Iceland: My Top 10 Things To Do and See
This is my Guide to Iceland, Part 3, focusing on places to see and things to do. Whenever we travel, I’m always researching the top things are that we MUST see. Iceland was no exception. For our trip, we did more sightseeing than actual hands on excursions, but I have included some which we have done had we the time.
The Blue Lagoon
I’m sure you have heard of The Blue Lagoon in Iceland. If you haven't, The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in a lava field about 40 minutes outside of Reykjavik . The question as to whether this site is a natural wonder is up for interpretation. The waters are actually heated by a geothermal power plant nearby. Regardless, people from all over the world come to bathe in the lagoon’s seawater which has been known to have many positive effects on the skin.
The water is rich in minerals like sulfur and silica and it has been known to have healing qualities on the skin, especially people suffering from psoriasis. The water’s temperature ranges from 99-102 degrees. I was concerned that the air being so frigid would make it unenjoyable, but the heat of the water totally compensates for the cold atmosphere.
You can stay at The Retreat Hotel or the Silica Hotel (see my Iceland Blog Part 2 for details on these) or you can get a day pass to the Blue Lagoon itself. The 800 year old moss covered lava rocks surrounding the lagoon and hotel itself are breathtaking. The whole scene is quite surreal when you pull up and find yourself in what seems like another world entirely.
However, when you enter in, you do get the feeling that it is a little commercialized and touristy. You will be taken to a locker room where you have to shower (without bathing suit) with loads of other people. Then you can take your robe and walk down to the entrance of the actual lagoon and pray you can find an open hook and a way to distinguish your robe from the hundreds of others that are exactly the same.
Once you enter the waters and venture outside you will find yourself in what seems like a lake in the middle of snow covered mountains. There are tons of little areas to discover as mist slowly rises from the warm waters. There are a lot of people, but the lagoon is big enough to handle the crowds, and typically you can find yourself some private space. There is a bar where you can get refreshments in the water as well as a station to purchase mud masks to get a true “spa” experience. No need to bring your wallet into the water, you are given a wrist band when you first arrive which tracks everything for you.
This is definitely a relaxing and beautiful scene. Touristy…yes. Crowded…yes. However despite those two facts the experience of the nature and beauty of the lagoon should make this a must see on your trip.
2. Glacier Lagoon
The Glacier Lagoon, also called Jökulsárlón, was one of my favorite spots. Located in Southeast Iceland, this lagoon is filled with turquoise and white icebergs. This was a full day trip for us, as the lagoon was 3 hours from our hotel. But I can tell you, it was well worth the drive.
Glacier Lagoon has become a popular spot amongst visitors. This lake is Iceland’s deepest lake, and the icebergs are composed of ice that is over 1,000 years old!
The lagoon actually connects with the ocean, giving it a mixture of fresh and seawater, causing the lagoons unique coloring. Sometimes you can even see seals hanging out on the icebergs.
I was taken aback by the beauty of this lagoon. I didn’t know what to expect, but it seemed like we were stuck in the middle of a National Geographic photo shoot. **Fun Fact: Die Another Day and Tomb Raider were filmed at this location**
3. Diamond Beach
Diamond beach is a 1 minute drive from the Glacier Lagoon in Southeast Iceland. It is a strip of fine black sand where icebergs which fill the Glacier Lagoon wash up on shore, creating the illusion of blue diamonds on the black sand.
This beach was my favorite in all of Iceland. Words cannot describe the sheer beauty of this spot. Pieces of ice that were 3xs our size were scattered amongst the sand, dotted by smaller gems creating a dazzling effect while the sun set behind us. This has become a popular attraction for photographers for this reason.
Diamond beach is also known as the best location in the whole country to spot orcas swimming in the ocean. All I can say is head to this beach, and get your camera ready.
4. The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a driving route that people take which connects a handful of sights to see in Southern Iceland. The circular drive is about 140 miles, and if you decide to nix a tour and drive yourself, you can complete the circle in as little as three hours. Obviously how much time you spend at each stop and what you chose to actually see determines how much of your day you dedicate to this “excursion”.
We drove the Golden Circle, but did not stop at every sight. We chose a few things we wanted to see, and ditched the rest. But if you have the time, why not stop and explore all the sights Iceland has to offer. Who knows when you will be back.
Here is a quick breakdown of the stops, along with a map, so you can see how everything is connected. This also allows you to plan your route and stops accordingly.
