City: Iceland
Top Things to do in Iceland
Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Iceland, Iceland
Iceland (/ˈaɪslənd/ ( listen); Icelandic: Ísland, pronounced [ˈistlant]) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic, with a population of 348,580 and an area of 103,000 km (40,000 sq mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Reykjavík and the surrounding areas in the southwest of the country are home to over two-thirds of the population.
Restaurants in Iceland
1. Ring Road
2. Laugavegur
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 287 reviews
Reviewed By markmB9654XX - Kirkland, United States
I hiked the Laugavegur (Landmannalaugar) and Fimmvörðuháls trails with two nights at Thórsmörk to have a day to explore the popular area around Thórsmörk. Landmannalaugar was one of my favorite areas in Iceland from a prior trip to Iceland to drive around the ring road. I came back solely to complete this hike inlcuding exploring Landmannalaugar and Thórsmörk. The hike offers a variety of barren landscapes from colorful rhyolite hills, steaming fumaroles, lava fields, neon green valleys with glacier views to black volcanic desserts culminating in forest. Huts should be booked far in advance prior to January and will be reviewed at the end. Explore Landmannalaugar: I spent one night in Landmannalaugar and would recommend this to others. This offers two days in the area incase the weather inclement one of the days and allows you start the hike earlier than others. My first day had some rain with many people waiting in the hut. But we also had a clearing in the afternoon were many people went out for great views. Several people hiked up Mt Blahnúkúr before the clouds settled in again. Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker: On the second day I started the Laugavegur and hiked to Hrafntinnusker. The day starts with colorful rhyolite hills, moss, lava fields and steaming fumaroles. We had a low cloud cover limiting the ability to get full views the higher up we went on the trail. However, we could see enough to appreciate the area. The landscape became barren and grey with snow crossings. Visibility got poor due to fog few kilometers before Hrafntinnusker Hut and required following trailer markers. About 1 to 1.5 km before the hut we passed the marker where Ido Keinan died after loosing his way from Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker. The area around Hrafntinnusker is known to have the most inclement weather on the trail and camping is frequently discouraged here due to wind. On the day I started the hike rangers where stopping backpackers who were planning on camping at Hrafntinnusker. There were however a few tents setup and it looked miserable outside. At some point a few of them moved into the hut, because their tents “broke.” Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn: The next day was my favorite due to the second half of the day. The weather started off foggy creating poor visibility. Fortunately many of us left the hut around the same time, which was good so we could help each other find the trail in places. In some areas we were hiking in near whiteout conditions of snow and fog, which made finding the trail difficult. We had to also had to navigate snow bridges. Eventually we passed areas of bright green moss and a small amber colored stream cascading over several small waterfalls. Visibility slowly improved as we reached Álftavatn valley though it came with wind. A highlight of the trip was reaching the viewpoint over the Álftavatn valley. The valley is filled with numerous volcanic hill formations in bright green and black, lakes and glaciers in the distance. The nearby peaks are called Stórasula, Brattháls, Hattafel and Torfatindar. The view is also a large contrast from the multiple colors of Landmannalaugar and the grey toned landscape in between. Álftavatn to Emstrur: The third day started off rather green proceeding through the Angelic Valley, which we looked down on the prior day from the viewpoint. Eventually the valley floors turns from rolling hills to an enormous flat desert of pumice and black sand known as Mælifellssandur. The trail passes the neon-green moss-streaked peaks including Útigönguhöfðar and Storkonufell. However, the trail became monotonous as we walked along the black desert floor. The day ended down a long hill to the Emstrur huts. A popular hike from Emstrur is back up the hill to see Markarfljotsgljufur canyon, which is worth it if you have the energy and interest. Emstrur to Thórsmörk: The fourth day starts off in volcanic gravel which requires some care in descending through sand/gravel into the canyon of the Syðri-Emstruá river. The scenery on the descent is interesting with a mixture green moss and black volcanic gravel. In the distance you can also see Einhyrningur (The Unicorn). It was really windy for us, which made hiking and standing difficult. The vegetation near the trail reduced resulting in us getting sand blasted with the wind fortunately at our back as is the normal direction. The vegetation eventually increases and you begin to see isolated farmsteads. The trail culminates in a forrest as you enter Thórsmörk. Landmannalaugar Hut This hut is large with a lot of people also camping and busy with people visiting for the day. It was cozy inside when people are waiting out the weather in their respective bunk room or eating. I stayed in the large bunk room on the ground floor which had bunk beds lining the two long walls. Each set of bunk beds was lined shoulder to shoulder with sleeping pads 50cm (20in) wide. I was glad I had a sleeping pad on the bottom at the end. Our room had a few empty places and I would not want to be in the middle when it is full. Down the center of the room was a single line of tables with bench seats on both sides. The end of the room had some more tables, but was taken over by a large tour group. They also claimed most of the drying space above the heater. The main floor also contained the kitchen with some more dining tables, but only enough space for around 20 people of the 72 people in the hut. Upstairs was