Iceland

Iceland is often called the Land of Ice and Fire, a land where volcanoes and geothermal heat have made their mark on the landscape, along with the many glaciers and glacier lagoons, a land of pristine and unspoiled nature.

Iceland, the lonely island in the middle of the North Atlantic, has become a popular spot for Hollywood blockbuster films. And no wonder, the alien and strange landscapes seems easy to translate as either other planets, as in Star Wars – Rogue One or Prometheus, or suits as a setting for different fantasies, such as Game of Thrones. A land which the powerful elements, fire and ice, have moulded and made their mark upon.

In recent years many people have discovered the lonely island in the middle of the North-Atlantic and paid it a visit. Not only to see what all the fuss is about, but to experience the unspoiled nature. To witness the majestic Northern Lights dance across the blackened winter night sky. To see the sun still in the sky at midnight. To visit the geothermal areas where the geysers rule supreme. To sail among massive icebergs on a glacial lagoon. To see, to witness and to experience something new, something unique.

North Iceland

Dancing along the edge of the Arctic Circle, North Iceland probably sounds pretty cold! Surprisingly, this area experiences some of the mildest temperatures in the country and offers a huge spectrum of scenery to explore, from the soft and gentle to the awesomely spectacular. Rich in history and wildlife, with amazing volcanic landscapes, unusual museums, a wealth of antique farms, fjords and saga sites, it’s no wonder the region was recently named a top European destination by Lonely Planet!

Attractions in North Iceland

North Iceland is home to the unexpectedly lush Jokulsargljufur area, the northern section of Vatnajokull National Park including Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. On Skjalfandi Bay, Husavik has established itself as Europe’s main whale watching mecca with the superb harbour-side Whale Museum and sightings of rare species like the blue whale.

The Skagafjordur district, with its green valleys and ancient mountain ranges, is the traditional heart of horse breeding in Iceland and boasts many historical sites from the classic Sagas.

One of the most known places in north Iceland is Lake Myvatn and its surrounding areas, with attractions like Dimmuborgir, Godafoss (‘The waterfall of the gods’), Asbyrgi canyon and the magnificent sea cliff Hvitserkur, to name a few.

Things to do in north Iceland

The Midnight Sun is an extraordinary spectacle in these northern latitudes and during Northern Lights season, the magnificent vistas are made even more theatrical by the glow of Aurora Borealis. Seasonal delights include golf under the Midnight Sun at the world’s northernmost 18-hole course in Akureyri, taking to the slopes at one of eight skiing areas, snowmobiling, horse trekking, super-jeep excursions, white-water rafting and hiking on along the rugged coastline.

In June 2017, the first beer spa in Iceland was opened in the village of Dalvik, where people can cleanse their skin by lying in a tub filled with beer, water, hops and yeast.

And of course, Akureyri, ‘the capital of the north’, has everything to offer for the more social-minded people, including shopping, a variety of cafés and restaurants, cultural events and art exhibitions, etc.

West Iceland

The west of Iceland is an enormous area characterized by fjords, valleys, volcanoes and craters. The pearl of the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west is the Snaefellsjokull glacier. The west of Iceland is also where most of the Icelandic sagas, heroes or ventures took place.

You’re in Viking country! Easily accessible from Reykjavik through a six kilometer (4 mi) tunnel under Hvalfjordur fjord, West Iceland is a showcase of lava formations, geothermal activity and history. Woodlands and waterfalls are frequent sights, and there are pristine lakes and rivers for fishing.

West Iceland attractions

On Snaefellsnes peninsula, amazing works of nature adorn the landscape, culminating in the glittering glacial cap of Snaefellsjokull, atop a crater which provided Jules Verne with the setting for his novel ‘Journey to the centre of the Earth’.

The shore abounds in bizarre rock formations and birdlife, and a number of towns snuggle in bays along the north coast. From the largest town, Stykkisholmur, travellers can take cruises or a ferry across Breidafjordur bay with its countless islands. The ferry calls at Flatey island with period piece houses that testify to its old status as a major cultural centre.

The cliffs between the tiny villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi are a must-see, as well as the black sandy beach of Djupalonssandur. Here in Snaefellsnes, more particularly in Grundarfjordur village, also stands the most photographed mountain in the country, Kirkjufell.

Saga and heritage

Lovers of Iceland’s rich literary heritage will find plenty to their liking in this area where some of the most dramatic events of the Sagas took place. Names of farms, villages and towns conjure up the presence of historical characters such as the warrior-poet Egill Skallagrimsson and renowned scholar Snorri Sturluson. For more detailed information about attractions, villages and activities in west Iceland be sure to go through our destination guide.

