Iceland: A Journey I Can’t Stop Thinking About

Iceland has a way of getting under your skin—in the best possible way. The moment I landed, even before I’d really processed the time change or shook off the flight, I felt that spark of okay… this place is different. And it only grew stronger from there.

First Stop: The Blue Lagoon (Because Honestly, It’s Perfect After a Flight)

I know everyone talks about the Blue Lagoon but hear me out: doing it right when you arrive is a game changer. I slipped into that warm, cloudy-blue water with steam looping around me like Iceland’s version of a welcome hug. The surrounding lava fields look like something out of a dream—raw, black rock against pale water—and suddenly all the travel fatigue just melts.

It’s such an unreal moment that it feels like the trolls and hidden folk have already started whispering their stories at you. Iceland leans into its folklore, and the more you explore, the more it feels… believable.

The Golden Circle: Where Iceland Starts to Show Off

Once I started driving the Golden Circle, the country basically said, “Oh, you thought the lagoon was impressive? Watch this.”

Thingvellir National Park was my first real “I need to stop and breathe this in” moment. Standing between tectonic plates while looking out over those wide-open vistas felt surreal. Then there’s Geysir, erupting with perfect timing as if performing for whoever happens to be watching, and Gullfoss roaring so loudly you feel it in your chest. It’s the kind of route where every turn looks like the backdrop of a movie you wish you could live in.

South to Vík: Black Sand, Basalt Columns, and That Wild Icelandic Weather

The south coast might be my favorite stretch of Iceland—although choosing a favorite feels impossible. Driving toward Vík, the landscape shifts constantly: moss-covered lava fields, cliffs that look carved by giants, waterfalls that appear out of nowhere.

Reynisfjara Beach was one of those heart-stopping moments where I just stood there, quietly overwhelmed. The black sand, the crashing Atlantic, the basalt stacks rising like ancient guardians—it’s dramatic and peaceful at the same time. Vík itself is small and charming, almost like it was built to give travelers a place to pause and process everything they just saw.

And Then There’s the Eclipse Coming…

If I didn’t already think Iceland was magical enough, the upcoming eclipse has officially pushed it into “are you kidding me?” territory. There’s something about imagining the sky dimming over glaciers and waterfalls that feels like the universe is putting on a show specifically for Iceland.

If you’ve been thinking about going, this is the moment. Not in a salesy way—just as someone who walked these landscapes recently and already wants to go back. The eclipse is going to make an already unforgettable destination feel downright otherworldly.

Iceland Changes You… in the Subtle, Quiet Ways

Looking back through my photos from the trip, I realized that Iceland wasn’t just beautiful—it felt alive. The folklore, the shifting weather, the landscapes that never repeat… it all comes together in a way that lingers long after you leave.

If you’re dreaming of going (or you just need that sign to finally book the trip): consider this your nudge. Iceland is waiting, the eclipse is coming, and the magic is absolutely real.