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Iceland tours,
trips & holidays
Solo and group travellers have long used trips to Iceland as their way to inject a little adventure into their holidays. With its majestic, towering mountains, boiling mud pools, spurting geysers, natural hot springs, thundering waterfalls and of course, mesmerising northern lights, it’s no wonder this is the chosen destination for adventure seekers. The land of ‘fire and ice’ has a natural, rustic beauty that is unsurpassed. It comes at no surprise that it was chosen to be one of the most iconic ‘Game of Thrones’ filming locations. Gaze in awe at the vast, multi-hued glaciers, spend afternoons strolling on the eerie black sand beaches and trek through the moss covered lava fields. And after all the hiking in the cold, relax in the famous Blue Lagoon to rejuvenate your skin and soul, reflecting back on what a unique land Iceland really is.
Group Tours of Iceland with Tucan Travel
Tucan Travel do not currently operate tours to Iceland but keep your eyes peeled for future adventures!
Top 12 places to visit in Iceland
A country which has some of the world’s most striking landscapes, powerful waterfalls, serene lakes and towering mountains, Iceland is a country of contrasts. From winters encased in darkness to summers where the sun never sets. Iceland is a land of outdoor experiences and choosing between the huge range of activities can be tricky. Thankfully, we know all the good spots to help you decide...
1. Strokkur Geysir
Whereas there are many geysers in Iceland, the mighty Strokkur Geysir is by far the most visited. Erupting every 10 minutes, this is the one which puts on the most epic (and reliable) show. Located in the southwest of Iceland beside the river Hvitá, Strokkur Geysir repeatedly blasts water up to an astonishing height of 30 meters, but has been known to reach above 40! Situated along the famous Golden Circle route, you can also enjoy the nearby natural, bubbling mud pits and the ‘hot spring bread’ experience - boiling eggs and digging up traditional “baked” rye bread that has been buried in the ground just outside the hot springs!
Travel Tip
Don’t spend your hard earned cash on bottled water. Iceland has some of the purest and cleanest water in the world! Just make sure the tap is turned all the way to cold as it is heated by natural sulphur springs.
2. Vatnajokull National Park
The largest national park in Iceland, Vatnajokull National Park is home to so many of Iceland’s major attractions that it definitely should not be missed. From hiking Europe’s largest glacier, to the bobbing Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, to the mesmerising Skaftafell Ice Cave, this is where you get a true taste of icy Iceland! Aside from the ice region, Vatnajokull National Park is also home to Europe’s most powerful waterfall (the Dettifoss waterfall), the dramatic landscape of the Dyngjujokull Mountain region and the perfect proposal spot of Diamond Beach.
3. Lake Myvatn
Visiting Lake Myvatn is one of the best things to do in Iceland. The fourth largest lake (covering 36.5 sq km) was created from the impact of a huge volcanic eruption around 200 years ago.
Like much of Iceland, Lake Myvatn is shrouded in myths and legends. The black lava formations surrounding the lake are said to be ‘Dark Cities’, where Satan fell to Earth after being cast out of heaven. Certain areas of the lake are perfect for embracing the Icelandic culture of outside bathing, with heated sections warmed up by the earth, acting as a hot spring.
Lake Myvatn has a tiny town close by called Reykjahlid, which caters for all basic amenities such as petrol/gas, a small supermarket, 1 hotel and a school. This is also a great place to set up camp with many small campsites in the area.
4. Thingvellir National Park
This national park is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on mainland Iceland. Literally translated to ‘the fields of parliament’, this is historically where all 17 settlements in Iceland met to agree upon the running the country, effectively making this the world’s longest running, still ongoing parliament. The park lies between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates which move about 2.5 cm every year. This has created swelling lava fields, beautiful ravines, a famous gorge perfect for nature treks and one of the best diving places in the world.
5. Whale Watching
Most of the whale watching tours depart from Reykjavik or Húsavik. These locations make it a great way to finish your trip to Iceland as the chances of spotting these sea giants are remarkably high. With 23 whale species often found in these areas, it’s an incredible experience you don’t want to miss. You can often see minke whales, humpback whales, giant blue whales, and usually sight schools of white-beaked dolphins and puffins playing in the water too. Tours generally depart a few times a day throughout the winter months but are very popular, so it’s best to book in advance.
