Looking for a winter getaway? Can’t decide where to go next? Well, an Icelandic adventure could be the change of scenery you’re looking for. Iceland is an incredible destination with more people than ever before wanting to visit. But why is everyone booking flights to Iceland? Why has it become all the rage? Until you’ve actually been to Iceland, you won’t fully appreciate the statement, ‘it’s like being in another world’ – and I think this is why so many people want to experience it, because it’s so different.
Apart from its awe-inspiring landscapes and famous Northern lights, there are actually lots of really fun and unique things to do.
Here are a few suggestions:
The Blue Lagoon:
This is where your most magical instagram memories will be captured. Hop into your swimwear and prepare to explore this misty aired lagoon. Sliding off your towel in the cold and running into warm water is something you’ll never forget! With different areas to check out, you won’t get bored once in the lagoon. From the face mask and massage areas to the swim-up bar; sip on a smoothie and relax.
The Golden Circle:
Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Golden Circle National Park has unforgettable natural and geographical uniqueness.
Diving or Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure:
Silfra is the only place where one can dive or snorkel directly in the crack between two continental plates. The underwater visibility is over 100 meters, which creates an underwater experience that will rarely, if ever, be surpassed.
Quad biking across Iceland:
Riding an all-terrain quad bike is the perfect way to explore the remote, rugged landscape surrounding Reykjavík. Riding up steep mountain tracks and often-icy terrain to the second of the twin peaks, Mt Úlfarsfell. The summit here offers even more breathtaking views of the otherworldly Icelandic countryside and attractions like Mt Esja and the Blue Mountain range.
Whale Watching:
Learn about some of Iceland’s most majestic native wildlife from an onboard guide. Keep your eyes peeled for harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and humpbacks.
Gullfoss Waterfall:
Gullfoss is one of the largest falls in Europe; the great power that is released from this waterfall is just something else. There are several views of the falls and each perspective offers something different- they are so worth taking the time to see.
Try new and exciting food:
The entire country’s population lives on the coast – and fishing is still the number one industry in Iceland so it may not come as a surprise to you that fish and chips are on almost every menu, and said to be some of the best in the world. Aside from this, Iceland are famous for their hot dogs, meat soup, rye bread, smoked meat, yoghurt and liquorice.
Explore the streets of Reykjavík:
Full of colour and culture, have a wander through charming boutiques and then come nightfall, the streets are alive with restaurants, bars and clubs.
So, maybe you’re frantically adding Iceland to your bucket list. But before you make holiday preparations, you may benefit from some do’s and don’t’s when in Iceland.
Tips whilst travelling to Iceland:
- It’s absolutely essential to hire a reliable car whilst holidaying in Iceland. Not only will you be covering a serious amount of miles to ensure that you see as many of Iceland’s natural wonders as possible, but Iceland is renowned for its vast uninhabited landscapes – and the last thing you need is to be stranded with a flat tyre when visiting the Blue Lagoon. From my experience, there isn’t any other way to see the country than by car, so it really is a must. If you’d like to rent a car in Iceland then you’ll find some pretty competitive prices.
- Make sure you pack a variation of clothes – one minute you’ll be in the snow (so be prepared with warm clothes and appropriate footwear) the next minute you’ll be in a swimsuit hopping into a natural spring.
- Start with an itinerary. Iceland is the kind of country where you really need to plan in advance and know what you want to do, particularly if you’re travelling with family or in a group. Geographically, everything is spread out so you’ll want to organize yourselves to minimize driving time.
- Visiting at Christmas will bring your trip onto another level of incredible! For a start you’re almost guaranteed a white Christmas in Iceland so you can visit ice caves, go glacier hiking or snowmobiling. The Northern Lights often appear during the Holiday Season in Iceland which is magical. The sky is also lit up with phenomenal fireworks on New Year’s Eve for hours on end.
Thanks for the tips, I’m planning on visiting Iceland at some point. I’ll make sure to bring someone with me who can drive!
