What can you do in Iceland? Part 4 of the Iceland Travelogue
In the first, second, and third parts of this post, I shared some essential facts about Iceland, how to plan your accommodations and car rentals, details about the local currency and payment methods, as well as information about the country’s nature and landmarks.
In this fourth part, I suggest what you can do in Iceland.
What to Do in Iceland?
In Iceland, the main focus is exploring natural wonders. Of course, in winter, there’s also the chance to see the Northern Lights—but that depends on luck.
In one of my future posts, I’ll offer a ready-made 6-day summer itinerary for you to check out.
If you’re in Reykjavík or Húsavík, don’t miss out on a whale-watching tour, where you can also see puffins. It’s an unforgettable experience. While the whales may not come right up to your boat, if you’re on an inflatable Zodiac, you could get pretty close.
Whale-watching is expensive, typically around EUR 75 per person. However, if the weather doesn’t permit the tour to go out to sea, you can reschedule for another date or receive a refund. More specific information will be provided in my 6-day program in the blog.
Make sure to explore the Golden Circle, even if you’re only in Reykjavík for 2-3 days. It’s not far and totally worth the trip. If you’re staying longer, go on a full tour around the island to see more attractions—many of which will amaze you.
To circle the entire island, 10 days are enough, as long as you don’t encounter road closures due to flooding or a volcanic eruption.
Things to Do in Reykjavík:
1. Perlan Museum
You’ll recognize it by its dome on a hill at the edge of the city. It has several halls with interesting exhibits. One room even simulates the smell of sulfur while you watch a film about volcanoes, mimicking the odor near active ones. The exhibits are varied, and there’s a nice café and restaurant on the top floor, open until 6 PM.
2. Harpa Concert Hall
Known for its remarkable architecture, Harpa offers light shows that are worth seeing. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can also catch a performance from its program.
3. Rainbow Street
Reykjavík is very LGBT-friendly, and this street, along with its adjacent pedestrian street, is filled with cafés and shops.
4. Hallgrímskirkja
This Lutheran church has an unconventional architecture inspired by the geometric shapes of basalt volcanic rocks.
5. Reykjavík Art Museum
Located near the coast, this museum often has unique exhibits. We saw an exhibition showcasing art designed to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), something I mentioned in the first part of this post.
6. Ferris Wheel and Harbor
If the weather isn’t too cold, take a ride on the Ferris wheel near the sea and stroll along the harbor, where large cruise ships dock frequently.
7. Sun Voyager Sculpture
This sculpture is like a symbol of Reykjavík, appearing on many souvenirs in different sizes.
8. Sky Lagoon
This geothermal lagoon offers stunning views of the ocean, surrounded by natural rocks. We chose it over the Blue Lagoon because of the views. Inside, there’s a bar where you can order drinks. Be sure to book ahead online since they limit the number of visitors per time slot. The same goes for Blue Lagoon.
Safety Guidelines in Nature
Iceland’s natural attractions are widely accessible and free to visit. Icelanders have made sure to organize these sites for tourists in a way that minimizes harm to the environment and ensures visitor safety. However, tourists must still follow certain safety guidelines.
- Stick to marked paths for your safety and to protect nature.
- Don’t stand near the edges of cliffs, especially if there are no railings. Sudden gusts of wind can knock you off balance.
- If you’re on a beach, stay far back from the water’s edge. On Reynisfjara Beach, famous for its black sand and dramatic cliffs, there are numerous signs warning visitors of dangerous waves. We stood well away from the farthest point the waves reached, but two larger waves came rushing toward us. We ran, screaming, but one wave caught us, soaking us up to our knees and knocking down some elderly people. Always face the ocean to watch for rogue waves.
- On ships with multiple decks, always descend the stairs facing them. This helps you keep your balance if the ship is hit by a large wave.
Advice: If you suffer from motion sickness but still want to go whale-watching, try preparing with homeopathic remedies. Surprisingly, it’s recommended to have something in your stomach during the tour and to drink liquids in small sips. The crew also provides convenient bags for those who get sick.
In the next posts, I share more practical tips and tricks for enjoying Iceland to the fullest!
How to book your stay?
I recommend that you check the packages that the hotel offers on their website because they are very affordable. But for your convenience, I have also put a box on booking.com. Compare the prices and choose an option.
Booking.com
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Do you ever wonder how some places differ so much from others in service, environment, and overall experience? This means you are also interested like me in The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine and James Gilmore. I constantly add to my collection reviews about those of them, which practice its principles, regardless of whether intentionally or accidentally. If you are curious to understand which they are, explore the category The Experience Economy.
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