Iceland
Iceland is truly a feast for the eyes. From barren plains to verdant meadows, forests of trees to swathes of rock left behind from lava flows, the country transitions from strength to strength as you travel through and past its mountains, rivers, black sand beaches, and glaciers. The country is not only good for looking at either; there are plenty of interesting tastes, sounds, smells, and experiences of all kinds for the senses to digest.
Below, you can find an breakdownof some of the best that Iceland has to offer visitors. It is not a comprehensive list, but you will be amply prepared for a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice by the end.
Where To Go
Many people can only name one city in Iceland, the capital, Reykjavik. It is also not uncommon to think that you will be flying into that city given its primacy of place in foreigner’s minds when thinking of Iceland. That is not the case, however!
Keflavik and Reykjavik
There is only one international airport in Iceland and it is in the city of Keflavik, 50 kilometers west of Reykjavik. The capital is a destination all of its own, so we made a travel guide especially for it! You can find that through the link above, where we go in depth into all the exciting things to do and see there. Its location relative to the airport makes it reasonable to spend time there at either the beginning or the end of your trip. It is a city with a vibrant nightlife, a multitude of museums, and a plethora of engaging activities.
Two of the most notable places to go in Reykjavik are the Harpa Concert Hall and the Hallgrimskirkja.
Relatively speaking, Harpa Concert Hall is an infant attraction in a place that has had permanent residents since at least the 800s AD. Finished in 2011, Harpa is the premier music venue in Iceland and has been the recipient of awards for its architecture, use of acoustic technology, and even its ventilation. It isn’t bad on the eyes either, if you’re into this kind of architecture. There are constant events and festivals in its many rooms and its conference center, and it is free to enter if you want to take a look around.
The Hallgrimskirkja is unique among churches as it is among words. Named for the Icelandic cleric and poet Hallgrímur Pétursson, the building was completed in 1986 and houses an impressive pipe organ, and has bells that toll the time to the surrounding city. It is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, and situated as it is on a hill is a local landmark by which visitors can navigate around the city center.
Two of the BEST places to eat of grab a coffee in Reykjavik are Braud & Co. and Reykjavik Roasters.
Braud, Icelandic for bread, is bakery. Braud & Co. is a bakery among bakeries, that serves the best cinnamon rolls known to man. Not only do they have delectable confections, they are also one of the most affordable places to grab a bite in the city.
Reykjavik Roasters is a coffee shop and cafe that has several locations in the city. The location near the Hallgrimskirkja is our favorite. The coffee and espresso is surprisingly good in a country that perhaps is not know for its cafe culture or coffee preparation.
Looking for a place to stay in Reykjavik? Check out our map below to search accomodations around the city.
The Blue Lagoon is a world famous and popular geothermal spa and is one of the closest attractions to the airport, lending to its status as one of the most visited places in the country. The main attraction is a man-made lagoon, or small lake, featuring warm water from the geothermal activity Iceland is so well known for. The water has a milky appearance from the high amount of silica which forms a mud on the bottom of the lagoon.
To accomodate all visitors, there are hotel rooms available on site, as well as a restaurant, allowing an experience similar to a resort stay. Accessibility options are also available in the form of a wheelchair ramp into the waters, shower chairs, and private changing rooms if required.
There are several common ways to see portions, or the entirety of Iceland. By car is by far the most common way to get around, as outside of Reykjavik there is very little public transportation, nor is there any feasible way to make any in a country so densely packed with glaciers, volcanos, and mountains. Road trips are therefore the norm.
The Golden Circle
Eastward and inland of Reykjavik is the Golden Circle, possibly the most popular driving route, in Iceland due to its proximity to the airport and the capital and its relatively short length at about 250 kilometers. There are some excellent examples of both fire and ice along this drive.
Strokker Geyser is… a geyser! As geysers are wont to do, it erupts at fairly regular intervals. From 2-10 minutes, the geothermal pool will spurt upward from the same place each time, creating a brief tower of hot water about 20 meters tall.
Strokker isn’t the only thing to see though. There are many hot springs in the immediate area, bubbling and leaking onto the ground around them. These watery notaries are too hot to touch without burning the skin, so there is no bathing in these hot springs. There are plenty of other options in Iceland for that kind of thing.
There is a strong sulfur smell in the area as well, reflecting the volcanic nature of the springs, geyser, and indeed, the whole island. There are hotels, a gift shop, cafe, and restaurant across the street from the hot springs and geyser.
