Hiking Glymur Waterfall

There may be many well-known waterfalls in Iceland, but none are quite like Gullfoss waterfall. Literally translated to the “golden falls” from Icelandic, these falls tumble down the rugged landscape into a cloud of mist that makes them appear as if they are indeed golden and sparkling. Framed between tall canyon walls, the Gullfoss waterfall is truly iconic, cascading down 32 meters from the Hvítá river, created from the Langjökull glacier. In fact, Gullfoss can be considered two separate waterfalls as the water flows from two stages: a primary drop of 11 metres, followed by an impressive 21-metre drop. This jaw-dropping sight is one that absolutely cannot be missed on your visit to Iceland. To ensure you make the most of your day visit to the falls, we’ve put together this guide with all the must-know information.

Every country has its little hidden secrets, and Gljúfrabúi waterfall is one of Iceland’s finest. Gljúfrabúi (also known as Gljúfrabúifoss) is a 40-metre high waterfall on Iceland’s south coast, not far from the incredibly popular Seljalandsfoss. While it may not be quite as famous as its nearby friend, that certainly doesn’t mean it is any less impressive. Translated into English as “canyon dweller” or “dweller of the gorge”, Gljúfrabúi waterfall is a true beauty hidden away below steep cliffs. The waterfall cascades down into a little cave with light pouring in from above — a truly beautiful sight that is worth veering off the beaten path to see! Here is everything you need to know about Gljúfrabúi waterall, including how to get there and what absolutely shouldn’t be missed.

Is it a volcano? Is it a glacier? It’s both! Snæfellsjökull volcano is a glacier-capped volcano in Iceland and the highlight of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a stunning area in western Iceland. Standing at an impressive 1446 metres high, the Snæfellsjökull volcano in Iceland is one of the country’s most notable landmarks and can sometimes even be seen from Reykjavik. What are the top things to know before visiting Snæfellsjökull volcano? Read on to find out.

The Öræfajökull volcano on Iceland's south-east coast is a name you might have heard quite frequently in the media this last little while. That is because scientists predict that this volatile peak might erupt at any moment! Öræfajökull is one of Iceland’s many ice-capped volcanoes. As Iceland’s largest active volcano and Europe’s second largest volcano (second only to Mt Etna in Sicily), Öræfajökull is constantly kept under close surveillance. There are at least two known records of the Öræfajökull volcano erupting: an explosive eruption in 1362, which totally destroyed the nearby district formerly known as Litla-Hérað, followed by a smaller eruption in the late 1720s. In 2017, increased earthquake activity was noticed. Most recently, an ice-cauldron (also called a caldera) appears to have formed in Öræfajökull volcano’s main crater, and the smell of sulphur can be detected in the air nearby. While a potential eruption cannot easily be predicted (and may sound a bit frightening), there is no need to fear. Volcanoes often show increasing geothermal activity for years prior to an eruption. At the time of writing this article, a yellow warning has been issued for the volcano —more of a safety precaution than anything else as scientists are unsure of the Öræfajökull volcano’s eruption habits. All the same, tourists continue to flock to the area, particularly in the summer months. This fascinating volcano is incredibly impressive and well worth a visit during your trip to Iceland — particularly if you’re a bit of a geology geek! If a visit to Öræfajökull is on your bucket list, here is everything you need to know to make it totally worthwhile.

Often referred to as “Iceland in miniature”, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the one area in Iceland you simply cannot miss if you want to taste everything Iceland has to offer. With a volcano, a glacier, towering mountains, sandy beaches, and small fishing villages, this peninsula has plenty to offer. Read on to discover the area’s highlights and our top tips for travelling to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

A key highlight of Iceland’s southern coast, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, with its stunning cascading falls from a steep cliff, is perhaps one of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland. Standing at an impressive 65 meters tall, Seljalandsfoss is fed from the waters of the glacier-topped Eyjafjallajokull volcano and completely captivates all those who make the trip to see it. No trip to the south of Iceland is complete without a visit to this jaw-dropping work of nature, particularly if you are already taking in the sites of the South Coast route. Seljalandsfoss along with Skogafoss is one of the two main highlights of the famous Golden Circle in Iceland. In this article we cover all the highlights of a visit to Seljalandsfoss, how to get there, and the best way to spend your time.

