More so than anywhere else I have been, travelling to Iceland feels like travelling to another planet. There are just so many different types of natural phenomena that I have never encountered anywhere else. From barren terrain, to crazy lava structures and rock formations, plus a few man made additions that feel magical themselves (cue hot water swimming pools in the middle of nowhere), there are so many incredible memories just waiting to be made. Here are some of my most magical experiences in Iceland. I am sure you will make so many of your own magical memories in these places and others if/when you visit the beautiful country of Iceland!
1. Swimming in a Naturally heated swimming pool surrounded by nature
Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool, Southern Iceland
Just a short hike (~15 minutes) from the parking lot, when you get to this swimming pool you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Set in the most gorgeous valley and naturally heated by the geothermal activity nearby, going for a dip in the Seljavallalaug pool truly feels like magic and was one of my favourite experiences in Iceland.
It was built in 1923, making it one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland, and when you’re there you can really feel the history. It’s hard not to imagine the lives of the people who built it, and all the people who have used it over the years. And even though it is not a very well kept secret, it still feels like you’ve stumbled upon something special when you show up! When I was there I was lucky enough to have a few moments in the pool all to myself before a few others showed up, and a light dusting of snow while I was in there added an extra spark of magic.
2. Riding Horses on a black sand beach
Vik, Southern Iceland
Even if you are used to riding horses, riding an Icelandic horse is a unique experience to have in Iceland, especially getting to try their special gait – the tölt. Top that off with riding on a gorgeous black sand beach beside the ocean, surrounded by mountains and a charming Icelandic town, and you’ve got a magical experience alright! With Vik Horse Adventures’ one hour tour, you also get to ride right through the middle of a river.
When I went, we had a ride scheduled for the day before but there ended up being a huge snowstorm (something you should always be prepared for in Iceland) so we moved it to the next morning. The next morning the sun was out and we had a wonderful ride. It was my third time riding in Iceland but my first time on a horse that really liked to tölt, making it an extra exciting experience for me.
3. Walking through a field full of geothermal activity
Námaskarð Geothermal Area, Northeastern Iceland
I am not exaggerating when I say that the geothermal area of Námaskarð, near Lake Myvatn, feels like another planet. There is boiling water, bubbling mud pots, and steam coming right out of the ground all over the place. Not only is it like nowhere else I have ever been, but it is so different than everywhere else I’ve been it’s hard to imagine it’s part of the same Earth. Plus, it is truly an experience for all the senses – the heat from the steam, the sounds of boiling, bubbling, and gurgling, and, perhaps most of all, the smell of Sulphur in the air. Due to it’s uniqueness, I would definitely say it is one of the coolest places I have ever been and another one of my favourite experiences in Iceland.
4. Seeing a colony of puffins
Vik, Southern Iceland
A puffin sighting in Iceland is certainly not guaranteed, making it all the more magical when it happens! Granted, depending on the time of year you come, you could have a very high chance. But I went just at the start of the puffin season, in April, and wasn’t sure if it would happen for me. After getting tips from a local in Vik, we learned where and when to go looking. And, sure enough, we found them!
Near some ocean side cliffs, among the swarms of flying seagulls, my sister spotted the first little black dot. In the way that they move, puffins almost look like bats. However, they are so small! I don’t think I realized how small they would be. We watched dozens of them fly in from fishing on the ocean and find spots on the cliffs. After awhile, they all settled into spots and we could watch them resting. They are such cute, and magical, birds. In fact, they almost look like they could be cartoons!
5. Walking through Lava structures to a beautiful beach
Djúpalónssandur Beach, Snæfellsnes peninsula
Another otherworldly experiences in Iceland is walking among giant lava formations. When we went to Djúpalónssandur beach on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, it was one of many stops, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, it ended up really sticking out for all of us as a special place! Some of the lava formations are so massive, and walking among them makes you feel like you’re in a fantasy movie. The path takes you down to a beautiful beach, with more lava formations as well. And, if you’re lucky, you might even spot a seal in the water!
6. Soaking in a hot river
Reykjadalur Thermal River, Southwestern Iceland
I did this hike on the first day of my first trip to Iceland, and it was an incredible way to start! The scenery on the hike is so grand and beautiful. The are valleys and mountains and waterfalls. But the main event is the river itself. I have been to hot springs before, but I had never even heard of a hot river. It was really cool to soak in hot flowing water, on a cold October day. And the other cool thing is that the water gets hot the further up, toward the source, you go. Because of that you can find a place to sit that is the exact temperature you desire! How magical is that?
7. Exploring the Diamond beach and Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón, Southeastern Iceland
A diamond beach just sounds magical doesn’t it? Well, it is! And so is the massive glacier lagoon that causes it. Jökulsárlón is a huge lagoon full of floating ice chunks broken off from the giant glacier you can see behind it. Those same ice chunks then break apart further and make their way through a short waterway and onto the black sand beach across the street. The shinning ice chunks scattered along the beach give it the name Diamond Beach.
Sometimes, you are able to see new chunks break off if you are lucky enough to be watching at the right time. That, plus the many seals that come here to hunt for fish, make for a great show! I have heard that sometimes there are hundreds of seals here. I only saw one, but that was enough for me to feel the magic of this place.
8. Marvelling at a Canyon of hexagonal columns
Stuðlagil Canyon, Eastern Iceland
Though I have seen many photos of travelers at Stuðlagil Canyon, and it comes up in all sorts of lists on experiences in Iceland, it seemed oddly elusive while we were looking for it. Granted, we didn’t have any internet access at the time. It wasn’t in my sister’s quite recent guidebook, nor did our rental car’s GPS seem to know of it. In fact, we almost gave up when a dirt road shortly before the actual road seemed impassable. But, just as we were starting to accept it might not happen, we made it to the correct turnoff and sure enough there was a sign! After our almost-disappointment, we were so much more excited that it would actually happen.
After about an hour hike along a pleasant, but not jaw-dropping, trail, we reached the canyon and it was quite spectacular! You arrive high about the river, but are able to make your way down relatively easily. Though, there is a rope at one point. From the bottom it is even more spectacular to look along the river and up at the giant columns. I had certainly never seen anything like it before. It was hard to believe that they were naturally formed in that way, but Mother Nature always has tricks up her sleeve!
Unfortunately, we were there in the late afternoon when the sun wasn’t very conducive to good photos. But that’s okay, the images are etched in my brain!
That’s all for now!
I hope you enjoyed reading about these amazing experiences in Iceland. Do you have any favourite memories or magical experiences in Iceland? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear them!
I ALWAYS wanted to go to Iceland…..very much enjoyed the read and can’t wait to finally get there!!
I am sure you will LOVE it when you get there!! Thanks for reading! 🙂