When you think of visiting Iceland, you probably think about seeing the Northern Lights and checking out the Golden Circle, but there’s so many more experiences in Iceland.
If you’re looking for a few unique things to do in Iceland, check out some of the below Iceland experiences.
Unique experiences in Iceland
The Reykjavik Runtur
Every Friday night, locals and tourists take to the streets of Reykjavik (one of the main cities of Iceland) to indulge in one of the world’s most epic bar crawls. They start late, around midnight, after imbibing a few drinks at home. Drinking in Iceland is expensive, so saving on a few beers really helps.
Then they hit the bars and clubs of downtown Reykjavik, drinking and dancing until 4 in the morning – or later! – before stumbling to the famous Bæjarins beztu pylsur for an Icelandic hot dog.
In summer, the sun will be high in the sky before the crowds disperse and head home to rest up in order to do it all over again on Saturday.
A Hot Spring Soak
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous and touristy hot spring, but there are dozens more that offer a closer look at Icelandic culture, and that cost a whole lot less. In Reykjavik, there are several hot spring pools that cost just a few bucks for admission.
In the north of the country, a smaller version of the Blue Lagoon, the Myvatn Nature Baths also offers that milky blue water known for its health benefits, but at a smaller price and with fewer crowds.
And if you really want to get away from the other tourists, you can go off in search of natural hot springs in the countryside (just test the waters before jumping in; some are far too hot to soak in!).
Related read: Sky Lagoon vs. Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Riding an Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic horse is truly unique and riding one in Iceland is an unforgettable experience. These stout, strong horses are often confused for ponies due to their small size, but they can carry full size adults with ease.
They also have a special gait, called the tolt, that is fast and incredibly smooth and allows the surefooted horses to cover a lot of Iceland’s varied terrain in a short amount of time.
There are horse farms located all over Iceland, and several near Reykjavik will pick you up for a ride around the countryside – like this one.
Horse-riding is a great activity when exploring Iceland with kids.
Trying an Icelandic Delicacy
For many years, Iceland was largely cut off from the rest of the world, so Icelanders had to learn to survive on the limited resources available to them in the harsh climate of the country. They ate a lot of fish and lamb, and some more unusual foods, like sheep’s brains, whale, puffin, horse, reindeer, and shark.
If you’re feeling adventurous you might enjoy the shark, which is fermented underground for several weeks, or the whale, which tastes like a salty steak. But if you just don’t think you could stomach it, you can always go for some fresh fish, tender Icelandic lamb, or creamy lobster soup.
And don’t leave without trying some Skyr. A thick, tangy yogurt high in protein and very low in fat, it can be found in any store in Iceland is served for breakfast, snacks, and often used in dips and desserts.
Check out more of the traditional foods in Iceland.
Check out our Iceland 3 day itinerary and tips for camping in Iceland!