Gullfoss is a waterfall just 10 minutes drive from the Strokker Geyser. Technically two large falls, Gullfoss is popular because of its proximity to the capital and its romantic and relatable history. In the early 20th century the owners of the land, sheep farmers, battled with a rich business owner for possession of the falls, pitting a love of nature against the exploitation of the land. Eventually the sheep farming family prevailed and Gullfoss is much as it was 100 years ago. There is a plaque at the top of the falls commemorating Sigríður Tómasdóttir and her victory.
Bruarfoss is a waterfall in southern Iceland, interior from Reykjavik, and it is notable not for its size but for its wonderful blue color. As the water comes down off of the glacier, it travels through the narrow confines of Bruarfoss, and as it moves down the drops of the rapids there it changes from a clear and white amalgamation into a striking blue, that can only be described as bright, even magical.
The color comes from the agitation of what is called rock flour, or glacial flour. Glacial activity crushes rock into tiny particles that move with the flow of the water and lend blue and white color to many bodies of water around the world, not just in Iceland.
The Kerið Crater is accessible off of highway 35 about 6 km north of Selfoss and the Ring Road, a sizeable town with about 10,000 people. Though the name crater implies to the popular imagination the landing spot of a comet or shooting star, this crater is volcanic. It was formed by a small volcano sinking into the ground, and now instead of lava, it holds water in the form of a small lake.
The popularity of this crater is due to the ease with which it can be reached and observed. There is a parking lot that costs 600 Kroner to park in, and a path around the mouth of the crater. You can walk up above it and walk down to the edge of the water. The colors are intriguing, the crater is interesting, but this is far from the grandest or most breathtaking thing you will see in Iceland.
There is a parking lot and visitor center that charges a parking fee, and while there is no fee or charge to view or walk along the falls, there isn’t really any other place to park, so in effect there is. There is a gift shop and a cafe, as well as a meeting place for Sleipnir Tours, whom you can book with to tour the nearby Langjokull Glacier. The falls give off a great deal of spray and mist, so if you want to observe the face of the waterfall, be prepared to get some water on you, even at a distance.
The Ring Road
The Ring Road is the drive to take in Iceland, and one of the premier drives in the world. Designated numerically as Road 1, this highway wends its way around the entire island, keeping close to the coast, ans starting and ending in Reykjavik.
It is open all year, barring natural intervention, and it is paved along its entire length. It is just over 800 miles (1300 kilometers) long, and passes a large number of the tourist attractions and sights in the country, as well as most of the populated areas you may want to visit.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most photographed and famous waterfalls in Iceland. Much of its popularity comes from being immediately off of the Ring Road and only 130 kilometers from Reykjavik. There is a parking lot and a fee of 800 ISK to park there.
You may recognize this particular water feature from a Justin Bieber music video. If you’re not interested in pop culture, you’ll be interested to know that there is a path that goes all the way around the waterfall, so you can walk behind it and see it from all angles. This affords some interesting photo opportunities, but you will probably get wet, so wear something water resistant.
Skogafoss is a large waterfall in southern Iceland, visible from the Ring Road. It is very popular given its proximity to Reykjavik and the large parking lot can be quite busy in the warmer months. One of the larger waterfalls in Iceland, you can walk along the riverbank, right up to the fall. Given its size, it is impossible to get so close without getting wet from the spray, so wear some waterproof clothing and a rain jacket if you don’t want to be soaked. Aside from making everything wet, the spray also helps to create rainbows in and around the falls, when the sun is shining, that are full, beautiful, and worth the trip by themselves.
The parking lot and flat trail make Skogafoss accessible for those with mobility issues, including wheelchairs, though the approach is gravel, not paved. There is also a trail and steps leading up and above the falls to an observation deck.
Eldhraun is the name given to the lava fields on the south central coast of Iceland. The lava, now cooled of course, settled into unique swirling and circular shapes. Over the centuries the rock has been covered by dense moss, giving it a truly interesting appearance.
As in many places on the island there are pull off areas and designated viewing stations. Do not pull onto the rock or moss, and do not go off roaring or onto the moss where there isn’t a designated path.
Picturesque Dyrhólaey is recognizable for a large hill, atop which rests the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse. From the top of this hill there is an excellent view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the interior of Iceland on the other, with the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier conspicuous in the background.
On the seaside, one of the cliffs just off of the lighthouse has, over the years, developed a sea arch. This is apparently where the area derived its name, as Dyrhólaey means something like “island hill with a hole”.
