7 Things to Do on Your Next Trip to Iceland
Travel to Iceland has been increasing year over year for quite some time, and in 2017 the number of US visitors is expected to surpass the Icelandic population. With WOW Air having announced yet another flight from the US to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), you may even find yourself scoring a great deal on tickets soon. Consider this your to-do list once you get there.
1. Soak in Geothermal Pools
Iceland is a country fueled by geothermal energy. In fact, there's so much, you'll see it coming out of the ground. The country has hundreds, if not thousands, of naturally heated pools and hot springs. The Blue Lagoon is definitely the most famous geothermal attraction, with as many as 700,000 visitors a year. If you're not a fan of crowds, keep an eye out for the opening of the Moss Hotel, which will offer a swimming area in the lagoon just for its guests. Hot Pot Iceland is a great resource for finding out about those hidden, locals-only gems, like my personal favorite, Landbrotalaug.
2. Ride Icelandic Horses
The Icelandic horse is a breed that can only be found here, so why not take a lava horse riding tour? These can be done all year long and range from hourlong trips to a multi-day adventures. In the summer, when there's nearly limitless daylight, you'll have more than enough time to tack a short ride onto a day full of sightseeing.
3. Stay in a Cute Cabin
Iceland is an expensive country, and there aren't many points hotel options to be had. Instead, book a stay in one of the country's gorgeous cabins available via Airbnb. Since it's likely that yours will have a kitchen, use that as an opportunity to cook delicious local fish or lamb and stay in for a night to play cards with your companions.
4. Walk on a Glacier
Iceland is home to 13 different major glaciers and ice caps, including Europe's largest, Vatnajökull. A variety of companies offer hiking and Jeep tours on them — something you should never do yourself, by the way, because of dangerous crevasses. If you're short on time or cash and can't do a full-on glacier experience, you can still drive to a lot that are less then a 10-minute walk from Sólheimajökull's glacial tongue.
5. Get Close to Waterfalls
It seems like everywhere you look here, there's another waterfall. This phenomenon is especially noticeable if you have the chance to make it to Iceland's eastern side or the Westfjords. Even if you don't have enough time to make it to either of those places, there are plenty of impressive waterfalls within easy reach of Reykjavik, including Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Merkjárfoss and Haífoss.
6. Dive Into the Clearest Water on the Planet
Silfra is a rift formed between the Eurasian and North American tectonic places that's home to the clearest water on Earth. It's located in Þingvellir (note, Þ makes a "th" sound) or Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major stop on Iceland's famous Golden Circle route. The visibility underwater generally ranges between 230 and 260 feet — compare this with the Maldives, where it's usually between 65 and 170 feet. Diving at Silfra is a pretty involved task and you'll need to have done multiple previous drysuit dives or take a full-day drysuit course the day before. Snorkeling will give you the same reward for less money, time and effort, and you'll still stay nice and dry in a provided drysuit. At the very least, make sure to give Silfra a look from above on your visit to this beautiful park.
7. Scope Out Puffins on Europe's Largest Bird Cliffs
In addition to having Europe's largest glacier, Iceland is also home to its largest bird cliffs, Látrabjarg, which are nearly nine miles long, up to 1,440 feet tall and home to millions of birds, including puffins, razorbills and northern gannets. Note that not all bird species are present on the cliffs at all times and some are significantly more difficult to spot than others. If it's a puffin sighting you're after, the best time to visit is between April and August. If you're lucky, you may also spot other wildlife while you're there, most notably the arctic fox.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Iceland? Let us know in the comments, below.
Featured image by Ville Miettinen wili_hybrid / Getty Images.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.