Travel to Iceland: our 10 must-see attractions
Iceland... I had been dreaming about it for so many years...
A land of fire and ice, a land of escape, with a great variety of landscapes and a return to the source, Iceland is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and extreme countries that one can know of. A trip to Iceland is a journey through time, a return to the origins of our planet, when everything is wild and natural, and where the elements are unleashed. Indeed, it is the forces of nature that have shaped this island… It was born from the push of tectonic plates into the rift, shaped by volcanic activity and sculpted by the ice that has carved out the great fjords around the island over the millennia.
As part of the campaign #MyStopover organized by the airline Icelandair and the agency Expression Group, I was lucky enough to participate in an unusual 72-hour blog trip to discover a condensed version of the best of Iceland in the company of other travel bloggers.
Only 72 hours… What a frustration! Now I only have one desire: to take a two-week road trip in Iceland and rediscover this exceptional island that has so much to offer…
#MyStopover?
The company Icelandair offers all its customers wishing to join Europe one of the 14 cities in North America served, to make a stopover up to seven days in Iceland without additional fees.
To mark the occasion, Icelandair They went the extra mile by organizing a great publicity campaign to promote the concept. In addition to completely repainting Boeing 757s and installing a lighting system inside the cabin that reproduces the Northern Lights, the airline surprised a passenger by offering her an unexpected stopover in Iceland to let her discover the best of the island. The opportunity to take a journey within a journey and be captivated by this fabulous country that leaves no one indifferent…
Experience a full range of sensations snowmobile in the middle of nowhere, witnessing the explosions of Geysers, to swim in Hot volcanic sources, Enjoy the culinary specialties from the country, venturing into the heart of the greatest Glaciers of Europe, Enjoy exceptional panoramas and admire these cascades, These volcanos, These vast wild expanses and these Northern lights…
Iceland will surprise you and leave you with an unforgettable memory!
We were lucky enough to discover this country thanks to our guide Ingimundur, guide for Iceland Travel, an exciting and passionate child from the country who made us «live» Iceland for 3 days.
Here are my must-sees for discovering Iceland during a short two- or three-day stopover:
1 – The geysers
Back to the beginning… Because it is thanks in part to this volcanic activity that bacterial life appeared on Earth… Watching the eruptions of the geysers is a remarkable sight to behold once in a lifetime. Thank you, dear nature… Did you know that the word geyser comes from the Icelandic verb gjosa, meaning »to gush out.« By the way, the term geyser comes from the name of the most famous geyser in Iceland, named Geysir, and that’s exactly where we went, right in the heart of the Golden Circle!
The explosions occur approximately every 5 minutes, and before they happen, you may see a large bubble forming, which is the perfect opportunity to prepare to photograph or film this unique phenomenon. Be careful not to get too close; the water temperature is around 30°C. 80°c !
2- Hiking on a glacier by snowmobile
Head to the highlands of Iceland to go snowmobiling on the Langjökull glacier with the company Mountaineers of Iceland. After putting on a special suit and a hood to protect ourselves from the cold, we are ready to experience the most sensational experience of this express trip to Iceland. There are few words to describe the beauty of the landscapes… Pure white all around… A wonder!
Riding a snowmobile is quick and after a few minutes of practice you really want to get your adrenaline pumping and go as fast as possible! You feel free, your eyes are wide open and you’re enjoying this unique moment that I highly recommend to everyone. The price per person for an hour of snowmobile riding on the glacier is approximately 140€ (1 person = 1 snowmobile). Admittedly, the prices are quite high, but it’s definitely worth the detour and there’s no doubt that this activity will leave you with an unforgettable memory!
3- Swimming in the hot springs
You can’t visit Iceland without taking a dip in the warm waters of the geothermal springs, especially in the middle of winter when the outside temperature is 0°C! Flúðir to enjoy this unique moment Secret Lagoon/Gamla Laugin – Hvammsvegur. Founded in 1891, this is the oldest natural swimming pool in Iceland. We took advantage of it to relax and unwind in this large pool after a day full of sensations. The atmosphere is pleasant, the setting is remarkable, natural, and the owner’s welcome is warm.
