8 reasons to explore Iceland beyond its cool capital Reykjavik
These days, Reykjavik is a brilliant city with a superb cultural scene, world-class dining and lively nightlife. But if you limit your Icelandic adventure* to the capital, it's like admiring the Scandi-chic porch of a massive Arctic palace and then leaving without seeing the rest of it.
The Northern Lights shine much brighter outside Reykjavik, as does the country's remarkable wildlife, from those hulking whales to the impossibly cute puffins. And how about surging waterfalls and Europe's youngest volcano?
There are plenty of places to relax too, with new more bijou geothermal pools offering an alternative to the busy, much-hyped Blue Lagoon.
If you're short of time we've got the quickfire Golden Circle and the lesser-known Diamond Circle here for you too. So read on and see just why you should head outside the Icelandic capital on your adventure to the rightly lauded 'Land of Fire and Ice'.
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Not the Blue Lagoon
Everyone these days seems to have heard of the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's most famous geothermal spa. It is crowded and no self-respecting local would be seen dead there. Hvammsvik offers a totally different experience. They seriously limit numbers in their own pools here on the shores of the Hvalfjordur fjord.
The pools are filled with seawater warmed by geothermal waters, without any nasty chemicals, with the option to throw yourself in the fjord for a swim with a seal. Or you can paddleboard or kayak. If that is too energetic just swim up to the pool's lounge bar for local Gull beer, then tuck into their legendary fish soup in the café.
Videy
You should get to at least one island if you can. Videy makes a great choice as it is easily accessible with daily ferries from Reykjavik in summer and at weekends in winter.
It's worth the visit alone for the Imagine Peace Tower, the creation of Yoko Ono as a tribute both to her murdered husband and to world peace. If you're lucky, you'll see Yoko as she comes when she can to attend the tower's lighting.
On this cultural island you'll also find Videyjarstofa, the home of 'The Father of Reykjavik', Skuli Magnusson. It is open as a gallery showcasing the work of Icelandic artists. There is Milestones too, an outdoor sculpture formed from basalt columns by renowned American sculptor Richard Sierra.
Whales ahoy!
Yes there are whale-watching trips down Reykjavik way. But they cannot boast a 95% chance of meeting our marine mammal cousins like they can up north in Husavik, the self-proclaimed 'Whale Capital of the World'.
There is a positive human story here as some of the companies and people involved in running the whale-watching trips were once mired in the whaling trade. Tourism has given them a reason to put down their harpoons and by visiting, you're part of that success story.
Don't miss the Husavik Whale Museum too, where you will learn more about these majestic creatures and see the enormous skeleton of the blue whale, the largest mammal on our planet.
Wonderful wildlife
Whales may be the number one wildlife attraction, but Iceland's wildlife doesn't stop there. Not when the local waters are alive with flighty harbour porpoises and white-headed dolphins. The latter sometimes travel in pods hundreds strong; quite a sight!
Then, of course, there are the puffins, surely the world's cutest bird, and one of the most unlikely. Watching them wobble around the cliffs is a joy, as is seeing them whirr around the skies. There are sea eagles, reindeer and Arctic foxes too.
Iceland's latest volcanic eruption
Out near the international airport at Keflavik the volcano at Litli-Hrútur put on quite a show in summer 2023. It erupted in 2002 and then again in 2023 with plenty of live action for people to enjoy.
Head out there today and you can see the remnants of those remarkable eruptions. It's due to go off again, so you might even see a more dramatic show than you were expecting! Note: it's a hefty hike across rough ground to the site.
Get out on a glacier
As the glaciers shrink in the Alps, Iceland still sports a swathe of frozen land. An accessible option on a tour is the Vatnajokull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe
This exhilarating adventure takes you hiking and climbing through this remarkable landscape in southeast Iceland. Tours kick off from the National Park Visitor Centre, with instructions on using crampons and ice axe.
Those Northern Lights
There is nothing quite like seeing the Aurora Borealis for yourself as the skies dance with emerald and pink lights. The locals take it almost for granted; you will swoon. And then swoon some more. But the chances are you won't easily see them in downtown Reykjavik, so delving beyond the built-up capital is the way to go.
You need three things for a good spotting: a properly dark night, little or minimal cloud cover and then the all-important level of auroral activity. You can check out the daily forecast yourself. You really want to visit in autumn or winter when they are at their best too.
Impressive circles
Yes, ok it's touristy, but if you're short on time on your Iceland stay the Golden Circle full-day tour is an utter joy. You can whizz around, but the more time you devote to this 300 km joy the better.
Highlights include the Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, home of the Geysir and Strokkur geysers.
Savvy visitors can instead opt for the 260 km Diamond Circle further north, which takes in the impressive Godafoss waterfall. Dettifoss is the highlight for many too; Europe's most powerful waterfall, a 100 metre-wide wonder that sees water pounding down from a height of 45 metres up.
Farmtastic
Iceland may not seem the most likely family-friendly destination, but there's plenty for kids to love beyond the drama of fire and ice, including a network of farms. Take Holar Petting Farm, which lets wee ones meet horses, goats and sheep.
All these farms are great places for your kids to meet local youngsters too. Erpsstadir Dairy Farm takes the farm-to-fork ethos seriously so your kids see cows being milked and learn about the whole process, which is topped off with ice cream.
They make creamy Icelandic Skyr too. The Troll Garden at Fossatun is a great place to learn about the country that is the unofficial home of trolls. Your kids won't forget the Rock 'n' Troll restaurant.
Wild winter sports
Forget the Alps. Get out and enjoy real winter sports in a land of glaciers, ice and fire. There is classic Alpine skiing at Hildarfall above Akureyri in the north, with lifts and lessons on hand.
Cross-country skiing is popular too, as well as challenging off-piste mountain skiing for experienced skiers. You can cheat and ditch the effort of heading up the slopes by going heli-skiing with the aid of a helicopter. Sledding is popular too; great fun for families.
Weather in Iceland
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The above guide shows the climate in Reykjavik. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Iceland.
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