32 Reasons why you should visit Iceland
Iceland is a country where you can see and do things you can’t elsewhere. It’s hard to think of another place where you can play golf, climb a glacier and fish for salmon all in the same day. There are always specially trained people on hand to help you if you are a beginner at things like sea kayaking or white water rafting. And there’s just as much to do in winter!
The following list will give you a taste of Iceland.
1. Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is interesting for two reasons - It is the original site of the longest running parliament in the world and it’s also where the North-American and European continental shelf plates are being torn apart.
2. Reykjavik
This hip capital is awash in thriving cafes, high energy clubs, friendly pubs, and a brightly colored old town with rows of wood houses clustered together. It’s more like a giant small town than a city. However, this city is one of the trendiest in the world as Icelanders are obsessed with design, technology, and architecture.
The Reykjavik Marathon is an annual event held every August on Culture Day. This international event involves thousands of participants from Iceland and abroad. Participants can run a full or half marathon, or 3, 5 or 10 kilometer races.
3. Marathon
For serious adrenalin tourists, the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is held once a year on the Laugavegurinn hiking trail from Andmannalaugar to Thorsmork nature park, through spectacular scenery.
4. Glima
Glima is an ancient form of wrestling native to Iceland. Tournaments are not often held, but an opportunity to witness this curious dance of opponents should be seen to be believed. For a description of the rules of Glima in English, they have a Glima Assocation. Join them.
5. The Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool is the country’s top tourist attraction.This huge, milky-blue spa is fed by mineral-rich heated seawater from the nearby geothermal plant. Add the silvery towers of the plant, rolling clouds of steam, and people covered in white mud, you’ll think you are in the twilight zone.
6. Play Golf
Iceland has over 50 golf courses throughout the island, many with outstanding views. Golf can be played in Iceland from May through September, with 24-hour golf available in June due to the midnight sun. Visitors are welcome at the courses. Some courses offer clubs for rent.
7. The Northern Lights
From September to April the Northern Lights become more visible. These dashing lights are one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. From the clear, dark northern skies of Iceland, nothing will impede your view of nature’s greatest dance.
8. Gullfoss
Iceland’s most famous waterfall tumbles 105ft into a steep-sided canyon, kicking up a wall of spray. On sunny days, the spray creates shimmering rainbows over the gorge. This is a truly amazing spectacle and a rewarding scene after a nice hike.
9. The Jokulsar Lagoon
Breidamerkurjokull glacier retreated very quickly from 1920 to 1965 leaving this breathtaking lagoon, which is up to 190 meters deep. Icebergs float in the lagoon all year and you can watch as chunks of ice crash into the lagoon.
10. Glacial Trek
During the winter months, the glaciers get a bit sturdier and groups of tourists are led across them. There’s no better way to see the glaciers than walk across them. Release your arctic explorer across the glaciers of Iceland.The locals are friendly, the nature is stunning, and the weather isn’t too cold.
11. Hiking
More than half of Iceland is over 1,300 feet above sea level, and a large part of the island is covered by lava, glaciers, lakes and sand. Few places in Iceland have marked walking paths, but hiking is a favorite pastime for Icelanders and tourists alike. It is possible to take day or weekend tours during winter, and longer tours are organized during summer. You can take an organized excursion or go hiking yourself.
12. Horseback Riding
The Vikings arrived in Iceland more than a thousand years ago, bringing their horses with them. When these settlers created the world’s oldest surviving Parliament in the year 930, one of their first acts was to prohibit further importation of horses. Today, more than ten centuries later, the breed remains pure.
The Icelandic horse is perfect for the beginner rider.
13. Basketball
Basketball is a popular sport in Iceland, with a special stronghold in Keflavik and the Reykjanes region, a legacy of the US base. Several teams play in Iceland, often with one or two professional international players. An Icelander, Petur Gudmundsson, was the first foreigner to play in the NBA. The basketball season runs from September to April or May.
14. Handball
Team handball is a sport which is popular on continental Europe. It is the team sport in which Iceland has achieved the most success. An American basketball player in Iceland once described it as water polo without the water. The game is a fast-paced team game similar to basketball, except that there is a large net and goalkeeper, rather than a hoop. Watching a game during the September – May season is always entertaining.
15. Super Jeep safari
The Super Jeep is an invention of the people of Iceland. Here jeeps of various brands are altered to manage flowing rivers and glacier driving with ease. They provide a very good jeep safari and help us see the natural wonders of Iceland in any season and experience the ruggedness of the countryside in total comfort.
16. Whitewater rafting and kayaking
Whitewater rafting and kayaking are lots of fun. These are invigorating activities on Iceland's beautiful rivers. These include some glacial rivers, which have milky blue color. Kayaking in Iceland is one of the finest activities ever done on an adventure holiday. Whitewater rafting leaves less for imagination and just lets us bedazzled for the entire episode.
