Imagine yourself deep in the wilderness, the crunch of cold snow under your feet. You gaze up to the sky, expecting to see only a few stars lighting up the vast fields of fresh snow. The universe, however, has other plans for you. A once-in-a-lifetime display of vibrant colors drifts overhead. This spectacular scene lights up the surrounding landscape, and in the distance, you see a shining ocean with waves crashing onto the beach: this is the Aurora Borealis in Iceland.
Although it may seem like this spectacular landscape is some work of fiction by an author with dreams of a mythical realm, this might be your experience if adventuring to Iceland.
Reykjavik
Your first stop in Iceland will probably be the magnificent city of Reykjavik. As the northernmost capital city in the world, Reykjavik is a beautiful place to start your journey in this distant land. You can easily walk through the town and enjoy Reykjavik’s many sights and activities. Visit the towering Hallgrimskirkja Church and experience the fresh Icelandic cuisine, including the Braud & Co bakery and perhaps the calming atmosphere of the Laundromat Café.
For those who love music and architecture, the Harappa Concert Hall is an incredible place to tour, with its stunning glass architecture right next to the harbor. You should also check the concert schedule while there, as you never know when music will be played at this dynamic hall.
Hot Springs such as the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon will also make the trip to this frozen land suitable for swimming, a welcoming contrast to the typical cold landscape.
These experiences make Reykjavik the perfect place to get over any jetlag from a flight and prepare for an adventure.
Travel Tips
- If you plan on going further into Iceland, stock up! This is a great place to get extra supplies or information on Iceland. This includes hand warmers or any extra winter clothes.
- Learn some culture! A great way to feel the soul of Iceland is to know the culture, and what better place than the capital!
Southern Iceland
An excellent place to start an adventure, South Iceland holds some truly legendary sights. One of the greener places in Iceland, the south is filled with waterfalls and stunning wild landscapes.
The Eldhraun Lava Field offers a beautiful, lush green landscape that makes the road trip memorable. With hundreds of waterfalls in the area, the Gljúbrabúi waterfall and the Kvernufoss waterfalls stand out. Gljufrabúi is a crevice in the rocks located in a hidden cave where water cascades down from above. Another cave leads to a practically mythical place, Kvernufoss, where you can overlook the canyon while the water flows before you.
Add a stop at Vík village for a day or two, as it is nestled in a stunning cove and is a great place to have as a base while you explore.
There are numerous hot springs, such as the Reykjadalur Valley, where you can swim comfortably. Before continuing your adventure, check out Diamond Beach, a great spot to see puffins, orcas, and seals. The sun reflecting off of the ice gives an opportunity to take some genuinely stellar photos as well.
Travel Tips
- Find an excellent audiobook for the journey! As beautiful as Iceland is, there can be long drives, so I would recommend taking an audiobook with you for the drive, might I suggest the books “Snowglobe” by Soyoung Park or “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” by Jules Vern.
- Bring a Swimsuit! Iceland has a surprising amount of swimming, so be sure to bring one for the trip, especially if you plan to visit the Vok Baths, the largest hot spring in East Iceland.
Northern and Eastern Iceland
Next up on the itinerary, Iceland’s north and east are another level of wonder. As we continue north, the East Fiords will present themselves, a beautiful area where you can lose yourself gazing into the ocean. Whale watching here is considered among the best in Europe. You may even see some spectacular orcas thriving in this distant north if you are lucky.
There is also no shortage of hot springs, such as the massive Hverir hot springs for fantastic photography or the Mývatn Baths, considered a less crowded version of the epic Blue Lagoon that overlooks the Icy mountains around you. A must-see is the legendary Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall with an over forty-meter drop. This area is also a prime location to admire the majestic Auroras in full beauty.
Further north, the Godafoss ( Waterfall of the Gods) also presents an epic place to spot the Northern Lights and learn some history about Iceland! And be sure to stop at the town of Akureyri. Known as “The capital of the North,” mountains surround this town and are a great stopping point to recharge on your journey. The city contains many museums, botanical gardens, and the Hof Concert Hall.
Travel Tips
- Although there is a common joke that the names for Iceland and Greenland should be switched, Iceland is well named for its ice all year. So bring warm clothing if you go north.
- Schedule your sleep to align with Auroras. Keep an eye on the weather because if there is a clear night, you might want to stay up to see the northern lights, especially up north, where you can get some of the most beautiful Auroras in the world.
The Westfjords
Often considered the most beautiful part of Iceland, the Westfjords and West are the perfect next stop on your Arctic trip. With a sparse population, the area is filled with wildlife and flora. Atlantic puffins, arctic foxes, seals, dolphins, and whales all live in this sanctuary. The Nornstrandir Nature Reserve is a fantastic place to find this wildlife, making it the perfect destination for animal lovers. The Dynjandi Waterfall is another beautiful waterfall with green moss surrounding the rushing water.
An unappareled experience is the Silfra Ridge just south of the Westfjords. This rift is a giant wall between the North American and European continents, not only a nice hike but a great way to say you were standing on two continents at once! Parts of it are also often filled with water, making an unparalleled scuba diving experience through some of the world’s most transparent and stunning waters. For photographers, the towering Kirkjufell Mountain is a truly epic experience in summer or winter.
Travel Tips
- West Iceland is also filled with horses, so any equestrians should take note.
- Take a stop at the Greenhouse Hotel. A cultural novelty, the Greenhouse Hotel is a great place to stop as they have food trucks and mini restaurants built inside the building.
This is just a quick look at the many fantastic places in Iceland, a stunning location. This northern nation has everything from towering waterfalls to frozen canyons, bubbling springs, and colorful skies. Hopefully, I just convinced you to put Iceland on your travel list!
Thank you for reading!
Sources and image credits:
https://diveintolife.blog/silfra-snorkelling-scuba-diving-tectonic-plates/
https://www.northiceland.is/en/place/arctic-henge
https://www.nordicvisitor.com/blog/must-see-places-north-iceland/
https://www.icelandcars.is/blogs/what-to-see-east-iceland
https://www.islandshotel.is/explore-iceland/blog/top-10-things-to-do-in-west-iceland/
Betty Roark • Dec 25, 2024 at 9:32 am
So very interesting and well written. The pictures are magnificent. What a special treat it is for someone of advancing years to be able to enjoy such beautiful sights of our world. I look forward to being able to indulge my love of nature through your work. Beautiful!!