6. Gullfoss Waterfall
This mesmerising waterfall can look equally as stunning in winter as it does in summer. Being fed by the Langjöhull Glacier, the waterfall cascades an astonishing 105 feet into a deep canyon below. Located just outside Reykjavik, this is a great first stop on a tour to Iceland and a fantastic introduction to the many captivating waterfalls of the country. Gullfoss waterfall literally translates to ‘Golden Waterfall’. There is some debate around the origin of the name but many believe it to be due to the rainbow that can often be seen when the sun hits the spray of the waterfall. Being on the Golden Circle route, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland.
7. Reykjavik
Sophisticated, urban, edgy and arty. The capital city of Iceland packs a big punch. The painted timbered houses, the colourful streets, the backdrop of ocean on one side and dominant mountains on the other, makes for one truly unique place to be. This cultural hub has an ever evolving restaurant scene, a quirky bar and cafe culture and is dripping in captivating art. But come nightfall, the city comes alive! The raging music festivals, electronic DJs performing at cafe-come-bars, and live music venues open until the early hours will surely serve up a night to remember.
8. Northern Lights
Well-known as one of the best places for a northern lights holiday is Iceland. Much of the countryside is sparsely inhabited with little to no light pollution, making it an ideal place for catching a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Borealis. The lights are notoriously unpredictable, but there are a few things you can do to maximise your chances. Read here for more information on ‘The Northern Lights’. On a clear day, you might even be able to see mother nature’s light show from Reykjavik. However, most experts advise on venturing out to the Seltjarnarnes region for a higher chance of catching them.
9. Skaftafell National Park
Now part of the larger Vatnajokull National Park, the scenery at Skaftafell could be likened to the stark, mountainous beauty of the Swiss Alps. The highest mountain is Hvannadalshnukur which is blanketed in ice the entire year. Walking through this national park is remarkable when it comes to scenic diversity. You’ll pass black sand plateaus, rivers, lagoons laden with ice diamonds, volcanoes, mountains, and Iceland’s largest glacier - Vatnajokull. The park has a variety of hiking trails but the best ones end with the Svartifoss waterfall. A stunning cascade of water surrounded on all sides by black lava. Incredible!
10. Akureyri
Everyone who visits Iceland is sure to go to Reykjavik, but many people seem to bypass the second largest city - Akureyri. It’s a great hub for seeing popular sites like Lake Myvatn, Godafoss waterfall and Dettifoss waterfall and is the perfect base for avid skiers. It has a very different vibe to the capital city, being made up of traditional, timber buildings and brimming with lush vegetation. This northern part of the country is well known for its stark beauty, and one of the best ways to explore is with a trek on the fluffy Icelandic ponies. Due to its northerly location, Akureyri is also the preferred base for northern lights holidays.
11. Godafoss Waterfall
One of the most photographed sites in Iceland, the Godafoss Waterfall (literally meaning the waterfall of the Gods) is high on the list of things to do in Iceland. Crashing down from a height of 12 meters and a width of 30 and surrounded by black lava, saying this sight is dramatic would not do it justice. Rainbows often appear from the spray of the fall and it also makes the perfect backdrop for a northern lights photo opportunity. Godafoss Waterfall is located on the ring road which circles the entire country along with Lake Mývtan, Dettifoss Waterfall and the town of Húsavik.
12. Blue Lagoon
Everyone who has googled Iceland has probably come across an image of the stunning Blue Lagoon. It is by far one of the most famous attractions in Iceland. The main draw of this iconic place is the legend of the water having healing properties. People flock to this geothermal spa to spread the miracle silica mud mask (which is found on the bottom of the pool) over their face to cleanse the impurities beneath the surface of their skin. Nothing can be better than a couple of hours dipped in a mineral-rich, natural pool on a freezing cold day. (No matter what time of year you go, this is Iceland after all!)
Hidden Iceland: Where to visit
In recent years, Iceland has become a hugely popular bucket list destination. So popular in fact, that I’m pretty sure anyone reading this will know at least one person who has been. And they all return recommending it.
But while everyone’s main goal is usually to catch a glimpse of the magical ‘northern lights‘, we have the inside scoop! There’s plenty more reasons for visiting Iceland which don’t involve the bright lights of Aurora Borealis. Here’s a couple of hidden gems that we think are also well worth exploring.
Where are the best places to see
the northern lights?
One of the most featured bucket list items is no doubt a northern lights holiday. Mother nature’s own spellbinding performance which has captivated the world for years. People travelling far and wide, just to catch a glimpse of the illuminated sky as the Aurora Borealis waltzes above.
Where to see the northern lights in Iceland
The northern lights can be seen from any country which lies in the auroral band: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada. Whilst these are all great places to witness the Aurora Borealis, Iceland is the place which holds our hearts.
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