The best time to travel to Iceland is all year round.
Iceland is a country of extreme contrasts, where long summer days with 24 hours of sunlight are balanced by short winter days. You might want to visit in autumn or winter and see the Northern Lights with your own eyes. Or, any time of year, take a dip in one of the myriad geothermal pools across the country.
The best time to travel to Iceland is all year round.
Iceland is a country of extreme contrasts, where long summer days with 24 hours of sunlight are balanced by short winter days. You might want to visit in autumn or winter and see the Northern Lights with your own eyes. Or, any time of year, take a dip in one of the myriad geothermal pools across the country.
ROMANTIC ICELAND
INTERVIEW WITH ICELAND’S LEADING WEDDING PLANNER
To find out what makes Iceland an ideal country for romance, we spoke to someone with ten years of experience in the field: Hannes from Pink Iceland organizes weddings, engagements and photo shoots in Iceland for couples from all over the world. He took us behind the scenes and told us about the amazing places to get away from it all, the extraordinary desires of the customers, why Icelanders are so good at organizing weddings and what romance really means!
What makes Iceland such a perfect place for a wedding?
There is no wedding industry here, no molds in which things are formed. Getting married in Iceland means it’s unique and personal. For many years we have maintained relationships with our suppliers and only work with people who are enthusiastic! A wedding is a shared experience and everyone involved, from the hotel secretary to the wedding planner, invests in your experience. You will receive the intimacy, attention and friendliness you deserve.
Why is Iceland such a popular destination for weddings? Or just because of photos on social networks?
Black sand beaches and other famous spots are the perfect backdrop for spectacular wedding photos @pink island
It’s a mix of social media and word of mouth. Research shows that visitors to Iceland are generally incredibly happy with their stay and the combination of this and beautiful photos on social media creates the perfect storm.
Why do people who come to you want to get married in Iceland?
Mostly for two reasons: an attractive connection to nature and something bigger than yourself and the lack of a wedding industry. This makes the marriage here more intimate and unique. Most couples who come to us want to break with convention and do everything their own way and on their own terms – making it more romantic.
Was it even a first for couples in Iceland getting married here?
Most of our customers have never been to Iceland! They show us an amazing level of trust. Inspired by what they see online and good reviews, they know they are in safe hands. But they’re also brave, and for many it’s on the list.
How many weddings and engagements do you arrange per year?
All hands on deck: Pink Island co-owner Hannes (right) and his team ensure that everything is taken care of. Photo credit @ Pink Island
We plan 120 to 140 weddings and 10-25 proposals per year. BUT we have 9 full time Wedding Organizers! In this way we can guarantee that everyone is looked after individually.
How have location trends changed? Do you feel the influence of Instagram that some pages suddenly get a boost from social media, while others that were once very popular are no longer in demand?
Yes, we have a feeling these things are changing a bit. People often choose a place when they come to us, based on the photos they found on the internet. But what couples want most is privacy. And then we often have to explain to them why the wedding in front of Skogafos in July, for example, is not so private.
Some couples don’t mind hundreds of strangers at the ceremony. For others, we have developed secret locations and agreed with landowners to ensure absolute confidentiality.
Have you ever received a location request that took you completely by surprise?
Sometimes the hike is part of a ceremony: the couple chose the Icelandic highlands to say yes! Photo credit @ Pink Island
We have had many unusual requests: Weddings in caves, on glacier peaks, on whale watching boats or in the lava pipe of Raufarcholschellir. It always amazes me when people are willing to walk a long distance to get to a place, for example to get married near Swartifoss waterfall. But a hike is also part of the experience for them, it’s the journey, not the destination, that makes the whole day something special!
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable – how do you and your customers deal with it? Do you always have a plan B?
Yes, there is always a plan B, C and D. Because of the weather, we also married people in the stable. They liked it! Icelanders are used to changing plans and that’s why we do it so well. When things like this happen, they always turn out to be a great story. Life is just a collection of stories that we share. And a good story will accompany you for a lifetime!
Midnight sun or snowy landscape? Are summer and winter weddings equally popular?
Both summer and winter have their advantages, but Icelandic weather is always unpredictable! Photo credit @ Pink Island
Summer is more popular. We used to have low season from October to the end of March. Now we have weddings all year round and snow weddings are becoming increasingly popular.
The winter experience relieves the weather pressure enormously because you automatically expect the worst. Summer is a bit more difficult because people hope for good weather.
Of course, photography is an important part of any wedding in Iceland and photographers prefer darker days due to more even lighting. Faced with the northern sun: we’ve seen an explosion of people wanting to get married late at night! Now we have a full house for the summer solstice and this year on February 22nd of course!
What was the craziest wedding/engagement/couple you’ve ever organized?
Icelanders are used to changing plans and that’s why they do it so well! photo credit @pink island
The volcano wedding was incredible, requiring a team of 10, hiking, picnics, videographers and photographers, and lots of planning and site inspection in advance.
Another wedding went crazy because of the weather. A couple got in touch 3 weeks before the wedding and we planned everything. The day it happened the weather was insanely bad and we had to postpone absolutely everything! But they were so in love with nature, each other and their day! In the evening everyone was wet, and when we got to her apartment, a small cottage, the bride jumped into the jacuzzi in a wedding dress! They liked it very much!!!!
People who decide to get married in Iceland are usually brave and adventurous people and when we need to change our plans they always say “let’s do it”, “let’s do it”. In the last 10 years we have not had a negative reaction to the wedding!
How have wedding trends changed in recent years and as a result of Covid?
Pink Island’s first wedding ten years ago: in front of the bubbling Strocour Geyser. photocredit @ pink island
We always encourage people to really think: what do they want to achieve? Is this just a checklist?
Especially after Covid, customers want to relax, enjoy together and focus on one area of Iceland. What we consider romantic is time together. Slow Travel is more romantic and includes weddings.
Friends and families who don’t know each other well become closer. We call this the alumni effect where they then share and talk about their amazing experiences.
Aside from engagement or marriage, what other romantic activities would you recommend for couples looking to spend a romantic vacation in Iceland?
