While many vacationers who go to the land of ice and hearth on a layover by no means make it past the Blue Lagoon, Iceland is the proper vacation spot for journey journey. Whether you might be searching for thrills or simply need to do one thing you’ve by no means tried earlier than, there may be an array of distinctive issues to do in Iceland.
After three visits in all seasons, I’ve had an opportunity to strive a lot of Iceland’s journey actions for myself, whereas others are on my bucket listing for my subsequent journey. If you need to expertise Iceland past the standard waterfalls and black sand seashores, strive just a few of those cool issues to do in Iceland.
Unique Things to do in Iceland
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Whether you might be searching for excessive journey or in search of an expertise that’s distinctive to Iceland, hopefully just a few of these items to do in Iceland will tickle your fancy.
1. Ride an ATV on a Black Sand Beach
A number of years again we have been visiting Iceland in November and scheduled to go snowmobiling on a glacier, however the climate wasn’t cooperating. Luckily, we have been in a position to swap to an ATV tour as an alternative.
From their location in South Iceland, we crossed small streams and rivers to the black sand seashore close to Dyrhólaey. We continued on to the well-known DC-3 aircraft wreck earlier than looping again to residence base. This is a good journey for adults and teenagers, particularly in case you have some expertise off-roading. For these in search of one thing for youthful youngsters with a bit extra security safety, strive taking a buggy safari by way of rivers and fields.
2. Hike on a Glacier
There are 269 named glaciers on Iceland and 11 p.c of the nation is roofed in glacial ice. You shouldn’t depart Iceland with out taking a stroll on one in every of these glaciers — however solely with a registered information! Glaciers are all the time shifting and altering, subsequently it’s crucial to keep up security requirements and be part of a guided tour for a glacier hike.
Our household (minimal age was 10) took a three-hour glacier stroll on the Sólheimajökull glacier (part of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap) on the south coast of Iceland. We joined a gaggle of 10-12 others for a 30-minute hike out to the glacier. There we donned our crampons and grabbed our ice picks and headed out onto the ice for a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
In the summer season, the ice on this glacier is laced with black volcanic ash and the slanting slope of the glacier dotted with conical mounds of ash seems to be like one thing out of the guts of Mordor. On Sólheimajökull, the ice is as much as about 200 meters thick and the entire measurement of the ice cap of Mýrdalsjökull is about 600 km², which covers the caldera of the volcano Katla, one in every of Iceland’s greatest volcanoes. Throughout our stroll on the glacier we handed crevasses, sinkholes with waterfalls, and ice ridges. We even had an opportunity to dip our water bottle right into a pool of glacier water that was so chilly and refreshing.
Book a glacier hike with Hidden Iceland and save 10% with promo code WE3TRAVEL
3. Float between Icebergs
You can see the icebergs, and the chunks of ice that wash up on Diamond Beach, from the perimeters of the Jokülsárlón lagoon. Like discovering an oasis within the desert, the lagoon seems alongside the street after mile upon mile of bleak darkish volcanic rock and ash. Suddenly you end up aspect by aspect with a lagoon that stretches again so far as you’ll be able to see.
My expectation was that from the shore we might see just a few ghostly-white icebergs floating within the distance. To my shock, there have been many icebergs so shut it felt like you can virtually attain out and contact them from the shore.
However, you don’t have to solely see the icebergs from the shore. You may also float among the many icebergs and see the good number of shapes, sizes, and colours from an amphibian duck boat, a Zodiac RIB boat, and even from inside a kayak.
4. See an Airplane or Shipwreck
A number of years in the past you can drive out to see the American DC-3 aircraft wreck that ran out of gas offshore and crashed on the seashore in South Iceland again in 1973. However, since it’s non-public property you’ll be able to not drive there, however loads of folks nonetheless hike out to see it and take photographs. An simpler approach to get there may be on the ATV tour. Personally, I feel it’s cool however I most likely wouldn’t hike two miles every means only for a photograph alternative of an outdated aircraft.
An simpler approach to get a cool picture of a wreck is the shipwreck of the Garðar BA 64 simply off the street within the Westfjords. This outdated whaling vessel is 100 years outdated and the oldest metal ship in Iceland. You can discover it at G587+P73, 451 Sauðlauksdalur.
