My first trip to Iceland in 2014 was one of those experiences that always stick with you. You think back and the memories are so vivid it might as well have been yesterday. So I want to share with you why this place is awesome, why it should be on your bucket list and what there is to do in this far away land of ‘fire and ice’.
Explore Reykjavík!
The small capital with less than 150,000 inhabitants is Iceland's civilisation hotspot, hence there’s plenty of cool bars and restaurants. Do you ever go to a new place and feel like the shops all stock the same things? You’ve seen it all before? Not in Reykjavík! The shops are full of unique, well designed crafts and gifts (I returned home with a driftwood lamp in my suitcase) and even the obligatory souvenir shops are less bland than elsewhere, because, well... there’s trolls, volcano stuff and vikings, which, frankly, beats your average Union Jack and 'Keep calm and...' souvenirs. (Sorry Britain, I love you really!)
Iceland's capital has a sophisticated, artsy vibe. The buildings are covered in well made street art. Culture is everywhere in this place where folklore meets modern Scandinavian minimalism. Take a stroll through the town, feed the birds at Tjörnin, the lake in downtown Reykjavík, then continue to the seafront and see the famous Sun Voyager monument, but try not to get blown away. Afterwards, warm up at ‘Svarta Kaffið', a little restaurant hidden away inside an unassuming, black Icelandic style house on the main shopping street, Laugavegur. It’s like a viking’s den inside and they offer amazing, homemade soups that are served in whole bread loafs - it’s as good as it sounds! There are a number of interesting museums as well, like the Maritime Museum or the Phallological Museum (yes, it’s all about penises!) if you fancy something a bit… out of the ordinary.
Make sure to try OmNom chocolates whilst you’re in town and take a walk up to Hallgrímskirkja for an example of great Icelandic architecture! The perfect way to end a day of exploring is by visiting the Volcano House. They have a café, shop, exhibition and a small cinema where you can watch a documentary about the most significant volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
Iceland Airwaves Festival!
The further you are from the equator, the more daylight becomes an issue during the winter months. Or rather, a lack of. To keep themselves entertained during the darker time of the year, the locals host an amazing annual festival: Iceland Airwaves. For a few days, Reykjavík and the town of Akureyri turn into a music lover's paradise when both local and international bands play in shops, record stores, bars and museums.
Drive the ring road!
If you, much like us, tend to look at maps a lot, you might have noticed the ring road leading around the entire island. It basically has ‘ROADTRIP’ written all over it! So, pack your camping gear, get a flight to Keflavik airport (preferably in summer), rent a car and embark on the adventure of a lifetime!
Go whale watching!
There are plenty of tour operators who offer whale watching boat tours, like Elding for example. The chances of spotting different types of whales, porpoises and other sea creatures in the icy atlantic ocean waters surrounding the island are pretty good (and if you’re unlucky and they’re feeling shy, many companies give you a voucher for a complimentary tour.) The sea might be a bit rough, but if you’re not a born sailor, medication to prevent sea sickness is available and so are comforting hot drinks for those who enjoy the ups and downs of the waves like a true captain. This is an unforgettable experience!
Visit Þingvellir National Park!
A big 'must visit' when in the area! This National Park stretches across two different tectonic plates - the North American and the Eurasian one. There are lakes with crystal clear water, which means you can literally dive between two continents! (Diving tours are also available for the real adventurers among us!) Now that’s something to tell your grandkids about one day! Also, for those who’d rather watch the icy waters from afar, the scenery is absolutely spectacular as you follow the wooden paths which lead visitors across the lava fields and streams. Don’t forget to drop a penny into the super clear pool by the exit for good luck (or just to watch it sink some ten metres to the floor where it’ll shine amongst the other coins like mermaid treasures.)
See the Northern Lights!
The best time to spot the Aurora Borealis is in the spring and autumn months - provided you catch a day with clear skies! Just keep your eyes peeled or join a Northern Lights watching tour - if you’re lucky you might just spot those breathtaking, morphing green-ish light bands in the night sky! (I didn’t. Ironically I saw them years later, much further South in the Scottish Highlands!)
