{"id":5995,"date":"2017-03-22T13:41:12","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T12:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=5995"},"modified":"2019-04-11T13:06:49","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T12:06:49","slug":"17-reasons-to-visit-iceland-in-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/17-reasons-to-visit-iceland-in-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Reasons to Visit Iceland in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you haven\u2019t noticed all the hype about Iceland<\/a> in the past couple of years, you will (quite rightly) be accused of living under a rock. Good news though: from the looks of things, the country\u2019s popularity isn\u2019t slowing down anytime soon, so you\u2019ve got plenty of time to catch up and make 2018 the year you visit. From its dramatic landscape, thundering waterfalls and quirky places, we\u2019ve put together 17 reasons to visit Iceland in 2018. <\/span><\/p>\n

1. Search for Northern Lights<\/h2>\n

\"visit<\/p>\n

Iceland is a great place to chase the Northern Lights<\/a> (or Aurora Borealis), and your best chance of seeing them is between September and March. Keep in mind that it\u2019s not guaranteed as sightings rely heavily on many factors – not only clear, dark skies and low light pollution but also how charged the aurora particles are. <\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, once you see them, the moment is all the more special. You\u2019ll never forget the bright colours dancing and frolicking in the sky above you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n

See Also: <\/em>Bookmark this: How to Photograph Iceland's Northern Lights with an iPhone<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

<\/div>\n

2. Swim in between continents<\/h2>\n
\"Silfra-Fissure-Tectonic-Plates-Iceland\"
Photo credit: shri_ram_r<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park, not too far from Reykjavik, is the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. What\u2019s more, you can actually go snorkelling or scuba diving between them. I can already tell what you might be thinking: Iceland\u2019s freezing, isn\u2019t it? Wouldn\u2019t snorkelling turn me into an icicle?<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you want to visit Iceland being part of a small group tour? Check our options here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, it\u2019s not the Caribbean, but the temperature is a cool 2\u00a0degrees celsius year-round and you\u2019re given a special dry suit so you can stay as warm as possible. Plus, you\u2019ll be given a hot chocolate and snack afterwards, so let that be your motivation.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Soak in the Blue Lagoon<\/h2>\n

\"Blue-Lagoon-Spa-Iceland\"<\/p>\n

The Blue Lagoon is the perfect activity to end your trip to Iceland on a high note before your flight home due to its vicinity to the airport. This geothermal spa, averaging 37-75 degrees celsius (if you\u2019re going in winter, this is particularly soothing), is located in a lava field, its milky blue waters rich in minerals, such as silica and sulphur. You can order drinks at the swim up bar, use the silica bar for a mud mask to soften your skin, receive a makeshift massage from the powerful waterfall or just people-watch in the relaxation area. <\/span><\/p>\n

The standard cost per visit is 5400 ISK and its <\/span>opening times vary per season<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

4. Explore an ice cave<\/h2>\n

\"Ice-Cave-Iceland\"<\/p>\n

One of the most mesmerising parts of Iceland is its ice caves. These are huge, deep tunnels made of ice within glaciers that appear to glow a bright, iridescent blue and are a natural phenomenon. The two main ice caves you can explore are Langjokull, in the south-west, and Vatnajokull in the south-east. Be aware that many of the tours that take you around the ice caves only operate in the winter months, usually November to March (you can pair this with the Northern Lights). <\/span><\/p>\n

5. Go inside a volcano<\/h2>\n
\"Thrihnukagigur-Volcano-Iceland\"
Photo credit: Without All Remedy, Without Regard<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Iceland is a nature lover\u2019s dream: there are few other places where you can physically delve into the depths of a volcano. Not to worry, this particular volcano, Thrihnukagigur, is dormant – the thrill is in the hike up the volcano and the cable car down 400 feet to the bottom of the crater. Once you’re in, the view upwards is surreal and will leave you in awe of\u00a0mother nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

