Iceland – the land of ice & fire, is a perfect destination for all sorts of travelers seeking family fun & adventurous journey. The island is isolated from the rest of the world and is considered to be Europe’s least densely populated country. With stunning landscapes, picturesque waterfalls, natural phenomena, and a live tourism scene, Iceland should be on your travel bucket list to have a lifetime experience.
Over the past few years, this glorified country has been such a wonderful host for millions of tourists, that it has lifted the tourism atmosphere to the next level. And to your surprise, no monumental structures are depicting the history & culture of the nation. It’s only been the folklore, the stories & the legendary tales that have influenced & shaped the beliefs of Icelandic people.
For many tourists, the mention of Iceland only evokes the images of the country being pervaded with ice or volcanic eruptions. But there’s much more to it! I can write down tons experiences that are astonishing and marvelous. From geothermal hot springs and lava fields to surreal landscapes and glacial waterfalls, I have shortlisted my top Icelandic experiences in this guide, which will only make your journey smooth but also memorable.
THE 10 ICELANDIC EXPERIENCES
THE GEOTHERMAL SPAS
Tourists visit Iceland to seek relaxation and to indulge in Icelandic activities. And what better than experiencing geothermal spas at one of the best places in the world? Because of the country’s astounding features such as lava fields & volcanic eruptions, the water heated from the craters, creates these natural hot springs. You can find plenty of these spread across the country, but many tourists know of Blue Lagoon being the big cheese. You cannot simply miss out on experiencing Blue Lagoon when in Iceland. It’s a great place to socialize with locals, meet with friends & also to nourish your mind, body, and soul.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN
If you are set on a self-drive /guided tour around Iceland, then you won’t miss Jökulsárlón on the way. One of Iceland’s most beautiful glacier lagoon, the place conveniently sits by Route 1 along the Ring Road of the country. This lagoon is filled with meltdown water that streams down from one of the glacier peaks in Vatnajökull National Park. Due to the popularity of the location, travelers never miss out on adding Jökulsárlón to their itinerary. The surreal scenes of the site also make Jökulsárlón a natural film set. Many of the films – Batman Begins, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and James Bond have been shot here.
VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK
Overlooking Jökulsárlón is the great Vatnajökull National Park. With combined natural forces of glacial ice, rivers, and geothermal activity, the place is home to true stunning landscape features. Due to its popularity, it is famous among tourists for some ravishing hiking trails. There’s plenty of attractions to see in Vatnajökull National Park, which includes watching the magnificent volcanic peaks of Askja, Kverkfjoll, and Snaefell, the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, and the curved towering peaks of Asbyrgi. If hiking on longer trails, then you could also make an excursion to Skaftafell National Park and Svartifoss Waterfall. The best part about the hiking trails here is that you watch the stunning views of the Ring Road from the top.
TRÖLLASKAGI
Tröllaskagi is a dramatic peninsula that is home to lush green valleys, rivers & lakes. Located to the north of Iceland, you can add up this place to your Ring Road itinerary. It’s a great place to do plenty of activities such as fishing, golfing, horseback riding, whale watching, and bird watching. So not only you can enjoy the stunning backdrop of the glacial setup, but also the recreational activities that add up to the experience. I would also recommend you to visit two popular towns in Tröllaskagi – Hofsós and Siglufjörður. Both these towns have their own Iceland touch with great sight-seeing spots. If you are looking for an infinity pool experience, Hofsós won’t disappoint you. Overlooking the fjord and ocean, you can catch some heavenly views. If you are a history buff, then the Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður could be a spot for you.
SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA
Located on the western coast of Iceland, Snæfellsnes is a peninsula that is home to bountiful attractions. Apart from all of Iceland’s major tourist destinations, Snæfellsnes stands out as unique in terms of Icelandic scenery and culture. The best way to tour Snæfellsnes peninsula is by taking a guided tour. Of course, if you are on a self-drive journey in Iceland, you get the freedom to explore the town on your own. Snæfellsnes offers tourists a plethora of activities. You can simply marvel at the Gerðuberg basalt cliffs or sample the water at Ölkelda Mineral Spring. If looking for a more adventurous path, then you can traverse around a lava field beside Búðakirkja black church or visit Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge & Sönghellir cave.
