Rugged, remote and breathtakingly beautiful, Iceland is a country bursting at the seams with natural wonders on the grandest scale. Surrounded by the winds and swells of the North Atlantic Ocean, barely a whisker away from the Arctic Circle, this is a land of raw, elemental splendour, sculpted over the millennia by the immense volcanic and glacial forces. From mighty waterfalls and beguiling fjords to black sand beaches and lunar-like lava fields, there’s an astonishing array of otherworldly landscapes to explore; equally majestic when bathed by the golden glow of the Midnight Sun or cloaked in a thick sheet of snow and ice. And, when you factor in the celestial spectacle of the Northern Lights, illuminating the night sky between September and April, it’s easy to see why Iceland casts such a powerful spell on those who visit. See itinerary ideas
Reykjavik, Golden Circle & the South Coast
Reykjavik in winter
Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city, offers a fabulous introduction to Iceland with its wealth of cultural attractions, eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, thriving culinary scene and thoroughly laid-back, welcoming character. It doubles up as a compelling city break destination in its own right and a launchpad for day trips and excursions further afield. And, owing to its compact size, it’s easily explored on foot at a leisurely pace.
A long weekend is sufficient to take in most of Reykjavik’s standout sights, including the iconic Hallgrimskirkja, Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur), Harpa concert hall and the Sun Voyager monument, alongside a couple of museums and a trip to the Sky Lagoon – one of Iceland’s finest geothermal lagoons – in nearby Kopavogur.
Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge
Within easy reach of the capital lies the Golden Circle region, a loop of around 300 kilometres linking several major landmarks that provide a snapshot of Iceland’s sublime natural beauty. The most famous of these are Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss waterfall, while the likes of the Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater are also worthwhile stops.
Iceland’s South Coast is also awash with natural wonders, many of which are easily accessed via the Ring Road (the main road that circles the entire country). Two of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls – Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss – are found here, as well as Reynisfjara black sand beach and the postcard-worthy village of Vik. A little further to the east, meanwhile, is Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, fed by the vast Vatnajökull glacier.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
North Iceland
Iceland’s far north is a geological wonderland of soaring mountains, serene fjords, thundering waterfalls and dramatic canyons. Several of Iceland’s best geothermal lagoons are also found in the north, including Forest Lagoon, GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths and Myvatn Nature Baths, where the milky-blue, silica-rich water bears a strong resemblance to the Blue Lagoon. This region has long been a highlight of adventures along the Ring Road, but the advent of direct seasonal flights from the UK to Akureyri has opened up a brand new gateway, making North Iceland far more accessible than ever before.
Akureyri, Iceland's 'Capital of the North' (Image via Visit North Iceland
Akureyri, the ‘Capital of the North’, is an excellent strategic base for exploring the region, with a plentiful choice of restaurants, a vibrant cultural scene and endless opportunities for exhilarating adventures nearby, including whale watching tours, Northern Lights hunts, snowmobiling and skiing at Hlíðarfjall mountain – Iceland’s premier winter sports destination.
Venture inland, to the east, to explore the Diamond Circle, a 260-kilometre loop connecting Godafoss waterfall, the village of Husavik (Iceland’s best whale watching hotspot), Asbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss waterfall and Lake Myvatn, where hissing fumaroles and bubbling mud pots pierce the Earth’s crust.
Lake Myvatn (Image via Visit North Iceland)
Head north from Akureyri, along the shore of the Troll Peninsula, to discover several picturesque, fjord-side fishing villages such as Dalvik and Siglufjörður, where you can get a feel for the rural way of life in this remote, lesser-visited part of the country.
If you’ve got a little more time to explore, you could even follow the Arctic Coast Way, which winds along Iceland’s entire northern coastline, passing between towering sea cliffs, isolated peninsulas and windswept beaches galore – a true off-the-beaten-track experience.
Northern Lights in Siglufjörður (Image via Visit North Iceland)
West Iceland
While often overlooked, West Iceland boasts some of the country’s most striking scenery, from glacier-capped volcanoes and black sand beaches to basalt column stacks and moss-covered lava fields. A couple of hour’s drive north of Reykjavik lies the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, jutting out 90 kilometres into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s nicknamed ‘Iceland in miniature’ due to its extraordinary concentration of natural wonders, including the Snæfellsjökull glacier, Gatklettur sea arch and the pyramid-shaped Kirkjufell mountain – perhaps Iceland’s most photographed landmark. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula can be explored on a day trip, but with so much to see, it’s worth spending a little longer to truly do it justice.
Kirkjufell mountain, Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Further inland, the Silver Circle route takes you between waterfalls, hot springs, lava fields and the historic village of Reykholt, the former home of legendary Icelandic poet and historian, Snorri Sturluson. The beautifully secluded Hotel Husafell makes a terrific base for exploring the region, including the chance to venture out to the Langjökull glacier, which you can hike on or even venture inside on a guided ice cave tour.
Up in the far northwestern corner of Iceland are the Westfjords, a sparsely populated region of awe-inspiring wilderness characterised by labyrinthine fjords, flat-topped mountains and rugged sea cliffs teeming with birdlife. This is Iceland in its rawest, most remote form; in winter, much of the Westfjords is cut off from the mainland due to heavy snowfall making the roads impassable.
Ísafjörður, the main town in the Westfjords (Image via Business Iceland)
But, those who do visit – such as on an expedition cruise circumnavigating the Icelandic coastline – are rewarded with some of the most dramatic scenery Iceland has to offer. The colourful town of Ísafjörður is the Westfjords’ main cultural hub and a gateway to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, home to Iceland’s only native land mammal – the Arctic fox.
East Iceland
Seyðisfjörður, East Iceland
Many travellers driving around Iceland tend to traverse the east without deviating from the Ring Road, merely passing through en route from the south to the north (or vice versa). Yet, East Iceland warrants deeper exploration, with its spellbinding fjords, glistening lakes and jagged mountains, criss-crossed by some of the country’s best hiking trails.
The region is also home to the eastern portion of Vatnajökull National Park (which contains Europe’s largest glacier), the distinctive basalt columns of Stuðlagil Canyon and Iceland’s largest forest, Hallormsstaður. The Breiðdalur valley, meanwhile, is one of the few places in Iceland where you can observe reindeer in the wild.
Reindeer in East Iceland (Image via Business Iceland)
East Iceland’s largest town, Egilsstaðir, is more of a convenient pitstop than a standout destination, with a reasonable choice of accommodation, restaurants and supermarkets. Nearby Seyðisfjörður, by contrast, is one of Iceland’s most attractive harbour villages, home to a flourishing art community, traditional wooden houses and the photogenic Rainbow Street that leads to a beautiful blue-and-white church. The drive to get there, following a winding mountain pass flanked by several waterfalls, is wonderfully scenic.
Get in touch with a tailor-made travel specialist today to begin planning your trip to Iceland.
