Attractions for Travelers in Iceland
Iceland, chosen as the recommended destination for 2012 by National Geographic and Lonely Planet magazine, offers a large selection of thrills and attractions suitable for every traveler and at any age. You can find extreme activities alongside relaxing attractions, children's pleasures alongside challenging glacier climbing, outdoor activities such as horse riding or trekking, alongside vibrant nightlife in the capital.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the various attractions Iceland has to offer.
Match the attractions to your travel itinerary and the time you allocate to each
region.
♦ Car rental from the reliable and convenient Booking site: Booking.com
Dog Sledding
♦ Book a dog sledding tour near Akureyri (from Viator):
Iceland's best-kept secret guarantees you a real experience! Today, there is one company operating dog sledding in Iceland, and that is dogsledding.is. The company is small and family-run, managing a farm with dozens of charming Greenlandic dogs. The dogs are waiting for you, the travelers, to harness them to the sled and give the command to run! The dogs are friendly, charming, obedient, and clean, loving to run and play.
The farm owners, Siggi and Klara, will introduce you to the dogs, tell you about their names and the meaning of their names, and about their character. Finally, they will let you harness the dogs to the sled and maybe even drive yourself...
Photo courtesy of Dogsledding Iceland ©
How to get there?
The town of Husafell is located in western Iceland, next to the Langjokull glacier.
The company has been operating since 1998 and previously worked on the Myrdalsjokull glacier in the south, but the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in April 2010 changed the plans, and the dogs moved. Today, the company runs three trips a day and offers a wide variety of special tour options. To get there, turn right onto road 50, right before the bridge at the entrance to the town of Borgarnes, and from there continue on road 517 to the town of Husafell, until you reach the dirt road F550. Although it is an F-road, the way is passable for all types of vehicles.
At the end of the summer (starting from late August), it is already dangerous to stay on the glacier, so the dogs move to activities near southern Selfoss. The company also runs tours from there, but the activity is on a dirt road. The change does not detract from the enjoyment - the charming dogs and their owners will brighten your time and give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Seal Watching
Seal hunting was a very unfortunate part of local Icelandic history. The hunting was not in commercial quantities and was conducted mainly by farmers, who hunted seals to use their meat for food, blubber for lighting, and seal skin for sewing clothes. In recent years, the scope of hunting has significantly decreased and seals are considered a real tourist attraction. Seal colonies attract many tourists and provide a real experience.
In Iceland you can find seals in two main areas:
♦ The Vatnsnes Peninsula, located one hour away from the northern capital, Akureyri, is situated on the northwestern side of Iceland. To get there, take road 711 off road 1, near the Osar Hostel. The peninsula is known for its seal colonies, located in two main spots: on the eastern coast at Osar and on the western coast at Illugastadir. The scenery on the peninsula is charming and pleasant to tour, but keep in mind that it involves tiring driving on a dirt road - the road is mostly reasonable, but you must prepare for a fairly long drive. Additionally, the seal colonies are relatively far from the shore, so it is hard to spot them without binoculars. For travelers interested in guided tours, the Sealwatching company runs seal-watching tours twice a day. The tour lasts about two hours.
♦ Seals also love to splash in the waters of the glacier lagoon, Jokulsarlon, located in southern Iceland. The glacier lagoon is a tourist pearl in its own right, but it is also enjoyable thanks to the many seals found there. The seals arrive mainly in the afternoon, for their own enjoyment and the delight of enthusiastic travelers.
The Icelandic Seal Center strictly adheres to rules of conduct near seals:
- Do not approach seals closer than 100 meters, in order not to threaten their peace.
- Do not touch pups or threaten the proximity between the pup and its mother.
- To avoid scaring or stressing the seals, avoid sudden movements and walk calmly and quietly.
Horse Riding
Icelandic horses are everywhere and you won't manage to miss them. On the sides of the road, next to houses and farms, and in quiet towns – everywhere you will notice this noble animal. What is special about Icelandic horses? The horses are smaller than regular horses and adapted to the Icelandic weather. The horses are very friendly and give the rider a real experience. In addition, riding alongside Iceland's unique landscapes is like riding inside a postcard – this is a unique way to get to know the Icelandic landscape and it's a shame to miss!
♦ Book horseback riding across Iceland from Viator:
Horse riding farms can be found in all parts of Iceland. In the various articles detailing the regions, you will find many links to various farms on the island, such as the Adventure company or Arctic rafting in western Iceland, the Eldhestar horse farm in the south of the country, and Icelandic farm holidays in the eastern fjords.
Whale Watching
At a number of sites across the island, mainly in the north and the Reykjavik area, there are companies operating boat tours for whale and dolphin watching. When you watch a whale, so close to the ship, it is hard to believe its true size. The giant yet gentle animal will accompany your ship and give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
♦ Book whale watching cruises across Iceland from Viator:
For whale watching, it is recommended to depart from the picturesque northern fishing town of Dalvik, located on the western side of Iceland's longest fjord, Eyjafjordur. Dalvik is located 42 km north of Akureyri, about half an hour's drive.