On the two remaining sides are black sand beaches, one of which being the popular and famous Reynisfjara Beach. Though notable for the beautiful and far reaching scenery, Dyrhólaey is also a nearing place for several species of bird, among which is the Arctic Tern. If in the area during their nesting season, be prepared to suffer some aggressive behavior, as this particular Tern has an attitude about neighbors when their are chicks in the nest.
Hofskirkja was the last thatch-covered church built in Iceland, of which there are only 6 remaining. This is an excellent example of the traditional style of building with rock and stone, and using the vegetation of the area to augment the sturdier building materials.
These days Hofskirkja is easily accessible off of the Ring Road, and anyone can visit this sleepy gathering of homes called Hof. There isn’t much else there, so the stay won’t be long.
The Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach are gems of the Iceland coast. There is a black sand beach, just adjacent to the Glacier Lagoon, where small icebergs wash up onto shore. Diamond Beach is a fair description once you see the mixture of clear and white icebergs floating in the water and stuck on land. When viewing the virgin ice against the dark background, it is easy to see why it is such a popular destination. It is a great place for photos, videos, and plain, old fashioned enjoying nature.
There is a fee for parking at the Beach and at the Glacier Lagoon, payable on the Parka app and enforced with cameras.
The Glacier Lagoon is similar to Diamond Beach in that the main attraction are the icebergs floating in the water, albeit larger bergs than lie on the sand. There are also seals in the area that you may be lucky enough to see hanging out in the lagoon.
There are glacier tours and boat cruises available at the parking lot, for a fee of course. There are three parking lots, two on the two halves of the beach, which is divided by the inlet/outlet of the lagoon, and the main lot next to it. There is also food, and restrooms available at the main lot.
Another notable waterfall is Svartifoss, which pours forth from a height of 20 meters. The fall itself is surrounded by the basalt columns that are fairly common through Iceland. A short hike of 1.5 kilometers is necessary to reach Svartifoss from the parking lot and visitor center. There are other trails here as well, so you can spend all day hiking if you wish.
Stuðlagil is a canyon in east-central Iceland lined by the same type of basalt columns you find at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Formed by a fierce glacial river, the canyon and riverbed are stunning examples of the power and variety that nature creates and unveils over time. In 2009 nearby dams and a hydroelectric plant at Karahnjukar combined to reduce the flow of water and the area around the canyon became more accessible to visitors. Following the river all the way to the power plant reveals a truly massive and extensive trench that runs hundreds of feet deep in places and extends for miles and miles.
Stuðlagil itself can be visited by parking at the main car park and walking for a couple of miles on an easy path into the canyon. Alternatively, it is possible to park at a farm that has made the most of its location at the most interesting and appealing part of the canyon by offering free parking and bathroom, refreshment, and gift shop services for a fee. Access to the floor of the canyon and the river are not possible from here, only one side of the upper edge, but the view is quite good.
The Hallormsstaður Forest is considered the largest forest in Iceland at 740 hectares, which is… not big. Soon after Norse Vikings and people from Ireland started settling on the island, they consumed nearly all of the trees, which at one point had covered nearly half of all the available land. Near total deforestation occurred within only a few generations as the inhabitants took the wood for ships, homes, tools, and fires.
In the centuries since Iceland has been notoriously sparse of anything resembling a spruce, but efforts in middle and late 20th century have begun to bear fruit, and there has been solid success bringing trees back in healthy numbers. Though not on the scale of the great forests of mainland Europe or North America, Hallormsstaður stands apart from the other landscapes available. For that reason it is a popular area for camping. Due to the lack of wood for fuel, campfires are not a part of camping culture in Iceland, and are rare if not nonexistent.
The fjord of Borgarfjörður eystri is one of THE premier places to view puffins in their natural habitat. Navigate your way to the town of Bakkagerði and the Hafnarhólmi marina for one of the easiest viewing points in Iceland to see up to 10,000 pairs of puffins during the mating season. The town is small and only has a population of around 100 people, so do not expect a lot of options for shopping or facilities. The drive to get to the fjord is also a bit out of the way from anything else, but it is beautiful.
Husavik is a small town in the north of Iceland that, by itself, has little in the way of tourist attraction. The two most interesting facets of this town of 2,000 residents are the Whale Museum and the Eurovision Museum. The real show is out in the waters of Skjálfandi Bay. Husavik is the center of whale watching in Iceland.
