Beyond the Blue Lagoon: the coolest things to do in Iceland
With its world-famous natural beauty, unique attractions and welcoming people – not to mention excellent hotels – Iceland deserves a place on any travel bucket list. From hot springs and volcanoes to ice caves and geothermal lakes, Iceland's raw, wild natural landscape has earned it the nickname 'The Land of Fire and Ice'.
From Reykjavik to Hofn, it's full of intriguing cities and towns, but it's the great outdoors that provide the most popular reasons to visit this striking land. Among its attractions, catching a glimpse of the majestic Northern Lights and bathing in the Blue Lagoon are among the most popular. Little wonder; the Aurora Borealis are a unique natural spectacle, as are the milky blue waters of the world's most famous geothermal pool.
But while these are must-visits for anyone taking a trip to Iceland, there are also some more undiscovered delights to add to your Iceland itinerary. Among them are a host of cultural experiences, including a literary festival that celebrates darkness in its many forms, a diverse music festival that features everything from indie rock to hip-hop and an international film festival.
Then there are the more unexpected ways to explore Iceland's unique landscape, including snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra, caving in lava tubes and horse riding along the famously scenic Golden Circle. You might even spot some puffins along the way, as Iceland is where the majority of the world's Atlantic puffins nest.
Read on for some unexpected adventures that are crying out to be added to your Iceland bucket list...
Discover Iceland's thriving festival scene
There are plenty of culture-filled festivals to enjoy in Iceland, particularly in the capital, Reykjavík. Here, visitors can attend the Reykjavík International Film Festival, which tends to showcase local and international films. Then there's Iceland Airwaves, a yearly music festival that features everything from indie rock bands to hip-hop artists. For something literary, try Iceland Noir, which celebrates Iceland's darkness in all its forms, from wild weather to crime-fiction.
Go snorkelling in Silfra
You might associate snorkelling more with sun-soaked tropical holidays, but in the crystal-clear waters of Silfra, you'll find that Iceland is a great place to try this too. A fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, Silfra is located in Thingvellir National Park, and it offers some of the world's most pristine waters for snorkelling and diving experiences.
Visit the Perlan Interactive Nature Museum
Easily one of the most strikingly beautiful museums in the world, Perlan (or 'The Pearl') is located on Öskjuhlíð Hill, overlooking Reykjavík. It features a rotating glass dome and is made up of six water tanks, which store more than 20 million litres of the capital city's hot water. It's also home to cafes, restaurants and the incredible Wonders of Iceland nature exhibition.
Try caving in lava tubes
You might have heard of caving, but have you ever heard of caving in lava tubes? Another unique experience to try in Iceland, this unusual adventure can be taken near Reykjavík, in the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel – one of the longest in Iceland and formed by volcanoes more than 5,000 years ago. Exploring these dramatic subterranean landscapes makes for an unforgettable day trip.
Go horseriding by glaciers
The Icelandic horse is known for its special gait – as well as walking, trotting and cantering, they can also 'tölt' and 'skeið'. Whether or not you're advanced enough to try those out, horseriding is a great way to see Iceland's awe-inspiring landscape. Near the capital city of Reykjavík, Laxnes Horse Farm and Íshestar are a great choice for all skill levels, surrounded by scenic valleys.
Try puffin spotting
Iceland is home to the majority of the world's Atlantic puffins – beautiful and undeniably cute birds that are particularly fun to spot. Visitors can see colonies of millions of them on the Látrabjarg cliffs on the Westfjords, as well as Grímsey Island in the north of Iceland and the Westman Islands off the south coast – as well as many other spots.
Check out the best hotels in Iceland to make your base during a trip to the European country.
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