11 reasons Iceland became a bucket-list destination
Just south of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find a land of ice and fire. Once a seat of Viking power, Iceland is home to fearsome natural wonders, cascading waterfalls, black sand beaches and, beyond nature’s playground, Championship level golf courses shaped by its unique volcanic flows.
1. Dramatic landscapes
This island has been moulded by volcanism and geothermal phenomena, combining to form vistas unlike anywhere else on the planet. A road trip around Iceland is a stop-start affair, as around every corner you’ll find another incredible view of snow-dusted mountains, looming rock formations, verdant green meadows or fjord-dotted coastlines. There are epic national parks here such as Snæfellsjökull, home to wide lavascapes and native Icelandic fauna, Vatnajökull, where deep blue icebergs float in the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, or Þingvellir, the heart of Iceland’s tectonic fault line and the site of the ancient Viking parliament.
2. Spectacular waterfalls
Any iconic image of Iceland is not complete without one of its myriad waterfalls, gushing down from the highlands at the edge of the former coastline, each with its own distinct character and story to tell. Skogafoss, neighbouring the village of Skogar on the south coast, is perhaps the most majestic – while not the tallest or the most powerful, it combines all the elements of what makes a waterfall so dramatic, including a mythical story behind it. Just after Iceland’s settlement, a warrior with sorcerer powers named Thrasi Thorlakssonis is said to have hidden a treasure chest behind it, which was supposedly found by explorers in the 17th century. However, as they recovered it, the ring of the chest broke, disappearing into a cave to be lost forever. Gullfoss, part of the Golden Circle tour just south of Reykjavik, is another famous example of Iceland’s beauty.
3. Explosive volcanoes
In a land where a volcano erupts every five years, it’s no surprise that there are 130 active and inactive volcanoes across its landscape. Here, erupting volcanoes are a fact of life. Since the last Ice Age, a third of all lava produced by volcanoes across the world has erupted in Iceland, and while there is a constant safety concern, it brings the country many benefits, with over 85 per cent of housing heated by natural geothermal energy. As such, visiting a volcano in Iceland is an absolute must, either by getting a bird’s eye view by helicopter, hiking, or for a true hands-on experience, exploring the magma chamber of the dormant volcano Thrihnukagigur, a tour only possible in Iceland.
4. Geothermal rejuvenation
Taking advantage of the volcanic activity beneath and enjoying the geothermal hot springs above is ingrained into the fabric of Icelandic culture, a tradition that goes back to the age of settlement. Located in a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon is world famous, holding close to six million litres of geothermal seawater alone, but across the country there are an endless supply of springs and rivers perfect for outdoor bathing and among the idyllic landscapes that Iceland has to offer.
5. Glacial grandeur
The Mýrdalsjökull glacier is renowned as one of Iceland's most iconic landmarks, the source of the captivating Kötlujökull glacier. This glacier, named after the formidable Icelandic Volcano Katla, conceals the mighty volcano beneath the ice. Over time, this colossal ice mass has slowly descended from the volcanic mountain, giving rise to some of Iceland's most remarkable natural ice caves. For an authentic Icelandic experience, this is the glacier to visit, with exhilarating Super Jeep tours on offer.
5. Northern Lights
There are few better places in the world to take in the view of the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, than Iceland. While elusive, a trip here in the extreme dark winters between September through to April gives you the best chance to see the famous green display dancing across the sky, if not shades of purple and pink too. Here you will find expert tour guides who are skilled in ‘hunting’ the lights, but patience is still key. Alternatively, in the summertime, thanks to that same proximity to the Arctic Circle, Iceland boasts the longest days in Europe, with the sun still shining at midnight in June.
6. Viking heritage
As the first settlers of Iceland in the 1st century AD, Norse and Viking history is very important to Iceland, and there are many sites you can visit to delve into its history. Skálholt Cathedral, once a cultural and political hub during the Viking Age, is one of Iceland’s most significant historical sites, as is the site of Althing, the national parliament of Iceland from 930 AD to 1798, in Þingvellir National Park. The Gásir Viking festival, held every July, invites visitors to step back into the Viking Age with live re-enactments.
7. Wildlife
The animals that inhabit Iceland fascinate in the way they have evolved and adapted to the stark conditions, many of whom only arrived with human settlement. The Arctic fox is the only indigenous land mammal, but domestic sheep, horses and cattle have all been brought here and become one with the land and gained important cultural significance. The horses are favoured among visitors as one of the most friendly, curious, and intelligent breeds in the world, the descendants of the very best stock of horses brought over by wealthy chieftains, and riding an Icelandic horse is an essential experience during your stay. For more wild nature-spotting, you can take a trip to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, where many of Iceland’s ten million puffins choose to nest.
8. Cultural exploration
The wild frontiers of Iceland might be its main attraction, but Reykjavik, the capital city that’s home to 60 per cent of Iceland’s population, is a cultural centre, a surprisingly cosmopolitan city with a wide range of attractions, galleries, museums, restaurants and bars. The city is recognised for its arts and culture, particularly its literary heritage such as the Icelandic sagas from the 13th century, and the Eddas, Old Norse poems. With plenty of sightseeing spots and a thriving nightlife, Reykjavik has plenty to keep you entertained.
9. Nordic cuisine
The New Nordic cuisine movement has been developing since the mid-2000s, and Iceland has been a major player in that development. Atlantic seafood is predictably a big part of Iceland’s offering, from trout and salmon to arctic char, but that’s not all its famous for, with Icelandic lamb known the world over, plus their rye bread, cooked underground using geothermal heat. If you’ve ever wanted to try whale, puffin or reindeer, this is the place to do it, and for the most adventurous of foodies, the traditional delicacies of fermented shark (Hákarl), sour ram’s testicles (Súrir Hrútspungar) and sheep’s head (Svið) are all on the menu too.
10. Happy Icelanders
Consistently ranked among the top three happiest nations in the world (invariably, it’s a battle between the Scandinavians), Icelanders are a very sociable people. Be it in the local swimming pools, an important site for social Icelandic culture, or over a beer, banned between 1915 and 1989 but now where some of the world’s finest beer can be found, making friends in Iceland is easy, it’s in their nature to make you feel welcome.
11. Championship golf
Taking on the challenge of Arctic winds, play down fairways like no other in Europe, lined with heather and lava and set before the backdrop of spectacular views of the glaciers and the sea. Keilir Golf Club is the best in Iceland, the Hvaleyrarvöllur course consisting of two completely different nine holes on different terrains and with different designers, making for a round that keeps you on your toes throughout. With 60 other courses to explore and 24-hour summer golf on the cards, Iceland is an absolute must for any adventurous golfer.