5. Go Dog Sledding
Even although canine sledding isn’t native to Iceland, it’s nonetheless a tremendous approach to attain a number of the extra distant components of the glacier inside. Our journey canine sledding in Iceland was a birthday reward for my daughter nevertheless it ended up being an epic day for the entire household. We lucked out with picture-perfect blue skies, heat climate, and sunshine making the white snow on the glacier sparkle and glisten.
As quickly as we arrived, we have been launched to all of the canines. We realized their names, their breed, and a bit about every canine’s historical past and temperament. Dog sledding Iceland makes use of a mixture of breeds together with Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Greenlandic, and Icelandic sled canines. The Greenlandic canines appeared in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For vacationers that simply need to get out on the glacier, this course of might really feel a bit lengthy, however for canine lovers, it was good — very effectively suited to households and children.
After greeting the canines, we have been launched to the lifetime of a musher. We realized how you can placed on the booties that shield the pads of their ft from the ice. Next, we helped harness the canines for the 2 groups going out that morning and bought them hooked as much as the sleds. Soon we have been prepared to go out.
If you might be in search of fast-paced pleasure, you could be a bit of dissatisfied by canine sledding in Iceland, as these canines are usually slower than these utilized in races just like the Iditarod. The canine’s tempo, mixed with the nice and cozy day softening the snow, maxed out our velocity at round six to eight miles per hour. I loved simply sitting again and ingesting within the view — one thing that I’ll always remember.
Once we reached the midway level, we stopped to offer the canines a break and to stretch our legs. On the best way again, we switched positions and I used to be in a position to take the again as a musher. Our information nonetheless did all of the work, I simply needed to lean in no matter course he instructed me or push off with one leg every now and then. Even nonetheless, I used to be stunned to seek out that balancing again there’s a little bit of a exercise.
It isn’t low-cost however in case you have canine lovers in your loved ones and canine sledding is in your bucket listing, Iceland is a good place to do it.
6. Drive by way of Rivers in a Superjeep
Þórsmärk Valley, also called Thorsmark, is a large valley in South Iceland named after Thor, the Viking God of Thunder. Plenty has thundered on this valley, which is framed on three sides by glaciers ( Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull) and has seen its share of volcanic eruptions. If you need to get off the crushed path of the Ring Road and see a few of Iceland’s untouched inside, an Iceland tremendous jeep tour into Thorsmark is the best way to go.
During our tour, which we took within the winter, we stopped for a 45-minute hike to the Volcano Hut in Thorsmark for a hearty and warming lunch. Our journey was stuffed with nerve-wracking river crossings, cross-country driving by way of the snow, and stops at scenic spots. I think about it may be much more thrilling in the summertime.
Book an Iceland glacier jeep tour!
7. Climb by way of an Ice Cave
One of the benefits of visiting Iceland within the winter is having the distinctive alternative to stroll by way of a shocking ice cave. These caves soften in the summertime and reform annually, so each expertise is exclusive and actually an other-worldly expertise.
Book an ice cave tour with Hidden Iceland and save 10 p.c with code WE3TRAVEL.
8. Visit a Lava Tube
Get to see the interior workings of a volcanic eruption from 5200 years in the past however visiting Raufarhólshellir, one of many longest lava tubes in Iceland on the Reykjanes Peninsula. There can be a lava cave on the Snaefellsness Peninsula you’ll be able to go to. Either means, getting inside a volcano is a must-do in Iceland.
Book a guided tour of a lava tube!
9. Walk Between the Continents
The Eurasian and North American plates are shifting aside at a few fee of two centimeters per yr. On the Reykjanes Peninsula, you’ll be able to stroll throughout the “Leif the Lucky” bridge, named after Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson. This Bridge between the Continents connects these two plates.
Here you’ll be able to cross the 60-foot-long bridge or stroll by way of the sandy soil of the Alfagja rift valley between two continents. It isn’t so much to take a look at however the idea of standing between continents is intriguing.
You may also see this rift in Thingvellir National Park, the place you’ll be able to truly snorkel between the continents.
10. Pet an Arctic Fox
The arctic fox is the one place of origin mammal to Iceland, every part else has been introduced over by the Celts, Vikings, or later settlers. There are 6,000-8,000 wild arctic foxes in Iceland, which is the fifth largest inhabitants on this planet behind Siberia and Canada.