No problem, glad the tips are useful for you!
Fab post!! Thanks for the tips. I keep hearing things about Iceland. I hadn’t considered this a place to visit until recently, your pictures are gorgeous. My decision may be swayed after reading this!
Thank you!
Iceland is somewhere I would love to go to and explore one day, they seem to have so much going on and it really is such a beautiful place.
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It looks gorgeous doesn’t it?
Iceland is on the top of my travel to do list! It looks beautiful and we are even considering having our wedding at the blue lagoon next year! x
How gorgeous!
I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland so these tips are really useful. Everything sounds amazing – dying to visit the blue lagoon!
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Doesn’t it look amazing!?
To me the best part about Iceland , alongside its magnificent natural beauty is how it encompasses two worlds. On one hand you have nature and the hidden trolls and on the other hand you have the urban gritty street art and I love the contrast between the two!
Very cool!
Iceland looks so amazing! I really want to do the dive between the glacier plates!
C x
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Definitely!
Iceland has always been a place I want to visit, it just looks so beautiful. I would love to go to the blue lagoon xx
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It looks incredible!
I’ve said to my boyfriend that I want to go to Iceland next year for the New Year festivities, and I pretty much want to do all the things on this list x
Hope you get to do everything on your list!
My wife went to Iceland for a course trip when we were at university, and i’ve been desperate for us to go back ever since! Your photos are stunning, and just make me want to go even more.
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Hope you get to visit soon!
The Blue Lagoon is so high on my bucket list! I need to plan a trip to Iceland just for this x
Absolutely!
Some great tips here, Iceland is a place that I would love to visit and explore one day
Hope you get a chance to!
Oh wow the Blue Lagoon looks incredible. I may just have to add Iceland to the bucket list!
Definitely you should!
Lovely suggestions. I adore Iceland and I’m desperate to get back, I love the Blue Lagoon so much.
Isn’t it incredible!?
I really want to go to Iceland. I was invited there on a hen do but couldn’t afford it. Fingers crossed one day I will get to go x
Hope so!
Iceland is so high on my list of places to visit, I’ve never been, but every picture I see of its landscapes makes me want to go just that little bit more.
Hope you get a chance to go sometime soon!
Iceland looks like a wonderful place to visit. I would love to watch whales as I find them fascinating!
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It truly is 🙂
Whale watching would be on my list to do if I could ever visiting Iceland. It has always appealed to me as it’s a beautiful location. I love the sound of the Golden Circle as well
Iceland is definitely at the top of my travel list…great post, great tips! Can’t wait to see the Blue Lagoon 🙂
I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland. It looks an absolutely amazing place to explore. I think I’d like to take the kids at this time of year in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights 🙂
Louise x
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Iceland is very high up on my list of places to go. I’ve been wanting to see the Northern Lights for a long time. Plus the whole landscape of Iceland fascinates me. The blue lagoon looks pretty amazing as well.
Wow Iceland is definitely on my travel bucket list! Christmas time must be magical there.
It looks absolutely amazing. I always imagine it clean, crisp and fresh and the pictures make it look fresh with blue skies.
definetly on my hit list x
I’ve never been to Iceland but it is definitely a spot I want to visit soon! I would love to go skiing there an of course going during Christmas time! It’s sounds so beautiful!
iceland is on my bucket list but you are making me want to drop everything and go now! looks beautiful!
Thank you so much, You’ve provided me with some great ideas. I have always wanted to go to Iceland
Iceland is on my top list for so long. I am after their Northern Lights and beautiful landscapes. It could be expensive too so I need to have a lot with me as well. Hopefully next year, I’d be able to feast my eyes on Iceland’s wonders.
I love Island and going to visit it in 2018 or 2019.
Now I am gathering info about this country!
I’ve heard an interesting fact somewhere: “As winter is the longest season there, all of the taxi cars have studded tires”.
Did you notice that?
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If you’re planning to visit Iceland and looking for extra information about what to do there, you can find some at https://adventures.com/ 😏