Iceland tours & travel

This island nation was settled by the Vikings in the 9^th century and many Icelanders remain proud of their Viking heritage, in fact many elements of this heritage persist today. The Icelandic language, for example, is so similar to the Old Norse spoken during Viking times that Icelanders can still read and understand the original Icelandic sagas.

Additionally, many Icelanders believe in the existence of elves, gnomes, fairies and other ‘hidden people’. When locals tell tales of trolls or relay elfin legends, they seem to do so with a knowing smirk and a gleam in their eye (which could mean they’ve seen proof of magic for themselves or it could mean the whole country is in on one giant inside joke). But when news outlets report on road plans being changed so as not to disrupt an elfin church, it’s hard to believe that this unusual country and its magical landscapes can be explained by anything other than the supernatural.

Iceland also has rules in place to help preserve its culture. Names, for instance, are required to reflect Icelandic culture and new parents must seek approval from a naming committee when naming their child. However, Iceland’s geographic isolation is also a factor in developing and preserving its cultural traits. Independence, self-sufficiency and a strong work ethic – traits that allowed this northern island to flourish in challenging conditions– continue to be highly valued today. 

Iceland is a highly modern and progressive society. It has been called the best place in the world to be a woman and is incredibly LGBTQ-friendly. It’s also one of the greenest countries in the world, with almost all energy coming from renewable resources. For all these reasons and more, it’s no wonder the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ is consistently ranked as one of the happiest nations in the world.

Icelandic cuisine is filled with plenty of potatoes, lamb and seafood. Seafood from the waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic is fresh and delicious year-round and can be prepared in a wide range of ways (dried, salted, boiled, fried or baked).

Sheep and cows are free range and fed chemical-free diets, making lamb and dairy products exceptionally good here. Be sure to try Icelandic meat soup – made with lamb, potatoes, carrots, rice and herbs stewed together to create the perfect antidote to a frigid winter day. Skyr, a popular yoghurt that is also technically a cheese, is a must and comes in a variety of flavours. Eat it like the locals do – for breakfast, as a snack, as a dipping sauce, in drink form (called drykkur) or as a dessert topper.

Surprisingly, hot dogs are Iceland’s most iconic food. Widely available, a hot dog is probably the cheapest meal you’ll have in Iceland. Order one with all the toppings – sweet mustard, ketchup, raw onions, deep-fried onions and aioli. Black liquorice is also beloved by locals and found in a wide range of desserts and candy bars.

Alcohol can be expensive in Iceland and is best bought at the duty-free shop. Although forms of prohibition existed until 1989, alcohol is now widely available all over the country in state-run liquor stores. If you’re feeling brave, try Brennivin – a potent, traditional caraway-flavoured schnapps nicknamed ‘black death’.

Iceland has a reputation for serving up some of the most unusual food in the world – boiled sheep’s head, fermented shark, smoked puffin and rams’ testicles to name a few. Although the country’s isolation and harsh winters once gave need to these strange foods, now, most of these ‘delicacies’ are only prepared to shock tourists.

Despite the long and dark winters, Icelanders are among the happiest people in the world. Why? One reason is that they understand the importance of getting together and having a good time. Icelanders have many celebrations throughout the year, but here are a few to look out for:

Thorrablot: This annual mid-winter feast in January is one of Iceland’s oldest festivals, dating back to Viking days. Fearless eaters can find restaurants in Reykjavik offering special Thorrablot dinners of boiled sheep’s head, rotten shark’s meat and cured rams’ testicles. If you can, try to snag an invitation to a local’s house, where celebrations tend to be more festive and involve lots of singing, dancing and drinking. 

Viking Festival: Modern-day Vikings in traditional garb flock to Hafnarfjorour each June for a festival Leif Eriksson would approve of. Swordfights, archery, axe throwing, a traditional market, concerts and a proper Viking feast are all part of the festivities.