This visit is only operational in the summer months, May-October.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Road trip around the Golden Circle<\/h2>\n
\"Gullfoss-Waterfall-Iceland\"
Gullfoss waterfall, part of the Golden Circle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Golden Circle is the tourist\u2019s introduction to Iceland, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less fascinating or worth doing. It\u2019s named as such because, not surprisingly, the attractions are located within a circle, and so makes a perfect day trip, on a tour or with a rented car. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gullfoss, Thingvellir and the geysirs are the three big stops on the Golden Circle. All of them become busy with tourists, so try to make your trip as early as possible to beat the rush. Watch Stokkur (The Churn) geysir\u00a0shoot up as high as 30 metres every 10 minutes or so. Make sure to bring your camera and wait around for the perfect shot! <\/span><\/p>\n

Gullfoss is perhaps Iceland\u2019s most famous waterfall, with water plummeting down 32 metres into a canyon with walls that reach up to 70 metres. On sunny days, you can see a rainbow glistening over the falls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thingvellir is known, apart from the site of the tectonic plates meeting, as the site of Iceland\u2019s parliament between the 10th and 18th centuries. The landscape is amazing to walk around and gives a great sense of Iceland\u2019s history.<\/span><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n

See Also: <\/em>The Breathtaking Ring Road of Iceland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

<\/div>\n

7. Visit J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n Glacier Lagoon<\/h2>\n

\"Jokulsarlon-Lagoon-Iceland\"<\/p>\n

About 230 miles east of Reykjavik sits Jokulsarlon lagoon, a beautiful view of huge chunks of ice floating on the water\u2019s surface, which you can also sometimes see washed up on the shore. As popular and awesome as this scene is, it actually only exists because of the climate change: the blocks of ice are breaking off Breidamerkurjokull glacier as temperatures rise in Iceland. <\/span><\/p>\n

8. Learn about Reykjavik’s culture<\/h2>\n
\"Reykjavik-Iceland\"
The view from atop Hallgrimskirkja church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reykjavik is trendy, oozing the kind of cool where the city doesn\u2019t need to shout about it: when you visit and see for yourself, it\u2019s just obvious. There are kooky cafes and walls upon walls of street art, as well as impressive architecture (Hallgrimskirkja church) and delectable restaurants. Buy yourself a traditional Icelandic sweater and enjoy the culture of a country that is constantly considered a leading force in women\u2019s equality.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Chase waterfalls<\/h2>\n
\"Seljandsfoss-Waterfall-Iceland\"
Seljandsfoss, a waterfall which you can walk behind<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gullfoss isn\u2019t the only waterfall in Iceland – there are plenty around the country that will show how varied waterfalls can be. Take Seljandsfoss, a waterfall which you can walk behind (when it’s safe to do so – in winter, icicles are not your friend). There\u2019s also Kirkjufellsfoss, which is framed by the distinctive mountain of Kirkjufell. If you haven\u2019t quite caught on yet, \u2018foss\u2019 in Icelandic translates to \u2018waterfall\u2019 – so if you spot a ‘foss’ on a map, head towards it and more likely than not, you’ll be blown away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Stroll on Reynisfjara Beach’s black sand<\/h2>\n
\"Reynisfjara-black-sand-beach-Iceland\"
Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reynisfjara beach is one of Iceland\u2019s black sand beaches in the town of Vik. Out of the jet black sand rise formidable basalt columns, not dissimilar to an alien world. Out in the sea there are more basalt columns, which, according to folklore, were trolls trying to bring a ship to shore, but froze to stone as daylight emerged. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a surreal and unique experience to walk along Reynisfjara beach, but be careful not to get too mesmerised by your surroundings, as the waves are extremely powerful here – there have been casualties!<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Walk on a glacier<\/h2>\n
\"Glacier-Hike-Langjokull-Iceland\"
Hikers on Langjokull Glacier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you don\u2019t quite fancy going inside an ice cave, there\u2019s always the option of taking a glacier hike, instead. You\u2019re given crampons for your hiking shoes so you\u2019re not dangerously slipping around. Glaciers are made up of ice that has formed thousands of years ago and are constantly changing, making them a dominant natural wonder in Iceland – getting up close and personal to them is an amazing experience. Check out Solheimajokull, close to Reykjavik. <\/span><\/p>\n