East Iceland

The secluded beauty of East Iceland with its breathtaking fjords and charming fishing villages is only just beginning to be discovered by travellers. The landscape exhibits an extraordinary palette of colours in a contrast of extremes with narrow fjords, jagged peaks, toppling waterfalls, geothermal hotspots, lush forests and endless green valleys where you can truly experience tranquillity with nature.

East Iceland attractions

Egilsstadir town serves as the central hub with the regional airport and the adorable village of Seydisfjordur is renowned for its impressive old houses from around a century ago, when it was one of the largest population centre in the country.

Nearby, Hallormsstadaskogur is an impressive forest in a country otherwise almost barren of trees. Beyond that lies the wild and woolly natural habitat of Iceland’s reindeer population which can only be found in East Iceland.

The East Fjords are one of the oldest regions in Iceland, which was shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Although many are uninhabited, each fjord has its own grandeur. The natural harbours in the fjords led to the development of fishing villages that have still hung on to a degree of old-world charm.

Things to do in East Iceland

Local folklore is filled with legends of hidden elves and there are several interesting museums in the region worth visiting including the Wartime Museum and Petra’s Mineral Collection.

The East enjoys some of the sunniest weather in the country and visitors enjoy spending time hiking, horseback riding, sea angling and taking boat rides among the many grassy islands off shore.

For more detailed information about attractions, villages and activities in eastern Iceland be sure to go through our destination guide.

South Iceland

The South Coast of Iceland holds some of the most beautiful natural attractions in Iceland. The area boasts a unique mix of volcanoes and glaciers, geysers, hot springs and waterfalls, along with multiple historic sites like the UNESCO site of Thingvellir.

The Golden Circle

You’re headed into the ‘volcano zone!’ South Iceland is a masterpiece of volcanic activity and home to some of the island’s most celebrated natural wonders along the ‘Golden Circle’ route which is a real must for sightseers. Its centrepiece is Thingvellir (UNESCO), where settlers established an assembly in AD 930 which has evolved into the world’s oldest parliament today. Thingvellir is also a masterpiece of nature, with a scenic lake and rifts which mark where the continental plates of America and Eurasia meet.

Other Golden Circle highlights include Gullfoss, the ‘Golden Falls’, a mighty two-tier waterfall on the Hvita River, and the geothermal fields of Geysir, where the spouting spring Strokkur erupts every ten minutes.

Places to visit on the South Coast

The forces of nature in south Iceland have shaped not only the land but man’s life too. Off the south coast, the Westman Islands were evacuated in 1973 because of volcanic activity – but the inhabitants soon went back. The area is also the location of Iceland’s newest star Eyjafjallajokull, the unpronounceable volcano that made itself known to the world in April 2010.

History is everywhere in south Iceland, too, spanning the whole range from the Saga Age farm at Stong to the old bishop’s seat of Skalholt and the regional folk museum at Skogar. The southeast offers Europe’s largest glacier at Vatnajokull National Park where you can also experience the awe-inspiring Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, renowned for its boat cruises among dancing icebergs.

Few places in Iceland can match the wealth of contrasts found at Skaftafell National Park, where green woodlands and black mountains converge with the sheer white glacier in the shadow of the country’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur.

In the village of Vik, you’ll find the dramatic Reynisdrangar cliffs rising from the ocean, along with Reynisfjara beach, known for its black sand and spectacular patterns of basalt columns.

The Reykjanes Peninsula

The Reykjanes peninsula is an active volcanic system under its surface, situated at the southwestern end of Iceland. The peninsula is rather sparsely populated except for Reykjanesbaer, which is the largest town on the peninsula. Other towns include Grindavik, Sandgerdi, Vogar, Hafnir and Gardur, all of which rely heavily on fishing.

Reykjanes is marked by its large lava fields, active volcanism, numerous hot springs, geothermal energy and rugged landscape, all this allowing little vegetation. The grey-green moss on the strange, otherwordly lava is usually the first glimpse visitors to Iceland get of the land of ice and fire.

Things to do in Reykjanes

There are plenty of recreational opportunities to be had in the Reykjanes area. A popular one is ATV/quad biking, as well as mountain biking. Also, there is no shortage of hiking trails in the area.

A low mountain ridge rises on the peninsula, the most prominent being Mount Keilir, a small cone-shaped volcano. Hikers enjoy climbing the mountain as it’s not too high, but still poses enough of a challenge. Once you climb to the top, which takes around 2-3 hours, you are rewarded with a beautiful 360-degree view that simply takes your breath away.