The four main stops along the Golden Circle are
Strokkur Geyser
Gullfoss Waterfall
Thingvellir National Park: This is a UNESCO world heritage site where you can chose to spend a lot of time exploring. There are lakes, waterfalls, natural formations, wildlife, and even spots to scuba dive between continental plates.
Strokkur Geyser: Jay and I stopped here along the route, and it was a really unique thing to see. It’s easy to get to, located right off the main road. There are tons of little geysers that dot the area as you walk up to the main event, which erupts every 6-10 minutes reaching heights of 49-66 feet!
Gullfoss: This massive waterfall is a short drive from the Strokkur and makes you feel small amongst it’s power. Gulfoss is 105 feet tall and has 2 drops. This waterfall is one of the most popular tourist spots in Iceland. We stopped here as well, and I’m glad we did. You can park right near the waterfall itself and you can hike up a small set of stairs if you want to get a better view of the falls themselves.
Kerid Crater Lake: This was our first stop we took on the Golden Circle. Im going to be honest, I was a tad bit disappointed in it. This lake is actually made up of a collapsed volcano, and in the summer months the water is a vibrant teal color. Since it was winter when we were there, the lake was frozen over, leaving us to stare over a frozen lake which costs us 8 bucks each to see. You can hike down to the bottom if you chose, however we made this a 5 minute detour and moved on to more exciting things.
Other stops along the Circle
Laugarvatn Fontana: A spa built on natural hot springs. Think Blue Lagoon type experience but smaller and more remote. ***There are actually many natural hot springs that are free in Iceland where people go and bath all year long. It’s just a matter of find thing them…***
Skalholt Cathedral: The largest Cathedral in Iceland.
Hveragerði: A small town known as the Hot Spring Capital of the World. Here you can partake in different hiking trails, and of course check out their natural thermal pool.
Geothermal Energy Exhibition: Here you can learn all about the geothermal energy with hands on guides to answer questions and provide insight.
5. Explore Ice Caves
Jay and I did not get to go explore the ice caves because the excursion itself took almost 3 hours and we didn't plan our time accordingly, but I would definitely recommend this based on pictures I have seen. You can do a day tour, or you can make this a multi-day event and really commit to this activity. A local guide will take you to explore hidden spaces on a glacier. The caves form over the winter, so each year the caves themselves and their locations are unique and new.
6. Go Snowmobiling on Glacier
There are many tours which include seeing the Golden Circle and then add snowmobiling to the mix. Imagine exploring a glacier while cruising around at top speed? Definitely something to consider…
7. See the Northern Lights
Most people go to Iceland in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights, which are caused by solar particles entering the earth’s magnetic field and being drawn to the North Pole. Of course this is a crap shoot, as they aren’t always out and about, shining in all of their glory. So many factors come to play, but if the weather and the season are on your side, you might have a great chance of seeing them.
My husband and i were lucky enough to see the Northern lights on our first night in Iceland. The sky was full of green glowing “sheets” that were moving and swaying amongst the stars. Ribbons of pink and purple then began to make appearances, and it became one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Both my husband and I were overcome with emotion… it truly is a sight to see.
8. Icelandic Horses and Puffins
I am a huge animal lover, so I was so excited to see groups of wild Icelandic horses all throughout the country side. They are smaller than normal horses, sometimes pony sized and typically hang out in groups. Sometimes they are right up against the road, so you can pull over and get out and take pictures with them.
Iceland is one of the best places on Earth to see puffins, an Arctic bird that resembles a penguin. The best time to see them are Early April to Septmeber, so unfortunately we missed the boat on this one. However, if you are in Iceland during these months, definitely scout out these beautiful birds!
9. Whale Watching
Over the last twenty years, Iceland has become known as the whale watching centre of Europe. Due to the climate and waters surrounding Iceland, the area attracts twenty three different species of whales. There are a ton of different tours that will take you whale watching, some lasting a couple of hours and some lasting all day. Tours take place all year long, although the summer months may lead to more comfortable weather which also means more crowds. If you have the chance, sign up for one of the tours, and make sure to dress accordingly.
10. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Near the small town of Vik is a black sand beach named Reynisfjara. In 1991 this beach was named top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world! This is a volcanic beach; the black sand being formed from lava that flowed into the ocean and cooled immediately. The shoreline itself is beautiful, with basalt columns, caves to explore, and basalt cliffs that rise out of the ocean just off the coast. It’s no wonder this beach has becomes one of the most popular places to visit.
I hope that this guide helps you to narrow down places you want to see when you go to Iceland. if you have any questions feel free to email me or comment below!
<3
P.S.
If you go to any of these places tag me on Instagram so I can see your amazing experiences!