Travel Highlights
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the natural starting point for any visit to Iceland, and not undeservedly so. With a population of 120,000, the capital is world-renowned for its culture, history, and natural beauty on all fronts.
Reykjavík is truly the gateway to Iceland, and many day trips can be taken from the city to the surrounding mountains, glaciers, volcanos and hot springs. Day-excursions from Reykjavík include horseback riding, glacier climbing, river rafting, caving, whale watching, etc. Meanwhile, downtown, in the city's museums, galleries, theatres, cafés, and swimming pools, busy locals bustle about with seemingly inexhaustible energy. At the restaurants downtown, local ingredients are served fresh.
Art galleries such as the Reykjavík Art Museum and the National Gallery showcase classic Icelandic artists' works, while smaller independent galleries display the projects of cutting-edge, contemporary Icelandic and international artists. Various museums preserve the culture and history of both the city and the country at large. Designated as a UNESCO City of Literature, Reykjavík is also the core of Iceland's literary heritage. You'll discover a treasure of literary works and a wealth of talented poets and authors.
South
Iceland's south coast is home to some of the country's most visited tourist attractions. The coastline itself is renowned for its beauty, and the towns along the coast are famous for their fresh seafood.
From beautiful waterfalls to magnificent glaciers, the South has it all. With the Golden Circle route, connecting Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir, located in the area, it is a top-rated destination for visitors. Further east along the shore, you will find Skógafoss Waterfall, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Vatnajökull Glacier, and several other natural wonders.
The South is rich in history and culture. Events from the ancient Sagas are remembered in many ways along the coast, and several museums in the area celebrate Icelandic customs and heritage. With much of the country's agricultural products coming from this region, the South is also a wonderful testimony to Icelandic restaurant culture.
East
The east coast of Iceland is home to the country's largest forest, lush farmlands, and a range of small fjords and islands. Thanks to the East's many natural harbors, various fishing villages, and small seaside communities border the coast.
Impressive magma chambers filled with colorful mineral deposits can be seen and visited along the eastern coast. In the summer months, the East of Iceland becomes a creative hub for artists and young people from around Iceland and abroad. Several music and art festivals have been popping up and expanding steadily in recent years.
West
West Iceland is one of Iceland's most geologically diverse regions, where nature is inextricably linked to the story of the people. A world where culture, nature, and history complement each other, creating a unique experience. This vast area consists of fjords, valleys, craters, glaciers, and volcanoes. Snæfellsjökull National Park is Iceland's only national park that reaches into the sea. The mystical volcano Snæfellsjökull Glacier has inspired artists and poets through the centuries, as one of seven most significant energy centers on Earth, and the setting of Jules Verne's Journey to the center of the Earth.
Its natural wonders are a nearly exhaustive sampling of all that Iceland offers, ranging from slumbering volcanos and majestic waterfalls to a variety of flora and wildlife. The short distances between popular destinations make it possible to enjoy the area at a comfortable pace all year round, so remember to slow down in West Iceland.
North
The North of Iceland truly is a land of contrasts. Its long valleys and peninsulas are interspersed with mountains, lava fields, and smooth hills carved out by rivers. The deep and numerous indentations in the coast of the North are at times lush with vegetation, at others barren. As one nears the Arctic Circle in the northern latitudes, the midnight sun is invariably awe-inspiring.
Many towns of the North are dedicated to marine life. The Húsavík Whale Museum and the Seal Center in Hvammstangi are two options for visitors. Close by in the northern reaches of the Vatnajökull National Park is the impressive Ásbyrgi Canyon, as well as the Dettifoss Waterfall—the most powerful in Europe. The nearby Lake Mývatn and its surrounding wetlands have an exceptional variety of waterbirds and rock formations.
The North is home to Iceland's second-largest urban area, Akureyri, located in Iceland's longest fjord. Rich in culture and history, the charming downtown is full of late-nineteenth-century wooden houses. In summer, golfers can take advantage of the midnight sun at the Arctic Open.
Highlands
Iceland's highlands are an untamed mingling of rocky deserts, jagged peaks, volcanoes, ice caps, valleys, and hot springs that should be explored while considering care and preparatory measures.
Surrounded by obsidian and colorful rhyolite mountains, visitors can bathe in natural hot rivers in the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar. The Laugavegur trail leads to the woodland nature reserve Þórsmörk—a hidden valley surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and glacial rivers—that serves as a popular base camp for hikers who intend to reach the surrounding highland mountains.
For centuries, the interior of Iceland was virtually inaccessible, for years at a time playing host only to outlaws in hiding. Kjölur and Sprengisandur, the untouched wilderness of Iceland's mountainous center, are now open to the public for cautious exploration by foot or 4x4 vehicles in the summer months.
Reykjanes
The Reykjanes peninsula is a geothermal wonder, where lighthouses outnumber villages. Besides hosting the Keflavík International Airport and, just a few minutes away, the spectacular Blue Lagoon, the Reykjanes peninsula is a destination in its own right.