The elusive ice caves in Iceland are natural wonders that strike awe in anyone who gets the chance to explore them. Hidden in the underbelly of the glaciers in Iceland, these caverns are created as the ice rivers shift and slink down from their mountainous heights each winter, only to be destroyed as they once again retreat each spring. Unlike the ancient volcanoes in Iceland upon which many glaciers sit, ice caves in Iceland have a short life-span. They can generally only be visited between November and March. Once they collapse in the relative heat of the spring, they are unlikely to ever reform in the same way. As a result, expert guides head out to explore the glaciers each winter to discover freshly formed caves of striking blue ice. Despite this, there are some places where you are more likely to find these wondrous ice creations returning every year. The most famous is the Vatnajokull ice caves. As the largest glacier in Iceland, the Vatnajokull glacier covers approximately 11% of Iceland’s total land area, creating a lot of room for ice caves to form. Home to the Vatnajokull glacier and its numerous outlet glaciers and glacier tongues, Vatnajokull National Park is the perfect place to visit if you hope to experience what it feels like to sit under a huge bulk of a glacier. Vatnajokull National Park is located in southeast Iceland and encompasses Skaftafell National Park in the southwest and Jökulsárgljúfur to the north. Getting there includes traveling along the famed south coast road of Iceland, making it a great opportunity to visit many must-see sights along the way.

One of the country’s greatest natural wonders, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, or Jökulsárlón is said to be Iceland’s crown jewel. It was formed in the 1930s as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacial tongue began to melt. In fact, the lagoon is constantly growing in size as the glacier melts due to global warming. Though not very wide, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is 250 meters deep, making it Iceland’s deepest lake. The lagoon’s crystal-clear surface is scattered with icebergs that are formed as more and more of the glacier breaks away, an unmissable sight! With so much to take in, we want to make sure you don’t miss a thing. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, so you can learn everything you need to know before visiting Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

The larger-than-life landscape of Iceland fits well with the idea of giant, mythical beasts such as dragons or griffins. The country is known as “the Land of Fire and Ice” after all. Unsurprisingly, there are mystical creatures that still dwell along the frigid coast of Iceland – whales. The presence of whales in Iceland goes back centuries; these great creatures are featured in the sagas of the old Norse kings. Nowadays, their fame stems from the growing popularity of whale watching in Iceland. Known as the place to have a personal encounter with whales in Europe, Iceland is slowly becoming famous for sea excursions. Numerous Icelandic tales and legends talk about the intelligent beasts that inhabit the waters surrounding Iceland, but it wasn’t until the 1990’s that whale watching became an attraction in Iceland. In 1991, the first Iceland whale watching ship left port. In 1993, arguably one of the most famous Icelandic whales of all time – Free Willy – made his debut film appearance. This cemented the new trend for whale watching in Iceland, and it has grown ever since.

Katla volcano, the most powerful volcano in Iceland, packs a punch that has garnered a fearsome reputation. Due to patterns that have developed over time, it is now believed that whenever Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupts, Katla follows suit with a more powerful and destructive explosion, which is why it is thought to be a twin of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The name ‘Katla’ is steeped in Icelandic folklore, where it is told that the volcano was named after a maid on a nearby farm that dabbled in witchcraft. This mystical link only adds to the reverence given to volcanos in Iceland, a land that has been shaped and formed by these beautiful forces of nature. Found in the south of Iceland, hidden under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Katla’s eruptions cause massive floods and ash fall, resulting in major destruction. In 2010, Icelanders held their breath after the famous Eyjafjallajökull eruption, though luckily Katla stayed quiet. However, an eruption is now long overdue, so who knows how long the calm will last!

Aptly named ‘The Gateway to Hell,’ the Hekla volcano in the south of Iceland is a deadly force with a shocking history of destruction. This reputation caused people in the middle ages to believe that Hekla or Hecla was the entrance to Hell. That however, hasn’t stopped brave travellers from exploring one of Iceland’s active volcanoes!

Although it is just 190 km up the coast from Reykjavik, when you are standing on the shores of Snaefellsjokull National Park, you will feel like you are a world away. Standing on the edge of the Londrangar basalt cliffs overlooking the ocean the sight you will see has not changed much since centuries gone by. Of the national parks in Iceland, Snæfellsjokull is the only national park that accesses the shore line of Snæfellsjökull, located in the western part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. You can explore tidal pools and pebble beaches, a volcanic cave, or an ice tunnel burrowed into a glacier. There is a diversity of terrain that makes every hike an adventure into the exceptional — no wonder it is one of the most sought after destinations on an Iceland trip. If you are really lucky, you might even catch a sight of a killer whale breaching in the swell.