Why Iceland is Perfect for Any Type of Traveler

Iceland is undoubtably one of the most popular destinations in the world right now. People are constantly posting about the diverse beauty of this country all across social media. Because of Iceland’s immense diversity, this is a destination for truly any kind of traveler. Whether you’re interested in nature, wildlife, street art, luxury and more, Iceland has something for you to explore! 

Landscape Lovers

Iceland has some of the most unique landscapes in the entire world all packed into less than 40k square miles.

- Love volcanoes and geothermal activity? Iceland has it in various different forms like geysers, volcanoes and geothermal rivers.

- Are you all about mountains? The whole island is basically covered in them. In addition to this there are black sand beaches covered in basalt columns and waterfalls galore. 

Must Sees and Dos: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Glacier Hiking and Gljúfrabúi Waterfall on Iceland's South Coast.

Find South Coast Tours here.

Luxury Travelers

Iceland has some really incredible and unique luxury experiences. There are several incredible restaurants to choose from for a fine dining experience. You can stay at a luxury or boutique hotel that’s sure to enhance your experience.

If you’re more into spa experiences, a trip to the Blue Lagoon is a must for you. They have it all right in one place: spa, restaurant and beautiful accommodation. 

Find Blue Lagoon Tours here.

Must Sees and Dos: A full spa treatment at the Blue Lagoon. Stay at Keahotels Borg and Apotek and take in the nature of the land of fire and ice by helicopter. Can you get a more luxurious nature experience than that?

Folklore Enthusiasts

I love different myths and fairy tales. Many of them have roots in truth or lend meaning or history behind different unique natural occurrences.

In fact, according to some sources it’s said that over half of Icelanders believe in elves! In addition to learning the lore behind some of the natural beauty you may find throughout the island, you can also find elf homes sprinkled all over the island. I loved stumbling up on these on my drives in Iceland.

Must Sees and Dos: Elf houses of Drangshlid to experience the elves for yourself and the Icelandic Wonders Museum which covers everything from elves to trolls and Northern Lights. 

Catching Glimpses of Unique Wildlife

Iceland’s climate allows it to be a home to some very unique wildlife. Different species of birds, like puffins, are visitor highlights for sure.

Although, one of the coolest experiences to have on the island is a whale watching tour. A whale watching excursion can allow you to see one or more of some really unique species of whale. You can even see the largest known species to have lived: the blue whale. Other beautiful whale species that you can see in Iceland are orcas, harbor porpoises, minke whales and even potentially a beluga whale, if you’re lucky! 

Must Sees and Dos: Take a whale watching excursion. You can see different whales at different times of the year and in different locations on the island. You can catch glimpses of puffins all over the island as well - you don’t even need to take a boat to see those cuties. 

Street Art Hunters

I’ve become very in to street art. I think that over the last decade especially the amount of unique, detailed and exquisite street art across the world has boomed. Reykjavik is one of the destinations that has some of the best out there. Read about graffiti and street art in Reykjavík here.

When I was in Reykjavik I dedicated an entire afternoon to simply walking the streets looking for street art to photograph. A year later some of the works I saw there still rank as some of my favorite across the world. 

Must Sees and Dos: Take a free walking tour of Iceland to get city info while also seeing some street art. Find a fun way to “collect” street art. Compile a photo essay, come up with a pose to make in front of them or even start an Instagram account! Find your own way to interact with the art.

Road Trippers

If you love a good road trip, then Iceland is the right destination for you. Driving there is a breeze. Road signs are very clear, even as a foreigner, and since there aren’t any major cities then navigating your way around is quite easy.

I even rented a car in the winter, which totally intimidated me because of the weather, but it turned out to be no problem at all. Even when I drove below the speed limit on some of the dark roads, the Icelandic drivers were extremely patient with me and safely passed when they were able to. 

Must Sees and Dos: Have a week or more? Drive the Ring Road around the whole island. Have a few days? Drive the South Coast and the Golden Circle.

• Find Self Drive Tours here.
• See also: The Ultimate Guide to Driving in Iceland.

No matter your travel style, you’re sure to have a one-of-a-kind adventure on this beautiful one-of-a-kind island.