On the edge of this large basin, you can still admire the ruins of the old stone dressing rooms. Here, you are truly far from other (mass) tourist complexes. No, here everything is on a human scale. I recommend you to enjoy a good beer (Viking) by the basin! The locals are clean and have showers, changing rooms and lockers for storing your belongings. You can expect to pay around fifteen euros to access the basin. A must-see stop if you are organizing a road trip in Iceland 😉
4- The Icelandic culinary specialties
A country can also be discovered through its gastronomy, and that was certainly the case during our stay in Iceland. Many people think that the country has no culinary specialties… Think again! In Reykjavík, we were lucky enough to enjoy the best of Icelandic cuisine at the restaurant Fiskfélagið – Fish Company. Delicate and generous dishes based on salmon, cod or lamb cooked in many ways. Although the prices are high, the atmosphere is warm and the setting is quite quirky and original. Don’t forget to leave a note on a post-it and display it on the giant (gold) board 😉
During the trip we dined and spent the night at Frost and Fire à Hveragerði. The cuisine is also delicious, but we also took advantage of the remarkable natural setting. Some bungalows even have a jacuzzi that offers a clear view of the snowy mountains and the river valley below. We will have pleasant memories of this place and will definitely return to it during a future road trip in Iceland. In summer, the scenery must be breathtaking! Don’t miss the chance to try some delicious bread Everywhere which is cooked underground in a vat thanks to volcanic activity. You can even cook your eggs there in the morning using a kind of «fishing rod»!
5 – The glaciers and its tunnels
Head for the glacier Langjökull, the second largest in Europe, To discover this new tunnel, which is built 30 meters below the ice and extends for about 300 meters. Ice Cave You can observe the ice that has accumulated there over the centuries and perceive in some places the different colors that change from white to blue as you descend into the tunnel and go back in time. Carved by man, this ice tunnel also houses an ice chapel where weddings will soon be celebrated!
For the record, we discovered the Ice Cave in March while the work was not yet complete (the opening was scheduled for May 2015) and the weather conditions during the journey to get there were catastrophic… A heavy snowstorm prevented us from seeing more than a meter ahead of us, and even with our guide’s high-tech Monster Truck, we were driving at very low speed. Plan to visit in spring and summer, but check the weather conditions if you want to venture there in winter! The Ice Cave is accessible from Reykjavík or by combining the excursion with a visit to the Golden Circle (Gullfoss, Geysir, etc…).
6 – The spectacular waterfalls
You can find them in many places on the island and the sight is simply impressive… Each one is unique and takes different forms depending on the type of slopes they descend. One thing is certain, they all exude such powerful energy that they make you vibrate… They inspire tranquility and peace for some or wonder and ecstasy for others.
The most famous waterfalls in Iceland are Gullfoss (first photo), Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Dettifoss, Sellfoss, Goðafoss, Svartifoss and Hraunfossar (second photo).
7 – The Icelandic horses
Especially don't call them ponies in front of Icelanders., they would take it very badly! (A nod to our dear guide Ingimundur). This is a very special breed that descends from the one brought by the Vikings, and has not undergone any crossbreeding since the 900s. They are not very large and are often likened to ponies, but on the other hand they are very robust and can move in five different ways, namely the tölt and the amble in addition to the usual three ways of a horse.
You see many of them when you drive on the roads of Iceland, so don’t miss the opportunity to stop and enjoy the unique natural setting where wildlife and flora blend harmoniously together.
There are many companies that offer horseback riding tours in Iceland. For our part, we visited the Fridheimar greenhouse Specialized in organic tomato cultivation and the breeding of Icelandic horses. You can attend a guided tour, a tasting, and enjoy cocktails and dishes made with greenhouse tomatoes. But you can also attend equestrian shows with demonstrations of controlling the different gaits. Don’t miss the opportunity to wander around the grounds; the winter landscapes are spectacular…
8 – Route No. 1 and the roads to the ends of the world
Welcome to another planet… Here the landscapes are surreal and you’ll be in for a visual treat. These vast snow-covered volcanic plains, these majestic mountain ranges on one side of Route No. 1 and the sea beyond sight on the other, have something to amaze all travelers embarking on a road trip in Iceland. It’s an essential stop on the journey! Numerous attractions are located around the circular route.
However, you must be very careful in winter because the roads can be dangerous when you descend into the countryside, especially if you want to head towards the Golden Circle. Make sure you hire a suitable vehicle to go on an adventure and be extremely wary of the weather; the weather can change completely in just a few minutes! The blue sky gives way in just a few minutes to a snowstorm where you can’t see more than a meter in front of you!
Here is the map of the state of the roads in real time: see the map
9 – The capital Reykjavik
A trip to Iceland inevitably begins or ends with a visit to Reykjavik. With nearly 200,000 inhabitants, the capital is home to two-thirds of the Icelandic population. There are many things to see and do in Reykjavik, such as admiring the unique architecture of Hallgrímskirkja church and that of the concert hall Harpa, strolling along the harbor or through the old town, going to the bars in the evening and enjoying the nightlife, visiting the National Museum of Iceland, and taking photos of the Sun Voyager sculpture.
