Before rushing off to the Icelandic wilderness, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. In the city’s north-west, you’ll find Grotta Lighthouse. This lighthouse has been standing since 1947 and is a great spot to get outdoors and see some birdlife. Grotta is also a great area within Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights (more on that later!). If you’re not up for the walk, why not jump on a bike or segway tour of Reykjavik to explore even further? This makes for a perfect Reykjavik experience gift!
Those wanting to learn more about Icelandic history should make their way to Bessastadir. This historical site played a vital role in Iceland’s history and is also the country’s Presidential home. The site, while being close to Reykjavik, feels like a step into nature. The peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. There’s also rolling green hills, farmlands and volcanic plateaus. The area is both a historical and natural spectacle.
All that exploring will make you hungry! The question is, what do Icelanders eat? Fish and mutton are some of the more common dishes. However, there are plenty of interesting foods to sample. Sour sheep heads, fermented shark and ram’s testicles are just some of the weird and wonderful local delicacies! Thankfully for the uninitiated, these aren’t the only foods on offer. Locally made cheese and ice cream are definitely great choices for visitors. As are hot dogs, which can be found at the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand.
We mentioned them before and they are one of the major reasons people visit Iceland - the Northern Lights! Officially known as Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights is an incredible light display caused by sun particles entering the earth’s atmosphere. The result is simply mind-blowing. Iceland is one of the best places to experience Aurora Borealis. There are plenty of tours that will take you to the top viewing spots either for the evening or as part of an overnight experience. As the Northern Lights are best experienced in the winter months, we highly recommend booking a tour. The roads can be pretty scary when they are iced over or when the winds pick up. If you’re desperate for some driving action, check out this amazing ATV Northern Lights Tour. With this experience gift, your adrenaline will be flowing and the lights will be glowing!
If you’re heading out of Reykjavik, why not make a longer trip of it? The classic and most accessible trip from Reykjavik is the Golden Circle. The traditional Golden Circle includes three major stops: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
Þingvellir National Park’s natural significance can’t be understated. From this site, the American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart from each other. This makes the area unrivalled for snorkelling with 100m of clear ocean allowing you to snorkel in the gap between Europe and North America.
Another natural spectacle is the Geysir geothermal area. Sometimes known as The Great Geysir, this was the first recorded geyser in European history and it is where the English word geyser comes from. The original Geysir is now inactive, but every 5 - 10 minutes, Stokkur (another geyser nearby) will spurt boiling hot water up to 30m into the air.
TLC told us, “don’t go chasing waterfalls”. Clearly TLC has never been to Iceland! Home to many beautiful waterfalls, Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous and is the final stop on the Golden Circle route. This multi-step waterfall has many levels to view this powerful waterfall. At the bottom, get up close and feel the strength of this natural wonder. Further up, see how this beautiful waterfall dominates the landscape. At every level, there’s plenty of opportunity for photos.
Aside from the stops on the Golden Circle, one of the best experiences in Iceland’s countryside is glacier hiking. Whether it’s hiking over or abseiling down, experiencing these mammoth ice formations is incredible. Blue ice that is millennia-old and the knowledge that these glaciers can be formed over huge, active volcanoes make this an unforgettable experience. And if you want to get a whole new perspective on this amazing place, you might want to give the glacier kayak adventure a go.
If kayaking isn’t your thing, luckily, Iceland is an adventure paradise. There are so many activities to choose from such as wildlife adventures with seals, whales, puffins or even a spot of ice fishing that might be more up your ally. Four-wheel-drive and ATV tours are also a great way to get out and amongst it in this expansive and rugged terrain. From horses to helicopters, Iceland really has experience gifts for every type of traveller.
They call Iceland the land of fire and ice and for good reason. After all those icey escapades, you may be in need of some relaxation time and Iceland’s hot springs are perfect for rejuvenating weary bones while enjoying yet another unique experience. The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. The geothermal pools are not natural but are some of the most impressive in Iceland. The milky, steamy water contrasts with the surrounding sheer black mountains. There are also massage and beauty services available just in case you’re after a little extra pampering. The Blue Lagoon makes for a great last stop on any Iceland trip, with it being only 15 minutes from Keflavik International Airport. Reykjavik is only a 30-minute drive away too, so we wouldn’t blame you for making a trip or two mid-way through your Icelandic adventure!
To put it plainly, Iceland really is an amazing and unrivalled destination and Reykjavik as the country’s gateway is a perfect place to start your adventure journey of a lifetime.
