Northern Lights - The Scientific Explanation

The South Coast of Iceland offers countless sites of interest for travelers that must not be missed on your Iceland trip. From volcanoes to waterfalls to glaciers to lava fields, the area that stretches from Vik to Selfoss perfectly encapsulates Iceland’s moniker: ‘The Land of Ice and Fire.’ While in Selfoss, explore popular tourist attractions such as the Kerid Crater and Volcano Eyjafjallajokull. In your Vik tour, be sure to marvel at captivating landmarks such as the Skógafoss waterfall, the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, and Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. From volcanic landmarks to seaside paradise, a trip from Vik to Selfoss unveils a series of natural wonders at every turn.

While on your Iceland trip, embark on a remarkable journey through the iconic Golden Circle, the most popular tourist route, and let it guide you to the vibrant community of Vik, Iceland's southernmost town. With three famous sights—Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss—Golden Circle makes for an enchanting destination and is a must-visit for every traveler. Make your first stop at Thingvellir, where the Eurasian and North American continental plates meet, and discover the historical significance of this ancient Icelandic parliament site. Experience the geothermal wonders of Geysir as it unleashes powerful bursts of hot springs into the air. Be captivated by the roaring beauty of Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most stunning waterfalls. After your Golden Circle tour, head straight to Vik, Iceland's southernmost town, which awaits with its captivating basalt beach of Reynisfjara and the striking rocky plateau of Dyrhlaey.

For many of us, Iceland is still a country surrounded in mystery and viking myths. The wild landscape is what lures most visitors on trips to Iceland but what about the Icelandic cuisine? Icelandic cuisine has changed little since the time of the vikings, and the basic ingredients have remained unchanged: lamb, skyr, potatoes, fish, and plenty of seafood. While the staples have remained the same, Icelandic chefs have added a generous dose of imagination to current Icelandic cuisine, resulting in creative twists but traditional dishes. Read on to learn how to expertly navigate your food palate while checking out Iceland’s food menus. To make sure you make the most of your trip to Iceland, we’ve rounded up a list of the top 12 things to do in Iceland to help you plan your all-important itinerary. If you are short on time to explore destinations outside of Reykjavik, read our top things to do in Reykjavik article as well.

Iceland’s inner cities feature some of the most underrated European bar scenes today. Aside from tourists, the locals themselves have been known to spend some time in their hometown bars. If you want to hit the bar after a long day of hiking, touring or even soaking in the hot springs of Iceland, we have gotten you covered! Here is a list of some of the best go-to bars to hit when on a trip to Iceland.

Skogafoss, which literally translates to “forest waterfall”, is a true natural wonder, captivating visitors the world over. With a 60-metre flow of gushing water in a near perfect rectangular shape, Skogafoss is one the largest waterfalls in Iceland. One of Skogafoss’ signature characteristics is its ability to produce a beautiful single or double rainbow when the sun reflects off its constant, powerful spray. This unique sight also makes Skogafoss one of Iceland’s most photographed locations! Skogafoss, along with another stunning waterfall, Seljalandsfoss are two major highlights of the Golden Circle in Iceland. We’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your visit to Skogafoss waterfall, including a suggested itinerary so you can see all the incredible sights Iceland’s southern shore has to offer.

Iceland is a tempting travel destination for avid admirers of nature and landscapes. Decked up wall to wall with fascinating geysers, glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and ice caves, nature truly goes no-holds-barred with Iceland. Whether you crave the adrenaline rush of a glacier hike and ice-caving adventure in Vatnajökull National Park, seek the thrill of whale-watching in the Northern Atlantic waters of Húsavík, or yearn to explore the geothermal wonders of Geysir in the Golden Circle, Iceland promises an abundance of experiences. With several captivating options in front of you, planning a trip to Iceland may appear rather daunting. So, here’s our comprehensive guide to planning a trip to Iceland, covering everything from budgeting to itinerary suggestions.

Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) is one of the best hiking destinations in Iceland, known for its stunning landscapes comprising mountains, glaciers, forests, and ravines. You can easily take a trip to Thorsmork from Reykjavik by car or bus, although you can also take the scenic route by hiking between the two destinations. If you are traveling in a vehicle from Reykjavik to Thorsmork, you will encounter notable stops such as the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the fascinating Stakkholtsgjá Canyon, and the picturesque town of Selfoss en route. At Thorsmork, or the Valley of Thor, you can take in the awe-inspiring beauty of this secluded mountain ridge whilst admiring the majestic Tindfjallajökull and the famous Eyjafjallajökull glaciers that it is tucked between. Read on to find out more about how to get to Thorsmork from Reykjavik on your Iceland trip.

While traveling in a foreign land, relying on the local public transport systems is usually the easiest and cheapest way to get around. While it’s true that Iceland does have a public transport system called Strætó, it won’t get you much further than Reykjavik and the Golden Circle in a reliable fashion. Therefore, most visitors opt for car hire in Iceland instead. Renting a car in Iceland will give you the freedom you need to explore all that Iceland has to offer at your own pace. You could even travel the entire 1,332 km of the Route 1 ring road, the major artery of Iceland that connects most of the inhabited parts of the island. The twists and turns of Icelandic roads can often drive people mad, literally! But having the time to sightsee from the comfort of your own car is one of the best ways to take in the awe-inspiring Icelandic scenery. However, before you set out on your adventure, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to driving in Iceland.

With so many options, you might be wondering where to stay in Iceland. If you have travelled before, you know that taking care of the little things before you arrive at your destination saves a lot of time and stress. There's nothing worse than getting off your flight in a foreign country and not knowing where to go from there. Here are the 10 best places to stay in Iceland for your next visit, listed in no particular order.

Although it is cold in Iceland in March, this month does not fall under the country’s peak winter season. Therefore, there are lots of things to do on your Iceland trip in winter, from participating in unique festivals and events and exploring stunning ice caves to taking a dip in the healing waters of natural hot springs, embarking on an Iceland Northern Lights tour, and going on whale-watching tours. In addition to this, Iceland’s weather in March is chilly, and the country receives few travelers during this time, allowing you to take advantage of off-season rates.

The best time and season to see Northern Lights in Iceland is from late September to the beginning of April. One of the most popular destinations in Iceland to witness the Northern Lights is undoubtedly its capital city, Reykjavik. This city is believed to be the first official colony on Iceland back from when it was first settled, just before the turn of the first millennium. Reykjavik hasn’t looked back, and has continued to grow and be a beacon of numerous breathtaking tourist sights and rich national culture. Reykjavik boasts a great opportunity to witness the northern lights.

Water certainly can take many mesmerizing shapes and forms. However, is there anything more impressive than water naturally being expelled into the air from a crater on the Earth’s surface? Since their discovery, geysers have fascinated mankind. As a fairly rare sight that can only usually be found in active volcanic areas, some people travel the world just to experience one. Iceland is a geyser hotspot with over 50 active and dormant geysers. So naturally, geyser-seekers flock there. The country is home to some of the world’s most famous and impressive geysers. In fact, the word ‘geyser’ originated from Iceland. The term first came about when The Great Geysir (see below) erupted on the island in the 14th century. With so much to see on your Iceland trip, we’ve compiled a list of geysers in Iceland that you simply cannot miss.