Top 10 Unique Things You Can Do In Iceland
To start things off, let us say that Iceland is a quirky and unique land and just visiting it without doing any of these top 10 unique things is enough of an exciting and unique experience indeed. However, people say that when you are in Rome you have to visit the Pope, so when you are in Iceland you have to do some unique, rare, and very special things too. You are lucky enough because Iceland is a treasure chest full of unique natural and cultural highlights that can enrich your experience and shake up your senses for sure.
The country overflows with inspiring stops, no matter if you spend your time in its pocket-sized capital or decide to explore the vast and diverse landscapes of the country’s interior. When in Iceland your main trouble will be narrowing down what you want to do and what is unique and you will remember for the rest of your life. The choice is almost overwhelming so here are some 10 ideas of unique things you can do in Iceland!
Join the runtur in Reykjavik
Runtur in Reykjavik
Do not let the cosy and tranquil appearance of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik fool you, because this city has a truly surprising and exciting nightlife for sure. The runtur translates to “round tour” and is a weekly pub crawl with the idea of going from one spot to the next and drinking at every stop. It sounds pretty wild and exciting, right? However, keep in mind that booze is not cheap in Iceland, as it is with anything else. Broke travellers and people on a budget can benefit from the pre-drinks in a vínbúðin.
Visit the beach at Breiðavík
Breiðavík beach
This beach is probably the finest and most classic representation of the Icelandic coast. It looks like right off an Icelandic postcard with its looming black cliffs, a long stretch of golden sand, and the lonely red-roofed church. To harmonize with this tranquil and idyllic setting, the beach is located in the bay’s remote West Fjords which pretty much means that the place is not heavy on crowds of tourists and travellers and you will often be able to enjoy it for yourself. It is both a romantic and very unique spot that can easily make you feel different than any other place in the world with the magnificence of its nature.
Birdwatching at Lake Mývatn
Lake Mývatn
If you happen to be in Iceland in the summertime, make sure to head to Lake Mývatn where you can explore, enjoy, and admire the unique wildlife of this place – thousands of birds. It is definitely a memorable sight you will find yourself enjoying even if you are not that much into observing wildlife. The real attraction here are the many uniquely Icelandic species of ducks that come here to rear their young. Some of the species cannot be spotted anywhere else in Europe such as the harlequin duck, the all-black scoter, the monochrome Barrow’s goldeneye.
Europe’s most powerful waterfall
Dettifoss Waterfall
Iceland is definitely known for its powerful water natural wonders and there is no wonder that the most powerful waterfall on the continent is located in the country. In fact, Iceland is packed with iconic and very magnificent waterfalls such as the rugged Gullfoss, the thundering over the idyllic green cliffs Skógafoss, the beautiful Seljalandsfoss, the tumbling over black basalt columns Svartifoss, the lesser known gem Gljúfrabúi, and, of course, the star of the show – the magnificent Dettifoss you can reach by car or hiking the national park.
Soak in Grettislaug
Iceland is also known for its hot springs and Grettislaug definitely has the most interesting backstory. The warm pool is discovered by the outlaw hero Grettir hence the name of the natural wonder, who swam for 7.5 km through the cold waters to reach to Grettislaug to warm up. It does not matter if this story is a true one or just a myth, the warm water of the lake will make you feel as strong as a Viking.
The volcanic sands at Vik
Volcanic sands at Vik
Vik is a small coastal village located on the southern tip of Iceland. The village is a hope to the spectacular black-sand beach that reminds you of the volcanic heart of the island. The black stretches of sand of this beach is definitely something you don’t want to miss as it is a rare sight.
The glacier at Langjökull
Langjökull
This glacier is the second-largest one in Iceland and it boasts something that other glacier rivals in the country don’t have. Something as unique as tunnels chiselled out of the ice cap itself. There is no wonder why so many people like visiting Langjökull as it offers a completely different and unique perspective of the glaciers. Visiting this one is definitely one of the most exciting and memorable things you can do in Iceland.
The iceberg in Jokulsarlon
Iceberg in Jökulsárlón
The largest glacier in Europe is located in Iceland, it is not a surprise at all. The glacier creaks and groans towards the sea to break apart into icebergs once it reaches the water. The most exciting part is that you can see these up close by taking a trip to the Jökulsárlón lagoon or just by strolling along the black beach.
Whale-watching off the coast at Húsavík
Whale-watching at Húsavík
Head to the north of Iceland and you will reach the cool town of Húsavík. The life is blooming around its harbour nestled in the shadow of the towering Húsavíkurfjall. The spot is very popular because it is very beautiful, especially in the summertime when the mountain is green and lush and the clear waters reflect the colourful wooden houses dotted along the coastline. However, what makes this spot a star one in the country is the whales. Thousands of people come to Húsavík every year to see the blue whales. But these are not the only sea species you can watch as the waters are full of orcas, minke whales, fin whales, humpbacks, and more.
The flower meadows of Flatey
Flatey
The classic natural scenery in Iceland may be rugged and moon-like but it also has its idyllic and lush spots too and the flower meadows of Flatey are a perfect example. The small farming island of Flatey is truly a peaceful escape of stunning views across the more dramatic landscapes of the West Fjords and beautiful fields of delicate flowers.
