[Iceland Travel Diary] Like Another World! An Amazing 7 Days, and Where I Hope to Take My Dog Someday.
Hey everyone! I'm a college junior living in Kyoto. Usually, I spend my days chilling with my dog and cat, but recently, I finally took the plunge and traveled to my dream destination: Iceland! ✈️
People often call it the "edge of the world," and they're completely right! Every morning I woke up to landscapes that made me feel like I’d landed on another planet. I was buzzing with excitement the whole time! ✨
Let me share a few of my absolute favorite spots!
First up: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. 💎
The blue ice floating in the lagoon looks exactly like glowing sapphires, and right next door on the black sand beach, there are countless sparkling chunks of ice scattered everywhere. Every single angle is picture-perfect.
Next is the Blue Ice Cave, which is only accessible from November to March! Stepping inside felt like entering a blue crystal palace—I was completely speechless... ❄️ It's actually really dangerous to go alone, so make sure you book a tour with a professional guide! ⚠️
Another must-see is Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, which has such a cool, dark vibe. 🖤 I was blown away by the contrast of the black sand and white crashing waves, along with those fascinating basalt columns. A quick heads-up: the sneaker waves here can surge out of nowhere and are super dangerous, so never turn your back to the ocean. Admire it from a safe distance!
Here’s my 7-day road trip itinerary 👇
· Days 1-2: Explored downtown Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, stayed overnight in Selfoss.
· Days 3-4: Checked out the South Coast waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss) and headed toward Vík.
· Day 5: Visited the Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, plus a glacier hike!
· Day 6: Joined the much-anticipated ice cave tour, then drove back to Reykjavik.
· Day 7: Ended the trip soaking and unwinding at the Blue Lagoon, followed by some serious souvenir hunting!
And of course, no trip is complete without amazing food! 🤤
The hot dog I grabbed at Bæjarins Beztu (around 800 yen or $5-6 USD) was insanely good—the crispy fried onions and their signature sauce are an unbeatable combo! 🌭 Also, I had this incredible lobster soup from a food truck near the Glacier Lagoon. It totally warmed my freezing bones and brought me back to life! Even if you aren't a huge meat fan, you have to try the traditional Icelandic lamb soup. The meat is so tender and doesn't have that gamey taste at all. Oh, and grabbing thick, creamy Skyr yogurt from the grocery store was my daily treat. 🥛
I had to leave my pets at home for this trip, but it got me daydreaming about taking them to some pet-friendly spots in Europe someday! 🐕 (Though honestly, Iceland’s nature is way too rugged, so leaving them cozy at home was definitely the right call, lol.)
If anyone is planning a trip to Iceland, let me know in the comments! I’m more than happy to answer any questions based on my experience! 💬✨