THE RING ROAD
Now that I’ve used the term ‘Ring Road’ so often, it’s time to know why tourists refer to this word. Ring Road is a circuit that seems to be the best possible way to tour Iceland. It doesn’t matter if you are on a self-drive journey or a guided tour, this tarmacked trail loops will expose you to some of Iceland’s most alluring towns & areas. You drive past some of the incredible volcanoes, stunning icebergs, glamourous waterfalls, and the magical northern lights. It also passes through some of Iceland’s major tourist areas – Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, mighty Dyrhólaey cliffs, and Jökulsárlón lagoon. Although the itinerary for the ring road may be long, this is the best way to experience Iceland in its true manner.
COFFEE CULTURE
The best way to beat the cold in Iceland is to experience the rich taste & aroma of the popular coffee beans. Coffee culture in Iceland is so prominent, that visiting all popular cafes here is practically impossible. I visited Reykjavik a few years back and I still remember the taste of the coffee I tried out in Reykjavik Roasters. Tasting the precious coffee here, was probably one of the best experiences I had in Iceland.
EXPERIENCE THE VIKING CULTURE
If you are not familiar with the history of Iceland, then probably you need to brush up on a few important stuff before you travel. Not that it’s necessary, but it’s great to know the past & tales of a country knowledgeably. Vikings were people who traveled to different countries in open ships looking for settlements. They arrived in Iceland back in the 9th century & have influenced the culture, traditions, and beliefs of the country. It became popular after the dramatic series & films made on Vikings, post which the culture of this settlement came to light. If you are familiar with it or a die-hard fan of the Vikings series, then probably you’d wonder how to experience the trail in Iceland. To start with, there are plenty of ways & activities to indulge in. These include the Viking festival in Hafnarfjörður, the markets at Víðistaðatún Park and exploring the Fjörukráin Viking Restaurant. You can also learn more about the Vikings at The National Museum of Iceland and The Settlement Exhibition, both located in Reykjavik.
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Finding the celestial kaleidoscope of the Northern Lights above the land of ice & fire may be hard to spot. This depends on many such factors including travel months, weather conditions, and the location you’re traveling to. To not miss them, you need thorough research to plan out your Northern Lights tour. I am pretty sure this phenomenon is at the top of the bucket list for thousands of tourists. And who would miss these auroras dazzling in such an incredible place filled with other landscape features? To witness this lifetime experience, make sure you travel to Iceland during the winter months. Considering that the country is exposed to limited hours of daylight in mid-winter, the opportunities to see Northern Lights are endless. It also depends on the latitude & the locality of the region you’re staying in. The Northern Lights guided tours run between September and April, but with no particular guarantee. If you are in Iceland somewhere in November or December, then the chances are particularly high. The nights are the darkest, enabling you to seek aurora borealis at that time.
THE MIDNIGHT SUN
If you think Northern Lights is the only natural phenomenon to catch in Iceland, then it’s not! We have another true sensational experience to witness, and that is ‘Midnight Sun’. Think of it in this way, Northern Lights is best experienced during winters and Midnight Sun is best witnessed during summers. Two natural phenomena at two different seasons, what could be more enchanting? Midnight Sun is only known to occur towards the South of the Antarctic and North of the Arctic Circle. So places like Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Greenland, and Northern Canada are the ones to have this natural phenomenon. It brightens up the entire atmosphere in these regions for about 24hours in the summer. There is a certain period to get a glimpse of it and you have to plan it accordingly. The peak period of the daylight, known as ‘Summer Solstice’ usually takes place on 21st June. While the brightness of the Midnight Sun in Iceland is during the period of mid-May until August.
