If you’re heading to Iceland, then you might wonder what some of the best activities are around the country and what you should go and see. There is plenty to see and do in Iceland, with fantastic natural wonders such as waterfalls and ice caves, but you might not know exactly where some of these are. Although it is not the largest country, it can take several hours to reach different parts of Iceland if you are based in the capital of Reykjavik. For this reason, it is important to decide what you want to do before you head out on your adventures. We have come up with a guide to Iceland’s attractions and some of the things you should make sure you do when visiting the country.

Blue Lagoon & Natural Hot Springs

One of the most famous attractions in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, a spa and hot spring that is close to Keflavik International Airport. This is undoubtedly one of the main attractions that you will have seen on the internet and social media in relation to Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is a must for many people when they visit Iceland, and the idyllic blue waters are a perfect place to relax. However, there are plenty of other natural hot springs around the country, many of which are more secluded and natural than the tourist hot spot. Some of the other hot springs that you consider visiting when heading to Iceland include the Secret Lagoon and the Mývatn Nature Baths.

Visit the Waterfalls

One of the most popular falls is Dettifoss Waterfall in the north and is a popular destination for many tourists. It falls 44 metres into a canyon below, creating a mighty sound and marvellous mist clouds quite unlike anywhere else. There are plenty of angles to view the waterfall from and each angle provides dramatic picture opportunities. However, Iceland is known for its waterfalls and there are in actual fact thousands that you can visit. Skógafoss and Gullfoss are two of the other most popular waterfalls in the country and are best viewed from below. Other notable falls that are worth a visit include Goðafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Svartifoss and Háifoss.

See the Wildlife

Something that you should consider when you visit Iceland is heading out on some tours of the local wildlife. It really is quite unique and much of the local wildlife is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere in the world. One of the biggest wildlife attractions for tourists is to head out on a whale watching tour, in an attempt to spot some of the magnificent creatures. There are plenty of different options when heading out on tours, including large boats, smaller boats and even more private speedboat tours. Husavík is considered to be the whale watching capital due to the fruitful feeding grounds in the fjords, but you can also depart from Reykjavik and Akureyri. There is also plenty of other wildlife to see and Iceland is a known breeding ground for puffins.

Witness the Northern Lights

A major draw for tourism in Iceland is the possibility of witnessing the natural spectacle of the Aurora Borealis, also commonly referred to as the Northern Lights. If you’re not familiar with the Northern Lights, they are a natural light display with ribbons of green, purple and gold light. It is only visible at the Earth’s highest elevations and Iceland is one of the perfect places to view the lights. However, there is a particular time of year that is best if you want to see the Northern Lights, although nothing is guaranteed. The ideal time of year is late September to late March, as it darkest earlier in the day at around 6pm. You might also want to head to more secluded locations or get yourself on a northern lights tour, as light from the cities can interfere with your view.

This is a brief overview of some of the major attractions in Iceland that are a must visit on any trip, but there are plenty more things to see and do. Many of the attractions can be quite spread out and local transport isn’t very widespread in the country. This makes a rental car the ideal mode of transport around the country. If you are looking for car rentals in Iceland, then contact Reykjavik Rent a Car for more information.

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