15 Things to Visit in Iceland

Iceland is renowned for its striking scenery, which can actually make the ground beneath you smoke and erupt. Iceland is a country that appears to be permanently covered in snow and ice due to its location so far north, but below, things are quite different. Here, you’ll find one of the world’s most volcanic regions with a great number of active volcanoes waiting to explode at any second. Due to this difference, there is also a great deal of geothermal activity in this area, which has given rise to renowned natural spas like the Blue Lagoon and other historic warm water pools. Reykjavik, the captivating capital, offers one of the best underground eating and nightlife scenes in all of Europe if you favour cities, but if you prefer nature, this area will leave you completely spoilt for choice. In addition to volcanoes and geothermal lakes, there are also sparkling glaciers, deep caverns, and attractive national parks where roaming reindeer can be seen. Whatever you’re looking for, Iceland is also a country rich in myths and stories. You can travel there and learn about trolls, elves, giants, and other fantastical creatures, all of which add to the charm of this enigmatic yet warm place. The top activities in Iceland are listed below:

Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park

Snaefellsjökull National Park sits on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and is best known for its signature glacier called Snæfellsjökull. Additionally to the impressive lava fields and lava tubes, this location is home to a diverse variety of native flora and fauna. Whale viewing is an option for those who enjoy the outdoors, and there are many coastal types of birds in the area. Depending on the season, you can climb up and walk around the glacier in the park, which is covered in lovely hiking routes. It’s interesting to note that this glacier appeared in Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Admire the Dynjandi Waterfall

The Dynjandi waterfall, which is located on Dynjandivogur Bay in the Westfjords region of Iceland, is renowned for being among the country’s most stunning waterfalls. As you rise to the waterfall’s location, numerous lesser rivers give way to the main attraction—the rushing waves of Dynjandi. There is a camping spot nearby if you want to remain and take in the beauty of the waters for a little while longer. The region where the waterfall is located in a protected nature reserve. However, keep in mind that this is not the quietest place to sleep since the falls practically thunder over the side of a mountain.

Go hiking at Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

The majority of Iceland is made up of remote areas with rocky terrain, but Hornstrandir Nature Reserve has both of those things and more. The landscape is breathtaking and has commanding sea cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and enchanting mountain bluffs. Anyone who appreciates trekking shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to go for a stroll in one of the country’s most isolated regions where there is a strong possibility they may spot adorable Arctic foxes, as well as seals, and possibly even a whale. If at all feasible, you should visit during the summer months of June to August because the weather is unpredictable outside of these months and the park can be closed.

Observe the Tectonic Plates

The Tectonic Plates are located on the Ingvellir Plain, which is where North America and Europe meet and where the plates are diverging. Rivers, lakes, and ragged gulleys are the result of this movement, which also generates rifts and cracks in the surrounding terrain. You may follow the fault lines here and get a close-up view of this quirk of nature. The xará River, which spills off the edge of one of the plates and forms an incredible series of waterfalls, and the Drekkingarhylur Pool are two of the area’s most notable landmarks.

Spend time on Rauðasandur Beach

The pink and red sand at Rauasandur Beach, which backs up to the Látrabjarg Peninsula, is a sight to behold. Because of Iceland’s unfavourable weather, sunbathing is not the most popular activity here. However, you can go for a walk along the coast and take in the crashing waves and the turquoise lagoon. You can either take the coastal route that leads to the well-known Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs, which should be popular with serious bird watchers, or you can take a stroll along the water’s edge and keep an eye out for the local seals.

Swim in the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is probably the most famous attraction in Iceland and this is a geothermal spa which is made of heated seawater that is a striking turquoise colour. People come here every year to treat a variety of skin diseases and other maladies since it has long been believed that the area’s waters, which contain silica and other minerals, have healing characteristics. There is a clinic and a posh spa nearby for individuals in need of medical attention.

Visit Viking World

You’ll experience the Viking World Museum as if you’ve travelled back in time and found yourself in the Viking Age. A copy of the Icelander, a Viking ship from the ninth century with the distinction of crossing the Atlantic in 2000, can be found here. Through a variety of permanent and changing exhibitions, you may tour the ship and stroll about underneath the hull while also learning more about Viking history. Along with a Settlement Zoo and a Viking playground, there is a portion dedicated to the interesting Norse mythology.

