I C E L A N D
I C E L A N D I C
C O U N T R Y S I D E
O V E R V I E W
A land of extremes, Iceland is where fire and ice, midnight sun and endless winter nights, ancient lore and cutting-edge modernity all come together.
It is a place where time feels like it moves differently, shaped by roaring waterfalls, silent glaciers, and volcanic landscapes that seem plucked from the imagination.
While many visitors come for the Northern Lights, Iceland’s charm is much more than a celestial display—it’s an invitation to explore the extraordinary on every horizon.
Here's what we think should form the core of your experience:
Waterfalls & Glaciers
Iceland’s waterfalls are among the most beautiful in the world, each with a unique character. Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall,” cascades in two tiers into a dramatic canyon, while Seljalandsfoss invites you to walk behind its misty curtain.
Skógafoss, with its roaring drop and rainbows in the spray, is unforgettable, and Dettifoss in the north is Europe’s most powerful waterfall, a testament to raw energy. No less captivating are Iceland’s glaciers, which shape the land in ways both visible and unseen.
Take a guided tour of an ice cave, where ethereal blue chambers within glaciers like Vatnajökull feel like stepping into another world. At Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, watch massive icebergs drift serenely before breaking apart and washing ashore as polished fragments of crystal.
Aurora Borealis
Few phenomena capture the imagination quite like the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Iceland’s long winter nights provide an ideal setting to chase this elusive, celestial dance.
Locations away from Reykjavik, such as Thingvellir National Park or the Westfjords, offer darker skies for a more dramatic experience.
One of our private tour guides or driver guides will not only increase your chances of witnessing the auroras but also explain the folklore and science behind them, adding depth to the magic.
The Ring Road, Whale Watching, & Wildlife
The Ring Road, or Route 1, loops around Iceland and provides access to many of its most iconic sites. This journey is about more than ticking boxes—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in Iceland’s wildly varied landscapes.
Explore the black sand beaches of Vík, the lava fields of the north, and the serene beauty of the Eastfjords.
Consider venturing off the Ring Road to experience Iceland’s quirkier side. Stop by a traditional turf house, remnants of Iceland’s ingenious architecture that blend into the landscape, or seek out less-visited gems like the remote Strandir Coast.
Iceland’s coastal waters are teeming with life. Whale-watching tours departing from towns like Húsavík or Akureyri offer the chance to spot humpbacks, orcas, and even the elusive blue whale. Closer to shore, puffin colonies nest in abundance during the summer months, particularly in the Westman Islands and near Dyrhólaey.