{"id":10406,"date":"2024-12-07T07:04:05","date_gmt":"2024-12-07T07:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/11-dramatic-experiences-you-must-have-in-iceland\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T10:24:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T10:24:17","slug":"11-dramatic-experiences-you-must-have-in-iceland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/11-dramatic-experiences-you-must-have-in-iceland\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Stunning Experiences To Have In Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iceland is one of those amazing countries to visit that’s totally filled with epic places to see<\/a>. From the dramatic volcanic landscapes<\/a>, incredible hiking routes<\/a>, and gorgeous little towns<\/a> to the tastiest restaurants<\/a>, Iceland has loads to experience. Not only that, but there is also a heap of stunning experiences to have in Iceland that you really can’t miss.<\/p>\n

This is exactly why I wanted to share some of the easiest places and experiences to have in Iceland on your next trip. Most are really easy to organise and perfect if it’s your first time trip to Iceland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to get around Iceland<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Now, one thing that stood out to me when I initially planned our first-ever 1-week itinerary for Iceland<\/a> was how big it felt. I created a list of the best places to see<\/a>, which all required an element of travel once we arrived.<\/p>\n

So, for ease, chartered excursions and pre-arranged tours are probably the easiest way to see some key spots in Iceland. That being said, the costs for these can rack up quite quickly, and you can be left with an eye-watering bill by the end of your trip. <\/p>\n

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For us, we found it most economical to drive. Yes, car hire is more expensive than in some other countries, but you’ll save a small fortune by being able to drive everywhere yourself. Plus, it also gave us the flexibility to head wherever we wanted. Whoop! Whoop!!!<\/p>\n

Oh yeah, and the car option works out really well to spot the Northern Lights. You see, you can drive out into the countryside and national parks, park up and spend a few hours watching them dance. This is what we did when we were staying in Reykjavik<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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Experiences to have in Iceland <\/strong><\/h3>\n

1.) Go Whale Watching<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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As soon as we landed, we took a 35-minute drive to Reykjavik<\/a> (the capital of Iceland) and headed on board a Whale Watching tour lasting around three hours. And it was epic!<\/p>\n

Now, we found it really easy to grab our tickets and head off on one of the many excursions that Special Tours (by the harbour) offers every day. That being said, book them in advance if you’re worried that spaces might fill up. After all, it’s one of the experiences to have in Iceland that most people want to have in Iceland. <\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t get to see \u2018Moby Dick\u2019, but we did catch a glimpse of some minke whales and dolphins. You can reserve your tickets in advance, just be prepared that there may be cancellations due to blustery or very windy weather.<\/p>\n

Oh yeah, and keep a buffer of time after your tour, as they can run over a little bit.<\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Iceland<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n

2.) Visit Vik & Dyrh\u00f3laey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Roughly a four-hour drive from Reykjavik, Reynisfjara & Dyrh\u00f3laey provide one of the most spectacular areas of coastline to explore in Southern Iceland. We totally loved it. <\/p>\n

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Take a short walk or hike across the coastal paths<\/a> that line this beautiful region.<\/p>\n

It is especially dramatic around sunset when the glow of the sun seems to stand in contrast to the volcanic rock and sand. Beautiful.<\/p>\n

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Oh, and be sure to see the Reynisdrangar <\/em>(Reynisfjara Beach); the basalt sea stacks that call this area home.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Try Icelandic Horse-riding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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One of the best experiences to have in Iceland has to be horse-riding through the wind-blown tundra.<\/p>\n

One of the best places to go to has to be Hestheimar<\/a>, about 1.5 hours south of Reykjavik.<\/p>\n

Hestheimar is a family-owned horse farm lovingly run by Lea Helga \u00d3lafsd\u00f3ttir, her husband Marteinn Hjaltested and their three children, \u00cdsak Freyr, Sunneva Eik and H\u00e1kon Sn\u00e6r. It\u2019s a great place to stop and learn so much about Icelandic horses and actually venture out into the wilderness with a guided tour.<\/p>\n

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We had the best afternoon, and it was one of the nicest experiences to have in Iceland. <\/p>\n

Read more: Horse riding adventure across the Tundra<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

4.) Watch the Northern Lights<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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One of the most magical experiences to have in Iceland is to see the Northern Lights.<\/p>\n

