Exclusive Activities & Attractions in Iceland
Discover Unique Experiences in the Land of Fire & Ice
Páll Jökull Pétursson, Visit South Iceland
Experience the Land of Fire & Ice
Iceland’s unique natural beauty is unmatched. Majestic mountains, waterfalls and glaciers abound, not to mention the occasional volcanic eruption. But there is more to Iceland than stunning landscapes.
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and largest city is home to a number of museums and small galleries, an iconic concert hall, an active live music scene and a burgeoning food scene to rival those found in continental Europe.
More adventurous activities can be found just outside the city and all around the island. Iceland is full of contrasts and extremes which means the land and the weather are always changing. It also means there is always something new to see in Iceland, even in places you have visited a million times.
Depending on the season, snowboarding, glacier hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, lava cave and ice cave exploration, Northern Lights viewing and basking midnight sun can all be customized to fit into your clients’ tailor-made journey in Iceland.
Art & Culture
Iceland's Art Galleries & Museums
Taking in a bit of art and culture in Iceland isn’t hard to do. In fact, Icelanders are known for supporting all manner of art which may be why it boasts some of the most uncommon museums in the world. Alongside established institutions such as the National Museum of Iceland, the National Gallery of Iceland and Reykjavik Art Museum are the Punk Museum, housed in a former public toilet, The Icelandic Phallological Museum and Petra’s Stone Collection.
For those looking for more hands on experiences without trekking out into the sometimes intimidating Icelandic landscape, there is the Lava Show (with locations in Reykjavik and Vík) where you can see real lava in the safety of a small theater and FlyOver Iceland where you can go on a ride over some of Iceland’s most iconic natural attractions.
Food & Wine
Explore Icelandic Food Culture
Traditional Icelandic food may not be for everyone but it is certainly a unique and unforgettable experience. What many people may not know is that Iceland is undergoing a culinary renaissance.
From amazing local bakeries to Michelin starred restaurants and award-winning culinary teams all making use of locally sourced ingredients, the food scene in Iceland is exploding with flavor.
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Wildlife & Wilderness
Icelandic Biodiversity & Unspoiled Nature
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Iceland’s wilderness is teeming with wildlife. Depending on the time of year seabirds, whales, horses, seals, Arctic foxes, reindeer and sheep can all be spotted around the island. Adorable puffins can be seen on tours of the islands in Reykjavik harbor, in a large colony in Borgarfjörður Eystri in the east and on the cliffs of Látrabjarg, a promontory in the Westfjords that also happens to be the westernmost point in Iceland.
Húsavík, in the north of Iceland, is famous for whale watching, but whales can be seen in all the waters surrounding Iceland, even in Reykjavik through a whale watching cruise.
Many would say the best way to explore Iceland is on horseback. Icelandic horses, as a breed, haven’t changed since the settlement of the island as it’s forbidden to import horses to Iceland. They’re known for their compact robust stature, friendliness and five gaits.
Beyond Mountains & Waterfalls
Every region of Iceland has unique natural wonders to offer visitors. In the south outlet glaciers, glacier lagoons, idyllic Thorsmork, Fjadrargljufur canyon and Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadals can be found. As well as some of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls–Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss.
Up north, visitors can step into Ásbyrgi, the horseshoe shaped canyon and see, Dettifoss, Europe’s second most powerful waterfall. Out east are the country’s largest forest and reindeer while the west boasts crater rows and hyaloclastite ridges.
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Þorvarður Árnason, Visit South Iceland
Between Fire & Ice
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active places in the world and is also home to Europe’s largest glacier. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, lava flows, waterfalls, glaciers, glacier lagoons, geysers and geothermal pools are all part of life in Iceland and shape the landscape into some of the most astounding natural wonders you’ll ever see.
All of these natural phenomena make journey’s into ice caves, ice walks, zodiac rides in Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon, lava cave, volcano hikes and more possible.
Wellness & Relaxation
Soak in Natural Hot Springs
One of the perks of being a highly volcanically active place is the geothermal pools. Iceland is dotted with natural hot springs, some in the remote highlands and others just a short drive from the international airport. Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, the Blue Lagoon, Hvammsvik Hot Spring Resort and Sky Lagoon are just a few of the spas in Iceland offering wellness and relaxation after days of adventures or to bask in while admiring the natural beauty of Iceland.
Natural Wonders
Northern Lights & Everlasting Daylight
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Part of Iceland’s extreme nature is expressed in its daylight, or lack thereof, depending on the season. There is a short window of time around the equinoxes when Iceland has an equal amount of daylight and darkness but in the winter and summer things become more intense.
In the cold dark of winter when the sun is only seen for a few hours a day, if the conditions are just right and the sky is clear, the Northern Lights can streak across the skies with varying degrees of intensity, sometimes for hours at a time. Summer brings an altogether different experience with 24 hours of daylight making it possible to enjoy outdoor activities well into the ‘night’.
Adventure & Active Travel
Exclusive Experiences
Many of Iceland’s natural wonders are in the highlands and only accessible in specially modified trucks and SUVs, often referred to as super jeeps, but many are also accessible in regular vehicles.
For those clients looking to see Iceland in unique ways there plenty of activities that get them out of their cars and into raw Icelandic nature including mountain biking, driving ATVs, zodiac boat tours of Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon, glacier walks, hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. And for some of the least accessible places (and just for fun), flying over in a helicopter is always an option.
Iceland's Attractions & Highlights
From the city to the otherworldly highlands Iceland has many attractions to suit a variety of travelers. Waterfalls and glaciers are easily accessible and there is no lack of fascinating museums and notable restaurants.
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The Capital Region
The city of Reykjavik has plenty to offer travelers to Iceland. Guests can enjoy exploring the city center, the old harbor filled with unique shops and restaurants, iconic Hallgrimskirkja, Hofdi house – the site of the 1986 summit that ended the Cold War and Harpa concert hall a center of culture rising up along the harbor just to name a few options.
Páll Jökull Pétursson, Visit South Iceland
The Golden Circle
First time visitors to Iceland won’t want to miss out on a custom Golden Circle tour. The Golden circle is one of the most iconic travel routes in Iceland and includes Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Each site on the Golden Circle route embodies a different aspect of Iceland’s natural and cultural heritage.
Páll Jökull Pétursson, Visit South Iceland
Iceland's Scenic South Coast
Iceland’s South Coast is a stunning combination of pastoral and rugged landscapes with rolling farmland, majestic waterfalls, towering mountains and black sand beaches. Nature lovers will want to add visits to such scenic destinations as Fjadrargljufur, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skogafoss waterfall, Reynisfjara beach, Reykjanes peninsula, Skaftafell National Park and Thorsmork to their itineraries.
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The North & East of Iceland
There is more to see in Iceland than the capital region and the south coast. The north and east of the island are filled with unique activities and sights including Akureyri, the “City of the North” and largest urban center outside of the capital region, heliskiing in winter, herds of reindeer that roam exclusively in the east of Iceland and Hallormsstadaskogur National Forest the largest forest in Iceland.