After conquering our first day in Iceland, we clearly thought we were immune to the five-hour time change. Why set an alarm when you’re seasoned travelers, right? Well, whoops. We woke up at 9:30, missing out on some precious morning hours — but the good news was we made it to the hotel breakfast buffet which put American hotel breakfast's to shame.

Picture this: a spread with a little bit of everything. Classic American comfort foods like eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes… and then the Icelandic specialties: smoked salmon, skyrr (basically Iceland’s better version of yogurt), cod liver oil shots (yes, really), fresh pastries, meats and cheeses, and warm bread with butter. The only downside? The tiniest cups of coffee you’ve ever seen. Luckily, they had a magical coffee machine that whipped up everything from lattes to cold-foam creations. I just needed five of them to get moving.

A Self-Driving Tour with Elves, Trolls & Vikings

Armed with a self-driving app I found online, we set out on the famous Golden Circle. The app was actually amazing — part history lesson, part folklore podcast. We learned all about trolls, Vikings, but especially elves. I didn’t realize how deeply elves are woven into Icelandic culture! There are even stories of construction projects being halted because locals believed the elves were angry their homes were being disturbed. Only in Iceland!

Walking the Rim of Kerið Crater

One of the first stops on our Golden Circle drive was Kerið Crater, a volcanic crater lake that’s as colorful as it is unique. Unlike some of Iceland’s other stark black lava fields, Kerið is painted in shades of deep red and burnt orange, with green moss clinging to the slopes and a bright turquoise lake at the bottom. The contrast is striking, and on a sunny day, it looks almost surreal.

Visitors can walk the rim of the crater for panoramic views or take the path down to the water’s edge, which gives a whole new perspective on just how massive it is. The walk isn’t difficult, but it is a little steep and rocky in spots, so good shoes help. Entry is inexpensive (around a few dollars per person), and it’s a quick but memorable stop — definitely worth adding to any Golden Circle itinerary.

What I loved most about Kerið was its quiet beauty. Even though it’s a popular site, it didn’t feel overly crowded when we visited. Standing there, it was easy to imagine the sheer power that created this crater thousands of years ago — and at the same time, it was just peaceful, still, and stunningly photogenic. There was not a ripple in the water.

From there, we went to the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest natural swimming pool.

The Secret Lagoon in Flúðir may not be as glamorous as Reykjavik’s Sky Lagoon or as famous as the Blue Lagoon, but it has its own quiet charm. Known as Iceland’s oldest natural swimming pool, it was first used in the late 1800s for swimming lessons. Today, it’s been modernized with changing rooms, showers, a small hot tub, and even a cold plunge, but it still retains a rustic, authentic feel.

What makes the Secret Lagoon special is its setting. Steam rises from bubbling hot springs all around the pool, and wooden boardwalks let you wander among the geothermal activity before you slip into the warm water. The atmosphere is peaceful, with fewer crowds and no bar service — making it feel more like a local gem than a tourist hotspot. For me, the Secret Lagoon felt like a step back in time. It didn’t have the infinity views or the social buzz of Sky Lagoon, but it offered something simpler: the chance to relax in natural hot water, surrounded by Iceland’s raw beauty. The vibe was very different from Sky Lagoon — quieter, less “social,” and not like a night club that Sky Lagoon reminded me of with the swim up bar. At about $30 per person, it felt like a local gem. We strolled around the bubbling hot springs on wooden pathways, and I learned an important lesson: Icelandic water does not play nice with cheap jewelry. (Goodbye, costume rings. Into the garbage you go).

The Power of Gullfoss

No Golden Circle itinerary is complete without a stop at Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. It’s actually a two-tiered cascade, thundering into a rugged canyon with a force that’s hard to put into words. On sunny days, mist rises from the falls and often creates rainbows, which adds to the magic. The name Gullfoss means “Golden Falls,” and some say it comes from the golden hue of the water in the light, while others believe it’s tied to a legend of a farmer’s daughter who threw her chest of gold into the falls to keep anyone else from having it. Either way, it’s one of Iceland’s most famous and busiest stops — and when you see the sheer force of the water thundering down, you’ll understand why.

There are multiple viewing paths — from the upper platforms that give you sweeping panoramas to the lower walkway where you feel the spray on your face. It can be busy, but it’s one of those places where the sheer scale and natural beauty drown out the crowds. Standing there, with water roaring around you, you really understand why Gullfoss is an icon of Iceland.

Roadside Discovery: Geysers at Haukadalur Geothermal Field

Sometimes the best spots are the ones you stumble upon—like when we followed the white dusters to a bustling parking lot and suddenly found ourselves at the Haukadalur Geothermal Field. Visiting the Haukadalur Geothermal Field felt like stepping straight into the pages of a science textbook—except with way more steam and excitement. This area is home to some of Iceland’s most famous geysers, including the original Geysir (yes, the one all others are named after!) and its lively neighbor Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water high into the sky. Standing there surrounded by the smell of sulfur, bubbling mud pots, and clouds of steam, you can literally feel the earth’s energy pulsing beneath your feet. It’s wild, otherworldly, and a total reminder that Iceland’s beauty comes straight from the planet’s core.

Þingvellir National Park: A Parliamentary Legacy

Visiting Þingvellir National Park during sunset was pure magic — the light washed over the cliffs in golden hues, and it honestly felt like time had stopped. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only one of the most beautiful stops along Iceland’s Golden Circle, but also the historic heart of the country. It’s where Iceland’s first parliament, the Alþingi, was founded in 930 AD — making it one of the oldest in the world. Walking through the dramatic landscape (which you might recognize from Game of Thrones as the Bloody Gate!), we couldn’t get over the mix of wild beauty and deep history.

As we explored, we found the tiny Þingvellir Chapel, and to our surprise, it was open. We stepped inside, sat down for a quiet moment, and it felt absolutely surreal — like everything around us was frozen in time. Just next door sits the Parliament Summer House, and we were in awe to learn that the Prime Minister was actually there that evening! Cars were parked all around, but there was no visible security — we could have walked right up to the front door if we wanted to. That calm, welcoming openness is so uniquely Icelandic, and it’s part of what makes Þingvellir one of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever been.

Dinner Fail: The Case of the Missing Hot Dog

By the time we got back to Reykjavik, Jon was still chasing the memory of that hot dog from our foodie tour the night before. We set off for the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand… only to end up at a gas station instead.

With most restaurants closing, dinner ended up being a little red wine and a KIND bar. Not glamorous, but after a day of geysers, waterfalls, and elf folklore, it was the perfectly imperfect ending to our second day in Iceland.

Day 2: Oversleeping, Elves, The Golden Circle, Kerið Crater, Secret Lagoon,Gullfoss, Haukadalur Geothermal Field, and Þingvellir National Park

Parliament House at Pingvellir National Park

Kerid Crater

Gullfoss!