17. Skagafjordur
It is one of the cities in Iceland which offers several fun activities to tourists. One of the parks you will find here is the Historical Nature Park Island Drangey then you can go on to visit the Glaumbær, which happens to be a folk museum. And you will need to wonder no more what an icelandic horse looks like because this place is where they are bred.
18. Kerid
Here lies the sight of a lake within a volcano. Many times, what you will find in countries are both active and inactive volcanoes which would spew lava from time to time. This time, you get a lake instead of lava right inside the crater of a volcano.
19. Bird Watching
Iceland is a paradise for birdwatchers. Latrabjarg in the West Fjords is the largest bird cliff in the world. A great variety of cliff-nesting species can be found there, including the largest razorbill colony in the world. The Westman Islands are also famous for many kinds of seabirds, and are home to both the world’s largest puffin population. Lake Myvatn in the north has more species of breeding ducks than any other place in Europe. Bird-watching tours of the lake can be easily arranged in the region.
20. Museums and Galleries
Considering that Iceland has only 300,000 people, the number of museums and art galleries in the country is astounding. Even in the small towns and out-of-the-way fishing villages, you will encounter some public place dedicated to preserving the national heritage or displaying the local artists.
The largest museums and galleries are in Reykjavik. Among the most visited are the Culture House, Einar Jonsson Museum, and the National Gallery.
21. Iceland Airwaves Music Festival
Iceland Airwaves, a festival garnering increasing international attention, has rocked Reykjavik every October since 1999. Thousands of fans from around the globe show up to groove to cutting-edge tunes by alternative artists from both sides of the Atlantic.
22. Reykjavik Jazz Festival
The Reykjavik Jazz Festival is also held every fall with a stellar line-up of jazz artists from all over the world covering the various genre of the jazz sphere.
23. Iceland Mountain Snowmobiling
You can rent a quality mountain snowmobile and enjoy your snowmobile adventure. These snowmobile vacations include more than just great riding. Enjoy Iceland adventure tours, there's nothing quite like winder in Iceland and taking in all of nature's wonders. Snowmobile vacations provide a rare combination of excitement and beauty.
24. Myvatn
On this spot, you will get to visit the desert Smajfall which gives out sulfuric steam coming from the ground. Here, you will also see Dimmuborgir which is also known as Gates of Hell or The Black City. But the name Myvatn actually refers to the lake which looks nothing like other lakes due to presence of special volcanic craters around it.
25. Dettifoss
If you just came off the Jokulsargljufur National Park, you might want to check this place out afterwards. A powerful waterfall awaits you at Dettifoss. This happens to be one of the best all over Europe.
26. Vestmannaeyjar
Vestmannaeyjar when translated, the name means Westman Islands. It is actually a volcanic island with a wonderful collection of bird species and the biggest puffin colony you could find in Europe. That’s definitely something not to miss.
27. Whale Watching
Whale watching is one of the most popular tourist activities in Iceland, and for good reason. Success rates of seeing the world’s largest mammals in their natural habitat are much greater than 95%. The most popular spot for whale watching is from Husavik in the north of the country, which is regarded by many as the ’Whale Watching Capital of Europe.’
Cruises are made on a quiet, old-fashioned oak boat and on shore there is an exhibition center dedicated to the many species of whales that sport in the bay.The whale watching season runs from May to September.
28. Swimming in Iceland
Swimming in Iceland is one of the things to do in Iceland when on your adventure holiday in pools, hot springs and at the Blue Lagoon. Iceland is a country loved by swimmers. There are many health benefits of swimming and bathing. Most places and towns in Iceland have a public outdoor pool often situated near hot springs.
You should always carry a bathing suit when going to Iceland for an adventure holiday in case you want to go swimming, which can be done at numerous places. You can also go for steam bath and sauna, which you can enjoy even in the middle of winter.
29. Skiing
Winter skiing, both downhill and cross-country, is available in many parts of the country. The popular locations are Blafjoll, near Reykjavik, and Hlidarfjall, near Akureyri. The season usually lasts from December to April.
30. Sport Fishing
Iceland is famous for its salmon and trout fishing. The main salmon fishing is from around June 20th to mid-September. Trout fishing varies from one river or lake to the next, but the normal season is from April until late October. During winter, ice-fishing is quite popular. For salmon fishing, permits must be reserved well in advance, but trout fishing permits can be obtained at short notice, often the same day.
31. Soccer
Soccer is Iceland’s most popular sport. The semi-professional season is played during the summer and visitors are welcome to attend the lively games held at stadiums throughout the country.
32. Hunting
Hunting is a famous sport in Iceland whether shooting for fowl or hunting the reindeer in eastern Iceland. Experienced guides provide guaranteed success to the hunter even if an amateur. Now that's something called miracle !
- By Sunil R Yadav
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