The summer months are an excellent period to watch various types of whales, such as the minke whale, white-beaked dolphin, killer whale, dolphins, and more. It is recommended to go on a cruise in the morning hours, when the sea is calm and quiet. During the cruise you will watch whales, dolphins, and various birds. Whale watching is a wonderful experience for the whole family – don't miss it!
Another recommended destination in northern Iceland for whale watching is Husavik.
Whale watching is also a highly recommended attraction in the Reykjavik area.
Bird Watching
Iceland is a true paradise for bird watching enthusiasts. Many birds nest on the island from mid-May to mid-August.
The leading bird watching sites are:
♦ Latrabjerg Cliffs in the Western Fjords – the largest and most popular bird nesting site in the world, where you can find various bird species.
♦ The Vestmannaeyjar Islands in southern Iceland – a large nesting colony where you can find many puffins.
♦ Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland – the shallow lake attracts more ducks than anywhere else in Europe.
Swimming Pools
There are over 200 swimming pools in Iceland, more pools than any other country relative to population, thanks to the cheap and regular supply of hot water. Most pools are geothermally heated, while the rest are heated using oil or electricity. The Swimmers Guide website compiles a complete list of all swimming pools in Iceland, divided by regions, cities, and towns. You can plan and check, but the real experience is being spontaneous. Equip yourself in advance with a swimsuit and towel, and wherever you wish, you will likely find a sign indicating a nearby pool. The entrance fee is usually low and also includes entry to a jacuzzi or slides, if available at the site.
In the capital city, Reykjavik, you can find a sports and leisure center located within walking distance of the city's business district. The sports center is experiential and popular with both children and parents, and you can find a football stadium, an Olympic pool, another large pool with slides and a jacuzzi, a botanical garden, and a zoo. You can read extensively about the park in the article about Reykjavik. The water park is especially recommended and fun. Admission costs 450 crowns. The complex is very well organized, the changing rooms are large and clean, and there are floaties for children that can be borrowed free of charge and various inflatables in the water, like balls and mattresses, for visitors' use.
Glacier Walking and Snowmobiling
Iceland offers travelers many glacier walking trips, including walking on Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull. Walking on the glacier is a unique and challenging experience, and you can choose different routes depending on the level of difficulty. Extreme sports enthusiasts can also enjoy climbing on the glacier, a harder but enjoyable experience.
♦ To book a glacier hiking trip from the reliable Viator site:
Glacier Hike from Skaftafell - Extra Small Group
The weather on the glacier can change rapidly, so it is also advisable to equip yourself with a jacket and rain pants. The walking is challenging, but the scenery never ceases to amaze. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! From a distance the glacier looks like a single mass, but when you walk on it you discover many crevices, small icebergs in amazing shapes, many ice caves, and mesmerizing blue water. In the article about southern Iceland you can find additional details about other companies.
Those looking for a different experience can also enjoy snowmobiling on the Snaefellsjokull glacier on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. The peak of the glacier can also be reached by snowmobile.
Short Videos About Attractions in Iceland:
Jeep Tours
Some of the roads in Iceland, especially in the center of the country, do not allow entry to regular vehicles but only to 4X4 vehicles. Most of the roads lead to unique natural pearls and rare landscapes that you won't find anywhere else. Do not let the road restriction stand in your way. There are several companies operating jeep tours to many areas in Iceland. The guided tours guarantee you driving with an experienced local guide and enjoyment of the beautiful Icelandic scenery.
Many companies operate jeep tours in the Landmannalaugar nature reserve, for example, located in the core of Iceland. A day trip to this reserve can also be booked here from the reliable Viator site: Landmannalaugar by Super Jeep
Many popular jeep tours also go to the beautiful volcano, Askja. A full-day trip to the volcano and its surroundings can be booked here from the reliable Viator site:
Askja and Holuhraun Super Jeep Day Tour from Lake Myvatn The trip departs from Lake Myvatn (from the information center office, or hotel pickup around the lake).
Rafting
Another fun and challenging experience you can do in Iceland is rafting. This sporting activity is becoming increasingly popular in Iceland and today several companies offer rafting in various places in the country and at different levels of difficulty.
Travelers are offered an exciting rafting trip in Skagafjordur located west of Akureyri, the northern capital, as well as similar trips in the stormy river Jokulsa Austari and its calmer "brother" Jokulsa Vestari.
♦ Recommended rafting booking in the Akureyri area from Viator:
♦ Diving
Diving enthusiasts will be surprised to hear that Iceland is also becoming a popular destination for diving. The clear glacier waters and wonderful visibility provide you with an experience you will find hard to forget. The recommended diving site in Iceland is in the south in the Thingvellir area, but the north also has pearls of its own. The companies offer various extreme trips, including diving in the Eyjafjordur area, Grimsey Island, and Asbyrgi Canyon.
♦ Recommended snorkeling booking (in the Reykjavik area) from Viator: