The island of fire and ice,Iceland, has emerged as one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, drawing in both nature lovers and thrill-seeking adventurers.
Here, you’ll discover active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, ice fields, and fjords, for this sparsely populated country,resting at the edge of the Arctic Circle, sits atop one of the world’s most volcanically active areas. One way to explore Iceland is on your own with a rental car,from several days to a week, including a trip along the Ring Road that runs in a complete circle around the country.Another way to plot your adventure in Iceland is with tours that can take you to the best options to see the northern lights; ATV trekking; and on day trips from Reykjavik to see some of Iceland’s most stunning natural beauty, like the Blue Lagoon and waterfalls. Find out more about the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Iceland.
1. Explore Reykjavik by Foot
Starting your vacation in Iceland with a sightseeing tour of Reykjavik is the finest option.This is a walking city with lots of eateries,entertainment venues,public art,museums, and attractions.
Wander around the city to visit some of its most famous sights, such as the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Hallgrimskirkja church, or unwind in one of Reykjavik’s 17 hot pools. You can stroll through the numerous creative and boutique stores to pick up some lava pottery or a wool sweater. You’ll love strolling up and down the city’s streets.
Another option is to sign up for a Reykjavik Food Walk Tour, which allows you to sample real Icelandic hot dogs and local cheeses as you stroll around the city’s culinary scene. Reykjavik is home to several of Iceland’s top resorts, so you may stay in the city and go on day trips. A South Coast Full Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik is a very well-liked option to see the surrounding places.
2. Take a Ride Up Hallgrímskirkja
A Reykjavik modernist icon, this visually striking church is one of the city’s top attractions, and when you see it, you’ll understand why. Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest and most recognizable building in the country. The Black Falls (a basalt rock formation), which is one of Iceland’s natural wonders, inspired the architectural design. A climb to the top of the 73-meter-high tower is particularly rewarding. Here, you’ll be treated to spectacular views across the city and surrounding landscape. At the front of the church is a statue of Icelander Leifur Eiriksson (“Leif the Lucky”), the first European to discover America around 1,000 CE. It seems he beat Christopher Columbus by around 500 years or so. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to the top and get the best panoramic view of Reykjavik.
3. See whales leaving Reykjavik
Whale viewing is available all year round in Iceland, while the summer is the most popular season to witness these gentle giants. Trips are available day and night during the warmer months, with whale watching under the midnight sun. Depending on the season, tour providers estimate that there is an 80–95 percent probability of witnessing these amazing animals. The best part is that surfacing frequently occurs very next to the boats, so you could get a front-row ticket to one of nature’s most breathtaking shows. There are more ocean-going tours offered, like island visits and bird watching. Tours are easy to arrange because they leave from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and come in a variety of forms. Once back, make time to have fresh fish at one of the many quaint, modest restaurants around the waterfront.
4. Observe Amazing Geysers
The most famous fountain geyser in the nation, Strokkur Geysir, is just a short 50-minute drive from Reykjavik and is the name of all other geysers. Located next to the Hvítá River in southwest Iceland, this highly active hot spring area is a popular destination along the Golden Circle route. There are about a hundred tiny erupting geysers and boiling mud pits waiting to be discovered. Strokkur sprays water thirty meters into the air every few minutes. All year round, the Geysir Center hosts educational events and exhibits. Pulling up Geysir bread, also known as “hot spring” bread, is an unforgettable experience. This rye bread has been baking underground for a full day. with addition, guests can assist a chef with boiling eggs in a hot spring to go with the bread. The Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik is a well-liked day trip to the region that makes multiple stops and guarantees you’ll capture the famous geyser picture.
5. Admire the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.
Among the most visited tourist destinations in Iceland are the northern lights, often known as the Aurora Borealis. Among the best spots on Earth to watch the northern lights is this one. Solar wind, an ion flow that emanates from the sun, is associated with auroras. Large circles around the poles are caused by bursts of energy caused by these particles colliding with air molecules after being entangled in the earth’s magnetic field. It is preferable to view this amazing natural light display in isolated locations, and it is more striking during periods of elevated sun activity. Since the northern lights’ appearance is unexpected, most accommodation establishments can add you to an overnight call list and tell you nightly predictions before you go to bed. If the lights appear, they will contact your room because they might only be seen for a little period of time. You can go on a tour like the Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik, which takes you to the isolated countryside for the best chance to see this natural wonder, for one of the best chances to observe the northern lights.
6. Take in a Performance at Harpa
As you plan your time in Iceland, set aside an evening for a concert at the magnificent Harpa, Reykjavik’s premier concert hall. If time or performance schedules do not fit your schedule, plan to at least stop by to admire the award-winning architecture of the building. Nighttime is one of the best times to see the array of colorful lights emanating from this honeycomb-shaped structure. Harpa is a treasured landmark in Iceland, attracting international performances ranging from violinists and classical music to performing arts. This venue makes for a great night out in the heart of the city. Enjoy dinner at one of Harpa’s two restaurants and go for a stroll outside along the waterfront after the performance. The gift shop is a great place to pick up unique souvenirs, many made by local artists.
7. Mount Esja hiking
Mount Esja in Kjalarnes is reachable from Reykjavik after a thirty-minute drive east. At 914 meters high, the peak is a favorite among hikers. The hike is quite simple, even for the novice climber. Fantastic views of Reykjavik, the surrounding area, and the ocean are available. Depending on your energy levels and time constraints, there are multiple paths you can take to reach the peak. Public transportation departs at the main station in Hlemmur and travels towards Artun. at there, it’s a 10-minute bus trip to the major starting point at Mount Esja. Prior to visiting, find out the bus itinerary and times.
8. Walk the Town of Akureyri
Situated around 40 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, Akureyri is a mountainous town situated on Iceland’s longest fjord in the country’s north. Akureyri, which has a population of about 18,000, is among the best cities in Iceland because of its scenery and culture. Summer temperatures can occasionally exceed 25 degrees Celsius, and while winter brings cold temperatures and a lot of snow, the weather is usually quiet and tranquil. Despite the town’s remote location, entertainment and culture thrive here, and a variety of stores sell name-brand goods. The country’s best skiing region is here. The remarkable Aviation Museum at Akureyri Airport and the Akureyri Museum are noteworthy attractions.
9. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Iceland boasts numerous beautiful beaches, but the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara on the southern coast looks otherworldly. Notable features of this unusual beach include its black sand and granite sea stacks that rise out of the frequently fierce waves that come in from the Atlantic Ocean. Reynisfjara Beach’s breathtaking natural beauty and ominous landscape are among the reasons movies like Star Wars chose to film there. For photographers, this beach is a must-visit because of the way the lighting enhances its striking charm. The dark folklore surrounding Reynisfjara black sand beach is common, as it is with many other Icelandic natural sites. According to an Icelandic tradition, the sea stacks made of stony basalt were formerly trolls that pulled ships ashore at night, turning them into stone by daybreak. While it is unlikely that you will spot any trolls while you are there, you may spot some of the hundreds of seabirds that nest in the columns, including fulmars, guillemots, and puffins. Reykjavik is easily reached by car in 2.5 hours, or if you’d prefer to spend more time at some of the other attractions on that side of the island, you can join a guided trip along the southern coast that includes a stop at the beach.
10. Visit Iceland’s Quirky Museums
The fascinating history of Iceland includes Viking settlements and folklore featuring trolls and other creatures that continue to shape modern Icelandic culture. A visit to one of Iceland’s museums is among the most fascinating ways to learn about the many facets of Icelandic culture. While some of them appear to be popular, others—sometimes discovered off the typical route—explore some very odd discoveries. The National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik is a useful resource for learning about Icelandic colonization and history. Before you explore some of the other kinds of museums, the life-sized models of the early settlers at the Saga Museum provide an interesting look into the Viking background. The Punk Museum explores Iceland’s punk music scene from the 1970s and is located on a side street in Reykjavik. It’s a funny place to start a visit to a museum. Another worthwhile experience is visiting the Árbaer Open Air Museum, housed within the Reykjavik City Museum, where you may witness over 20 buildings that collectively comprise a small early settlement town. The Viking World Museum, located in Njarðvík not far from Reykjavik, features exhibitions describing the Norse colony as well as an identical copy of a Viking ship that was found in Norway in the late 1800s. Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum at Mývatn is one of Iceland’s most unusual museums. The little museum houses an extensive collection of eggs and over 300 preserved bird specimens from over 180 species.
