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Best things to see in Iceland
Waterfalls, glaciers and geysers – get the lowdown on what to see in Iceland.
Iceland is known for its hot springs, Vikings and of course, the Northern Lights. People flock to the very cold country every year to camp out for hours at night just to catch a glimpse of the pretty coloured lights flickering across the sky. But despite being one of the best things you’ll see in your lifetime – seriously, you need to go see them – Iceland has so much more to offer. We’ve got the ultimate guide for those who might have seen the Northern Lights already and are looking for something new to try. Or, for people who aren’t interested in them – if this is you, you should read our guide on 5 reasons you have to visit the Northern Lights to change your mind - or those who weren’t lucky enough to see them and need another activity to distract from the sadness.
WHALE WATCHING
Instead of looking up at the night sky, why not turn your attention to the sea? Iceland’s winter months are the perfect time to tick whale watching off your bucket list. Watch the huge humpback whales dip and dive through the water, along with some of their sealife pals like white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.
BLUE LAGOON
A trip to Iceland isn’t complete without going to the geothermal Blue Lagoon. It might not feel natural to strip down to your swimming costume in the chilly Iceland weather, but trust us when we say you’ll forget all about the cold when you see the steamy 37-degree water you’re about to dive in to. The warm, milky waters are packed full of minerals like sulphur and silica, which are great for your skin. There’s also a swim-up bar so you can enjoy a drink or two while you relax.
ART MUSEUMS
If art is more your bag, there are plenty of places for you to check out some of Iceland’s very unique creations, which are heavily influenced by their landscape and ancient mythology. The Einar Jónsson Museum should definitely be on your list. It’s filled with interesting sculptures by the late Icelandic sculptor, Einar Jónsson, who offered all of his works of art to the Icelandic government in 1909 on the condition that a museum be built on top of a desolate hill to store them all. Prefer a bit of modern art? The Reykjavik Art Museum has you covered, showing off some of Iceland’s best contemporary pieces.
MOUNTAIN JEEP TOUR
If you’re coming all the way to Iceland, you’re not going to leave without seeing its famous landscape – are you? And what better way to catch a glimpse of the rugged land than by off-roading. Hop in a Super Jeep, designed to tackle terrains other vehicles can’t handle, to travel to the top of Ulfarsfell where you’ll get the best views across the whole city of Reykjavik. Then, it’s off to see the Lake Thingvallavatn, the biggest natural lake in Iceland.
NIGHTLIFE
That’s right, one of the top things to experience in Iceland is the nightlife – it’s some of the best around. Reykjavik’s bar scene isn’t just a pint of Fosters and a gin and tonic in a dimly-lit pub - enter the Kex Hostel. A former biscuit factory, the quirky bar is lined with bookshelves and serves a wide variety of drinks such as Cocoa Puff cocktails and some of Iceland’s traditional brews - including fermented shark. Finish the night the only way you can – with a tasty Icelandic hot dog covered in remoulade – an Icelandic special made of mayo, herbs, capers and mustard.
Feeling inspired?
All of our holidays to Iceland include a day-long Golden Circle trip, which includes the chance to see the obviously-famous Northern Lights. Check out our Iceland page for more info.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Authors: Abi Payne-Humphries
Last updated: 23.01.2018