12. Search for the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck<\/h2>\n

\"Solheimasandur-Plane-Wreck-Iceland\"<\/p>\n

You may have seen the pictures, a plane wreck in the middle of nowhere in a desolate landscape, like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie. This is the Solheimasandur plane wreck, a haunting yet iconic site caused by a US plane being forced to land on Solheimasandur\u2019s black sand beach in southern Iceland after it experienced severe icing. It\u2019s located between Skogafoss waterfall and the town of Vik, but local landowners have recently banned access to vehicles, so you\u2019ll have to walk 4km from the road to the plane. As you can see, the photo opportunity is well worth the effort, though! <\/span><\/p>\n

13. Visit the Phallological Museum<\/h2>\n
\"Phallological-Museum-Iceland\"
Photo credit: CGP Grey<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, really. In Iceland, there\u2019s a Phallological Museum, filled with the world\u2019s largest display of the male genitalia. It contains a collection of 280 specimens from 93 species of animals, including, comically, an empty vessel labelled as Huldufolk (Icelandic elves). Why is it empty? Because, in Icelandic folklore, elves are invisible. Obviously.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to visit this <\/span>weird and wonderful establishment<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s open every day 10am-6pm. Entry is 1,500 ISK per person.<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Find the Icelandic horses<\/h2>\n
\"Icelandic-Horses\"
Icelandic horses – posing for their band album cover<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Often mistaken for ponies, the Icelandic horse is small in size and can be found roaming in fields with its <\/span>neigh<\/span><\/i>bours (horsey pun intended). They\u2019re a main part of the Icelandic landscape, having arrived with settlers from Norway over one thousand years ago. The horses may look cute with long, luscious hair, but they\u2019re a tough breed that can handle the rough terrain of Iceland. As you\u2019re driving or travelling to other sites, you\u2019re likely to come across farms with horses, or you can always take a riding tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n

See Also: <\/em>Watch: Iceland, The Ultimate Travel Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

<\/div>\n

15. Take a dip in natural hot springs<\/h2>\n
\"Icelandic-Natural-Hot-Spring\"
Photo credit: El Coleccionista de Instantes<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If sharing the Blue Lagoon with a bunch of other people sends a shiver down your spine, there are plenty of natural hot springs dotted around the country in which you can spontaneously take a soothing dip without worrying about rubbing shoulders. Try out Landmannalaugar, located in the southern highlands. It\u2019s spacious and the changing facilities are top notch. In winter, it\u2019s even more desolate and you might even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. There\u2019s also Strutslaug, Landbrotalaug and Hveravellir.<\/span><\/p>\n

16. Learn about the local folklore<\/h2>\n
\"Icelandic-Troll-Statues\"
Photo credit: irankfou<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Iceland\u2019s landscape is beautiful and dramatic, but once you start delving deeper into the country, it becomes even more enchanting. Icelandic folklore – stories involving giant animals, trolls and elves – is deeply embedded into everything from Christmas to the shape of mountains and rocks coming out of the sea. Tour guides in Iceland will enthrall you with details of these legends when you pass a particular rock where an elf supposedly lives or a formation which is said to be a troll or spirit which has frozen in that form. During the Christmas season, the folklore comes alive, with the 13 mischievous Yule Lads and the giant black cat which eats children. <\/span><\/p>\n

17. Go Puffin spotting<\/h2>\n
\"Puffins-Iceland\"
Photo credit: DavideGorla<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Puffins spend most of their time at sea but return to Iceland from early April to September every year to breed, showing off those signature colourful beaks. Seeing them perched on rugged cliffs is quite a sight – head to Papey island off Djupivogur in east Iceland, or Dyrholaey, in the south, and only a two and a half hour drive from Reykjavik.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n


\n