One place to be taught extra about this animal, and probably get to see just a few is on the Arctic Fox Centre in Sudavík. This is a rescue and academic heart for rehabilitating wild arctic foxes. The data inside is pretty fascinating, however the true deal with is getting to fulfill the rescue foxes exterior. Since rescues are usually launched again into the wild, you by no means know what will probably be there throughout a go to. Hopefully, you’re going to get to see an Arctic fox and possibly even feed one.
11. Walk Behind a Waterfall
There are many locations on this planet the place you’ll be able to stroll behind a waterfall, reminiscent of in Maui, however none that I’ve seen to this point are as spectacular as Seljalandsfoss on the South Coast of Iceland. While it will possibly get slippery, there’s a pretty simple path to stroll alongside after which behind the thundering falls.
12. Climb right into a Mountain
Just down the street from Seljalandsfoss, you’ll be able to stroll right into a slim canyon within the mountainside to the hidden waterfall of Gljufrabui. There are many locations in Iceland the place you’ll be able to discover these cracks and crevices that lead into the mountain to some spectacular surroundings.
Another spot the place you are able to do that is Raudfeldsgja on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It is a slim canyon within the cliff wall that you may attain by way of an uphill climb from the car parking zone. In the summer season it’s attainable to enter this slim ravine, however you will want to stroll by way of a shallow stream.
13. Walk Along a Cliff’s Edge
Everywhere you flip in Iceland you will discover a shocking view. For a novel hike with wonderful views, there are some implausible cliffs in Iceland the place you’ll be able to stroll as near the sting as you dare (or is protected.) The Látrabjarg Cliffs within the Westfjords is the westernmost level in Iceland. These cliffs tower as much as 400 meters and are residence to hundreds of puffins in the summertime.
Another great place is the Arnarstapi Cliffs on the Snaefellsness Peninsula. There are attention-grabbing cave formations throughout the basalt cliffs and additionally, you will come to a land bridge. You can proceed on to the lovable harbor, or stroll within the different course to Hellnar.
14. Search for Puffins
In the summer season, eight to 10 million puffins dwell in Iceland. The finest time to see these cute little creatures is from June by way of mid-September. There are a variety of spots the place you may get to see puffins together with Dyrholaey on the South Coast, the Westmann Islands, the small village of Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland, and Látrabjarg Cliffs within the Westfjords to start out.
15. Visit a Viking Village
Starting round 800 A.D., the Vikings from the North Atlantic started exploring and settling the world from Spain to North America. In 874, Norwegian Vikings first settled in Iceland. It took one other 50 years to type a nationwide authorities, after which Iceland’s historical past is liberally dotted with violence over the subsequent few centuries because it modified fingers between Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, earlier than ultimately gaining its independence in 1944.
This slice of early Icelandic historical past is instructed by way of Sagas, or tales that cowl completely different eras. For these inquisitive about studying extra about Icelandic historical past and the function of the Vikings within the settlement of Iceland, there are two key websites to go to within the Capital Region that cowl this time interval. The first is the Saga Museum in downtown Reykjavik. As the identify suggests, the Saga Museum tells the tales of the completely different sagas, from the time of settlement by way of the Reformation.
The second is Vikingworld, which is positioned about 45 minutes exterior of Reykjavik within the seaside within the city of Reykjanesbær. It could be very near the Keflavik airport and ought to be a “must-do” cease for households on the best way to or from the airport. Viking world has 5 fundamental reveals inside a beautiful, trendy constructing with glass partitions looking over the Atlantic Ocean.
Inside, the primary attraction is the Íslendingur (or Icelander), a Viking ship that was in-built 2000 as an actual duplicate of an outdated Viking ship referred to as the Gokstad ship, which was excavated from an historical burial mound in Norway in 1882, which dated again to the time of the settlement of Iceland. The builder, Gunnar Marel Eggertsson, sailed the Icelander to New York within the yr 2000 to commemorate Leifur Eiríksson’s journey to the New World a thousand years earlier.
Another great place to find out about Vikings is in West Iceland at Eiriksstadir, the recreation of a Viking lengthy home. This homestead of Erik the Red and Leif the Lucky affords excursions by guides in conventional Viking clothes. It pays to affix an organized tour to be taught the fascinating historical past — and possibly even meet a real Viking descendent. While a lot of a go to to Iceland is in regards to the panorama, don’t miss out on this opportunity to be taught a bit of in regards to the historical past and tradition too.