more sleeping quarters. They did not look any more appealing and slept head/feet first against the base of the A-frame ceilings. The showers and toilets where in another building. The scenery around the huts is great as well as the hot spring, however, it is by far the busiest hut and not comfortable to be stuck inside. Hrafntinnusker Hut This hut was probably my least favorite mostly due to sleeping assignment. Solo and couple travelers were assigned to the A-frame loft which has few windows and is dark. We grabbed sleeping pads off of a stack and laid them shoulder to shoulder. Clothes lines were strung above the sleeping pads. Upstairs also has a small room with table and benches for eating. At some point in the evening campers were allowed to come stay in the hut, due to the weather presumably wind. The sleeping area upstairs became filled with sleeping pads shoulder to shoulder with not gaps and several people staying in the upstairs dinning area. On the ground floor of the hut is the kitchen, small table and two sleeping rooms. Groups of three or more appeared to be assigned to the ground floor sleeping rooms. They consisted of bunk beds with doubles on bottom and singles on top. The double beds were maybe the size of a twin bed. These rooms also had lots of windows and table down the middle with bench seat. Fortunately, I made friends with a group staying in one of the rooms. We hung out inside the room bidding our time watching the changing weather and campers as the weather was miserable. Álftavatn Hut This hut was my favorite along the trail and based on the hut I was assigned. I was assigned the new hut, which had a nice clean well lit interior. Single and large groups appeared to be assigned upstair in this hut. The main floor had rooms that varied from three to four beds. It would really be a treat to get one of these private rooms on the trail. The other hut was older darker and full of bunk beds, which I did not check out much. It was definitely not as nice. There were hot showers if you want to pay for them. Next door there is a restaurant, which is expensive and quality probably caters to the captive customers. The scenery around the Álftavatn hut is excellent and maybe only challenged by Landmannalaugar or Thórsmörk. Of course Álftavatn is the least accessible and most rewarding. Botnar Hut in Emstur Consist of three separate huts that were nearly identical. My hut consisted of two sets of bunk beds. Each set was four to six beds wide laying shoulder to shoulder. The huts were full and I was glad I got there early enough to get a place on the bottom at one end. There was a set of tables with bench seats in the middle of the room. It was cozy, but with enough room for everyone in the hut. Though at dinner or breakfast time it would cozy and likely uncomfortable if everyone was seated at the same time. Outside there is deck with picnic tables. There was also hot showers available. The weather was good when I was at Emstur so a lot of people hung out on the deck, as well as hiked to the nearby Markarfljotsgljufur canyon. The hut was warm at night like the other huts. Someone even left the door open for sleeping at night. I was worried about my roommates from Iceland and Italy staying up late like they did at Álftavatn, but they went to bed earlier. Most people get up earlier at Emstur in order to catch the afternoon bus at Thórsmörk. Skagfjörðsskáli hut in Thórsmörk This hut is large and fairly comfortable. It consist of two bunk rooms on the main floor. The first one is fairly large sleeping over a dozen people with its own tables and probably used for large groups. I had one bed in this room until I managed to get moved to the smaller bunk room with single bunk beds that were setup end to end. Upstairs where several sleeping quarters that looked relatively nice and would have been my first choice. On the main floor there is a large dinning room and kitchen, which got crowded at dinner time. I found one dinner frustrating, since a large group took over most of the dinning room and most likely staying in the group area of the hut. Their room had dinning tables with small kitchen next to their room. Outside there was large deck with plenty of picnic tables. There was also a lot of open grass space and would probably be a nice place to camp. The hut had an outhouse with toilets and pay hot shower. There was also a store down by the river with odd hours as it would open on and off. Nearby are several hikes and Volcano huts is a few kilometers away with a restaurant. Several people had to walk to Volcano huts to catch the bus as they sometimes cannot cross the river. It would to be nice to spend a couple days here as it tranquil. The hut is probably the second nicest on this trail after the one at Álftavatn. The scenery here is not as interesting as Álftavatn or Landmannalaugar unless you gp on the many nearby hikes. It is also far less busy than Landmannalaugar. General hut comments The huts for both trails are much less spacious and comfortable than the ones on Tour du Mont Blanc or in Torres del Paine (Patagonia). The sleeping pads were 50cm (20in) wide and often shoulder to shoulder in bunk bed configuration. The ones on the Tour du Mont Blanc are at least 65cm (25in) wide. In Patagonia they were typical bunk beds (not shoulder to shoulder). The Ferðafélag Íslands huts assigned you to specific rooms of the hut, which appeared to be set before anyone arrived and therefore not flexible. Being a solo hiker that meant I ended up in larger rooms instead of smaller more private rooms that were given to small groups. If the huts were near mountain road they tended to have pay hot showers, flush toilets and dehydrated food for sale. All the huts had stove, pots and pans for cooking, as well as plates, bowls and utensils. You just need to bring food, sleeping bag/quilt, pillow, sleeping mask and ear plugs. You should book huts far in advance. I booked in at the end of Janruary and could not get all the huts reserved ending up on a waiting list for many of them. I did manage to get all the huts booked after tour agencies released their unsold reservations.