Don’t miss out on visiting the hotspots of Icelandic design, a specialty of the country that is recognized internationally. There are many galleries and concept stores that exhibit works and organize events related to design and contemporary art: More information here
© RagnarThSigurdsson
10 – The Northern Lights
Actually, I should rather say «my 9 must-see things» in the title of the article because in the end, due to the bad weather conditions, we didn’t have the chance to admire the northern lights, to my greatest regret… This show must be so spectacular to behold… Another wonder of Mother Nature. I was so happy to realize this old childhood dream. I even brought all the equipment! Too bad, that’s probably going to happen during a future road trip in Iceland.
Before leaving for my trip to Iceland, I asked photographer Johan Lolos, aka Le Backpacker, an expert in the field, for information. You can find it here Instagram
Here are some precious things tips for taking good photos of the northern lights :
1 – A tripod to fix your camera and avoid any movement.
2 – A system to trigger the photo remotely or activate the delay mode
3 – Disable the auto mode and the flash
4 – Shutter speed between 5 and 13 seconds
5 – Wide aperture to let as much light as possible in. Test the settings at f/2.8 – f/3.5 – f/4
6 – For ISOs, also test different settings depending on the environment, between 100 and 400
7 – Plan for additional memory cards and a spare battery due to the cold
8 – Coffee or hot tea in a thermos to wait through the icy nights, not to mention a good music playlist!
Here are the forecasts of northern lights in Iceland
A big thank you to Icelandair and Groupe Expression as well as to all the partners who welcomed us and made us experience these unique moments. 3 days of discovery, excitement, good atmosphere and good humor with Alex of Traveling Far, Julie of Mllemag, Mathilde of Geek & Food // Stay tuned for food, Camille of The Rosebird, Laurène of Carnet d’escapades and Emma from the blog To Emma’s taste.
Well prepare your trip to Iceland
To properly prepare your trip to Iceland, feel free to visit the French-language platform Guide to Iceland, where you can discover and compare the offers of many companies specializing in tourism in Iceland. Activities, car rentals, suggestions for discovery itineraries, must-see excursions in Islanof On this platform you will find everything you need to make the most of your stay in this spectacular destination and to live experiences that are both unique and unforgettable!
Comments
That’s a road trip! I thought that 7 days when I was there was short, so 4… But anyway, I see that you’ve done a lot of things that I haven’t (some activities like the ice cave are extremely expensive…). So do you plan to go back? 😉
Judging by the photos, it must have been a wonderful trip 🙂 Iceland is one of the countries that attract me the most. I hope to visit it one day 🙂
Great article 😀 When I read it, I have the impression that you have done more things in 3 days than we have in 7 😉 The tunnels under the glaciers, for example, I would have loved to see them! I didn’t even know that they existed…
Anyway, if you go back, I can recommend the area around Lake Myvatn, which is the one I was able to visit and which I preferred. And then Jokulsarlon (as we already recommended you), and Vik too! (I’m telling you about our little Icelandic road trip on our blog, if that interests you 😉 )Good luck in the future, and many more beautiful trips!
Marion & Vincent
Ah, the snowmobile looks great! Personally, I would also add: observing the whales, seeing Jokulsarlon (but since you didn’t do that ^^), it’s very nice in winter anyway (I did it in the summer, but I think I’ll do it one day in winter for a short stay to see Iceland in a different way!)
Brrrrr, it was the cold season! But you must have enjoyed the hot water sources even more!! And then, the geysers under the snow are really beautiful, thanks for these photos. For my part, I wasn’t so brave; I was there in August!!! 🙂
Capucine & Thibault
14 April 2015
Make it happen as soon as possible! It should be included in the top 5 of trips to take in your life 🙂
We promise to complete the list of tips and recommendations during our next road trip in Iceland 😉
chemindevoyage
14 April 2015
Wow! What a beautiful article. I’m leaving for Iceland in October for 10 days (I wish I could have gone for a bit longer but I’m already very lucky to be able to go!). The more I read the experiences of others, the more I want to go… Can’t wait! Thanks for these beautiful photos and the ideas they gave me!!
Capucine & Thibault
14 April 2015
Thank you very much 😉 10 days is already great, what luck! I can’t wait to follow your journey. I really want to go back this time with Capucine to do a ten-day road trip and enjoy Iceland more, there is so much to see…
See you soon 🙂Thib
Whahh, what a crazy article!
Iceland is definitely a country I want to return to because it’s worth staying there for at least 3 weeks to really get to know the place and take my time!I had myself bathed in the icy waters of Reykjavik: http://capitaineremi.com/defi-01-islande-se-baigner-dans-la-mer-a-reykjavik-en-hiver-851/
Daphneedtravels
11 October 2015
Your article makes me so eager to return to this country! I was there for 2 weeks and it was truly one of the most incredible trips I have ever taken!
Apart from the cold when camping (especially in Landmannalaugar), everything was great!
On the other hand, I really couldn’t try the Icelandic food because the restaurants were a bit too expensive… So it was just wraps every day;)!
In any case, I’ll definitely go back there with my new camera!