Twenty-Four Hours in Iceland: Making the Most of a Layover

By Maura L. Johnson, LCSW, PMH-C

Earlier this month, I had the honor of attending the International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health Conference in Barcelona, Spain. Spending a week connecting with fellow professionals from all corners of the world, as well as exploring several miles per day on foot was such an invaluable experience. As a bonus, several presenters shared groundbreaking research occurring right here at the University of Pittsburgh. I take great pride in being a Pitt grad and love seeing just how far our reach extends.

 Recently, our airport has added a direct flight to Reykjavik, Iceland, which allows for more direct access to international travel, particularly in Europe. When it came time to book my flight to Barcelona, I noticed that the only available return flight required spending a full day and evening in the small town of Keflavik, the town that houses Reykjavik International Airport. I got right to planning and finding ways to maximize my time in this beautiful country. The time of year was perfect, as the weather ranged between the upper 40s-50s, allowing for comfortability during outdoor exploring.

My first activity upon waking up in Keflavik was taking a cab ride around the town and seeing what seemed like endless fields of lava rocks from recent volcanic eruptions. The landscape was beautiful, with sparse commercial development and quiet roads. I ended my ride at the world-famous Blue Lagoon, which has perhaps been one of my most favorite experiences to date. Walking down the trail lined with lava rock was its own special experience; however, coming upon the building to enter and view of the lagoon was amazing. Following a brief check in and changing, it was time to spend the morning soaking in the warm, healing waters.

Upon entry, you are able to partake in both the swim up bar, serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as the mask bar. The three step skin care routine is meant to enhance the experience, as well as provide purification and hydration to your skin. There was far more area to explore than I had anticipated, including restaurants, steam and sauna and the skin care shop. I spent several hours swimming, sitting and floating in the blue waters, enjoying beautiful views and a deep sense of calm. Just a few hours later, I was on my way to the airport for the flight home, which comes in at a little under six hours.

Overall, I wish I had more time in this beautiful country and love that Pittsburghers now have an easier route to travel there. I can’t wait to return and explore all Iceland has to offer. If you find yourself with a long layover, Keflavik has some great sites and activities to offer; and the Blue Lagoon is only a short ride away.