ICELANDIC
COUNTRYSIDE
(for members only!)
Exploring the Iceland Countryside: Landscapes, Volcanoes, and Glaciers
Starting in Reykjavic as a perfect entry point, you can also venture further into the Icelandic countryside.
This 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.
At Seljalandsfoss, the visitor can 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.
No less captivating are Iceland’s glaciers, which have contributed hugely to the landscape that you see today.
Take one of our guides with you and 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.
Skip the Middleman. Meet the Best Guides in Iceland.
GGG MEMBERS SECTION
In the Icelandic countryside, GGG members connect with guides who help you go far beyond the Golden Circle.
We have a professional photographer who can teach you to find the best light and least crowded angles of waterfalls, volcanoes, and Northern Lights.
Our other guide is an expert driver-guide with an off-road Mercedes Sprinter, ready to take you from glacier hikes in Vatnajökull to geothermal soaks in the Highlands, or out along the dramatic coastlines of Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords.
Whether you're chasing auroras, riding Icelandic horses, exploring black sand beaches, or venturing to lesser-known turf houses and lava caves, we’ll help you understand the land as well as see it.