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Iceland consistently appears in many top 10 destination lists. It’s not hard to understand why when you consider its abundance of natural beauty. From glaciers, volcanos, lava fields, black beaches to geothermal lakes, the Land of Ice and Fire is nothing short of mystical.
With so many national treasures to discover in Iceland, it can get overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. That’s why I compiled my list of the Top 10 Things to Do & See In Iceland: Part 1.
We cover more inspiring itinerary ideas for your trip to Iceland in Part 2 of this post.
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
Iceland is one of the best countries to visit for a chance to see the Aurora Borealis, more commonly referred to as the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon is created when particles emitted by the sun interact with the atmosphere in the Earth’s magnetic field. This releases energy, causing peculiar luminous green streaks across the skies. Sometimes you’ll see a hint of pink, and other colors such as red, violet and white.
While the Northern lights occur year-round, they are only visible in dark and clear skies (between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m), preferably away from the city.
The Thingvellir National Park—approximately 28 miles northeast of Reykjavík—offers the ideal location to view this wonder. It also doubles as a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and the best place to learn about the history of Iceland.
To maximize your chance of capturing the celestial, gorgeous colored hues, time your visits from September to early April.
Holuhraun
With an average of at least one volcanic event every 5 years, volcanic activity is a fact of life in Iceland. This geological activity is responsible for some of the most dramatic features of Icelandic nature. The mountainous landscapes, black lava fields, geothermal pools, and geysers result from the continuous interplay between volcanic activity and the natural elements.
One such is Holuhraun, the newest lava field formed from a volcano eruption of the Bárðarbunga, a volcano under the thick Vatnajökull glacier. That lasted for 6 months, from August 2014 through February 2015. When Mother Nature finally calmed down, the lava had spread over 32 square miles, making the lava field almost equal in size to the island of Manhattan!
Due to the remoteness of Holuhraun and its distance from the major highland roads, it is difficult to reach. There is, however, an unnamed gravel road that leads to the lava field.
For this, you will need a 4-wheel drive vehicle that is equipped to travel on the unique terrain. When peering into the rifts of the lava, you can see many beautifully vivid colors. While driving along the sand, you can still see steam in certain areas. It is a geological wonder to behold. Be careful, stay on the marked paths, and wear gloves when handling any lava rocks.
Reynisfjara Beach
No sightseeing tour to the famous South Coast of Iceland is complete without a stop-off at the Reynisfjara beach. With its rare black sand and basalt columns, the beach is one of the most scenic spots in Iceland, a country famed for its natural beauty.
The black sand is a product of the molten lava from the nearby Katla volcano coming into contact with the freezing ocean. There is much to explore on this volcanic shoreline. There’s Reynisfjall, a mountain 340 meters high arising from a volcanic eruption during the Ice Age. Then you have Reynisdrangar stacks, a collection of rock pillars over 1000 feet high that rise out of the sea.
Local folklore has it that the stacks are actually trolls who were turned into stone! After venturing out and pulling a ship to shore, the trolls were so focused on what they were doing that they didn’t notice the sun rising. Caught by its beams of light, they were turned into the sea stacks we see today.
While on Reynisfjara, you can also see Gardar, a basalt cliff that resembles a staircase to heaven. It is a natural pyramid and was formed by columnar jointing. There are many basalt columns throughout Iceland, but this is by far the most exceptional. If that isn’t enough, you’ll also find an exceedingly beautiful cave called Hálsanefshellir.
Did you know that Reynisfjara has been used as a filming location for a number of other films and TV shows? Over the years, the beach has graced our big screens, with the most famous one being its feature in the hit show Game of Thrones.
Nightlife in Reykjavik
Reykjavík, the Icelandic capital, is more than a place to sample the country’s famous hot dogs and rest after long hours spent on the road, exploring the countryside.
The streets may seem quaint during the day, but at night time, they come alive. With a growing variety of great bars and restaurants, Reykjavik’s nightlife scene has managed to maintain its unique character, charm, and appeal. The vibrant nightlife starts late and continues long into the early morning hours. Here’s where you’ll find the best party spots in Iceland, hands down!
Local music is one of the mainstays in Reykjavík’s cultural life. Reykjavík’s musical acts represent a broad range of musical genres: bluegrass folk, death metal, rap, lo-fi, punk rock to reggae. While downtown record stores are eager to show off the industriousness of Icelandic musicians, it’s just as easy to experience acts firsthand at live concerts. Bars and clubs in Reykjavík regularly host live shows that can draw large crowds of fans and friends.
Catching live music is an excellent way to kick off an evening in the town. The clubs start filling up around midnight, and by two in the morning, the party is full-on. None of the businesses charge a cover, and the music is simply outstanding!
Seljavallalaug Pool
Seljavallalaug is a geothermal pool tucked away in a secluded valley below the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The pool, which was built in 1923, was meant to provide the locals of Seljavellir with a place to learn to swim. Despite most of them making a living out in the sea, very few actually knew how to swim!
In the early years, Seljavallalaug was a ‘secret spot’ visited by locals and the occasional adventurous tourist. Today, it’s one of Iceland’s hidden gems that deserve a spot on any itinerary.
While no one maintains the pool (apart from volunteers who clean the pool once annually), it is still safe – don’t worry! The water in the pool is circulating all the time, with hot spring water going in from one side and then flowing out to the other side. This gives the water a lukewarm temperature—around 68°-86°F depending on the season—that acts as a reprieve from the cold mountain air.
You’ll surely have a memorable experience when visiting. Just keep in mind there are no showers. All you get are some basic changing rooms. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-track activity, this is it! The pool is also set for a good 15-20 minutes hike from the car park, so bring some hiking boots.
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Travel Tip
When traveling to a new city, it’s a good idea to map out your activities in advance. That way you’re not crisscrossing and back-tracking your way around town. It’ll save you loads of time and transportation expenses!
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If you’ve been dreaming about visiting Iceland then you’ll want to download my Ultimate Guide to the “Land of Fire and Ice.” I’ve curated this comprehensive resource to spark your imagination and inspire your next adventure.
PLAN A TRULY SPECIAL AND UNFORGETTABLE TRIP TO ICELAND
There is so much to see and do in Iceland! With all the incredible landscapes we’ve mentioned waiting to be discovered, some planning is crucial to make the most of your time.
But what if you don’t know where to start and what to include or not in your trip? Maybe you already have a good idea but are looking for ways to make your trip extra special.
That’s where I come in! As a personal travel advisor, I can customize your trip to exactly what you envisioned. This will give you peace of mind knowing that all the details have been worked out ahead of time. All you have to do is get on a plane, travel to Iceland and enjoy an unforgettable experience! If that sounds like something you would like, click here to request a free consultation with me.