Explore the South Coast!
Whether you rent a car or join one of the tours, this is something not to be missed! The scenic drive through lava fields, across the wildest of rivers and mountain passes, past active volcanoes and down to the sea where black beaches meet the ocean is one you’ll never forget! Take in the breathtaking views at the country’s southernmost point, Cape Dyrhólaey, wander along the endless black beaches at Reynisfjara, marvel at the basalt column cave and keep your eyes peeled for puffins who nest in the cliffs. Afterwards, why not stop in the village of Vík for a hot drink and a bite to eat?!
Walk on Sólheimajökull glacier!
This is the glacier tongue shadowing Vik. It sticks out of the bigger glacier Mýrdalsjökull which covers the mighty volcano Katla. You can hike up the glacier tongue and walk on the ancient ice - it’s like walking on a different planet - a bizzarre, ever changing world of ice. Just make sure you have an experienced guide with you as glaciers can be dangerous places to explore on your own! Also, due to global warming, this glacier is slowly starting to melt and disappear, so go visit while you can!
Watch the geysers erupt!
The Geysir Geothermal Area is full of hot springs and geysers like the famous Strokkur - it erupts every few minutes and spouts hot water over 100ft into the air. Pretty impressive, huh? Just as an FYI, don't get too close, the nearest hospital is 60km from here!
Relax at the Blue Lagoon!
The famous Blue Lagoon! Dip into the hot water at this geothermal spa, lather your skin with mineral-laden mud and relax! It’s a bit pricey, but worth it!
Travel back in time at the Viking Village!
Located in the middle of a lava field not far from Reykjavík sits the town Hafnarfjörður, which has it's own Viking Village. This is THE place to go for an authentic time travel style viking experience (and some damn good food!) #tbt
See stunning waterfalls!
Iceland is home to many incredible waterfalls that you should definitely visit if you can! The three most popular in the South-West are Seljalandsfoss, a 65 metre high waterfall you can actually walk behind, Skógafoss, which looks like something straight from a fairytale, plus, you can walk up really close to it - and of course Gullfoss! The latter is considered to be the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland by many and it is a truly stunning sight to watch the Hvítá river plunge into a deep crevasse here, especially in winter or at sunset when the water turns golden - hence the name Gullfoss, meaning Golden Waterfall. If you go on a sunny day you might see a rainbow, too!
How about some horse riding?
Riding Icelandic horses is great fun! For the non-equestrians: It’s not as dangerous as it sounds and beginners can totally do it, too. I tried it even though I have very little (and mostly negative) experience riding horses. The weather was terrible, the rain was pouring down until we were all soaked to the bone and the wind was so strong even the horses walked sideways! Nothing the sturdy, furry little guys aren’t used to, though, so we carried on regardless and even crossed a wild stream on horseback. Despite the Icelandic weather making a point, I can tell you, we had a great time!
Learn how Icelanders get their power!
Visiting the Geothermal Power Plant is not as boring as it sounds. Their exhibition is as interesting as is how Icelanders get their power. You might have guessed it: By geothermal energy, which is a 100% renewable, green and natural! Hot water in Iceland literally comes from the ground, the only side effect is that the sulphur makes it smell a bit eggy (disclaimer: This is an understatement!) as you’ll notice when you take your first shower!
Combined Day Tours
If you don’t want to rent a car, but see as much as possible, combined day tours are a great way to explore Iceland. Many tours take you to most of the places I’ve mentioned in this post and more! Ever wondered what the island's most famous active volcano, Eyjafjallajökull looks like? Prefer having a guide with you to provide facts about the area? Search for ‘Golden Circle Tour’ or ‘Iceland South Coast Tour’ if you’re interested, or check out what other tours are available. You can find a large selection of different offers here!
Have you got any Iceland travel stories to share?
Comment below!
Lisa x