7 things you HAVE to do in Iceland

I am a wanderer, a travel lover…but it’s true to say that I don’t usually like returning to the same place more than once. But if there is one place that I would return to from my travels in a heartbeat it would be Iceland. From the minute we arrived I was enthralled by its moon-like landscape, its amazing and unique nature and its days that felt like they lasted forever meaning that a long weekend there really did give you plenty of time to explore.

Iceland has so many amazing things to marvel at, and it’s the perfect spot for those with a sense of adventure…from red sands to hot springs, volcanoes, Northern lights, whale watching and lounging around in geo-thermal pools, there is so much to see and do in this Nordic country which stole my heart. It’s also incredibly safe which is another huge plus point for family travel.

If you’re looking to visit for a long weekend, the best thing to do is to check out cheap car rentals in Iceland so you can have the freedom and flexibility to see as much as possible in a relatively short amount of time. It’s also a great family friendly way of taking in all the highlights Iceland has to offer in a self-drive tour which helps to keep costs down (yes, Iceland can be pretty pricey but well worth it for the experience it has to offer in my view!).

If you’re thinking about visiting Iceland, or thinking about your next possible trip and looking for some inspo, check out my round up of 7 things you have to do in Iceland:

Marvel at geysers

There is something hugely addictive about watching the bubbling and surging of a geyser as it prepares to explode before kaboom! it shoots up into the air with all its glory from the ground. Geysir is one of the key attractions for those visiting Iceland and seeing as all of the world’s erupting hot springs are named after Geysir in Iceland, it would be rude not to pay homage to this overlord.

Go whale watching

Although whale watching is  matter of timing with the season being from May to September, it’s definitely worth a shot at trying to steal a thrilling glimpse at these enigmatic creatures which can be seen from a number of different locations across Iceland including the capital Reykjavík itself.

Wow at the Northern Lights

Otherwise known as Aurora Borealis, this is probably the one thing that Iceland is most famed for. But as with the whales, it’s timing that counts here. If you want to have your breath taken away by this truly heart-stopping sight, then you’ll need to visit between mid-September and mid-April.

Super Truck & snowmobiling adventure on Langjokull Glacier

The adventures to top all adventures, this isn’t just merely visiting a glacier, but visiting a glacier on an insanely huge super truck and then bombing about it on your very own snowmobile across snowfields in an other-worldly experience in a land of ice for as far as you can see. An absolutely one in a life time experience if ever there was one.

Max out in the Blue Lagoon

Relaxing and recharging in the beautiful milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon with its otherworldly scenery is another experience not to be missed. Quite honestly the most relaxing bathing experience you will ever have had in your whole life….and a natural one at that being a geothermal pool….I promise after lounging around in the water from these blissful hot springs and enjoying a water massage under the waterfalls you will feel like a totally new human being thanks to its health and skin benefits.

Take in the views from Hallgrímskirkja

A seriously awe-inspiring church and one of the tallest and most impressive buildings in the country, no visit to Iceland is complete without a visit to the viewpoint at the top from which you have a rather spine-tingling panoramic view of the capital as well as the mountains surrounding it.

And if you’re in and around the area why not also pop into the Tulipop Flagship store of the popular Icelandic character based lifestyle brand Tulipop.

Founded in 2010, Tulipop is a multiple award-winning brand, comprising a book and a range of cool, quirky and colourful character products for kids of all ages.

Be wowed by waterfalls

It has to be said, I am a sucker for waterfalls, and the Gulfoss Waterfall is one of the most gorgeous and powerful I have seen on my travels so far. Gulfoss is not only hugely jaw-dropping but also Iceland’s most famous waterfall, and undoubtedly one of the natural wonders of the world being by far Europe’s most powerful waterfall. One thing that is very special about the waterfall is that its surroundings are entirely natural…not even a handrail in sight – seek! making a visit all the more thrilling.

So these are my favourite gems that Iceland has to offer but of course there is so much more to see….

If you’re travelling to Iceland you may also want to know about Trawire,  a company that rents portable wifi modems giving you and your family constant internet access while travelling in Iceland.  And lastly be sure to also check out these 5 traditional foods you have to try in Iceland.

Have you visited Iceland before? What were your favourite places to visit? Do you have any recommendations to add to the above highlights? Do share in a comment below.

13 comments

  1. Wow, those are some amazing photos! A lot of people from work have gone to Iceland and have had nothing but positive things to say!

  2. I read about Zena’s trip to Iceland and was amazed and in awe. Seeing this just makes me want to go even more so. I have been looking at mini breaks for my husband’s 40th, and saw a trip to Iceland. Very tempting. Just cannot do it this year. Going to have to add it to my to-do list. Beautiful country.

  3. I’ve never been to Iceland, but I would love to see the Northern Lights. The geysers look cool too.

  4. Whenever I think of holidays I always think of warmer places but this just reminds me of the beauty of colder places too. Lovely pics and great ideas of things to do. My godmother went to see the Northern Lights as her final trip before she died and absolutely loved it.

  5. Going to the blue lagoon and visiting the Northern Lights are top of my bucket list, despite not being a lover of the cold I think Iceland is beautiful and have always wanted to go!

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