TOP 25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ICELAND

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Iceland is that remote island-country that most of us place on the map after the air chaos that caused the awakening of one of its many volcanoes of unpronounceable name, the Eyjafjallajökull. However, Iceland has a lot more to offer than volcanoes with exotic names (which too!) And in this article we tell you which are the best 25 things to see and do in Iceland:

1. A good first contact to know a country is to visit its capital ... so this list could not be missed Reykjavík. We will not find it among the most desired destinations in Europe, but this small city where most of the population of the country is concentrated is well worth a visit. Hallucinate with the strange architecture of the Hallgrímskirkja church, enjoy the lively atmosphere of old Port or taste the best dishes of local cuisine, are just some of the things you can do in Reykjavík.

2. A short distance from there is one of Iceland's best known tourist routes, the Golden Circle, with essentials like the veingvellir park, the impressive Gullfoss waterfall and the haukadalur valley (or valley of the geysers). The ideal way to travel is to rent a car (or better yet, rent a van), but if you do not have that possibility, there are some tours like this that organize day trips visiting the main attractions of the area with guides in Spanish. Or this cheaper but in English.

3. Precisely in the haukadalur valley You can contemplate one of the most amazing phenomena of nature that this country offers: the eruption of a geyser. The Geyser Strokkur It takes all the prominence on its own merits, and with its regular explosion every 5-10 minutes is a real show. Believe me, you'll want to see it again and again. And if you are lucky you may have to witness the awakening of Geysir, also called The Great Geyser, the oldest known geyser. His last major eruption occurred in 2000 and reached 120 meters!

4. Continuing with nature shows, if you visit the country in autumn or winter, go hunting for Aurora borealis. On this website you can see the prediction of the northern lights in the coming days. In addition there are also specific apps for it 😉

5. And if you do it in summer, don't hit your eyes contemplating the midnight Sun. Both are natural spectacles of those that are not forgotten.

Gullfoss waterfall, in the Golden Circle

6. If there is something that is not missing in Iceland they are waterfalls. You will find it difficult to choose your favorite among such wonder. Dettifoss, Godafoss or Skofafoss they are just some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, and yes, they will leave you with your mouth open.

7. Difficult to classify, a kind of mix between yogurt and cheese, you cannot leave Iceland without trying the famous and delicious Skyr. More than 1000 years of history and multiple health benefits ... can you have a better cover letter?

8. Following culinary delights, in Reykjavík you can taste the famous Pilsur (or Icelandic hot dog). Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur It is a modest beach bar that claims to have the best in the city ... and it is that even Bill Clinton himself wanted to check if it was true! Do you dare to try the "with everything"?

9. Another of the best things what to do in Iceland It is wrinkling like a raisin in the warm waters of one of the thermal baths that are scattered throughout the country. There are for all tastes and pockets: from the well-known (especially among instagramers) "Blue Lagoon" (Blue lagoon), to the most modest Mytvan Nature Baths, passing through small free natural pools such as Hrunalaug. Tip: buy tickets for the Blue Lagoon in advance, here.

10. The thing is about water ... but in this case of icy waters! The lake Jökulsárlon glacier It has incredible beauty. The peace that you breathe contemplating the infinite shades of blue of the icebergs that fill its waters and listening to the overwhelming roar of ice ... will leave you frozen! 😉

Jökulsárlon Glacier

11. The Snaefelness Peninsula It is an essential of the country, and it could be said that this language of land that goes into the ocean is like a good summary of all the best of Iceland. Lava fields, a glacier, beaches with spectacular waves full of wildlife and even a movie set (well, rather from the well-known TV series Game of Thrones). The list of things to see and do in these inhospitable lands is very long, so if you do not have much time, you can take a day trip visiting the main attractions with a guide in Spanish. And yes, of course there are also tours of Game of Thrones locations.

12. Reach the remains abandoned from an old military airplane American who made an emergency landing more than 40 years ago, and takes photos emulating the influencers of instagram. Although in the past it was a challenge to get there and only the most intrepid ventured to do so, over time the word spread so much that the owner of the land decided to prohibit access to cars, forcing the curious to park their cars. vehicles and travel a good walking distance. The latest comments from recent travelers talk that today you can reach the wreckage of the plane in a paid bus ... will it be true? If you go ... tell us 🙂

13. Make the route of the pseudocráteres of Skútustaðir which are located on the shore of Lake Mývatn. Why pseudo craters? Because these formations never got to emit magma, but were created by explosions produced when the lava came into contact with the lake water.

