A Day Trip From Reykjavík
Sometimes, even in a small city like Reykjavik, you just want to get away from the crowds for a day. That’s why we love recommending convenient day trips close to the city. Driving for about 40 minutes from downtown in any direction will take you to a whole different scenery with untouched nature, mountains, streams, waterfalls and hot springs. I decided to go north this time and I’ll tell you why.
Grab Your Morning Treat from an Icelandic Bakery
To leave the greater Reykjavík area, you’ll need to drive on Road 1 through the town of Mosfellsbær. If you haven’t packed your lunch or need a quick breakfast, Mosfellsbakarí (the Mosfellsbær bakery) is a great choice.
If you are new to Iceland, we recommend trying the ‘kleina’; a twisted doughnut with cardamom or the glazed cinnamon buns (snúður). The classic glazing is either chocolate or a pink glazing that tastes like… pink glazing. As any Icelandic school child will tell you, Icelandic bakery pastries should be paired with chocolate milk from the carton.
Once your breakfast is secured, continue going north on Road 1 until you reach a roundabout where you can take the first turn onto Road 36 (Þingvallavegur).
As soon as you make that turn, you’ll notice you’re surrounded by nature. Gorgeous views will accompany you for the rest of the day. Keep an eye out for a sign that says “Strawberries”. We recommend getting some homegrown berries for the ride at Dalsgarður greenhouses. Their summer flowers are also beautiful and affordable.
Gljúfrasteinn
Your next stop is Gljúfrasteinn, the home of Iceland’s only Nobel Prize-winning author, Halldór Laxness. Continue on Road 36 for approximately one kilometer and you will see his house on your right hand side.
“But what if I haven’t read any of his work?” you might ask. Well, we would still recommend visiting for other reasons. Anyone interested in Mid Century Modern architecture, interior design, art, artifacts from all over the world, or simply wanting to see how the cultural elite of Iceland lived during the 20th century should stop by Gljúfrasteinn.
In the summer, you will find the late author’s Rolls Royce parked in front. Oh, and they have an outdoor swimming pool next to the house. That’s a rarity in Iceland!
Þórufoss – Thorufoss
Feeling inspired by Iceland’s greatest novelist, it’s time to see the nature that inspired him and countless other Icelandic artists throughout the ages.
Þórufoss is in close proximity to Gljúfrasteinn. Continue on Road 36 until you see a sign that says Kjós 48. Take a left and you are on Kjósaskarðsvegur, Road 48. Follow the road and soon it will enter a valley. Drive on for a few minutes until you see a small parking lot on your right side.
Þórufoss is a part of the river Laxá í Kjós. It falls 18m (62ft) and tends to freeze in the winter, making it a stunning wall of ice.
Fun fact: This beautiful location is one of many in Iceland that was featured in HBO’s Game of Thrones (GOT). Hence, Þórufoss will be recognized by some as the location where Drogon the Dragon barbequed some goats for breakfast. No goats got harmed during the filming of the scene. The goats starring in that scene all come from an Icelandic farm nearby, Háafell goat farm.
You can get very close to the waterfall by following the path down the hill. For those who prefer to look from afar, walking just a few meters from the parking lot offers a magnificent view. Take it all in!
Hvammsvík Hot Springs
After a scenic drive, it’s time to treat yourself. Can you think of a better way to end the day than soaking in a natural hot spring? Me neither! Luckily, Hvammsvík Hot Springs is just a 15 minute drive from Þórufoss.
Continue on Road 48 until you can turn right onto Road 47 (Hvalfjarðarvegur). Keep your eyes on the left-hand side, and you will soon see the black houses of Hvammsvík Nature Resort and Hot Springs.
This unique spot offers natural hot springs right by the seaside, making it perfect for bird watching or even ocean swimming in the North-Atlantic. If you’d rather relax in the hot water with a drink in hand, we won’t blame you! After your hot spring adventure, be sure to try the seafood soup at their restaurant, Stormur Bistro—you won’t regret it.