16. Soak in a Beer Spa
How many locations on this planet are you able to soak in a beer spa? Beer lovers will take pleasure in this distinctive expertise in Northern Iceland at Bjórbödin. When taking a beer tub, you bathe in an enormous tub stuffed with beer, water, hops, and yeast. There can be a beer draught at each tub so you’ll be able to drink and soak on the similar time after which head right into a rest room after your soak.
17. Hunt for the Northern Lights
While there aren’t any ensures that you’ll spot the Northern Lights whereas in Iceland, if you happen to go to from September by way of March, you at the least have an opportunity (even higher from November by way of February). For the most effective probabilities, ebook stays within the countryside, away from the sunshine air pollution of Reykjavik. For me, the third time was the attraction and my third go to to Iceland yielded wonderful outcomes.
If staying exterior of the town isn’t an choice, you can too take a tour from Reykjavik in hopes of discovering the Auroras.
18. See Eider Ducks
If you might be within the Westfjords in the summertime, you’ll be able to have an opportunity of seeing each puffins and wider geese if you happen to take a ship journey to the island of Vigur, also called Paradise Island. This distant island within the fjord is residence to over 80,000 puffins in the summertime.
Only two folks dwell on this island year-round and so they make a residing harvesting the down from Eider geese. Don’t fear, they don’t harm the geese, they pluck the feathers out of the nests. This laborious job explains the excessive price ticket related to eiderdown duvets.
19. Go Whale Watching
There are many locations to go whale watching in Iceland however the most effective is from Akureyri within the North. Iceland’s bountiful feeding floor attracts 24 completely different whale species, from the large sperm whale to the small harbor porpoise. The minke whale is probably the most continuously sighted and humpbacks are additionally usually seen in the summertime months.
20. Ride an Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic horse breed is fully distinctive. Diminutive in stature, these candy horses have 5 gaits, making a horse experience in Iceland not like any that you’ve got taken up to now. There are many horse farms alongside the South Coast that provide both quick horseback using excursions or multi-day experiences.
Book a horse using tour in Iceland.
21. Go Ice Climbing
Just a pair hours from Reykjavik one can find the Sólheimajökull glacier. A brief hike will take you to an ice wall the place you’ll be able to strive your hand at mountaineering. You will probably be supplied with all of the instruments you will want together with ice axes, crampons, and security strains — however it’s essential carry the arm and core energy to do it!
Book an mountaineering tour on Iceland’s South Coast.
22. Ride a Snowmobile on a Glacier
An exciting approach to expertise the fantastic thing about the glacier is on a snowmobile! I used to be scheduled to do that on a visit to Iceland however the climate didn’t cooperate — however that’s a part of planning adventures in Iceland, you all the time want to stay versatile.
Book a snowmobile tour on Iceland’s South Coast.
23. Take a Helicopter Ride
Another distinctive expertise that I needed to cancel when in Iceland (because of the climate once more) is a helicopter experience. You can take a sightseeing tour, land on a glacier, or probably even see a volcano from above.
Bonus: See a dwell volcano (in case you are fortunate!)
In 2021, the Geldingadalur volcano close to Reykjavik erupted. It is at the moment dormant once more however you’ll be able to stroll across the new lava discipline and also you by no means know when a brand new eruption might happen.
What to Wear for Adventures in Iceland
Before jetting off to Iceland, make sure you try my summer season Iceland packing listing and my winter Iceland packing listing. Here is what you must put on on a glacier hike or different Iceland adventures:
- Waterproof mountain climbing boots
- Wool or synthetic-blend mountain climbing socks (I really like Darn Tough socks) — cotton will simply make your ft chilly if it will get damp
- Comfortably becoming, quick-dry mountain climbing pants (positively not denims as these can be very uncomfortable in the event that they get moist)
- Possibly a base layer, relying on the climate
- A fleece, windproof shell outer layer, or skinny down jacket
- Thin microfiber gloves (I purchased a terrific pair at 66°North in Reykjavik)
- Wool or knit-blend hat (chances are you’ll have to take this off)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen in your face
- Also, carry alongside a backpack with: a raincoat or waterproof shell, windproof/rainproof pants, a refillable water bottle, protein bars or energizing snacks (make sure you depart no hint behind), tissues, and a digicam with a neck strap
FInd a Hotel in Iceland
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