Excursions
For a Half Day
Blue Lagoon: Located in the lunar-like landscape of a lava field, the Blue Lagoon was accidentally created by the run-off water from the Svartsengi power station. The reputed health benefits (particularly for skin ailments) of its mineral-rich, geothermal seawater have made it one of the most visited locations in Iceland. The restaurant at the Blue Lagoon was recently voted one of the top 50 in the world by Restaurant Magazine. Massages are also now on offer at the Blue Lagoon and spa beauty products, including mud from the lake, are also available. The Blue Lagoon (tel: 420 8800; fax: 420 8801; e-mail: lagoon@bluelagoon.is; website: www.bluelagoon.is) is situated on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50km (30 miles) southwest of the city. Bus 5 leaves Reykjavik’s central bus station (BSÍ) three times a day (journey time – 40 minutes). There are also half-day excursions available (see Bus Tours in Tours of the City). In the summer (June-August), it is open daily 1000-2100, while in winter it is open Monday-Wednesday 1000-2000 and Thursday-Sunday 1000-2100. Admission costs IKr980 (discount cards are available for ten reduced priced visits).
For a Whole Day
Golden Circle: The waterfall of Gulfoss, together with the famous geothermal area at Geysir and the Kerid crater, form the main attractions of a round tour that has become known as the ‘Golden Circle’. Considered to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall, Gulfoss (‘golden falls’) is a two-tier waterfall in a huge gorge carved out by the mighty glacial River Hvítá. The spouting Geysir – the original that gave its name to the world’s spouting geysirs – ceased to erupt earlier this century but fortunately its faithful stand-in (the nearby Strokker) spouts and sprays approximately every five minutes. The site also includes hot springs that are coloured by mineral deposits, steaming vents and warm streams.
Reykjavik Excursions (tel: 580 5400; fax: 564 4776; website: www.re.is) offers day trips for IKr5900. For those short of time the Golden Circle can be combined with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, although the combined tour makes for a very long day. It is possible to get to all these destinations by public bus, however, no one bus covers the whole Golden Circle and buses are infrequent so it would not be possible to do the whole round tour in one day. A tour or private transport is much more advisable.
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General