There are numerous proprietors offering whale and wildlife tours, most of which last at least two hours out on the open sea. Or at least adjacent to the open sea, as you will probably never be out of sight of land. The whales and other wildlife in the bay and the fjords of iceland are there to feed and mate before, in many cases leaving again on migrations that take them all over the world. Humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, dolphins, birds of all kinds including puffins and arctic terns, travel across the Atlantic and farther as the seasons dictate, and at one time or another show up on the shores of Iceland.
There are several ways to whale watch. In traditional oak boats, in newer steel boats, or in smaller rib boats. When selecting your tour make sure you read what you are expected to see, what vessel you will be cruising in, and how long the tour is expected to last. Some ships will have an interior to get warm in, and some will not. The rib boats will be able to maneuver and get closer to any whales you sight, but there will be no shelter from wind or rain. There is even a company offering a tour in an electric boat, so the motor does not disturb the gentle giants. You are really spoiled for choice, but be sure to plan ahead to make sure you get a spot in a tour you want and at the time you want.
Akureyri is the largest city in Iceland outside of Reykjavik, Kópavogur, and Hafnarfjörður, and since those last two are within walking distance of Reykjavik, we tend to lump them together for most traveling purposes. With a population of around 20,000 it is indeed a booming metropolis on an island where a few thousand people can constitute a town worthy of a professional soccer team. Given its size and location, Akureyri is a must see when driving the country and visiting northern Iceland.
The real claim to faim for the interested traveler is, like Husavik, on the water. Akureyri is important to Iceland because of the fishing industry that operates there, and because of the tourism that the large city and whale watching attract. After Husavik, Akureyri is the premier whale watching spot in the country, followed by Reykjavik. It is also important and notable for its location in an agriculturally productive region, something lacking in much of the rest of the island.
Akureyri boasts an excellent port at the end of one of the longest fjords in Iceland, Eyjafjörður. The port, and therefore the activity of whale watching, is able to operate year round due to the fjord never freezing in the winter like many other cold ports. The salty sea water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water, and there are also hydrothermal vents in the fjord. Though it actually does freeze around them due to the fresh water, there are several hot spring waterfalls that feed into the fjord.
Goðafoss, or the God Falls, is a waterfall in northern Iceland. Located east of Akureyri and just off of the Ring Road, Goðafoss is a beautiful waterfall in its own right, that lacks some of the grandeur and size of others such as Skogafoss or Dettifoss. It takes its name from the story of Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi, a priest who around 1,000 AD determined that although Norse paganism could still be practiced in Iceland, Christianity would become the official religion of the country. Having reached this decision, he cast some of his idols into the water.
Hvitserkur is a rock formation just off the north coast that has a unique and appealing appearance. To some it may bear a resemblance to a rhinoceros and to others a dragon, but like a cloud on a summer day it is fun to look at. There is a small beach to access though it will rarely ever be warm enough here for a dip in the water.
Access to Hvitserkur is fairly easy from the small parking area at the top of the cliffs that offer an unobstructed view of the rock formation. A short walk down a path and you’re in a good spot. Down to the beach is a bit harder and less accessible. The road to the parking area is rugged and unpaved, though it does not require a 4x4.
Búðakirkja is a lesser known stop on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula off of road 54. One of the many small churches that grace the landscapes of the country, this one is aesthetically a step above most of the rest. All black against the mountains on one side or the lava fields, beach, and sea on the other, it is quite a pleasant sight. The church still functions according to its original purpose as well, holding services every week.
Ytri Tunga Beach is another great stop on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This isn’t a tanning and swimming kind of beach, those are rare in Iceland, even in high summer. Ytri Tunga is the best place to see seals in all of Iceland, at any time of year. There are Grey Seals and Harbour Seals here throughout the year, with other species visiting at various times. The best time to see some of these marine animals is in the summer.
Kirkjufell in English means “Church Mountain“. At 1,519 feet, or 463 meters, it is hardly the most imposing alpine adventure, but it does strike a fine pose. The notable silhouette can be seen in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Season 7.
Getting to the little mountain is easy, just off of Road 54, outside of the town of Grundarfjörður. Those wanting to climb Kirkjufell will find it accessible in the summer, but climbing is restricted in the winter. Despite its relatively small height, the route up is challenging, taking about an hour and a half each way. There are ropes required to ascend to the top, and there have been fatalities in recent years. We would classify the climb as technical.
Money
Iceland uses the Icelandic Kroner, which trades rather low with the America Dollar. A campsite might go for 1,500-2,500 Kroner per night, and a postcard might sell for 100-200 Kroner, for example. At the time of this writing the Kroner is trading at around $0.007, or around 140 Kroner per Dollar.
Most people use credit cards in Iceland and cash may not be an option at some places. Contrarily, cash may be the only option at some out of the way stops, like campgrounds or standalone stores away from the capital. As always, make sure you are using a credit card and not a debit card when traveling, to reduce your risk of fraud and access to your bank account by anyone who isn’t you.
If you do use your debit or bank card, you can be confident at gas stations and ATMs. Many gas station pumps will prompt you for a PIN if you use a credit card, and many people will have not set this up ahead of time.
Ensure you are not paying unnecessary fees by using credit cards without foreign transaction fees. This is easy to find out beforehand, and make sure you do. You don’t want to pay a fee to your credit card company for figuring out the exchange rate, because you will be paying at the store in the local currency, but your credit card company will need to convert that to dollars for your credit card statement using the exchange rate at the time.
On occasion the credit card reader will give you the option to pay in dollars (or whatever your home currency is) instead of Kroners (or whatever the local currency is). Never do this! It will often come out the same, but sometimes it will cost you a little extra. It will always be the same, or cheaper, to pay in the local currency and have your credit card company figure out the exchange behind the scenes for you.
On the subject of cash, as long as your bank does not have exorbitant fees in place, it is always cheaper to use an ATM in the country you are visiting than to order cash from your bank ahead of time. Unless this is a service they offer for free, which is rare, you will pay a couple of dollars at the ATM to make a withdrawal, whereas a bank often charges a percentage or a flat fee, often $20 or more, to order currency in. An ATM is more convenient.
How to Get Around Iceland
Iceland in general is expensive. It is one of the most expensive places to visit, period. In order to save money, you first need to start by planning ahead. The first expense is your plane ticket, and unless you are going for the purpose of winter activities, this is a case where the off season is not going to have many benefits. It is going to be cold, windy, snowy, and icy. There will be fewer people around, but that is because it will be hard to move around the country and many things will be closed. Many of the F-Roads will be closed off, and impassable in any event.
If you are aiming for high summer it is going to be busy all over the country, so scheduling ahead will save money. As demand increases and supply decreases, things will become more expensive.
Your accommodations will be the greatest expense of your trip if you stay in traditional lodgings. If you want to stay indoors at hotels, motels, or airbnbs, expect something on the order of $200 or more per night. This can vary depending on time of year and location, but it is currently a good rule of thumb. In peak times or on short notice even Reykjavik and Keflavik can be sold out.
Camping
To avoid the high prices, go camping! There are plenty of options for tents, rooftop tents, camper vans, and RVs. You are going to have to rent a car to see pretty much anything anyway, so you can rent your nightly residence at the same time! Campsites in Iceland are on a first come first serve basis, but there are plenty of them and they are rarely full. Some few will offer reservations, but it is possible for them to oversell.
The price is going to vary, but there will be a tax of 333 Kroner on each stay. Some sites might charge by the car, some by the type of car (or camper), and some by the person. By the person is the most common way of charging, and the manner of payment varies as well. By card, cash, PayPal, through the Parka app, or with the Camping Card.
The Camping Card offers access to 32 campsites and costs €179. It is valid from activation for 28 days, and covers up to two adults, four children up to the age of 16, and one domicile, whether a tent or a camper. The Card does not cover the camping tax, nor does it cover any extra costs, which could include showers, laundry, or other specific perks. You cannot use it in winter, which for camping purposes begins after September 15th. The Card can be purchased from the official website ahead of time, or picked up from an official vendor in Iceland.
The Parka App is a service specific to Iceland that allows you to pay for parking and tourist destinations, reserve and pay for camping, or for shopping and carwashes. When visiting Iceland it can come in handy to download the app, and save you some time looking for these kinds of destinations. It does not have great reviews on the Apple app store, but it does what it advertises for visitors. It is worth noting that campsites in Iceland do not require, and in many cases do not take, reservations. They are first come, first serve but rarely ever sell out.
Most of the campsites are going to be lawns of grass, some separated by trees or shrubs into sections, on which you set up your tent or simply park your camper van. The amenities will differ as well, with showers, bathrooms, electric hookups, common areas for dining and cooking, and laundry available, or not. There can be extra fees for laundry and/or showers, depending on each site’s preference.
Google Maps reviews or this Google Map can help you research beforehand as to what you can expect. It includes many, if not all, of the campsites around Iceland.
This map was created and made shareable by Camp Easy, and they have quite a few very helpful maps for various things in Iceland. We certainly found them to be useful throughout our most recent visit.
Most of the campsites charge by the adult, with a minority charging for children as well. What constitutes a child, and therefore what age they would incur a fee, also depends on the individual campsite.
American style camping generally infers a campfire, and maybe some s’mores. The s’mores are possible, the campfire is not. Historically, Iceland has suffered severe deforestation that removed almost entirely all of the trees from the island, due to settlers and the following generations using the timber for ships, heat, home building, and clearing the ground for grazing animals like sheep, horses, and cows.
Those animals themselves, through their grazing, also make it difficult for forests to grow, so reforestation efforts, though successful in the recent decades, have not been proficient enough to develop any kind of camping culture that includes fires. That and the high winds on all parts of the island make fires infeasible.
For tenting of any kind bring, rent, or purchase blankets or sleeping bags. It is quite cold at night and you will want them. A heater of some sort, like those found in many of the camper vans available, can go a long way toward comfort, and a good night's sleep, as well.
Parking
Parking in Iceland is easy to find but like everything else, can be costly. Some sites are free to park and some charge a fee. There are rarely attendants for parking areas throughout the country. They operate on either the honor system or depend on cameras to keep people honest. There can be pay stations or, as is becoming more common, you can pay through the Parka app.
Parking in Reykjavik is easy. There are parking zones with clear signs that instruct when parking is permissible, when it costs money, and when parking is not allowed. There is plenty of free parking as well, but be considerate of others when choosing where to leave your car. There is free parking at the Hallgrímskirkja, but there is a time limit on the prime spots and it would be in poor taste to park behind the church for 8 hours. The spots are there, however, and if you’re going to be downtown for a little bit, they are meant to be used.
The bus system in Reykjavik is extensive and useful, and the City Card is a great way to see the city on public transportation conveniently. After paying for the card, access to all forms of the public transit system are at no additional charge for the duration of your Card. It also grants access to many of the most popular museums in the city and discounts at stores and restaurants. Consult the City Card website for a complete list.
Food
Food in Iceland is pretty simple, with a few noteworthy exceptions. Lamb makes up a large part of the food grown or raised in Iceland itself, as can be seen by the ubiquity of sheep in the fields and mountains, and even on the roads. Pasture animals are important in Icelandic society, and a careful observer will notice special signs as they enter larger urban areas notating where not to drive tractors. While not for eating, Icelandic ponies are also a common sight.
Lamb soup is popular, along with every cut of lamb, and lamb hot dogs can be found most everywhere. Hot dogs in particular are a specialty in Iceland and Reykjavik especially has some excellent hot dog vendors. The sausage, hot dog, and other variations of the same are very popular in all of Scandinavia and in most countries with Nordic and Germanic roots.
Beside lamb, fish holds a special place in both the culinary life of Iceland and its history. Much of the industry of the country comes from the sea, whether to consume the sea creatures or watch them in their habitats. Fishing is still an important part of the economy here, and historically it was even more so. There have even been multiple Cod Wars fought over the fishing grounds around Iceland.
On an equally tempestuous note, whale watching and whale fishing have also been integral to the popularity and success of the island nation. Though the hunting of whales has diminished greatly in the years following the advent of the electric light, it still does occur. Whale watching is more prevalent in Iceland and thought most happens in more traditional boats, oak or otherwise, there are more eco friendly options such as rib boats and electric, silent ships that may enhance the experience by bothering the leviathan less with the sound of the motor and allowing spectators to get a closer look in the smaller craft.
There is whale watching available as close to the airport as Reykjavik, but the best, oldest, and most practiced companies are in Húsavík and Akureyri in the north. The fjords there are feeding grounds for several species of whale including minke and humpback, and various seabirds and porpoises can be found in the north as well. Arctic Terns, various ducks and geese, and puffins are popular bird species to be seen on tours.
Whale and puffin are lovely to see in the wild, and they have historically been at least a part of the Icelandic diet. Though much less popular than it used to be, it is still available at some restaurants in Reykjavik. Another Icelandic dish is hákarl, which is fermented shark meat. Usually it is prepared using Greenland shark, which is poisonous to humans when fresh The meat is pressed and dried for months, then cut into small pieces. The taste is described as less than delicious, with consumers stating they needed to get used to it. Apparently the smell can be overpowering. We liken the experience to having a first shot of Jeppson's Malört, the American liquor from Chicago. If you do not know what either Malört or hákarl is, you have been warned.