There are great rooms for couples, like a panoramic glass house or a traditional Icelandic summer house with a jacuzzi. I would recommend a week in the cottage and travel from there, hang out in the hot tub, enjoy.
Exploring the Icelandic nature: time together and time for shared experiences is also romance
Being romantic means making time to be with each other. This is what we plan for many couples: when you see these beautiful places in Iceland you always feel so connected to Mother Nature, it’s a profound experience to share.
We make sure that people do not drive all day and do not leave their homes every day, but have a lot of experience with short trips between stays.
Can we say that Iceland itself is a romantic country?
Yes, Absolut, 100% !!!
HOLLYWOOD ATTRACTIONS OF ICELAND
Batman and James Bond have at least one thing in common: they were both filmed at the foot of the Swinafelsjökudl glacier.
Another interesting fact: “Arrow Mountain” from “Game of Thrones” is known locally as Kirkjufell. You can climb it.
Over the past decade, Iceland has emerged as a major (shooting) destination for Hollywood, a development helped in part by the Icelandic government’s excellent compensation system to attract major film studios to the country.
THANK YOU WALTER MITTY!
The film team works in fake Afghanistan for the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. © 20th Century Fox
Ben Stiller, director of the 2013 blockbuster The Secret Life of Walter Mitty , was one of the first to discover that Iceland has a comprehensive location. The scenes, which will take place in Afghanistan, were filmed on an abandoned Breidamerkursandur, and the film even uses the Vatnajökull glacier to depict the Greenland ice cap.
The scene in which the main character, Walter Mitty, drives down a winding road down the valley was filmed in Seidisfjördur in eastern Iceland. The scene where Walter visits a large waterfall in Nepal was filmed at Skogafoss, an easily accessible waterfall in southern Iceland.
Several films are like Walter Mitty, but the film showed Hollywood the extent of the possibilities in Iceland. Director Christopher Nolan, who shot Batman’s The Beginning (2005) and Interstellar (2014) in southern Iceland, says Iceland is one of the few places in the world where two or three very different, extreme images can be captured in a matter of minutes Miles.
FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS
Due to the budgetary advantages of being close to the capital, most of the filming locations are in southern Iceland, where Vatnajökudl National Park comes first.
Swinafelsjokudl Glacier, near Route 1 over a bumpy gravel road, first appeared as a ‘Hollywood Glacier’ after the opening scene of the James Bond film Die Another Day . Since then, the ice has receded, and while it’s still impressive, the last documented production was for Season 2 of Game of Thrones.
From the GoT set? No! Just Mount Kirkjufell in winter clothes
Game of Thrones makes up about ten percent of Iceland. Sights such as Dimmuborgir and Skogafoss provide the backdrop to the fictional world of fire and ice. After the scenic mountain of Kirkjufell was first featured at the fair, visitor numbers in a once pristine location skyrocketed. Today it is said to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland.
THIS VILLAGE IS ON NETFLIX
The success of Icelandic series, particularly on Netflix, has drawn the attention of remote towns and villages. Siglufjordur’s crime drama Trapped boosted the tourism economy of the beautiful northern town, and Katla’s anti-utopia of 2021 highlighted Vic’s proximity to Iceland’s most famous volcano.
Sea stacks of Vik are the background in the Katla series. © Lily Jones
But few have benefited more than Gusavik. The north coast city of 2,000 was the focus of Eurovision Song Contest: Saga of the Fire and had an Oscar-nominated song named after the city. Locals took the opportunity to open the first history museum dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest, a year after the film premiered on Netflix. This is next to the JaJa DingDong restaurant!
ALIEN PLANETS AND APOCALYPTIC EARTH
Iceland’s landscape is often used to depict extraterrestrial planets, and Ridley Scott’s prequel to the Prometheus alien franchise was partially filmed in northern Iceland. The dramatic opening scene was filmed from Dettifoss Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall, as an afterlife scene in which an alien stands over the waterfall before falling into the water below. Dettifoss is part of the diamond disc.
Watching the sky in the film “Northern Sky” captured with frozen fingers
The latest post-apocalyptic storyline is the Netflix film Northern Sky , directed by George Clooney, who also starred as a lone arctic scientist. Clooney and his team spent 15 days shooting atmospheric scenes on the Skálafellsjökull glacier, the outlet of the mighty Vatnajökull in the southeast. This is a place that can only be enjoyed on screen.
The 1985 James Bond film A Look at Murder became the first blockbuster featuring Iceland.
ICELAND BUDGET – HOW TO SAVE THE CROWN WHEN TRAVELING
Iceland is expensive, which means the cost of accommodation, car hire and excursions is higher than in many other countries. But once you’ve booked everything, food and gas will be the biggest cost issue. However, there are some tips and tricks that can save you a few kroner while traveling while enhancing your Iceland experience!
SAVE FROM THE START – BUY ALCOHOL
Iceland is one of the countries with the highest alcohol taxes in the world. That’s why you save money right at the start of your holiday: beer, wine and spirits are significantly cheaper in a duty-free shop upon arrival at Keflavik Airport than in liquor stores across the country. Find out how much you can stock with a duty free calculator .
THE BEST TASTY WATER IN THE WORLD – FOR FREE
There’s no reason to buy bottled water: we pride ourselves on our delicious tap water
One of our specialties is “Kranavatn” – Icelandic tap water. Filtered through lava, this spring water is safe to drink across the country — and delicious. By using reusable water bottles, you can not only save a lot of money on plastic bottles, but also be better for the environment.
HAPPY HOUR BAR-HOPPING IN REYKYAVIK
Would you like to try our wonderful craft beer in Reykjavik’s bars? Iceland also has happy hour and with the help of the Appy Hour app you can find out where and when the next pint is waiting at a good price.
SWEDISH BREAKFAST BREAKFAST.
Booking breakfast at home can save you a lot of time and money on groceries. This is not only an opportunity to fill up your stomach in the morning, but also to try unfamiliar buffet dishes that you may have never bought yourself.
LUNCH MENU – LUNCH MENU
Sometimes even twice as expensive for only half: Check out the local lunch menu
We have great restaurants and it would be a shame to miss them. If you’re going to eat at a restaurant but want to save a few bucks, go for a great lunch!
Most restaurants and gas stations in Iceland rotate daily for lunch, where you can enjoy fish or soup of the day, often accompanied by bread and coffee, sometimes for as little as $15-20. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are available almost everywhere.
FOOD SHOPS IN ICELAND
An interesting part of traveling abroad is opening new supermarkets! Grocery shopping is never cheap in Iceland, but bonus (Logo: pink pig) and Kronan (logo: smiling coin) These are supermarket chains that often offer the lowest prices. Recommended roadside snacks: Skyr – a special low-fat yoghurt filled with egg whites, vegetables from our own greenhouses (labeled “íslenskt grænmeti”), Flatbrauð (rye flatbread) with Icelandic cheese and Kleinur (doughnut-like pastries) will make any adventure perfect!
ISLANDISCHES HOTDOG
Icelandic hot dog has many fans. Order ‘Eina með öllu’ to find out what it’s all about
You’ve probably heard of the famous Icelandic pilsner or Icelandic hot dog . What’s in the middle? Icelandic sausage accompanied by sweet brown mustard, ketchup and tartar sauce, raw white and crispy fried onions is served in a hot dog bun. It’s good, cheap (about $5) and available at every convenience store and gas station. Try it and you may fall in love.
HOMEMADE DINNER
If you don’t want to dine in restaurants, you can book an apartment with a kitchenette. Many guest houses, cottages and hostels share a kitchen. This is also a great opportunity to taste Icelandic ingredients. Extra Tip : Packing a small box of salt, pepper, and your favorite condiments will ensure you have everything you need to prepare a delicious meal just the way you like it.
THAT’S A SMALL THING…
GAS
The length of the ring road is 1322 km, which means that you will have to refuel several times during your stay here. A comparison of fuel prices can help: you can check fuel prices here .
Many car rental companies automatically provide their customers with discounted keys that work at certain gas stations. With them you can save up to 15 ISK per liter (unless Iceland wins an important football or handball game, then you can even save up to 20 ISK per liter!)
The view is free and changes every few hundred meters
LOKALE POOLS
Our luxurious geothermal spas can be unforgettable, but they’re not easily accessible every day. That doesn’t mean you should give up bathing in our hot water. Learn about the culture of the Icelandic basin and visit the local swimming pools (every town has one). Admission prices are lower (about $8) and the experience is no less relaxing.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
Aside from some paid parking lots, Iceland’s natural wonders and landscapes are available for free! Admission to waterfalls, geysers and spectacular mountains is free, so have fun!
GLEMPING ON A PRIVATE ISLAND?
11 UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL RESIDENCES FROM ICELAND IN ICELAND
Icelanders don’t sleep in a needle, but you can. Here are 11 apartments where architecture and design create a night to remember.
DREAM BIG IN CAPSULE
Galaxy Pod Hostel is a futuristic hostel with dormitories of different sizes.
Galaxy Pod Hostel in central Reykjavik is modeled after popular Japanese hostels. This luxury hostel is decorated in a futuristic theme, with capsule rooms reminiscent of sleeping arrangements on a spaceship. He is very popular with Star Wars fans. Don’t forget the virtual reality games in the hotel lobby.
VISIT HOSTEL GALAXY POD
GLASNADEL
Panorama Glass Lodge opened in 2020.
Panorama Glass Lodge is located in a secluded area near Hella, South Iceland. It consists of several needles with large windows for viewing the landscape. This creates a fascinating impression when sunlight and Aurora Borealis serve as light switches in the room. Each house has a separate hot tub and hammocks.
VISIT THE PANORAMIC GLASS LODGE
OCEAN VILLA.
Tungula Landing on the unspoilt Tornes Peninsula
The Tungulanding seaside villa couldn’t be closer to the sea if you weren’t underwater: wave after wave on the porch of this former port station on the north Turnes Peninsula. The eight bedroom boutique villa honors the original purpose of buildings with rustic and minimalist decor. The stunning and serene morning coffee ritual will never be the same as it is after a morning at Tungulending. To stay here, people have to rent the whole house; One night costs around 1,300 euros and can accommodate up to 16 people.
BACKYARD OF THE BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon Retreat, unlike others, has a spa.
The Blue Lagoon is a milky blue-green bath visited by two million people annually. Maybe you saw the pictures! But on the side, in a quiet pocket in the middle of the moss, there’s another lagoon that’s only accessible to guests of the boutique Blue Lagoon Retreat . The most expensive option is the Lagoon Suit with a separate lagoon. Other rooms offer access to the Retreat Spa and dining from the Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant.
VISITBLUE LAGOON RETREAT
APPLY HOUSE RETREAT
The wooden facade is a 19th century style in the history of sod houses.
Much of the history of life in Iceland has meant living in a turf house with a thatched roof and walls of stone and mud. Like any architectural style, houses have evolved over the centuries. The 19th-century wooden building has now come to life as a ‘luxury holiday’ in South Iceland. Torfhús Retreat is a place with ten exclusive cottages that show the expressive medieval style of the building; Most of the houses are one-room apartments, but there are also two-room apartments. Adjacent to the room is a nave that serves as a wonderful reception and restaurant.
SCIENCE AND FANTASTIC HOTEL
Iconic architecture in Nesjavellir, South Iceland.
For a unique boutique experience, try the Ion Adventure Hotel near Thingvellir National Park. The hotel is built into a landscape in a minimalist sci-fi style. There are plenty of hiking opportunities outside of the hotel, as well as an on-site heated indoor pool and hot tub. If you’re worried about missing the Northern Lights, you can ask reception to call you at any time of the night if there are any signs of activity in the sky.
DOME IN THE BACKYARD OF REIKYAVIK
Reykjavík Domes features a fireplace and a private hot tub.
Part glass, part tent; Reykjavik Domes is the closest thing to life in a needle in Reykjavik. The domes are set in a tranquil coastal field overlooking the bay to Mount Essia. Each has its own jacuzzi and fireplace. If desired, the windows can be closed for privacy.
A SMALL HOUSE NEAR THE SEA
A family of eight once lived in a tiny house in Bolungarvik.
In Iceland’s Westfjords you’ll find unusual accommodation offered by locals on Airbnb, like this restored classic 19th-century Icelandic fisherman’s house in the village of Bolungarvik. The small and cozy cottage features a sun terrace and garden, as well as mountain and sea views. From the attic on the top floor you can even see the nearby Hornstrandir nature reserve.
LIVE IN THE BUBBLE
The Bubble Hotel is a picturesque sensation.
The Bubble Hotel is ideal for Aurora Borealis hunters. “Hotel” is a real transparent bubble that allows you to sleep under the northern lights in a secluded forest, far from the slight obstacles of city lights. Open from mid-April to September, we recommend booking in advance as it’s a popular holiday, especially for couples. However, be flexible in your expectations – the Northern Lights are a phenomenon that occurs without a schedule. To protect guests’ privacy, the location of the room will only be disclosed via GPS coordinates at the time of booking.
GLEMPING ON THE RIVER
On the shores of Skyalfandi, a place for glamping.
The Original North, recognized as one of the best glamping spots in Europe in 2020, is located on a private estate on the banks of the glacial river Skjalfandaflot. The tents have been designed for the Icelandic weather and are very well equipped with furniture, heating and WiFi. The camp is close to many places of interest, including the Ullarfoss waterfall, Fosselskogur forest and the ancient parliamentary monuments of Tingei and Skuldaingsei.
VIGUR ISLAND
The dead end stays on Vigur Island to feed and relax; This is a dead end B&B.
The tranquil island of Vigur in the Westfjords is also great for a day trip. From April to September, the tiny island is home to around 7,000 brood ducks, more than 100,000 cul de sacs, a rare colony of black kairas and arctic terns. In fact, the island farm’s main occupation is collecting and cleaning the soft down left by wild ducks in their nests, which is a valuable insulating material used in many products. There are several options for historic accommodation in this bird paradise, where only one family lives year-round. All income from overnight stays on Vigur contributes greatly to efforts to develop environmental activities on the island.
ICELAND FOR KIDS
Water and snow, sticks and rocks, beaches and pools – Iceland is a big playground for little people.
The first question to ask when planning a trip with children might be: What do Icelanders do with their children?
Answer: Wear them in swimsuits, whatever the weather. Every city, big or small, has an outdoor pool with at least one hot tub for parents to try and relax in. Or just join in. The pools are like a well-arranged playground with water slides of different heights, shallow pools to relax in and balls to play with.
In Reykjavik, the big Laugardalslaug has the tallest water slide. Other family baths are Sundlaug Seltjarnaness, Árbæjarlaug and Grafarvogslaug.
Elsewhere in Iceland, children of all ages enjoy swimming pools at Hefna, Nescaupstadur, Akureyri and Borgarnes and these are just a few. To learn more visit Sundlaugar.is
Sunlaugh in Hefney; Water slides (for the crazy ones) and hot pots (for the lazy ones).
Deep Dinosaurs: Whale Watching
People see suckers, flippers, and flippers during a whale watching tour, but almost never see a whale fully. For children, this tiny glimmer stimulates their imagination and delivers the grandeur of these ocean liners. First, the mighty blue whale is larger than any dinosaur!
A calm sea is more important for children than for adults. Studies show that children over the age of six are more sensitive to motion sickness. People between the ages of 9 and 10 are four times more likely to suffer from seasickness than 30-year-olds. But when the weather is good, like most summer days, there is nothing to worry about.
With small children, the length of the boat trip should be taken into account. In the narrow Eyjafjördur area, trips take two hours – an hour less than much of the bay – and are accessible from the ports of Dalvik, Hauganes, Halteiri and Akureyri.
Throw Stones, Get Wet: Explore Nature
Children love nature to have fun, not just beautiful. For example, instead of looking for waterfalls by volume and height, look for waterfalls that you can safely walk on. A striking example is Selialandsfoss , but one of the smaller ones is Gufufoss near Seidisfjordur.
Beaches are another great place for kids. Many of them are littered with interesting ‘treasures’ such as whale bones in remote northern areas such as the Langanes Peninsula . Watch out for seals and birds, especially on the north coast. Although most beaches are as black as coal, the Westfjords have a rare stretch of sand on the spectacular Raudisandur . If Raudisandur was further south it would be filled with beach towels!
And how do you go into the forest? Can’t find the trees? They are, I promise! The Hallormsstadur National Forest in East Iceland is the largest in Iceland with tens of kilometers of hiking trails. Icelandic families love camping in the region. In the fall, berry picking is a popular family activity.
Entrance to the lava center in Hvolsvolur.
Type here: Museums
All museums welcome children – even the famous Penis Museum – but some try harder than others.
The Wonders of Iceland in Perlan, Reykjavik is a fantastic way to introduce children to the basic elements of Iceland. Guests start at the entrance of a 100m artificial ice cave, as cold as it really is! Interactive exhibits about volcanoes and glaciers follow the tall model of a seabird rock.
To get the kids running, visit the Árbæjarsafn open-air museum on the outskirts of Reykjavik. The museum is a field of old houses, and in some of them there are exhibitions about Reykjavik’s past. The playroom is huge with antique toys and costumes.
Iceland is a great place to show and explain volcanoes to kids. Visit the Lavsvolur lava center . This exhibition is interactive and explains the entire “internal history” of Iceland and the consequences of past eruptions.
Trolls, Elves, and Honest Boys: Books and Stories
Icelanders scared each other with tales of trolls, elves and ghosts in ancient times. Today these stories are considered folklore and are considered ideal for tormenting children!
The colorful gallery of characters includes Yule Lads, a group of troll brothers who come down from the mountains to celebrate Christmas. They have a mother named Grill and a spooky giant cat. Both are known to eat naughty children. (Winter travelers can visit the Yule Lads for a fun open-air event near Lake Miwatn.)
Yule Lads and many others are the premise for many wonderful rainy-day children’s books.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Extremely dark Icelandic winters have several advantages. Between September and April, people in Iceland experience a wondrous natural phenomenon: the Aurora Borealis, or what we commonly call the Northern Lights.
The Aurora Borealis takes its name from the Roman goddess of dawn Aurora and the Greek word for north wind, Boreas. From September to April, Iceland is the hotspot of this wonderful light show.
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to experience the Northern Lights.
The Aurora Borealis, often referred to as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon that occurs when solar wind particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. This excites the particles, which release energy and cause a kind of light green and purple streaks in the sky.
On clear winter nights, excursions are organized around this impressive, albeit changeable, natural phenomenon. The ideal spot for spotting varies, and guides can “hunt” for lights and find locations where conditions are best for seeing them at night.
There is no guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights during your stay, but in most cases, viewing outside of settlements improves significantly, especially away from the capital’s light pollution. A number of hotels in the countryside offer a special service to wake up the Northern Lights.
The Northern Lights are a spectacular sight
HOW TO NOTICE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS – MAINLY – PATIENCE
First of all: you need darkness and clear skies or at least holes in the cloud cover, preferably in the north. If the weather cooperates, you’re halfway there. You can always check the weather, cloud cover and aurora activity on the Icelandic Meteorological Institute website and Auroraforecast.is
If the clouds are in your favour, the second criterion is the activity of the solar wind above normal. The Northern Lights can appear at any time of the day or night, all year round. However, activity is usually heaviest around midnight and a few hours before and after.
When activity begins, a green arc will usually appear to the north. The best landmark on a starry night is the North Star, which shines in the true north direction from Earth. The best way to find Polaris is to find the Ursa Major or Ursa Major constellation, which points to the North Star. If you see a green arc, you have a good chance of seeing them move. Remember that chasing the Northern Lights sometimes requires a lot of patience, but those who wait often get a great reward.
HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
As for the equipment, the most important thing to take with you is a tripod and a rope to avoid the terrible shaky photo syndrome. If you don’t have a cable, set the camera’s self-timer to a two or ten second shutter delay, if available.
There are no single settings for your camera to guarantee great shots, but if you have manual settings it’s probably best to experiment with different combinations of ISO, aperture, and exposure settings. Typically, ISO settings from 800 to 3200, apertures from f/2.8 to f/5.6, and shutter speeds from 15 to 30 seconds were effective.
Northern Lights in Isafjordur, Westfjords
Different combinations can produce very different results. Higher ISO settings allow faster exposure, but can also result in grainy images, for example. Note that holding for more than 15 seconds will cause the star to move slightly. Wide-angle lenses tend to be more versatile in low light, but longer lenses will give you different compositions. Make sure you remove any lens filters as they can distort the image. You’ll probably get the best results with manual settings for infinite focal length.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND?
The best time to see the Northern Lights is in winter, from September to April, when dark and long nights have replaced the bright summer nights in Iceland. The Northern Lights are believed to be most active during the September and March equinoxes, but the odds also improve in the middle of winter, bringing more darkness – it just gives you more windows to see them each day.
THE BEST SOUVENIRS FROM ICELAND
Packing your bags and already thinking about how much space you can save for all those souvenirs you want to buy in Iceland? And what real Icelandic souvenir should you take home with you? The choices are more than you probably expected, but here are some ideas:
THE FAMOUS LOPAPEISA AND OTHER WOOL SOUVENIRS
Sweaters are just one of the many options for wool clothing
The world famous Lopapeis wool sweater is probably our number one souvenir. Anyone who has tried it on knows why: the coat is thick and water-repellent, with beautiful patterns and color combinations that spice up any outfit. Our lopape guide will help you to find the right one.
A Lopape sweater costs between $150 and $200 depending on the size and pattern.
On a budget? Paddle yarn is surprisingly cheap and fun to knit with. Just ask Grandma!
Universal Icelandic wool is also used for other beautiful home decor souvenirs such as: B. bedspreads, wooden sheep sculptures made of sheepskin and pillowcases. For more extravagant souvenirs, look for woolen teapot warmers, elf shoes and cold-water bathing shorts.
3 REASONS TO STOCK ICELANDIC CHOCOLATE AND SWEETS
Dozens of Icelandic confectionery and chocolate factories fill the local confectionery market with a huge variety of sweets. Given that choice, it’s probably not surprising that the average Icelander consumes around 20 kilograms of sweets a year. But what makes Icelandic sweets so special?
Perhaps you would like to stay a little longer in one of our supermarkets
Almost everything is sweet : and there is more than one type of liquorice: salty or sweet, sweet, refined for a tart taste, peppered with spices for more power, hidden in chocolate or hiding other fillings such as mint and marzipan. In folded form, made of straw or simply in the form of gummy bears – with us you will find whatever your heart desires, liquorice and more.
We use our own sea salt : Yes, of course we follow the caramel sea salt trend and find it delicious. And because there is so much sea, we naturally use products from our own saltworks.
Originality and beautiful packaging : waffles reminiscent of cold lava, balls of chocolate malt and giant chocolate eggs filled with candy – you will encounter endless sweet delights from Iceland that you will only find here. Many candy bars also come in beautiful landscape or designer packaging, and these make beautiful and delicious gifts.
HANÐFISKUR HANGED TO DRY
Put pieces of hard fish in a bowl – just oil is not enough
High-protein, low-fat, gluten-free, ketogenic, and rich in vitamin B-12: Icelandic harp cure is a superfood.
The manufacturing process is very simple: haddock, cod or catfish are salted and hung to dry for many weeks and sometimes months. What remains is a dried piece of fish fillet, just under a tenth of its original weight, filled with an excellent taste.
Hardfiskur is a popular snack among Icelanders and guests alike, best eaten with salted butter. And it’s easy to find too: supermarkets all over Iceland sell this delicacy in little bags that make the perfect Icelandic gift.
TATTOOS – A BUBBLE ON THE ANKLE
Souvenir for the brave: a tattoo of a Nordic compass in front of Mount Kirkjufell. Photo credit @Reykjavik Ink
According to Reykjavík Ink manager Hildur Sif, about half of their customers are tourists who want to be reminded of their trip to Iceland for a lifetime.
Okay, this is for the brave only, but Icelandic themed tattoos have been gaining popularity lately.
“Typically, travelers want something to remember their trip to Iceland – as a keepsake.”
And what is at the top of the list of motif wishes?
“I think the Nordic compass is a classic, it’s a really good magic wand and it has a really great meaning. Runes and wands, the Northern Lights, the Icelandic countryside and dead ends to bring you the most common tattoos that tourists do. And let’s not forget ” Þetta reddast ” (ed. Icelandic motto, which can be translated as: “it’ll work out somehow”).
THE SPIRIT OF ICELAND
The selection of Icelandic spirits has long gone beyond the classic Brennivin
From 1915 to 1989, beer was banned in Iceland and the supply of spirits was almost as limited. A notable exception was the aquavit Brennivin , which was almost the only Icelandic alcohol on the market at the time.
But since then the selection of our company Vínbúðins (State Alcohol and Tobacco Company) has grown enormously and is becoming more sophisticated: liqueurs made from blue and crowcurrants, gin made from Iceland’s own juniper berries and vodka made from glacial water filtered through lava. !!
Our craft beer is also popular. During your trip to Iceland you can visit more than 20 local breweries and learn about their unusual brewing methods and ingredients.
ICELANDIC FASHION, ARTS AND CRAFTS
Creativity can be found on every corner
When traveling in Iceland you will find many opportunities to buy local handicrafts and artworks: even in the smallest towns and of course in the center of Reykjavik.
Whether pottery, weaving or painting, uniqueness is everywhere! Handmade Icelandic bird sculptures; knitted, woven and crocheted garments. Fish skin, sheep bones, wool and lava stones – handmade products made with the help of Icelandic resources are among the most popular souvenirs.
You can also preview some of the manufacturers and if you want to delve deeper into Icelandic design and fashion you can visit the Icelandic Design March in Reykjavik, an annual festival celebrating fashion, architecture and all creative people!
ISLAND’S 13 – OUR WELL DONE
Favorite Icelandic characters: 4 of our 13 anniversaries
Icelanders celebrate Christmas over the top, and we don’t just have one Santa Claus, we have thirteen troll brothers. As their name suggests, they love to crack jokes: spoonlickers, doorbangers, skyr eaters and sausage thieves are just a few of the very popular thug types. Colorful puzzles and books about a whole insidious bunch are available in many languages and will be great souvenirs for children!
Special Christmas shops like Little Christmas Shop and Jólahúsið in Reykjavik or the Christmas Garden in Akureyri offer wonderful Christmas decorations all year round.
BATHROOM WITH STYLE
A GUIDE TO EIGHT HOT RESORTS ALONG THE RING ROAD
Warm or cool, light or dark, gray or blue – every day is suitable for a warm bath in the open air. This is at least a local consensus. Icelanders like to bathe in hot water. In recent years, developers across the country have expanded the variety of relaxation spas with bars and breathtaking views.
THE FAMOUS BLUE LAGOON
Blue Lagoon is particularly charming with its winter suit.
Iceland’s biggest tourist destination, nestled in a lava field near the airport, is actually a godsend. Superheated water pours out of the ground and is used to power the turbines of a nearby geothermal power plant. The employee discovered the healing nature of the water and The Blue Lagoon was born. Now the water is diverted to the pools where swimmers can enjoy clean, mineral-rich baths. Silica is what causes the lagoon’s milky blue-green color. It also forms white mud on the lagoon floor. Studies have shown that the lagoon’s white mud helps with skin diseases, including psoriasis. Now the lagoon has a clinic and spa.
SWIMMING IN THE HISTORY OF ICELAND
Opened in 2021, Sky Lagoon is located in Kopavugur in the Capital Region.
Sky Lagoon draws inspiration from Icelandic heritage. Visitors can feel the warmth of the turf house as well as the cold pool made of hewn stones. The grey-blue and rich green design reflects the surrounding landscape. Your guide helps visitors make the most of the spa, from the lagoon to the cold dive to the cold mist.
The 75 meter long infinity pool overlooks Fax Bay and the residence of Bessastadir, where the President of Iceland lives. If you don’t want to miss out on warm water and breathtaking views, you can order drinks from the bar in the water.
GREEN FERN AND CLEAN WATER
Kraum Baths in West Iceland
Kraum ‘s water comes from Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhwer. Extremely high water flow rates mean absolutely no chemicals are needed for the water as six basins are constantly refilled. Krauma is smaller than some of the other resorts on this list, meaning it tends to be quieter and quieter.
Spring is also special because it’s the only place on earth where Icelandic ferns grow. And because geothermal water is also used to heat nearby greenhouses, you’ll find fresh fruit and tomatoes nearby!
SWIM UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
The Mivatn Natural Baths are located close to the fragile beauty of the Mivatn Nature Reserve.
Sometimes called the Blue Lagoon of the North, Yardbodin is near the volcanic Lake Miwatn . In addition to the main pool, the spa has a whirlpool, steam room, and deep plunge pool. Alkaline water is rich in minerals and repels bacteria and plants, keeping the water bright blue and clear.
In fact, these waters are so high in sulfur that spas recommend removing brass jewelry before diving. The windows of the steam room allow a view of the landscape, which is part of the nature reserve. Enjoy a summer day or watch the Northern Lights.
WHALE WATCHING FROM THE ROCKS
You can find GeoSea in Husavik in North Iceland
In the north, the GeoSea pools started with an old cheese barrel: locals transported it to the mountain and used it for swimming in seawater. The pools now overlook Skyalfandi Bay, a popular spot for whale watching. See humpback whales below or the icy Kinnarföll Mountains in the distance.
The bodies of water in GeoSea differ in that they are hot seawater rather than a mixture of seawater and freshwater. The design blends seamlessly into the hillside and the buildings are made of polished black lava and gray slate.
FLOATING BATHS
The Vök Baths swim in beautiful Lake Urriðavatn in East Iceland.
These picturesque baths are located right on the dark waters of Lake Urridavatn in east Iceland. The springs that feed them were first discovered by locals who noticed that some areas of water do not freeze in winter. At first, the neighbors waited for a sea monster on the bottom, but it turned out to be hot underwater springs.
The baths are named after these mysterious places: Vök is an Icelandic word meaning “hole in the ice”. Floating pools, shaped like the most ice-free areas, float on the surface of the lake.
BREAD BAKED BY GEOTHERMAL HEATING
Laugarvatn Fontana is located in the South of Iceland
Laugarvatn Fontana is a series of adjacent baths and steam rooms, a less crowded spa with wooden steam rooms built just above the boiling springs. They also offer an unusual type of tour. Your geothermal bakery bakes bread directly in the ground with geothermal energy according to an old recipe.
With daily excursions, you can hear explanations about the process and even watch them dig a fresh loaf of bread out of hot black sand and eat it hot with Icelandic butter and smoked trout. A truly unique spa snack!
THE OLDEST SWIMMING POOL IN ICELAND
The secret lagoon is also called “Gamla Laugin”.
Not far from the famous Golden Circle, the Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest pool since 1891. For this reason it earned the local nickname “gamla laugin” or “old pool”. The pool is less developed and has fewer amenities compared to other locations, such as the Blue Lagoon, making it an ideal vacation for those looking for a more low-key experience.
Watch a small geyser erupt every five minutes from the pool, or stroll along the poolside path to explore the rolling, steam-laced landscape.
IN ICELAND 266 MUSEUMS. ONLY POSSESSION IS AMAZING
Here are the 11 most amazing museums in Iceland to help you better understand us Icelanders.
One way to understand this niche of Icelandic obsession with museums is through the word safn . While English distinguishes museums, interesting shops, collections and archives, Icelandic uses safn to describe them all.
The word safn, derived from the Old Norse “safna”, a variation of the word samna (“to collect, gather”), can mean all of these things; from the museum, the collection to the flock of sheep.
Safna culture emphasizes the dual dimension of the museum of presenting the viewer with a rarity, or presenting a thing of such a community that was never seen as a crucial element of material culture. Icelandic museums, of course, do both.
Because of their small size and population, Icelanders have an obvious and almost institutional respect for the locals and the unseen. Therefore, the openness of the term safn , as well as the healthy flow of tourists looking for such ambiguities, has led to the proliferation of such museums, since anyone can open a museum, large or small.
ISTOPHELLE-MUSEUM
The modern history of Iceland is told through a car.
The Itafell Museum or Itafell Transport Museum is an open-air facility about 30 minutes’ drive from Husavik on the north coast. This museum demonstrates more than fifty years of automotive interest, the only one of its kind in the country. You can expect to find recycled tanks, snowmobiles, discarded car parts, and other historical treasures. Surprisingly, the museum is a collection of local mechanics. With such rugged terrain and even more difficult weather conditions, it’s no surprise that Icelanders share a gratitude for cars.
PENISMUSEUM IN REYKYAVIK
An unknown specimen in the legendary Phallological Museum.
Icelandic Phallological Museum – surprising! – the only museum in the world dedicated to the penis. The Reykjavik institution is the work of pioneer ‘phalologist’ Sigurdur Hjartason and his son Hortur, with a collection of 215 penises from 93 mammal species displayed in formalin tubes. Essentially, part of the show consists of observing whales – the largest penises in the animal kingdom, collected from stranded species for many years. Dozens are exotic to Iceland, and others are rarely seen other than polar bears and walruses. Phallus Homo Sapiens – Icelandic. (In 2021 the museum moved to a new location near Hafnartorg Square.)
BOBBY FISHER CENTER IN SELFOSS
Bobby Fisher is buried in the cemetery about 3 kilometers from the center of Selfoss.
The Bobby Fisher Center is dedicated to American chess champion Bobby Fisher, who lived in Iceland from 2004 until his death in 2008. The center houses memorabilia from the famous ‘Matu Century’ between Fischer and Boris Spassky in Reykjavik in 1972, as well as the ‘Selfoss’ chess club public center where tournaments and lessons are held. Fischer himself rests in the cemetery near the small Laugardelakirkya at Selfoss.
SAMONUNG VON PETERS STEIN IN STÖÐVARFJÖRÐUR
Petra House is the number one attraction in Stöðvarfjörður.
The Petri Stones and Minerals Collection is a private collection of stones in the home garden in Stöðvarfjörður, East Iceland. Rock and mineral collecting began in 1946 by Petra Sveindottir (1922 – 2012), a local woman who collected rocks while hiking in the nearby mountains. Stone by stone, it grew to a unique size, and in 1975, shortly after the death of her husband, she opened her house to interesting guests. Today the collection is cared for by her four children.
WASSERLIBLIOTHEK STIKKSHOLMUR
The Volcano Museum and the Water Library are located in Stikisholmur.
The Vatnasafn Water Library was established in 2007 as a permanent installation in the small town of Sikkishólmur by American artist Ronnie Horn. Horn transformed the former hilltop library into a “water archive” consisting of 24 glass columns filled with melted glacial water from Iceland’s most important glacial caps. Glass pillars refract and reflect the light falling from the windows onto the floor and walls, creating an intriguing interplay of water and light and words. Words about the weather in English and Icelandic are engraved on the bottom.
WITCH MUSEUM IN GOLMAVIK
Meet your local guide.
The Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Wizardry is located in Holmavik in the Westfjords. Established in 2000, visitors can learn about supernatural beliefs that have held a special place in sagas and in many Icelandic folk tales for centuries. You can see replicas of items from this folklore such as necropolises, magic trousers made by removing the skin from a dead man’s waist and taken from a 17th-century folk tale.
VARIOUS MUSEUM IN AKURAIR
Matchboxes, hammers, saws, doors, pencils, keys are the shrine of collectors.
Smámunasafnið or Variety Museum is located in North Iceland, south of Akureyri. Perhaps more than any other, this museum harbors the curiosity of a collection that is not focused on a single object. Here you can find such unconventional items as doors, windows, antique nails, tools and pens, keys. The collection was started by carpenter Sverrir Hermansson, who maintained and remodeled old houses in Akureyri, which led him to come into contact with such items.
PUNK IN REYKYAVIK
The Punk Museum was once a public toilet on Reykjavik’s main pedestrian street.
The Icelandic Punk Museum is housed in a renovated public bathroom below the famous shopping street at Laugavegur in central Reykjavik. Since the early 1980s, Icelandic punk music has sparked a cultural wave that has produced some of the country’s biggest exporters of musicians, including Bjork. In this tiny space, visitors can read concert posters and listen to the most famous bands of the time like Purrkur Pillnikk, Tappi Tíkarass and KUKL.
ELVES AND GHOSTS IN STOCKSAIR
Museum of Ghosts. Who turned out the light?
Located in the old (and haunted!) fish factory in Stokseir, South Iceland, the Museum of Elves and Ghosts showcases the history and allure of the folklore associated with elves and ghosts. Where does Iceland’s most famous ghost live? How are elves different from humans? (They don’t have a nasal septum.) It’s suitable for young children, with an audio guide of ghost stories common in Iceland, with accompanying exhibits.
TORBERGUR-ZENTRUM
The center of Þórbergur is near the ring road.
Þórbergssetur , in the remote Suðursveit region of south-east Iceland, is a cultural center and local history museum dedicated to the history of the area and the life and work of Icelandic writer Torbergur Tordarson. The permanent exhibitions include photographs from Sudursveit showing the life of farmers and fishermen in the region from 1930-1960. Another rich exhibition features the life and literary work of Thorbergur, one of Iceland’s best-known prose writers, who has often featured the area in his works.
TEXTILMUSE IN BLONDUOS
The Textile Museum includes Icelandic Lopape and much more.
Knitters unite! The Blonde Textile Museum presents a collection of homemade wool and textile products, as well as Icelandic folk costumes and embroidery, and many of the tools and implements used to make them. The museum, founded by the Women’s Union in the local community of East Hunavatnssisla, was officially opened in 1976 for the 100th anniversary of Blonduos. Part of the museum is named after Haldora Bjarnadotir (1873-1981), founder of the College of Wool and Textiles at S. in South Jungheyarsisla, where she was involved in women’s social and educational causes.
TOWELS WITH ONE TOWEL: SEVEN NATURAL BATHS
AFTER A HIKE IN A NATURAL LAGOON AFTER A LONG OR SHORT HIKE IS PROBABLY THE BEST ICELANDIC EXPERIENCE. ICELAND ARE SEVEN NATURAL BATHS WHERE HOT SPRINGS MIXED WITH GROUNDWATER SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREAT JOURNEY.
VALLEY OF THE HOT POTS
The popular Reykjavik creek is about an hour’s walk up the valley from Hveragerdi.
Reykjavik, just 45km from Reykjavik, is a valley of hot springs and mud pools near Mount Hangill, a huge extinct volcano. After about 3 km you are in the green waves of the valley, where clouds of steam cover the path and grey-blue mud pools gently bubble. But be careful: some of these pools are boiling, so you have to be very careful if you stray off the path. Find a spot on the banks of a hot river, and there you can soak and swim in the warm geothermal waters.
Mountain rivers and natural baths have served travelers since human settlement.
INDOOR SWIMMING POOLS
Hveravallalug is in the highlands, away from the coast. The pool is in the bed of a stone lined stream and next to the old chalet where you can change. This pool is fairly undeveloped, just a wooden walkway overlooking the water allowing one to enjoy the surrounding windscape with enough privacy.
SWIM BETWEEN COLORFUL MOUNTAINS
The Fyallabak Nature Reserve in the Highlands is famous for its colourful, ethereal rhyolite mountains criss-crossed by beautiful hiking trails. The Landmannalaugar Lava Field is an area of black obsidian beating beneath hills dotted with red iron and yellow sulphur. Plunge into the so-called “People’s Pool”, a popular place for swimming in natural hot springs and an ideal place to relax when walking on the slopes of dazzling mountains.
Seljavallalaug in southern Iceland. Always open.
BACK
Hidden in the mountains of southern Iceland, this photogenic pool is one of the oldest in Iceland. You will take an easy 20 minute hike along the rocky river bed to get there and you will find a large rectangular pool with its rim overlooking the valley floor and black and green hills rising overhead. This pool is fed by geothermal springs, but its temperature is lower than most of the springs on this list, ranging from 20° to 30°C. The water also has a lower mineral content, so it’s darker, not blue and white. Basins rich in silica.
Vatnajokudl National Park.
SWIMMING IN A VOLCANIC CRATER
“Víti” may mean “hell” in Icelandic, but it’s more of a hot spring than heaven. In the eastern highlands of Viti, the Askia Volcano sits within the caldera, surrounded by a dramatic landscape sculpted by its ancient eruptions. We recommend using the guide to get to this pool, as it can only be reached with a four-wheel drive in summer. The rim of the crater offers magnificent views of the surrounding bay and distant snow-capped mountains, and below is a blue-and-white steam bath.
A man bathes in the Hellulaug pool
ENJOY THE BEACH VIEW
There are several swimming pools in the Westfjords, and Hellulaug is right on the beach overlooking the freezing sea, sheltered from the road. It’s easily accessible from the main road while still feeling private, making it easy to dive in and watch the waters of the fjords. Keep an eye out for resident waterfowl such as the snow goose or tundra swan.
He was here. The legendary Grettir Strong.
LEGENDARY SPRING
This pool has a story: located to the north, this spring was where Grettir the Strong bathed. According to Icelandic sagas, he was a robber who fought trolls and the undead. One night their fire went out, so Grettir swam ashore from Drange Island and then spent the night in the pool to warm up. Destroyed by a storm in the early 1900s, the pool was rebuilt in 1992 and is now surrounded by a stone wall and has handrails to help swimmers descend.