Iceland is the place where travelers find the Northern lights, Volcanoes, Europe’s biggest glacier, the Blue Lagoon, the original Geysir, the Medieval Sagas, numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, and so much more. Although I have not been there yet, here’s my list of what I’d like to see and do in Iceland when I get a chance to go. In the video below you can see how cool Iceland is.
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Northern Lights
Northern Lights are elusive just like curtains caught in the wind. However, the entire sky explodes in color whenever they make an appearance. The Aurora Borealis, which is the proper name for the Northern Lights, happen regardless of the time of the day or year, but one needs dark and clear conditions in order to see them. Therefore, the best time to go to Iceland to enjoy such views are autumn and spring.
The Blue Lagoon
There are many good Iceland travel guides available on the Internet. From what I’ve read and seen up to now, no Iceland trip is complete without relaxing in the hot springs of the Blue Lagoon. This natural SPA is a byproduct of geothermal power plant Svartsengi, which uses lava to heat sea water and generate electricity. After the contact with lava the water is so rich in minerals that it cannot be reused and forms a pool, known as the Blue Lagoon.
The original Geysir and volcanoes
Also known as the Great Geysir, is mostly dormant now. However, 100 metres away lies Strokkur or “The Churn.” It erupts boiling water 30 metres into the air every 5-8 minutes. The geysers steam almost constantly, and look like very small volcanoes. I have never seen either, so that would be a big treat for me.
Have you ever been to Iceland? I simply can’t wait to go there!
25 thoughts on “Places to Visit in Iceland”
One backpacker I was reading said the hot spring in Iceland is overrated. I don’t know if that’s actually true, it’s worth a look! I hear Þingvellir National Park is beautiful and worth a look for sure.
It’s good to google it and see what other people are saying.
When I first went to the Blue Lagoon, it wasn’t quite what I expected. It’s surrounded by several buildings and very touristy. I think this is what many people mean by “overrated”. If you can tune all that out, and enjoy it for what it is, without any preconceptions, I think you will find it fantastic. I loved being in the blue water, with the freezing cold air around you. It’s a great place to go for a day with your significant other. You definitely shouldn’t go to Iceland without checking it out.
Yes, I’ve read quite a few posts of Iceland and specifically of the Blue Lagoon, and indeed, it’s a place I wouldn’t mind visiting one day :)
I’m glad to hear that!
A breathtakingly beautiful country!
I love it too, absolutely!!
I’m doing a road trip across Iceland in January and I can’t wait. This little country seems to have SO much to offer in terms of nature and adventure.
That’s so awesome to know. Enjoy it, sweetie!
i want to return to Iceland one day. I didnt have the best time there, but that was a long time ago. I think you really need to hire a car and even take a tent, and time. Then the whole place opens up for you. The hostels are very good in Iceland, and I was there at the wrong time of year (July) for the Aurora Borealis, which I would LOVE to see too. Nice post!
I hope you can make it there again soon…!!! :)
Hi! I travelled around Iceland and currently live in Reykjavik. So here’re my two cents about the Blue Lagoon.
While hot pots, as Icelanders call them, are definitely an important part of everyday life, I strongly advise against the Blue Lagoon. It´s an overpriced tourist attraction, there’re always crowds there (this spring-summer they even had to introduce booking system to deal with this), and Icelanders never go there.
If you want to do like locals do, then there’re plenty of swimming pools in the greater Reykjavik area which are much cheaper. There you can relax in the hot pots and talk with locals. You can find the map of hot springs and thermal pools at http://www.swimminginiceland.com (I hope providing links isn’t against the rules here).
If you want to have the Blue Lagoon experience by all means, then a good alternative is this place in the north of Iceland, near lake Myvatn https://www.northiceland.is/en/other/index/recreation/swimming-pools/myvatn-nature-baths). It’s less poplular among tourists, therefore cheaper and cleaner.
If you want to get closer to nature then there’s the Secret Lagoon https://secretlagoon.is/ It’s situated within the Golden Circle area so it’s easy to get there and the price is very moderate.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!! So awesome!
thankyou so much for sharing this information with us !! great places to visit with family or friends.
I have not been to Iceland, but want to because of everything you mentioned! Iceland has fascinating landscapes people probably don’t expect, but it seems there are so many incredible things there, I can’t pass it up!
Iceland almost looks like another planet – what an amazing place!! I’d love to go there one day :)
I know, right?
Cool video!
I haven’t yet been to Iceland but I would sure love to!
I liked the video too! :)
Iceland is definitely on my bucket list. Great country and you have so much to see. I like the northern lights. Those must be amazing to see!
And amazing country I must also visit one day.
Iceland is said to be an all year round destination. Surprising, because it’s so far up north – one would expect extremely cold temperatures during the winter.
Fingers crossed you can make it there soon! :)
Agness, I absolutely loved Iceland – in fact I enjoyed it so much that I got the idea to start a travel blog on the plane journey home! We went in summer time though so I didn’t get to see northern lights so I’d love to return at the right time of year to try and spot them!
I’m so glad to hear that!
We went to Iceland for a week a couple of years ago. Some days in Reykjavik, then by car along the south ringroad. We didn’t bother with the Blue Lagoon because of the cost, but the geyser is spectacular and free to visit. There are several smaller bubbly pools there too – and a strong smell of rotten eggs!
Hiring a small car and driving the road meant we got to see incredible out-of-this-world landscapes and did some walking (free). Thingvallir, where the ancient outdoor parliament meets, is free and fascinating and my absolute favourite was a place where icebergs broke away from the glacier and floated out to sea – Jokulsarlon. There were hundreds scattered over a shingle beach looking like huge diamonds in the sun. We spent a couple of hours there engrossed in the sight for free!