10 fun things to do in Iceland | Make the most of your trip!

 Iceland... the land of fire and ice. Get ready for a landscape that feels otherworldly. Iceland lies just below the Arctic Circle, but contrary to the country's name, it's not that cold at all, consisting of only 11% ice. Temperatures vary slightly between -10 and 13 degrees. To help you on your way, I've made a nice selection of 10 fun things to do in Iceland.

Enjoy the ultimate experience in Iceland in the middle of nature and get to know the most beautiful and extreme natural phenomena. There is a lot of fun and beautiful things to see in Iceland. Unfortunately, you can't see everything while traveling. Even the locals don't know all the places in Iceland yet, and that says enough   

1. Diving and snorkeling in the Silfra gorge

Put on a dry suit and swim between two continents, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. These plates move apart by about 2 cm each year. The water between the gorge is pure blue and you can see up to 120 meters! The temperature is fairly constant between 2 and 4 degrees. This gap can be found on the path of the golden circle .

2. Whale watching 

There are no less than 23 different species of whale watching in Iceland such as bowhead whales, humpback whales, orcas and porpoises. Summer is the best season for whale watching, as most of the food is floating in the waters around Iceland. This attracts several species of whales towards the coast. You can also use cute puffins , see them breeding on the cliffs. There are far fewer whales around Iceland in winter, but orcas and minke whales are present all year round.

Things to do in Iceland whale watchingThings to do in Iceland whale watching

The price per person is between 75 and 100 euros and takes about 3 hours. Trust me; it's worth the money! This is truly one of the best things about Iceland.

3. Well-being

Wellness is very important to Icelanders. You will find swimming pools, hot springs and lagoons everywhere. Icelanders can be found in indoor and outdoor pools all year round. Pools and lagoons are heated to 40 degrees with the help of geothermal energy. 

The most famous wellness center is the Blue Lagoon , where you can enjoy supreme luxury; face masks, massages, pool bar and a wonderfully warm mineral bath. Are you mainly hiking in Iceland? Then you can come across hot springs and even a hot river! 

Things to do in Iceland whale watchingSpas in Iceland

In the north of Iceland, you can find the Natural Baths of Lake Myvatn, a visit comparable to the Blue Lagoon. 

4. Riding

Sit on the strong and friendly Icelandic horses and enjoy the thrill of unspoiled nature. Ride through the most beautiful landscapes, fjords and beaches on horseback. A fun way to explore Iceland!

Things to do in Iceland, horse ridingThings to do in Iceland, horse riding

5. Glaciers and ice caves

Since Iceland is made up of 11% ice, you really can't miss a visit to a glacier or an ice cave. You can walk on the glacier with a guided tour and/or imagine yourself in an ice cave deep inside the glacier. Due to the melting of the ice in the summer, the melt passes through the glacier. As soon as the meltwater freezes back into ice in the winter, these corridors are accessible and can be walked with a guide. Thus, you can visit the natural ice cave only in winter, between October and the end of March. 

This is a guest blog written by Chayenne van touchiceland.nl . Want to be informed about everything about Iceland? Check out her website and follow her on Instagram .

During the glacier hike, you will enjoy breathtaking views as you move around the iceberg with a pickaxe and crampons. 

Iceland, Cold Cave GlacierIceland, Cold Cave Glacier

6. Waterfalls 

Oh where do I start! of the fun things to do in Iceland, this is definitely a favorite. There are about 10,000 waterfalls in Iceland and they are all beautiful and different. Some waterfalls are almost 200 meters high, while others are low but 100 meters wide. In the north of Iceland you have two impressive waterfalls called Dettifoss and Selfoss where our neighbors recently wrote a nice blog with lots of photos. There are even waterfalls you can walk behind! Don't forget your rain gear

Waterfalls - fun things to do in IcelandWaterfalls – fun things to do in Iceland

7. Northern lights 

Het Northern lights watching... Definitely one of the best things to do in Iceland. Who wouldn't want to experience this natural phenomenon? You have come to the right place for this in Iceland. The best chance to see the Northern Lights is between September and April. You have to be lucky with the weather. 

Watching the Northern Lights in IcelandWatching the Northern Lights in Iceland

8. Geysers

In the southwest of Iceland, you can admire the geysers in the Haukadalur valley geothermal area. Every 5 to 10 minutes, the Strokkur geyser shoots huge jets of boiling water up to 40 meters high! So make sure you're not too close

Geyser in IcelandGeyser in Iceland

9. Traditional food

I am always very interested in the local dishes that the country has to offer. Traditional Icelandic cuisine revolves around fish and lamb dishes. In Iceland you can enjoy really fresh ingredients; fruits and vegetables are even grown in greenhouses using geothermal energy. So don't forget to enjoy delicious traditional dishes. This is fun, delicious and real Iceland!

Delicious traditional food in IcelandDelicious traditional food in Iceland

10. Reykjavik

Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland and has a population of approximately 123,000. This is, of course, very little compared to other capitals. That doesn't change the fact that Reykjavík is a super fun and touristy city. Go shopping in the Laugavedur shopping street. You will also find nice restaurants and cafes here. Don't feel like going out for an expensive meal? Then try Pylsur, also known as hot dog. Icelanders are very proud of their hot dogs and even call them their national food. They are so special and delicious because they also contain lamb and the sauces and onions are delicious.

Don't forget to visit Hallgrimskirkja too; the largest church in Iceland. Are you interested in sniffing culture? Then go to the National Museum or the Perlan Museum and learn all about Iceland, culture and natural phenomena. 

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