10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Ever go some place so spectacular you couldn’t stop talking about it? That place was Iceland for me. Iceland as a trip came about as a complete fluke for me. I actually already had tickets and accommodation booked for France during the 2016 Euro Cup but due to the concerns of security at the time my friends didn’t feel safe going. So given that we were out a little bit of money and had vacation time booked already we looked elsewhere for where to go and somebody suggested Iceland for a week. Now, I’ll admit Iceland wasn’t really on my radar so I had zero expectations going into the country but once we arrived I was absolutely in love. Ever since I pretty much can’t stop raving about it and have already looked into going back. So if you’ve ever thought to yourself why visit Iceland then this is the list for you! Read on for all the motivation and reason you could possibly need!

Animals

Everywhere you look you’ll see animals. From friendly, photogenic horses with long beautiful manes (seriously, what’s the trick? Their horses have fantastic hair days) to sheep (there are more sheep than people on Iceland!) to seals and whales. Not to mention all the kinds of birds. There’s plenty of tours you can do (to maximize your chances of puffins and whales) but you’re going to see animals no matter what you do in Iceland. The below pictures are from instances that occured by the road. The first picture is from when we had pulled over to see a waterfall and a team of horses just ran past. The ones in the picture stopped to show off a little and then moved on. The second picture is a horse that lived by one of our accommodations but you can find Icelandic horses all over the country and usually by the side of the road minding their own business. So, if you’re into wildlife Iceland is definitely the place to go.

Icelandic Horses is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Icelandic Horses is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Waterfalls

This is one of those parts of Iceland I can’t explain to you. There isn’t 1 bad waterfall no matter where you look. You literally can’t go wrong with any of the ones you choose to visit. And this isn’t the case where after a while they all start to look the same. They really don’t. They’re different heights, come down in different forces and are located in different surroundings. Some can only be viewed from a distance. Some you can view from a platform right beside it or above it. Others you can walk right up to and wet your feet by. Others you can even walk behind. Whatever you could possibly desire from a waterfall, the Icelandic waterfalls would fulfill for you and the best part is there are so many amazing ones to chose from.

Seljalandsfoss is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
Seljalandsfoss – This is one of the water falls you can actually walk behind! And it makes for super nice pictures so I definitely recommend it.

Skogafoss is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
Skogafoss

Geysers and Mud Pots

Oh the smells. How I wish I could put into writing what it’s like to be hit in the face with a rotting egg smell. I had never experienced a geyser or a mud pot in person before Iceland so these were both two new experiences for me. And boy did they leave a mark. Besides the smell, there’s just something so grand about it. I waited around for the big geyser to explode several times and never got bored. I knew it was coming every time yet it was somehow still a surprise and still super exciting every time it happened. We varied it up, went close enough to get splashed and then watched from afar to take it all in. Again, totally amazing all times. And that was nothing compared to the mud pots. You know those stare spots you get? When you just focus on something and like everything else fades away? That was me at the mud pots. I could have watched those bubbles for a loooooooong time. There was something so peaceful about the sound they were making and the constant movement of the mud. Not to mention the colors of the entire area. Luckily, the smell brought me back to reality and I was able to snap some of the below pictures.

Strokkur is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
Strokkur in the Geysir area

Mývatn Area in North-Iceland is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next TripMývatn Area in North-Iceland is where you can find these mud pots that actually bubble and make noises.

Mývatn Area in North-Iceland is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
Another picture from the Mývatn Area in North-Iceland. The mud pots area had all kinds of colors and photo opportunities. I happened to be travelling with some guys who thought it was the best idea ever to bend over and pretend the gas was their gas (in their defense, the pictures came out looking super realistic).

Lakes

In my opinion lakes are one of the things you don’t have to look up before travelling to Iceland. You will come across so many just by driving. And they’re all worth a stop and a picture. They come in every single shade of blue you could possibly picture. They’re also very different in temperature. We stopped at more than I can remember but they were all worth it. Some we used to take too many pictures of ourselves at. Some we skipped rocks at and silently reflected by. Some we just took in. But we admired all of them.

Lakes are one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Lakes are one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

 Glaciers and Icebergs

Now let’s all be honest here. First time you heard of Iceland you probably pictured nothing but glaciers and icebergs didn’t you? Until I saw pictures that’s totally what I pictured. But as you’ve seen above (and everywhere else) Iceland is anything but. There’s tons of greens and blues and yellows and greens.  But I digress. This point is actually about all that ice that you may or may not (but probably did) picture. I couldn’t believe my eyes when we first drove up to the glacier lagoon. How could we actually be standing right next to a glacier and actually be able to pick up small piece of it? Was this real life? (Yes it was because I mistakenly did not wear gloves). Just amazing. Everything was so white and the ice was so clean! We saw Jökulsarlón right after and the contrast of the blue iceberg versus the white glacier we just saw was amazing. When I picture ice/snow, I picture the kind of grey slush that you get used to when you live in big cities but clean white snow and blueish ice? Mind blown.

