MAIN Travel Tourist Attractions Iceland

Iceland is well named as the land of fire and ice. With a glacier covering active volcanos on part of the land and thermal springs providing heat, power, health spas and some spectacular geysers, the landscape is not what you'd expect.

Tourists often make the comment that the Icelandic countryside reminds them of Ireland. This is especially true in the long sunlit summer when the greens and wildflowers are breathtaking. The midnight sun is replaced by long hours of darkness in the winter, but that's the best time to experience the Northern Lights.

Although the weather is chilly, the warm waters of the Gulf Stream keep the worst of the Arctic blasts from visitors. From the East Coast of the USA or Western Europe, this friendly island is just a short trip and perfect for a weekend visit. All Icelandic flights stop here and you may be able to arrange a stay in Iceland as part of a trip to another European destination.

More about Iceland travel in our Iceland Travel Index:

Planning A Trip to Iceland - When to go and what to know before you travel plus practical travel info, seasonal highlights, available tours and activities, hotels & restaurants, photo gallery, maps, downloadable brochures.

Flying Icelandic - In-depth look at all there is to Iceland, including regional guides, comprehensive info on Icelandic birds and wildlife, practical travel info, history and culture, maps, photos and slide shows.

Hotel Review - The Raddison SAS Saga in Reykjavik - Wireless connections in every room make working easy and the food is outstanding, but the Icelandic charm and friendly service is left outside...

Restaurant Review - Lækjarbrekka in Reykjavik - Fantastic international and Icelandic cuisine served by a friendly and ultra-professional wait staff in a landmark building with a smoking lounge and brandy room upstairs in Reykjavík, Bankastræti 2, Tel. 551 4430 - right in the middle of the old town... Lækjarbrekka

Sightseeing in Reykjavik - Shopping, culture, wining & dining in Reykjavik, yellow page listings, complete set of maps.

Whale Watching in Iceland - Shopping, culture, wining & dining in Reykjavik, yellow page listings, complete set of maps.

The Northern Lights in Iceland - Few places on earth can offer this spectacular light show and Iceland is one of the best to experience the Aurora Borealis with all of the amazing colors dancing in the night sky. Photo galleries, tips on where to go, what causes the lights and how to catch them on film or in digital images...

The Blue Lagoon Spa - Just a short trip from Reykjavik, but you'll think you've wandered into another world. The hot waters are a blue that has been described as "gator-ade blue" or the color of light blue fabric softener. The waters are relaxing beyond description. The scenery and restaurant are worth a trip even if you are not the spa type.

Golden Circle Tour - This is one of the most popular tours in Iceland and is available from many tour operators. We were treated to several special stops with a very knowledgeable and interesting narrative at each place. Along the way, we were filled in with details about the landscape, history, customs and nuances of living in Iceland as well as a few Icelandic songs from our talented, multilingual, professional and extremely friendly tour guide...

Iceland's Horses - The breed of colorful horses that you'll see in Iceland are unlike any other horse. The five gaits and gentle disposition set them apart as much as the stocky build. The horses are kept from interbreeding with other horses by not allowing any horse to enter Iceland. If an owner wants to race a horse outside of the country, the horse will not be able to return to Iceland after the race!

Iceland's Birds - The landscape of Iceland offers many lava created nooks and crannies that are perfect for nesting. Migrants and the vagrant birds of the world take advantage of this resting spot near the Arctic to rest during their travels. Some like the spot so well that they make it their year round home. A visit in May or June may let you see the full display of species and come home with photos of 70 or 80 different types of birds.

Icelandic Myths & Legends - The culture of Iceland is colored by characters and creatures from folklore based on ancient Norse and Gaelic tales and the seas that surround the island. Children are raised on stories of trolls who live in homes of stone, monsters hatched from rooster eggs, elves, ghosts and other fanciful creatures.

Iceland's Arts & Crafts - Woolen goods are a familiar sight in all of the shops, but the warm blankets and scarves are just a part of the world of creativity that you'll find in the craft shops and artists workshops of Iceland. The museums offer a range of Icelandic and internation work that will amaze you.

Icelandic Foods - You'd probably expect fresh fish and lobster to be delicious entrees in Iceland - and you'd be right. But don't leave without sampling the native lamb. Root vegetables grow well in the rocky soil and you'll find plenty of carrots, turnips and potatoes on menus, but other vegetables are cultivated during the long days of spring and summer and what can't be produced locally is easy to import. For the adventurous diner puffin is an option and so are foal and reindeer.

Iceland's Holidays - Feasting and festivals are a good way to break up the long nights of an Icelandic winter and you'll find plenty of celebrations during the cold months, but spring, summer and fall all have their share of reasons to party. No matter what the temperature outside may be, there are always warm holidays to enjoy in Iceland.