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Blue Lagoon
Everyone has seen photographs of the Blue Lagoon, but it’s still jarring to arrive at the fabled geothermal baths for the first time and realize that the technicolor is real. After extensive renovations, the changing facilities reopened in 2007, and...
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Einar Jónsson Museum
This small museum atop Skólavörduholt hill (near the Hallgrímskirkja church) celebrates Iceland’s first sculptor, Einar Jónsson. The museum features examples of Jónsson’s plaster works made over the course of his 60-year career. The building, which was built in 1923, was...
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Golden Circle
This route along the southwest coast passes a “best of” list of Icelandic attractions, including Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk from the North American to the Euroasian tectonic plate, Gullfoss waterfall and the valley of Haukadalur, where you...
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Hallgrímskirkja
It took thirty-eight years to complete the Hallgrímskirkja church, whose 244-foot tower is visible across Reykjavík. A prime example of Expressionist architecture, the church was inspired by the basalt columns found at such waterfalls as Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park....
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Harpa
A stunning contemporary structure on the Reykjavik harbor, Harpa is a multipurpose cultural space housing the National Opera and Symphony along with a smattering of art galleries, shops and a restaurant. The honeycomb façade of the structure, designed in collaboration...
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Haukadalur Valley
Visiting the geysers (called Geysir and Strokkur) in this valley is a tourist must, but be sure to go early, as the place gets overrun, especially during the high season. Stay on the marked paths; the geothermal field abounds with...
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i8 Gallery
This white-wall gallery near the port and the Reykjavík Art Museum is the city’s most prestigious and cutting-edge exhibition space. The gallery represents such well-known international artists as Ölafur Elíasson, Roni Horn, and Lawrence Weiner as well as Icelandic performance...
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Icelandic Horses
These sturdy equines are a matter of major national pride, and you will see herds of them dotting the landscape. They are not wild but very popular with locals and foreigners for their special five gaits, two of which (the...
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Indagare Tour: Best of Iceland
Indagare’s preferred Iceland operator can help pull together a great first-time itinerary, which will include the best of the Golden Circle as well as some insider spots that are not on everyone else’s lists. Indagare members can contact our Bookings...
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Indagare Tours: Boat Tour
There are multiple ways to get out on the water, ranging from a group RIB speed boat tour or a private speed boat or sailing cruise. All options will allow you to see Iceland as the Vikings first spotted it...
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Indagare Tours: Hot Springs Hike
The area just outside Reykjavík is filled with hot springs and warm pockets. The best way to reach these delicious natural baths is with a professional guide from Indagare’s preferred Iceland operator. You will be picked up at your hotel...
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Indagare Tours: Ice Lagoon
The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most spectacular natural wonders. Here you can watch large and small icebergs that have broken off from the glacier float down the lagoon and eventually out to sea. Some of the bergs...
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Indagare Tours: Inside the Volcano
Located midway between Reykjavík and the Golden Circle, the Thrihnukagigur volcano has been dormant for 4,000 years and can be explored by hearty hikers. Getting to the mouth of the volcano requires crossing over a flat lava field—covered by moss...
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Indagare Tours: Puffins Tour
Cape Ingolfshofdi is a beautiful isolated headland on Iceland’s southwest coast between Skaftafell (in the Vatnajokull National Par) and the Jökulsárlón ice lagoon. The land is part of a protected nature reserve that is home to thousands of sea birds...
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Into the Glacier
One of the newest adventure offerings in Iceland involves descending into the world’s largest ice tunnel to walk 25 meters below Europe’s second largest glacier. The activity launched in the summer of 2015, and was originally going to operate only...
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Laugarvatn Fontana
A smaller and less touristy alternative to the Blue Lagoon, Laugarvatn Fontana makes for the perfect relaxation stop on the Golden Triangle Route. Unwind in the geothermal pools located directly beside a large lake – if you’re up for it,...
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National Museum
Those looking for a general introduction to Iceland’s history and culture should plan on an hour’s visit to this museum (you won’t need more), within walking distance of Reykjavík’s shopping streets. Don’t miss the boutique, which has a fine selection...
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Pearlan
Set atop the Oskjuhlid bluff overlooking central Reykjavik, the Pearlan complex (home to a café, restaurant and outdoor observation deck) provides spectacular 360-degree views of the city and surrounds. The striking structure is supported by six huge water tanks and...
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Reykjavik Art Musem
The city’s contemporary art museum was founded in 1973 and now spreads across three locations in the city. Paintings and sculptures by established artists are on view at the Kjarvalsstadir exhibition hall at Miklatún. The Hafnarhus (Harbor House), inaugurated in 2000,...
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The Marshall House
Found in the up-and-coming Grandi district, this cultural center houses two contemporary art galleries, Studio Olafur Eliasson and an eponymous bar and restaurant with a Brooklyn vibe.
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Thingvellir National Park
A prime spot along the Golden Circle route, this breathtaking national park is where the Vikings founded the Althing in 930, effectively the world’s first parliament, where a speaker would climb onto a rock (marked today by a small white...
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Top Waterfalls
There are some 10,000 waterfalls on Iceland, but the most popular are in driving distance to Reykjavík: Gullfoss, one of Europe’s largest waterfalls; Skógafoss, one of the most scenic, with a perpetual single or double rainbow on sunny days; and...
Reykjavik

Courtesy Macareux Photo
With more than 10,000 waterfalls, Europe’s biggest glacier and a wealth of rivers, lakes, ocean and expansive mountainous landscapes, Iceland is a destination for those who love nature, the outdoors and a bit of adventure. Everything from cave diving to ice climbing is offered, and you can find something for all levels (die-hard adventurers can even travel to northern isle of Grímsey and cross the Arctic Circle). For most activities, it’s recommended that you arrange for a guide; every year tourists die while exploring on their own. The best time for the excellent salmon fishing, which draws fishermen to Iceland every year, is the late summer.