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One Day In Keflavik

One day in Keflavik turned out to be not enough for all the things I wanted to see and do. Another case of eyes are bigger than the stomach, I overestimated just how long it takes to get to where I’d like to go and then the time needed to enjoy the attraction.

I rented a car (stick shift this time!) at the airport and had hoped to check out:

the bridge between continents at Sandvik
Iceland’s largest mud pool at Gunnohver
the hot springs of Seltún/Krýsuvík
the lavarock formation at Brimketill
the lighthouses of Garoskagi and Reykjanesviti
plus lava fields, fissures and other geological wonders

But when I got to my first stop at the Icelandic Museum of Rock n’ Roll, the staff there said that drive to all those places would require another few more hours, of which I didn’t have because I also wanted to hit the Blue Lagoon. Well, if that isn’t an incentive to allot more time next time I’m in the Reykjanes peninsula.

But I did get to enjoy a couple of things…

Because I’m a huge music nerd, I had to check out the Icelandic Museum of Rock n’ Roll featuring Björk, Sugarcubes, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, Emilíana Torrini and countless more.

Visitors can find out the back story of their favourite bands, as well as, walk through the history of Icelandic pop and rock music. Cool thing too – once you arrive, you’ll be lent an iPad to access their app and headphones to listen to band’s music while you take in the exhibit.

And of course you can’t go to Iceland without a visit to the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik. It’s an over-priced tourist trap, but it has to be done. My AirBnB hosts told me that Icelandic people used to go to the Blue Lagoon, until it was overrun with tourists years ago. After that happened, locals just went to the swimming pools in their neighbourhood – of which I’m told, comparable. Plus it’s apparently where they get all the good gossip on everyone.

Fun Blue Lagoon facts:

It’s a man-made lagoon surrounded by black lava fields.
The water is supplied by geothermal power plant Svartsengi.
The lagoon is renewed every two days.
The mineral rich water will do a number on your hair, so everyone slabs on the free conditioner beforehand. Or else deal with dry, brittle hair for days (I didn’t put nearly enough conditioner in my hair).
Your electronic wrist bracelet accesses lagoon, lockers and is used to pay for food.
You have to shower before entering lagoon. Diagram emphasizes cleaning head, pits + groin region.
There’s a swim up bar, sauna, steam room, hot and cold waterfall.

Is it worth it? As a tourist, I would say sure. At least do it once. I mean, would you visit New York without seeing the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building? Or visit Paris without going up the Eiffel Tower? It’s there, you go.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most visited site. And besides the lagoon water is the most beautiful milky blue colour imaginable. Would I go again? If I was with someone who never went, probably. But otherwise, I think I’d hit up a local pool because it’s not cheap. But it’s one of those once in a lifetime experiences and I’m glad I went. It was relaxing and a good way to end the trip. This coming from me – I’ve become a hot springs kinda person.