The Reykjanes peninsula has several high-temperature geothermal areas, three of which are harnessed to generate electricity. Nowhere on earth is the junction in the earth's crust between the European and American tectonic plates is as clearly visible as on the Reykjanes peninsula. The area is a veritable hotbed for recreational activities. The dramatic, rugged landscape features volcanic craters, caves, lava fields, geothermal waters, hot springs, and a variety of restaurants, museums, churches, lighthouses, and festivals.
Westfjords
One of Iceland's best-kept secrets is undoubtedly the country's north-west corner, usually known as the Westfjords. Isolation has preserved the region in relatively unspoiled wilderness. Mostly uninhabited, Iceland's Westfjords are frequently distinguished by travel guides as a destination of excellence and are a must-see for any serious explorer.
Hornstrandir is located in the Westfjords' northwestern corner, an uninhabited peninsula and nature reserve that is a haven for the Arctic fox and a variety of birdlife. The bird cliff Látrabjarg, on the west side of the Westfjords, which apart from hosting nearly half of the world's population of some bird species, is also the westernmost point of Europe. The spectacular Dynjandi, a set of waterfalls with an accumulated height of 100 meters, is another must-see.
Folklore is as much alive in the Westfjords with museums dedicated to sorcery and witchcraft and monsters and creatures from the sea.
Things to Do
Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis, more commonly referred to as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon created when particles emitted by the sun, interact with the atmosphere in the Earth's magnetic field, causing peculiar luminous green streaks across the skies. The best season to see the northern lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April; these are the months where there are long and dark nights.
4x4 Vehicle Tours (Super Jeep)
Go off the beaten track in these monsters trucks with 49“ tires if you want to explore Iceland in an adventurous way!
These vehicles are designed with large tires, especially to navigate the steepest and rockiest terrains, deserts or beaches and access areas that regular cars can not, such as the Highlands and glacier summits.
Helicopter Tours, Heli Skiing and Snowboarding
Iceland's diverse landscape is most breathtaking when viewed from above, making aerial sightseeing tours of mountain tops, craters, geothermal areas, volcanoes, and waterfalls an awe-inspiring experience.
Many of Iceland's most beautiful locations are in remote areas. Flying allows you to reach hard-to-access places with limited effort. Perhaps you would enjoy the breathtaking views as you ski or snowboard down the mountain. A mountain top lunch can be arranged and served outside.
Ice Climbing, Ice Caving and HIking on Glaciers
When making a trip to Iceland, it is hard not to pay special attention to its namesake, namely, its 4,500 square miles of glaciers!
Ice excursions on the glaciers are practiced year-round and take place mainly on the Sólheimajökull and Svínafellsjökull glaciers in the south of Iceland. Hiking trips are also available onto the Snæfellsjökull glacier in the west and the Vatnajökull glacier in the east. Ice caving excursions will take you deep into ice tubes for an unforgettable experience.
Caving
Due to its position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is one of the world's most active volcanic regions. Its unique geological conditions make for some awe-inspiring rock formations, both beneath the surface and above it. Various tube caves—formed by magma flowing underneath the earth's surface after the lava has solidified overhead—can safely be explored through guided excursions year-round.
Iceland is also one of the few places in the world where you can enter a magma chamber. The Þríhnúkagígur crater is a remarkable and rare natural phenomenon: a volcano that erupted about 4,000 years ago and now sits dormant. The volcano is reached via an hour-long hike over a lava field and entered by way of an open cable lift, a descent of 400 feet. The colors and sights within the vast magma chambers are indeed one of nature's masterpieces.
Geothermal Pools and Swimming
The local natural wonder that is perhaps most ingrained in the fabric of Icelandic culture is the bounty of geothermal energy. These naturally heated water powers cities and heats homes, baths, and pools. The most famous of these is the Blue Lagoon, located in a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. As unlikely as it may sound, Reykjavík sports its geothermal beach, with white sands and warm ocean water.
Horseback Riding
The Icelandic horse is a unique breed of smallish horses that came to Iceland with the first settlers from Norway 1100 years ago. The Icelandic horse continues to be used for farm work and showing, racing, and recreation. Horse riding is a great way to explore unspoiled nature, offering stunning panoramic landscapes and grazing sheep. .
Whale Watching
Iceland is the perfect location for whale watching excursions. The cold waters off the coast play host to a diverse marine life. In particular, during the summer months, the shores become a veritable feeding ground for multiple species of large marine mammals, giving visitors a chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Shopping and Museums
Reykjavík's shopping streets Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur are filled with upscale design houses, featuring the latest in world fashion, mixed with small hole-in-the-wall stores featuring local designers. You will also find a curious mix of souvenir shops, jewelry designers, and outdoor clothing stores along the way. Shopping malls Kringlan and Smáralind are also good bets, offering up to 150 stores under one roof. The traditional Icelandic lopapeysa, a knitted wool sweater with a unique design at the top and sleeves, is now a must-have fashion item.
Terrific photographic books on all things Icelandic are widely available and English translations from well-known authors, including the Nobel Laureate Halldór Laxness. After shopping, delve into the cultural heritage or be amazed by outlandish curiosities. The range of and the abundant number of museums in Iceland is vast, and they all aim to educate and entertain their guests.
Midnight-Sun Golfing in Iceland
Iceland - Summer Adventure
Northern Lights of Iceland
Deplar Farm
Canopy by Hilton
Sand Hotel
