Iceland | Why It Should Be On Every Traveler’s Bucket List?

Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a globetrotter taking a flight from New York to Reykjavik, whether you’re fond of luxury getaways or weekend escapes or whether you’re a budget traveler or travel with your family, Iceland — the surreal Scandinavian country should be on the top of every traveler’s bucket list. From its dramatic landscapes offering idiosyncratic and splendid views of glaciers, icebergs, waterfalls, lava plains, steaming geysers and icy volcanoes, Iceland is truly blessed with unparalleled natural beauty to mesmerize any soul.

I’ve never been to Iceland but one of my girlfriends went this summer on her honeymoon to Icelandic adventure and had the ultimate time of her life. Just listening to her entire exhilarating experience and scrolling her gazillions pictures, Iceland has truely stolen my heart.

Since then, It is top of my bucket list of places I want to explore before I die! Here’s the list of all amazing things I want to do for my Icelandic adventure.

1) To chase Northern Lights

Seeing the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights is an ultimate dream of every traveler visiting the Iceland for the first time. It is a lifetime experience in itself watching something magical and beyond the imagination when the temperature is in negative.

Based on my research, I found that there are many places which have an unspoiled view of the Northern Lights. If you’re planning to travel west side, the Snaefellsjokull Glacier offers opulent mountain backdrops for this glaring fiesta of Northern Lights. If you’re planning to stay only in Reykjavik, you can go to dome-shaped Perlan, or Reykjavik’s Grotta Lighthouse for an urban view. If you want an unforgettable and stunning view, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Thingvellir National Park.

2) To go glacier hiking, ice-caving or boat tour of South Coast

Either glacier hiking or a boat tour of a Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is a great way to get a closer look at the picturesque glacier and admire the beauty of the mother nature. For ice caving, Jökulsárlón on the southern coast and the man-made Langjokull, the second largest glacier in Iceland are the most popular spots for ice caving. But always ensure that you’re booking this south coast tour in winter as it is dangerous to go on the glacier without a specialized and experienced tour guide.

3) To swim in a Blue Lagoon

If you have a dream of swimming outdoors in sub-zero temperatures with a surreal view of snow-capped mountains, this heated manmade Blue Lagoon should totally be on your Iceland bucket list! This geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. It is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

4) To stroll around world-famous black-sand Reynisfjara Beach

As a beach lover, I’m fond of white sand beaches of Florida. When my friend told me about Reynisfjara Beach, it was hard to believe this black-sand beach until I saw its pictures. It has black volcanic sands and known for its rock formation. It is world-renowned as one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches.

5) To witness some Geysers & Hot Springs

Iceland is a magnificent country blessed with numerous steaming Geysers and Hot Springs. Some of the most spectacular and breathtaking geysers in Iceland are The Great Geyser, Strokkur, Fata, Konungshver and Blesi to name a few. But, if you want to see the finest geysers Iceland has to offer, Strokkur and The Great Geyser should be on your ultimate wishlist. The Great Geyser is fairly active and erupts on a daily basis. The Strokkur, also known as the Churn is located just a few meters away from the Great Geyser. Therefore you should not miss these attractions.

 6) To take a feel of Game of Thrones landscape

If you’re fond of GOT like me, you must visit Iceland — ‘A Land of Ice & Fire’! Its surreal landscapes will leave you spellbound. If you have never watched Game of Thrones before, good for you but its awe-inspiring, scintillating and mystical landscapes will soothe any soul. If you’re fond of nature photography, Iceland will be your ultimate paradise.

7) To see Gullfoss Waterfall

I have a thing for majestic waterfalls. I have only seen the Niagara Falls — one of the powerful creation of the mother nature. When I got to know about Gullfoss Waterfall, I found no reason to skip it from my Iceland wishlist. It is located in the canyon of Olfusa river in southwest Iceland. Gullfoss is also a part of the Golden Circle, one of the popular tourist routes in southern Iceland.

8) To explore the colorful streets of Reykjavík

Reykjavik — the capital of Iceland is a quirky city famous for its amazing architecture, cuisine, nightlife and entertainment. If you have a thing for colors, the city has plenty to offer and it will give you the glimpse of an old-world charm. From its museums to its galleries to its cultural sites to its public artworks, no visit to the Iceland would be complete without visiting its capital.

9) To try mouthwatering Nordic food

Every country has its own unique cuisine inspired by its culture. Iceland is famous for its Nordic food that consists of fresh seafood. Some of the famous Nordic dishes that you shouldn’t miss to taste are seared salmon with fresh berry jam, fresh scallop with bold seasonings and plokkfiskur. You can check this guide to explore some of the amazing places to eat and drink in Iceland.

I’m sure that all the above reasons should have convinced you enough to visit Iceland once in your lifetime as where else you can see the glory of the mother nature in its full swing! From its dayless winters to nightless summer months to its surreal landscapes, Iceland has a power to fascinate any traveler by its own charm!

With all these being said, I just wish to visit Iceland soon!

If you’ve been to Iceland, do share your experiences in the comments below? What else will you recommend to explore in Iceland apart from my above wishlist? If you haven’t been to Iceland, would you like to visit there someday in your life?

Till then, Happy Wandering,
Ana

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