3. Fellsfjara
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 713 reviews
Reviewed By 420jessicah - London, United Kingdom
I was so looking forward to this, and it certainly did not disappoint. Beautiful beach with gorgeous icebergs and black sand. Quite busy at the main part, but as soon as you start walking down the beach you're alone.
4. Svalvogar
5. Backroads Iceland Hiking
6. Giljar Horserental
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By rosaliek967
Me and my brother had an amazing time with Josefina! She was super spontaneous and friendly (I contacted her last minute via Facebook) and we rode for about 2 hours along the river. The horses were so lovely - I would have loved to take mine home ???? Along the trip we tölted multiple time (special pace of icelandic horses) and crossed the river which was fun and an experience! All in all the experience felt very authentic and familiar since Josefina is so friendly and the horses are so nice. Highly recommended both for beginners and a little more experienced riders! Thank you so much Josefina for the amazing time - it was definitely a highlight on my vacation :)
7. Fimmvorduhals Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By IndiaDave - Cincinnati, United States
We parked our rental car at the Lava Centre in Hvolsvollur and took the mid morning bus to the Volcano Huts. Spent the afternoon hiking; climbed Valahnukur for some awesome views and made our way to the Basar Hut where we spent the night. The next morning we hiked the Fimmvorduhals. We finished at Skogar by early evening and took the public bus back to Hvolsvollur. It was a long, but memorable day. The Fimm was a fairly challenging hike for me (early 60's), but I did fine. Take this hike seriously - It's 15.4 miles and the weather is unpredictable. Take the time to prepare and you will be rewarded. We hiked at a leisurely pace in awe of this wondrous environment. The Fimm provides a unique life experience. I memorialized the hike with a video on youtube. Google - wittkamp Hiking the Fimmvorduhals Trail.
8. Holmavik Sports Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
A warm swimming pool and spa with hot pots and gym facilities. The water is not geothermal but cold water heated with green electricity, making the water exceptionally soft leaving your skin smooth and fresh. The hot pots are a popular meeting-point of the locals, where the daily matters are discussed and everyone may say his or her meaning. Gym with good training equipment for a healty workout.
9. Guolaug Natural Pool
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
In Langisandur beach you can bathe in the ocean and enjoy the view over Faxabay in warm water in Guðlaug which is open all year round. Guðlaug or God´s pool, in direct translate, is a hot pool located in the breakwater of Langisandur. If you want to experience something new, then come and visit Guðlaug. Langisandur beach is a one kilometre long sandy beach that has been awarded the Blue Flag envir
Reviewed By ar5000
At Langisandur beach next to the stadium there is a two-story hot pool with a view on the bay. Water from Deildartunguhver hotspring is used to warm up Akranes swimming pool. Since it is a blue flagged beach you can take a swim in the ocean like the (braver) locals do, which I highly recommend. Then you climb in the 40 degree warm pool mingle with the locals or let your children have fun in the narrow second pool. Then dive back in into the ocean and back into the pool and repeat. There are changing rooms provided and toilets are there, too. I think it even might be possible to rent bathing clothes and towels. Using the pools and the ocean is free, and authentic, and a lot of fun. Opening hours weekdays 6-21 and 9-18 on weekends, open all year around. GPS POINTS N64° 19' 6.629" W22° 3' 28.815"
10. Golden Circle Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,017 reviews
Ideal for short-stay visitors, this scenic driving route through southwestern Iceland features excellent scenery and major sites.
Reviewed By ourglobewanderers - Golden, United States
The Golden Circle is a very popular driving route that takes you through Thingvellir National Park, where you can visit waterfalls, numerous fissures, and walk on land or dive in water in the rift between tectonic plates. After you drive through the park, you can continue on the Golden Circle drive to the Geysir Geothermal area, where you can walk around an area of active geysers and other geothermal features, and then drive a bit further to the huge Gullfoss Waterfall. There are numerous tour busses that do the Golden Circle. We drove it on our own on September 13, 2019 on our Ring Road drive around Iceland. Plan on a whole day for this drive. I have written separate, more detailed reviews for Thingvellir Nat Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