The Cave Leidarendi (e. ‘The End of the Road’) is a 900m long circular lava tube discovered two decades ago, and available for visitors to explore. There you can see unique rock formations and fascinating colours from the natural forces that shaped the tube around 2000 years ago. In the winter time, you are also likely to see amazing icicles and natural ice sculptures in the cave.

Reykjanes lighthouse

Besides its rich fishing industry, Reykjanes is also known for its many lighthouses. Some even say that the lighthouses outnumber the villages. The most known lighthouse, as well as being the oldest one in Iceland, is Reykjanes lighthouse, standing 29 metres tall at 69 metres above sea level.

Places to visit in Reykjanes peninsula

Among others, Reykjanes boasts of tourist attractions such as the geothermal areas like Krysuvik and Gunnuhver, ‘The Bridge Between Continents’, where you can literally walk from Europe to North America, Lake Kleifarvatn, and let’s not forget the one which rules them all – The Blue Lagoon.

Westfjords

The remote Westfjords are a distinct region in Iceland that differ from the rest of the country both historically and geologically, with rock formations up to 14 million years old. In the Westfjords, land meets sea in the most dramatic terms imaginable, with sheer mountains rising from the sea and deep fjords dotted with occasional fishing villages snuggling against the slender seaboard.

The Westfjords are the most scattered populated region of Iceland (apart from the highlands). Isafjordur is the main town in this region, Capital of the West, with a population of over 2500 people.

Things to do in Westfjords

The possibility for activities in this part of Iceland are endless. In the wintertime, extreme sport enthusiasts travel to the area for sport activities such as heli-skiing, where you ski straight from the top of the mountain down to the sea.

Mountain biking, hiking, paragliding, mountaineering, you name it, Westfjords can serve it all. For calmer activities, there are several golf courses in the region, and sea kayaking is a peaceful way to spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque fjords. Outdoor bathing in natural hot springs is a common activity enjoyed in the Westfjords, which has many hidden bathing spots in remote locations.

Culture and history in Westfjords

If you want a bit of social life and culture in your visit to the Westfjords, Isafjordur is a scene for plenty of social activities, with several cafés, a thriving harbour and an annual music festival.

The Westfjords were renowned in the olden times for sorcerers and wizards, and today the village of Holmavik hosts an exhibition on the matter that might make for an unusual experience.

Birdlife in Westfjords

The Westfjords are rich of  birdlife, the birds outnumber the inhabitants many times over. One can see the seabirds on their rugged cliffs and the Arctic foxes in their lairs. Breidafjordur is a mecca for birdwatchers, and there are the three largest bird cliffs in Europe, the most known one being Latrabjarg.

Nature attractions in Westfjords

One of the most spectacular and majestic waterfalls in Iceland is Dynjandi, located in Arnarfjordur fjord. For that sight alone, a trip to the Westfjords is worth it.

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is another place worth visiting. It’s rather remote and off limits to all motorized traffic, so the pure and wild nature makes it an ideal destination for hikers and nature lovers alike.

On the southern shore of the Westfjords is the Raudasandur beach, meaning ‘The Red Sand Beach’. A lot of people associate Iceland only with black beaches, but Raudasandur beach throws that assumption out the window, with its golden and red colours set in magnificent surroundings of black cliffs and blue ocean.

The Highlands

Have you ever been to the middle of nowhere? Iceland’s interior highlands are where man has never made his home and is still a rare visitor. Here, nature is still at its rawest, with glaciers, deserts of black sand, barren glacial moraine, steaming hot springs, active and spent volcanoes and strange oases of vegetation.

Two main overland routes link the north and south. The western route over Kjolur is passable by ordinary vehicles in summer, skirting Langjokull glacier on the way to Hveravellir geothermal field before emerging by the Ring Road in the north. The other more directly central route is over the black sands of Sprengisandur, and with only rough tracks as well as un-bridged rivers that can only be negotiated by big 4WD vehicles. The Sprengisandur route threads its way between glaciers to come out southeast of Akureyri, near Lake Myvatn.

Major attractions in the highlands of Iceland

Highland favourites include the area around Mt. Askja, where you can bathe in a naturally warm lake called Viti (Hell), and Kverkfjoll, a high-temperature geothermal field on the rim of Vatnajokull, where the heat creates fantastic but ever changing caves formed in ice.

And let’s not forget to mention two of the biggest highland attractions in Iceland; the Thorsmork Nature Reserve, one of the most popular hiking areas in the country, and the geothermal area Landmannalaugar, with its multicoloured mountains, steaming lava fields and countless hiking opportunities.