Glaciers are one of the 10 Reasons Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Icebergs are one of the 10 Reasons Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
Jökulsarlón Iceberg

Architecture

Architecture probably isn’t one of the things you’d think of when you think of Iceland. But I’m here to tell you to reconsider. Between beautiful churches in small towns and colorful, rustic cottages along the road it’s hard to find something truly ugly in Iceland. The major cities have got grand churches, shopping streets, opera houses and schools dressed up as works of art.

Architecture is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
A peek of Hallgrímskirkja from the Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden in Reykjavik

Architecture is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next TripLandakotskirkja

Architecture is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip
A school in Reykjavik

Food

So we’ve all read about how expensive the food in Iceland is and how it’s a cost you have to be prepared for when you travel there. While I agree that overall food was a lot more expensive than say the United States or perhaps Asia it wasn’t horrible. I may be biased as a Scandinavian (where foods also expensive) and as somebody who didn’t drink on this trip but I didn’t think it was horrible. But getting off topic here. You obviously shouldn’t travel to Iceland for the cost of the food but you should travel there for the taste of it. The ingredients are all fresh and the food is super tasty. It’s very simple food most of the time. Fish, soup, bread, stew. But it’s made very well and therefore tastes really good. There’s a surprising amount of places to eat in Iceland and if you’re going the dining out option then you must eat at some of the best restaurants in Iceland.

Bonus tip: Hot dogs. Seriously. I don’t know what those sauces are made off but they’re fantastic. We had hot dogs everywhere. Gas stations. Small whale towns. Downtown Reykjavik. They’re seriously fantastic. And very, very cheap. Heads up to people who watch what kind of meat they eat, these are made from a mix of meats (at least the 2 places we asked were) so unless you’re okay with all kinds of animals I’d probably sidestep the hot dogs (but that would be a shame!).

Food is one of the 10 Reasons You Should Make Iceland Your Next Trip

Food is one of the 10 Reasons You Should Make Iceland Your Next Trip

Food is one of the 10 Reasons You Should Make Iceland Your Next Trip

Black Beaches

Iceland’s well known for their black beaches. These beaches consist of tiny fragments of basalt. That’s about the extent of science you’ll get here but they sure are pretty aren’t they? Especially when they contrast with a blue sky or the water of the ocean (photography tip!).

Black Beaches are one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Black Beaches are one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Nature

What is that you say? Nature?? Isn’t that pretty much what I’ve been talking about so far? Not quite. Hear me out here. While the individual aspects of Icelandic nature (i.e. waterfalls, lakes etc.) are fantastic I’m talking about the bigger picture here. I’m talking about open fields with mountains on the horizons. I’m talking about giant hills of lavender fields. I’m talking about small creaks running through rocks. The whole thing. It’s all breathtaking and you have to see it to believe it.

Nature is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Nature is one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

Road Trips

Iceland is a country made for road trips. There are open roads as far as the eye can see and your scenery changes so often it’s hard to keep up. While we went in the summer and most of our stops were actually pretty busy the roads were still somehow always empty. It never made sense to me but I had no complaints! There’s a ton of itineraries out there for how best to plan a road trip. I love this 6-day one and it’s a great start for planning your trip!

Road Trips are one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip    Road Trips are one of the 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip

So there you have it, 10 Reasons Why Iceland Should Be Your Next Trip. I think I made my point right? There’s literally no bad time to visit Iceland. Summer, winter, fall or spring you’ll have a great time no matter when you go. If you’re headed there in the colder months this Iceland Winter Itinerary is a great place to start!

In the mean time, please share or like the post so we can spread the love that Iceland deserves and as always you can follow me on instagram and bloglovin’ to find out when I update!

Have you been to Iceland? What did you love? What did you love even more?

46 Comments

  1. March 15, 2017 / 10:34 pm

    Wow, who knew there was all that in Iceland?!? The architecture looks beautiful. I gotta get there and try the food too. Thanks for sharing!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 21, 2017 / 3:13 pm

      Thanks for reading! It’s definitely a super beautiful country with tons to offer 🙂

  2. March 15, 2017 / 10:35 pm

    Oh my gosh! I need to show this to my husband! Incredible. Going to post on my timeline, too. I have a lot of travelers on in my circle. They will love this! maybe we will coordinate our next group trip here.

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 21, 2017 / 3:18 pm

      You definitely should! Flight prices are actually pretty decent there and there’s so much to see. Thank you for sharing!

  3. March 15, 2017 / 10:41 pm

    Been wanting to go to Iceland! Thank you for this. Love the photos as well. ?

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 21, 2017 / 3:20 pm

      Thanks for checking the post out!