14. But if what you want is to see a really great crater, a short distance from Lake Mývatn rises imposingly dark volcanic cone of Hverfjall. Take strength and climb the steep slope to travel the entire circumference of the crater and hallucinate with the breathtaking views from there.

15. Visit the landscapes of another planet of Krafla it's one of the best things what do in Iceland. Fumarolas, solfaratas and volcanos of boiling mud, in addition to the famous volcanic crater of Viti and the emerald green lake of its interior. Viti It means hell in Icelandic and it is that in this area of the country there will be times when you will seem to be in it ... but nobody warned us that hell was so incredibly beautiful! As a curious fact, in this area there is also a geothermal power plant that supplies a large part of the energy consumption of the whole country.

Hverfjall crater

16. Although you find it hard to believe, Iceland is a paradise for lovers of diving, so if you dare to dive into its icy waters, you can enjoy a unique experience diving between two continents in Silfra, the crack of fresh water that separates America from Europe. There are also 3-hour snorkeling tours. If you are one of those who prefer to enjoy in the water, but sliding on the waves, take your surfboard and a good wetsuit and face the cold temperatures to enjoy this wonderful sport in extreme conditions ... but not impossible! 🙂

17. Travel to Hussvik To see whales. Seeing animals in freedom in their natural habitat is one of the most beautiful experiences that travelers can enjoy, so never forget to choose the most animal-friendly activities. And if you're not sure it's like that, don't do it! This is a good option. Summer is the best time for whale watching in this part of the country, but sometimes they can also be seen in the previous and subsequent months.

18. And continuing with the animal world ... hallucinates with the beautiful Icelandic horses that you will find throughout the entire route of your trip through the country. More similar to ponies than to the horses we are accustomed to, they are small, but robust and the Icelanders are very proud of them. In fact, the importation of horses is prohibited in this way protecting the Icelandic horse (the only breed on the island) and helping it suffer less disease.

19. The Eastern Fjords They are an almost obligatory stop for all those who are traveling the circular road that goes around the country. Djupivogur It is the gateway to this quiet area of Iceland, where you will find some charming little towns like SeyðisfjörðurIn addition to mountains with waterfalls, breathtaking views and the famous puffins or sea puffins.

20. The Western Fjords They are much less known than the previous ones and are usually left out of almost all tourist routes. Perhaps it is because moving through this wild region that has just a few kilometers of asphalt and many others of gravel instead, is not easy. Needless to say, you will need your own 4 × 4 and a lot of patience if you decide to enter this land of witches, sorcerers and supernatural creatures. But as a reward you will get landscapes of overwhelming beauty difficult to describe with words.

Maaaas Icelandic little horses

21. One of the most curious things you have what to see in Iceland, Are the grass houses. For more than a thousand years, these peculiar constructions protected their tenants from the extreme weather conditions in this country. In its construction a material that acts as a natural insulator is used, the peat. A perfect fusion between nature and architectural creativity that results in sustainable and welcoming homes.

22. If you are one of those who enjoy moving your legs, you cannot miss the famous trekking in the highlands of Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. For four days your eyes will suffer an overdose of incredible landscapes: volcanoes, waterfalls, mountains of surprising colors ... and much more! You can choose between trekking with an organized or free group like a little bird. If you choose this last option, you have to know that it is very likely that there are no places available in the shelters and you have to sleep in a tent. If you do not have enough time, it is possible to make other day trips through the area.

23. An authentic adventure, when the weather conditions allow access to the tracks that cross the interior of the country, is to reach the volcano of Askja. The inhospitable region in which the volcano is located was the training camp for NASA astronauts of the Apollo program. Is it because of its similarity to lunar landscapes? You have to take the road very seriously until you reach the mythical volcano, so if you are not prepared enough, it is best to hire an organized tour and avoid unpleasant surprises.

24. In this list of the best things to see and do in Iceland I could not miss visiting the small town of Vik. With its endless beaches of volcanic sand and its imposing three “black rock trolls” it has become one of the most famous postcards in the whole country.

25. Evoking the romantic idea of the great journeys of other times, get to Iceland by boat From the north of Denmark it is an experience. The Smiril Line company, based in the Faroe Islands, offers the possibility of taking your own vehicle aboard the Norröna while you cross the cold waters of the North Atlantic to the land of fire and ice. The trip lasts three days and makes a few hours stop at Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. You can get off the boat and explore this small city to stay with the desire to know more about this unknown country. As a curiosity, the Norröna ship is one of the protagonists of the TV series Trapped.

Boat of the Smiril Line

We hope you liked the article and that you had a great desire to visit this small and extraordinary country. Do you know more things to see and do in Iceland?

* Photocredit: Maria Garrido and Francesco Cairoli