a hot drink and eat something in a warm place.

It is always better to book your boat tour in advance to be sure to have a seat left, mostly if you are traveling with a group of people or if you are visiting during high season.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO GET THERE?

In winter, there are fewer people coming to Iceland due to the few hours of daylight and the low temperatures. So if you go to Jokulsarlon during the wintertime you would benefit from smaller crowds and lower prices on everything. However, you will not be able to join a boat tour as they run only during summer. Roads conditions can get really hard from October to April so it is better to visit with a guide.

During summer, you can take advantage of the midnight sun and the full 24 hours of daylight at the end of June to visit the glacier lagoon during the evening to meet fewer people. It is a good tip to visit the most crowded locations with fewer tourists.

Ariadna Ortiz

 The Blue Lagoon

What is the Blue Lagoon? Where is the Blue Lagoon located in Iceland? What makes this luxury spa so special, and how was the lagoon formed? Find out all you need to know about the Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland

Typically, the Blue Lagoon sees fewer people in the morning, which is an excellent time to visit if you want to avoid crowds. However, the Lagoon also limits how many people can enter, which means even if it is “full,” you will still have plenty of space. 

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's most popular attractions, and it's little wonder as to why. The beautiful milky-blue water is unlike anything else found on earth and makes a stark contrast to the surrounding black lava fields and creeping grey moss. The water sits at 39°C (102°F) year-round, making it the perfect bathing temperature. 

The lagoon is on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, a region renowned for its barren landscapes and cone-shaped volcanoes. 

There is a rich bathing culture in Iceland, with many swimming pools all over Iceland and Reykjavík, and plenty of natural hot springs dotted across the country. 

Therefore it didn't take long for locals to start flocking here, especially since its location was convenient, a short drive from the capital city. Many older Icelanders miss the days when you could hop into the pools free of charge.

The Blue Lagoon quickly became one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, both frequented by locals and foreign guests. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, and after constant developments and renewals, the Blue Lagoon is now a world-class spa, catering to hundreds of thousands of guests each year.

The prices fluctuate depending on availability. If you are booking at the last minute, the price will rise, which is an even better motivation to make those reservations early. 

If you are trying to book your ticket only a day or two in advance, it is likely to be fully booked or only have one or two slots available for a higher price.

After booking you’ll need to arrange how you will get to the lagoon. If you are booking it just after you arrive, you can book a bus that takes you from the airport to the Blue Lagoon and then to Reykjavík afterward. 

Or, if you are booking it just before you depart from Iceland, there is a bus from Reykjavík to the Blue Lagoon that can then take you to the airport.

Perhaps you will be renting a car for your stay in Iceland, allowing you to simply drive there yourself. The drive is about 35 minutes from the city center of Reykjavík.

Alternatively, you can book a tour that takes you to the Blue Lagoon and another activity, such as an ATV tour, lava caving, or a Golden Circle sightseeing tour. Note that you will still need to book your entry ticket to the Blue Lagoon yourself for these tours.

You can also book a self-drive itinerary through Guide to Iceland for your whole stay in Iceland or a guided summer or winter package that includes various interesting tours, accommodation, and your Blue Lagoon visit arranged for you.

Lake Mývatn in North Iceland.

Mývatn is Iceland's fourth-largest body of water, It is home to some incredible geological features, a wealth of flora and fauna, and it is surrounded by many unbelievable sites.

The lake is one of the highlights of the Diamond Circle, a popular travel route in the north of Iceland.

If you want to visit Lake Mývatn and these surrounding attractions, you can go on a day tour of the Diamond Circle from Akureyri.

Mývatn Nature Baths.

Don't miss your chance at the Mývatn Nature Baths. This pristine pool is surrounded by incredible nature, and heated by the geothermal forces of the area.

There is a sauna on-site, a good shower and changing facilities. In wintertime, it's the perfect place to admire the Northern Lights in Mývatn, but the views are magnificent on sunny days as well.

The baths in Myvatn are naturally heated with health-giving, mineral-rich waters. The water for the lagoon comes straight from the borehole in Bjarnarflag, with an average temperature of 130°C which is then mixed with cool water to give the 3.5 million litres of water that make up the baths an average temperature between 36 – 40°C. The spa is open all year round.

Where to Stay Around Lake Myvatn?

There are several hotels and guesthouses around Lake Mývatn, as well as a campsite and various cottages that can be rented out. 

Icelandic people often own a small house in the countryside - so-called summer cottages. The more luxurious ones often have a hot tub and plenty of space, WiFi and televisions, but other ones may be much more rustic and may not necessarily have central heating, running hot water or electricity. So the choice is varied, depending on what you are looking for.

Where to Dine Around Lake Myvatn?

The hotels in the area all have good restaurants. Additionally, there are a few other decent, and perhaps more affordable, options.

Daddi's Pizza serves tasty pizzas, Gamli Bærinn Bistro serves great burgers and other fast food and Kaffi Borgir has a soup and salad bar, as well as the locally caught trout - the house special. Vogafjós Cowshed Restaurant is a farm to table restaurant with ingredients coming from the area.

As Mývatn is a popular travel destination, and there aren't many places to choose from, it's advised to make a booking beforehand.

BY: BERENICE LOPEZ

ICELANDIC FISH STEW

PLOKKFISKUR

Iceland may not be known for its great culinary tradition, far from it. But in Iceland have many high-quality ingredients. Exist a few classics, that don’t seem to go down in popularity despite the ever-growing variety of food options in supermarkets and restaurants around the country. And I’m not talking about anything rotten or smelly, like fermented shark or skate. I’d like to show you one of Icelandic food classics: Plokkfiskur.

Plokkfiskur is basically a simple fish stew. The name literally translates to “plucked fish”, is a traditional Icelandic dish made from fish, potatoes, onion and bechamel sauce.  The result is a creamy delicious food, is very popular among the locals and tourist alike, and perhaps one of the most appetizing dishes from the Icelandic cuisine.

Many restaurants will have their own version of how to make Plokkfiskur.

This traditional dish is preparing with a few ingredients: White fish (such as haddock or cod), potatoes, yellow onion, wheat flour, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Some recipes may additionally include ingredients such as bay leaves, chives, curry, chicken stock, bearnaise sauce and cheese. Like any classic dish a few variations may exist, but all include those first few ingredients.

When you visit Iceland don´t forget taste this delicious, traditional and different dish.