  4. March 15, 2017 / 11:22 pm

    I have wanted to go to Iceland for so long! This makes me want to go even more! Beautiful photos!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 21, 2017 / 3:22 pm

      Thank you! It’s well worth a visit 🙂

  5. March 16, 2017 / 5:49 am

    My husband and I actually put Iceland on our list — looks breathtaking!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 21, 2017 / 3:22 pm

      Definitely is! I’m trying to convince my fiance that we need to go back!

  6. March 16, 2017 / 9:29 am

    There you have it, another country added to my list of must see places. It looks and sounds beautiful!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 1:50 pm

      It really is!

  7. March 16, 2017 / 9:51 am

    You sold me at black beaches! Iceland is such a mysterious beauty, can’t wait to visit soon! But first I need to learn how to drive, haha

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 2:43 pm

      Haha driving definitely helps but I’ve heard of people even biking around Iceland!

  8. March 16, 2017 / 10:31 am

    How stinking gorgeous!!! I would have never thought to visit here before reading this post.

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 2:50 pm

      It’s a really beautiful country!

  9. March 17, 2017 / 9:14 pm

    Breathtaking photos. Iceland is next on my bucket list!

  10. March 18, 2017 / 8:43 am

    You have seriously put Iceland on the map of places I need to visit! Those waterfalls look just stunning!!!

    xoxo
    http://kristaaoki.com

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:01 pm

      Thank you!! I loved it and can’t stop sharing about it!

  11. March 19, 2017 / 5:18 pm

    Wow who would have thought Iceland would be so interesting and beautiful!! Definitely adding this one to my bucket list now lol thank you for sharing!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:25 pm

      Thank you for reading!

  12. March 19, 2017 / 10:11 pm

    OMG the pictures are beautiful and some of those things I’d never even seen in my life before. The mud spots and everything is all so new and exciting to think of!
    Just came across your blog for the first time 🙂 I’ll be coming back for more! (especially because I see New York on your list next and I love NYC!)
    Hope you’ll come over to my blog too! I love traveling! 😀

    ~ Saraallie
    http://www.blogspot.com

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:29 pm

      Hi Saraallie! Thank you so much for the kind comments. I definitely LOVE NYC. It’s hard to get tired of that. Just checked out your blog as well, it’s awesome!

  13. March 20, 2017 / 2:50 am

    Living as an expat in Iceland I couldn’t agree more! Love everything about this amazing country 😀

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:32 pm

      I’m so jealous! I love all your posts on Iceland! It’s bookmarked for whenever I can get myself over there again!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:42 pm

      They’re both very worthy reasons to visit! The Blue Lagoon is super relaxing!

  14. March 20, 2017 / 8:28 pm

    I had no idea iceland had black beaches! That’s so cool!

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:43 pm

      They’re really nice!

  15. March 21, 2017 / 10:20 am

    In so many ways Iceland seems like a whole other world to me, and it’s becoming a growing dream of mine to go to this “far off land”. These are absolutely beautiful pictures! (And that includes the food :D)

    • Liliane
      Author
      March 30, 2017 / 3:45 pm

      Thank you! The food was definitely a nice surprise!

  16. April 13, 2017 / 3:52 am

    You don’t even need to convince me! I went in Feb 2 years ago and whilst I was a bit disappointed to not see the lights, I loved the scenery.

    • Liliane
      Author
      May 1, 2017 / 8:32 pm

      Same!! My only disappointment was not seeing the lights. But I’ve decided that’s just another reason to go back 🙂

  17. April 15, 2017 / 12:46 am

    Your shot of Seljalandsfoss is fantastic. In fact all of your shots are fantastic, Iceland is so photogenic. The black beaches are unreal! Interesting description of the food, I love the Belgian waffle picture.

    • Liliane
      Author
      May 1, 2017 / 8:34 pm

      Thank you so much! The food’s definitely interesting but worth a shot! Looooooved the black beaches!

  18. April 18, 2017 / 10:24 am

    The pictures are beautiful and some of those things I’d never even seen in my life before.)

  19. April 19, 2017 / 12:20 pm

    Such a small country and so much to see! Iceland is definitely high on my travel priority list. And I love your post, the pictures are amazing and it makes me wanna go there NOW! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Liliane
      Author
      May 1, 2017 / 8:45 pm

      Thank you for checking the post out!

  20. May 2, 2017 / 11:26 am

    Iceland is so beautiful. I can’t wait to visit soon!

    • Liliane
      Author
      May 2, 2017 / 9:43 pm

      I hope you get to! It’s an amazing country!

  21. May 6, 2017 / 2:05 pm

    Never thought Iceland could be this beautiful! This whole thing sounds fantastic!

    • Liliane
      Author
      May 10, 2017 / 9:54 am

      It really is such a beautiful country!

  22. November 10, 2017 / 5:43 am

    In case you want to get away from the tourists, you can get your share of dipping from one of the different natural hot tubs that are all over Iceland.

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