Much more visible in autumn and Spring, the Northern Lights are one of nature’s great wonders and a sight that will stay with you forever. Hotel Magma<\/a> it’s incredible. Just make sure to book these Scandic-style cabins with grass roofs<\/a>. They are so cool, and the rooms are stunning<\/a>. You will love it.<\/p>\n

The hotel is beautiful, with amazing food; they even offer a nightly wake-up service to call your room if the northern lights appear. We spotted these around 3 am and \u2018hot-footed\u2019 it straight out into the wilderness that surrounds the hotel.<\/p>\n

Read More: Staying at Hotel Laki & seeing the Northern Lights<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

5.) Drive the Golden Circle<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Roughly a 300km round-trip \u2013 the Golden Circle is one of the best routes to follow if you want to see some of the dramatic landscapes of Southern Iceland. Places like Storkkur, Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir Hot-spring area and Thingvellir National Park literally show the point where two tectonic plates are pulling the island apart.<\/p>\n

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Honestly, it’s one of the best ways to get a good taste of what Iceland is really like, and it is probably the most popular driving route to follow. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6.) See the Geyser<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Perched on the Golden Circle, Strokkur and the Geysir can\u2019t be missed, erupting every eight minutes or so; you are guaranteed a great opportunity to see geothermal activity in action. It’s one of the best experiences to have in Iceland, especially if you’ve not seen geothermal activity before. <\/p>\n

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Just don\u2019t get drenched as that water is boiling! Always act responsibly with nature here; no one likes a reckless visitor. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Visit Gullfoss Waterfall<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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A short 15-minute drive west of Strokkur is the Gulfoss Waterfall, which is totally epic to see. <\/p>\n

Here you will find a dramatic and beautiful landscape that has been carved out by the powerful forces of the River Hv\u00edt\u00e1.<\/p>\n

Now, if you want to avoid most of the crowds, pop over first thing in the morning or late in the evening in Summer. It will still be light and most visitors will have left. <\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

8.) Visit Laugarvatn Fontana<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Head to the geyser hot spring area (on the Golden Circle) for a truly \u2018warming\u2019 experience in the naturally sourced hot baths of Laugarvatn Fontana<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you arrive around lunchtime, you can even watch and learn how to bake geothermal bread in the warm soils surrounding the baths. It doesn’t have the same ‘natural’ look that the Blue Lagoon<\/a> has, but it’s still a lovely experience if you’re already in this area of Iceland. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

9.) The Blue Lagoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Around 20 minutes from Keflavik airport, The Blue Lagoon is a beautiful place to relax<\/a>, unwind and enjoy a day of pampering.<\/p>\n

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Head here first thing in the morning if you want a quieter experience, as at peak times and around lunch, the lagoon can become pretty busy. Though that doesn’t detract from the experience, it’s still one of the most iconic and stunning experiences to have in Iceland when you pop over. <\/p>\n

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We decided to stay in the Blue Lagoon, too<\/a>. We booked The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon<\/a> and loved it. Yes, it can be a bit pricey, but it was a total treat, and we loved it. Plus, you get a blue lagoon just for guests if you book these rooms<\/a>. It was bliss.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10.) Walk-behind Skogafoss<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Sk\u00f3gafoss & Seljalandsfoss both provide the most dramatic opportunities to get \u2019up-close-and-personal\u2019 with nature’s power showers. <\/p>\n

Seljalandsfoss provides a great opportunity to walk behind the waterfall, and if you\u2019re lucky, Sk\u00f3gafoss might even showcase one of the famous rainbows that it creates.<\/p>\n

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It’s one of the easiest experiences to have in Iceland when you’re driving on the southern route. <\/p>\n

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Just be aware that in the winter months, the paths can get slippery due to ice. Sometimes, these are closed for your own safety.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

11.) Explore Reykjavik<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Reykjavik<\/a> is such a great city for so many reasons, including hallgr\u00edmskirkja, the Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall, Laugavegur and many live music venues.<\/p>\n

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On a Saturday night, there is an opportunity to explore some of Iceland\u2019s best gigs! Take a wander down the main streets and enjoy the vibrancy that their music scene has to offer.<\/p>\n

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Oh, and make sure to stop off at Sol<\/a>, a restaurant about a 20-minute drive from the centre of Reykjavik<\/a>. It’s one of the most unique restaurants in Iceland, where you’ll dine in a greenhouse. The food is so tasty.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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22 Very Best Things To Do In Iceland (And How To See Them All)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n