Iceland boasts many unique natural and cultural attractions making it an ideal destination for anyone who hopes to tick some boxes on their bucket list. Here are just 7 things you can enjoy in Iceland that should be on your bucket list.
#1. Explore inside a volcano
Many people are aware that Iceland is home to several large volcanoes after the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions of 2010 led to the large-scale closure of airports and air transport routes across Europe. However, did you also know that Iceland is the only place in the world where you can look around inside a volcano?
Þhríhnúkagígur (Thrihnukagigur) is a dormant volcano 20 miles southeast of Reykjavik. The volcano last erupted 4,000 years ago, and when the lava flowed out through one of the craters, it left behind a perfectly preserved magma chamber that you can visit today.
The magma chamber is vast, approximately the height of 3 Statues of Liberty and the floor space of 3 basketball courts. To enter, you must first hike across a lava field for 40 minutes and then descend in an open elevator. However, note that this attraction is only open in summer.
#2. Witness the Aurora Borealis
Iceland’s low population density means there’s very little light pollution, especially if you drive for an hour or so into the more remote countryside. That combined with the island’s proximity to the Arctic Circle and the dark winter nights means that Iceland is the best place in the world to chase the Northern Lights.
Most people in the world have never seen the Aurora Borealis. The opportunity to see this mystical natural phenomenon in real life is a privilege open to only a few. The best opportunity to see these lights in the sky is by joining a night tour led by a local expert between September and April.
The closer to the winter solstice you visit Iceland, the clearer the lights are likely to be. However, be aware that the winter nights in Iceland are probably colder than you are accustomed to if you hale from a warmer clime. It is important that you dress well for the cold weather.
#3. Come face to face with a whale
The underwater volcanoes of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge raise the water temperature around Iceland making it an ideal habitat for fish. Every summer, humpback whales migrate north to feast on the abundant food found in Icelandic waters. This makes Iceland a perfect destination for whale watching.
In the Westfjords, whales sometimes swim into the fjords and can be admired from shore. But if you want to come close to these magnificent giants, you must take to the waves on a whale-watching tour boat.
Whale-watching tours sail from Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Húsavík from April through November, when it is guaranteed that you will encounter whales, especially in summer. Tours depart from Reykjavik year-round, but it is unlikely you’ll spot whales in winter.
#4. Bathe in a hot spring
You may have heard of the therapeutic benefits of bathing in geothermically heated and mineral-rich hot springs. You can experience this for yourself in Iceland.
There are several places in Iceland where you can bathe in hot spring water, but by far the most popular spa is the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. The lagoon here is artificial, created by hot spring water expelled from the nearby Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant. It was not originally designed to be a spa.
In 1981, a local suffering from psoriasis claimed that bathing in the hot, milky blue water alleviated his symptoms. Icelanders began to flock here to improve their health. In 1987, formal bathing facilities were opened to enable a broader range of visitors to benefit from the hot springs. Scientific research has since proved that the mineral-rich water does provide medical benefits.
#5. Hike on a glacier
With a name like Iceland, you won’t be surprised to learn that there’s plenty of ice around the island. What might interest you to learn is that 14% of the island is covered by a single national park dedicated to protecting a huge glacier and its environs.
Vatnajökull National Park contains the largest ice cap in Iceland and several volcanoes. It is a popular destination for ice climbing, glacier hikes, and exploring ice caves. If you admire the Arctic and Antarctic explorers who struggled across the ice through extreme conditions, this is your opportunity to experience some of what they did.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you might prefer to visit Mýrdalsjökull, which is a much smaller ice cap but closer to Reykjavik. Scenes in the TV show set north of The Wall, including the Fist of the First Men, were filmed in Mýrdalsjökull.
#6. Visit the original geyser
You may have heard of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, but did you know that the word “geyser” actually comes from Iceland? In fact, Geysir is the name of a geyser in the Haukadalur Valley that is larger than Old Faithful, shooting boiling water 230 feet into the sky.
Sadly, Geysir isn’t as faithful as Old Faithful and erupts infrequently. However, nearby Strokkur Geyser is even more faithful than Old Faithful, erupting as often as once every 6 minutes. Strokkur typically generates a fountain of steaming water 66 feet high.
The Haukadalur Valley also contains fumaroles, mud pots, and hot springs. If you are interested in geothermal phenomena, it is a fascinating destination.
#7. Visit a land of waterfalls and maybe propose to your beloved
The old song warns “don’t go chasing waterfalls”, but in Iceland, you can. The rugged terrain and melting ice caps create waterfalls around every corner. Many are so picturesque that they are used as film sets or even for weddings. Any placename that ends with “foss” has a spectacular waterfall.
At Hjálparfoss, the Fossá and Þjórsá rivers create two waterfalls side-by-side that combine at the base in a circular plunge pool. This image of two becoming one has come to symbolize love and marriage, and some locals have even tied the knot below the falls. Maybe you don’t want to get married there like an Icelander, but what a place to pop the question!
Seljalandsfoss is a more popular waterfall with visitors. With Route 1 nearby, it’s easy to reach and breathtakingly beautiful. This 197-feet high waterfall features a hidden cave that you can reach by following a trail. The views from inside the cave filtered through the waterfall are surreal. It’s also only 18 miles west of Skógafoss, which has a more impressive water flow and is also off Route 1.
