Visit Iceland: the handy guide

Iceland is an island marked by the disproportionate forces of nature. A unique case in Europe. It is a land where you can go from a volcano to a glacier, from a black sand beach to a waterfall, from a fjord to a geyser in only a few kilometres! This bubbling and steaming piece of land is a paradise for hikers in search of fabulous landscapes far from any civilization. It is also a paradise for photographers with colour palettes worthy of a beautiful watercolour. A trip to Iceland is simply indescribable and unforgettable! So let yourself be transported to these magical places between glaciers, deserts, green valleys and mountains.

Fire up all five senses on an Iceland trip

Iceland is an iconic travel destination. It is known for the beauty of its wild landscapes. In the land of the Elves and the Vikings, wilderness rhymes with excess. Iceland is a living, pulsating, smoking island. This is a land where travelers are confronted with an environment as magnificent as it is impetuous. Known as the land of fire and ice, Iceland is an explosion of sensory wonders!

Where the visible meets the invisible

Active volcanoes, lava fields, roaring waterfalls, geysers, glaciers glistening in the sunlight, verdant fjords, wind-sculpted cliffs – here’s a summary of Iceland’s landscapes! This wild paradise is a must for nature lovers. The beauty of Iceland’s nature makes you happy!

Clouds, mist, fog, the landscape is constantly changing. Suddenly a pile of rocks becomes human… In Iceland, the border between the visible and the invisible world is blurred. When the first human inhabitants settled on the island, many of them adopted the idea that the elves were allowing them to share the land with them. And this Iceland’s mythical world of hidden people is called Huldufólk.

A culinary challenge for tourists: the Hákarl

Indulge in the unique flavors of Icelandic cuisine. Taste delicate flavor of Icelandic lamb (the « hangikjöt »), the freshly caught Atlantic salmon or Arctic char, prepared with traditional methods. And for the adventurous foodies, don’t forget to try the national dish: the hákarl, a fermented shark meat! At first bite, you’ll be surprised by the rubbery texture, but most of all by the incomparable taste: a devastating burst of ammonia with a slight fish flavor. Be brave and try the hákarl with a small glass of Brennivín!

The sounds of nature

Let the sounds of Iceland sing to your ears. Listen to the roar of waterfalls as they crash down into a narrow canyon or the crackling of moving ice on huge glaciers. Hear the powerful waves crashing against cliffs the bubbling of hot springs, the blowing of whales or the cries of puffins… And be captivated by the silence of the remote Icelandic landscapes to truly connect with nature. If you are lucky, you might hear the haunting melodies of Icelandic musicians playing traditional instruments such as the langspil.

Fire and ice for a sensory adventure

Iceland offers a tactile experience like no other place on earth. Immerse yourself in a soothing hot spring after a long day of adventure. Feel the silky softness of the geothermal water on your skin. The Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík is Iceland’s most famous hot spring. However, there are many others around the country such as Mývatn’s Natural Baths or the Mysterious Lagoon. Touch the rough, hardened lava that is a reminder of the burning origins of this land. Reach out and touch the smooth, bluish ice of a glacier, until you feel a refreshing shiver run down your fingertips.

A sulphurous scent…

Explore Iceland’s geothermal zones and enjoy the sulfurous smell of boiling pots, fumaroles, and solfataras. The high Sulphur content and the heat of the geothermal areas make them smell like rotten eggs. In winter, the fish dryers near Reykjavik give off an aquatic aroma, sometimes laced with ammonia. The rest of the time, breathe in the crisp, pure air of Iceland, tinged with hints of earthy moss, wildflowers, and the salty breeze from the surrounding seas.

Iceland in vidéo