Dalvik Fiskidagurinn Mikli (The Great Fish Day): Each August, the northern fishing village of Dalvik invites you to an all-you-can-eat fish and seafood buffet – for free! Held for no other reason other than to get people together over a delicious fish meal – you might come for the free food, but you’ll stay because of the lovely people.  

Iceland possesses some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders and unique landscapes. From active volcanoes to vast ice fields, bubbling hot springs and enormous glaciers, these dramatic contrasts have earned Iceland the nickname of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’.

Many of these geological features are due to its location along the Mid-Atlantic ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are moving away from each other, making it a hotspot for volcanic activity. The country is covered by moss-covered lava fields and soaring fjords, incredible waterfalls and spewing geysers, all of which add to Iceland’s otherworldly look. 

The country is also the perfect spot to witness the Northern Lights. This spectacular natural light show is best viewed from October to March, when the skies are clear and auroral activity is high. But don’t let that stop you from visiting in other seasons; Iceland’s natural wonders are truly year-round attractions. 

Iceland is notorious for being an expensive destination. Travelling on a budget here is difficult but can be done. There are some things you can do to lessen the financial load. Head to Bonus, Iceland’s discount grocery store, so you can cook rather than eat out for each meal. The duty-free store at Reykjavik airport is the best place to pick up a bottle of Icelandic alcohol such as Brennivin liquor, Reyka vodka or Viking Gold beer for a fraction of the price you’d find elsewhere. It’s also a good idea to join a group tour, as operators can get better rates than a single traveller at hotels and restaurants (plus they know all the local hotspots).

If you’d like to take home Icelandic local specialties, Reykjavik is the best place to shop. Some of the country’s coolest shops can be found on the downtown street, Laugavegur. Here you can browse clothing by quirky local designers and traditional lamb wool sweaters, as well as tourist shops selling plastic Viking hats and puffin magnets. For smaller boutiques selling local art, head to Skolavordustigur.

Travellers can claim back tax spent on most items purchased in Iceland before they leave. Ask for a tax-free form when making your purchase and ensure the retailer signs it. When leaving the country, show the customs official the goods you purchased, the tax-free forms and all receipts. Then take your forms to the International Refund Point to get your money back. It’s a bit of a lengthy process but is worth the effort if you plan on shopping while you’re there. Find more information here.

Top 5 Natural Phenomena of Iceland

1. Northern Lights

The Northern Hemisphere's Aurora Borealis has captivated and intrigued people for eons. Any winter tour of Iceland absolutely must include the Northern Lights. This stunning, natural light display that runs along magnetic fields brings hypnotic green, yellow and red shades to the night sky in Iceland from September to March. As one of nature's most magnificent triumphs, this is one unforgettable spectacle.

2. Golden Falls

Known locally as Gullfoss, this spectacular, three-tiered waterfall drops suddenly into a deep cavern, creating a dramatic landscape like no other. Surrounded by lush, green countryside, the mist and spray create rainbows in the air providing brilliant photo opportunities.

3. Blue Lagoon

The mineral-rich, azure waters of the Blue Lagoon are a magnificent sight to behold and are even better to soak in. Relaxing in the warm waters while admiring the sublime moonscape is a quintessential Iceland experience that just must be done.

4. Lake Myvatn

This awesome area in northern Iceland was birthed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago and continues to be shaped by volcanic activity to this day. The combination of strange lava formations, thermal caves and a sprawling lake dotted with craters and rising rocks makes for an eerie yet beautiful landscape.

5. Glacier Lagoon

Also known as Jokulsarlon, this monumental glacier lake is the largest in Iceland. Featuring a parade of large and small blue icebergs floating on and under the pure, icy water, this lagoon is so exceptionally beautiful that it has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood films, a set for reality television shows and has even featured on a postage stamp. Make no mistake, by booking one of our Iceland tours, you'll ensure you don't miss this natural beauty.

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure: