It's a big world out there and there's so much that I want to see and do. Iceland is the first country I've visited where I immediately wanted to return - or maybe even move there! It's without question one of my favourite countries, and with so many fun adventures you can have there, it's easy to see why. Here's some suggestions of fun things you can do when visiting Iceland for yourself.
Whale Watching Tour
There are many tours available that allow you to see whales as well as puffins. You can engage with naturalists and experience rare sightings that will leave you in awe. It is best to whale watch in the summer months, preferably April through September. Minke whales are the most common in Iceland.
Blue Lagoon Spa This mineral-rich attraction is minutes from the Keflavik International airport, and makes a great first adventure in Iceland while waiting for your accommodations or a great final stop before heading back to the airport. There are many spa options available due to the geothermic forces and many natural elements. The lagoon is human-made and renewed every two days with fresh water. You can easily access the site via car or bus.
West Fjords
Located in a famous peninsula, the fjords are breathtaking. You need to plan well and leave time to explore all this area has to offer. You can visit a myriad of unique sites, such as the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum or the famous Látrabjarg cliff.
Skogafoss
The perfect place for you to get a shot with a double rainbow, Skogafoss, is the most scenic fall in Iceland. With a drop of over 60 meters, the view is spectacular. There is also a legend of gold that lies within the falls. Take your chance and search if you dare…
Silfra Silfra is an amazing diving spot located in Thingvellir National Park. It is the crevice between the tectonic plates in the North America and Eurasian continents. It is the only place in the world where you can dive between two tectonic plates that shift roughly 2 cm every year. The shifting of the earth creates new caverns and tunnels. There is plenty of wildlife to see on your dive/snorkel. The three main dive sites are Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. The maximum depth is about 207 feet.
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
This site is at the top of many lists. However, you need to know the best possible location to view this wonder. Thingvellir National Park is a great area to see this wonder. Be sure you check the weather so that you have a combination of dark and partially clear skies.
Holuhraun
This is a relatively new site that you can visit located in the highlands of Iceland. You will need a 4WD to reach the landscape, and be sure you get a high-quality vehicle that is equipped to travel on the unique terrain. Holuhraun is the newest formed lava flow from a volcano that lasted from August 2014 through February 2015. When peering into the rifts of the lava, you see many beautifully vivid colors. While driving along the sand, you can still see steam in certain areas. It is truly a geological wonder to behold.
Reynisfjara Beach
This beach is gorgeous and an absolute must-see! With its rare black sand and basalt columns, there is much to explore on this volcanic shoreline. The black sand is lava that cooled once it hit the water, and the sand is more like various small stones. White sand and red sand beaches (Westfjords) also exist in Iceland. While on Reynisfjara, you can see Gardar, which is 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 one is quite exceptional.
Seljavallalaug This natural pool is one of the oldest in Iceland, and you will surely have a memorable experience when visiting. The water is not that hot because it does mix with colder water.
Has Iceland gotten your attention? Reach out anytime for assistance planning your trip to Iceland (by email to ange.f@gotravelcompany.com or using this form).