Hike along Asbyrgi Canyon

The Asbyrgi Canyon is shaped like a horseshoe and is located in the northeast of the nation. The canyon is 1 kilometre broad and 3.5 kilometres long, and it has a cliff in the middle from which you can see views on both sides. At the bottom of the canyon, you can walk through pine, birch, and fir forests and legend has it that the canyon is also the home of the ‘Hidden People’ who have lived in this mountainous area for centuries.

Enjoy the black sand of Djúpalón Beach

Snaefellsjökull National Park’s Djpalón Beach is well-known for its stunning black beaches and imaginative rock formations, some of which are thought to resemble trolls and elfin churches. Additionally, there are lovely rock arches and clear ponds scattered among the sands, and you might even spot traces of the Eding, a ship that sank off the coast in 1948. Despite its legends and myths, this is one of the nicer beaches to visit in the area because it is also convenient to get to and has an asphalt road that runs directly through the park to it.

See the Northern Lights

One of the best places in the world, according to legend, to see the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is Iceland. To that end, if you’re really fortunate, you might even be able to see them from the nation’s capital, Reykjavik. However, if you’re staying in the city, it’s preferable to head to Seltjarnarnes, where your chances of success are considerably higher and there is less light pollution.

Check out the animals on Puffin Island

The islands of Akurey and Lundey, which are renowned for their magnificent and cuddly puffin colonies, are only a half-mile from the capital city of Reykjavik. Akurey is the more well-known of the two due to its greater puffin population and plenty of other animals, including cormorants, ducks, seagulls, and guillemots. Although the island is abandoned, you can get there by boat from the mainland to observe puffins building nests and caring for their young.

Photograph Hallgrimskirkja Church

The Hallgrimskirkja Church, the biggest of its sort in Iceland, is situated in the capital city of Reykjavik. Take the elevator up the hill where the church is located to see its beautiful architecture. You might also notice that it features a monument of Leif Ericsson who is famed for discovering North America in 1000 AD, some 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The church is actually modelled on the Svartifoss Waterfall in the south of the country. Reykjavik City Sightseeing by Minibus is included.

Travel along the Golden Circle Route

Consider taking a tour along the Golden Circle Route if you’re short on time in Iceland but want to see as many of the key attractions as possible quickly. The renowned Thingvellir National Park, the Tectonic Plates, the site where the Icelandic Parliament formerly convened, and the Strokkur Geyser are just a few of the things you’ll pass along the journey. The Gullfoss Waterfall and Kerid Crater Lake are the next stops on the journey. Golden Circle Full-Day Tour including Kerid Crater, which is the best tour,

Bathe in Lake Myvatn Geothermal Area

Lake Myvatn, which boasts the distinction of being Iceland’s fourth-largest lake, is located around 90 kilometres from Akureyri. With numerous other volcanoes dotting the terrain, it is believed that the lake was created more than 200 years ago as a result of a significant volcanic eruption. This region is still renowned for being prone to volcanic activity. The lake is the subject of several legends, and the area around it is covered in lava formations known as Dark Cities, which are claimed to represent the location where Satan is said to have fallen to the ground after being expelled from heaven. Then, the elves expelled him from the area, claiming the Dark Cities as their own. There are a few places where the pools have been warmed up by the earth’s natural heat, allowing you to take a hot bath there. Online booking: Entry Ticket for the Myvatn Nature Baths

Hike in Skaftafell Park

The astounding 4,800 square kilometres of Skaftafell Park contains some of the planet’s most distinctive scenery. Much of the area is covered in thick bird wood forests as well as black volcanic sands and icy raging rivers. There is also a famous ice cap here and you can hike all around the park following a series of trails that take you to sections such as the Black Fall where you will find a waterfall that tumbles over black basalt cliffs. Additionally, there is a blue lagoon filled with magnificent icebergs that you may approach up close by boat through the sea.