103 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Iceland - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Iceland

Grindavík, Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Medicinal spa created with the discharge from a geothermal energy plant.

Allison

Added by Allison

Svartifoss

The unique waterfall in Iceland's south features a backdrop of geometric black lava columns.

Dampo

Hólmavík, Iceland

The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft

Staves, storm-calling, and of course, necropants.

Grjótagjá

This volcanic cave lake is essentially hard proof that Iceland is the most magical place on Earth.

The Minx

Added by The Minx

Hvítserkur

Rising from the sea like a stone monster.

Gljúfrafoss

This fantastical waterfall is hidden in a cave located in a cracked cliff.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja

The tallest building in Iceland, and certainly one of the most visually impressive.

Dampo

Jökulsárlón

Iceland's largest lagoon is home to stunning multi-colored icebergs.

Dampo

See All 103 Things to Do in Iceland See All 103 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Iceland

Hverabrauð

Gastro Obscura

Hverabrauð

Iceland's thick, chewy "hot spring bread" is just like regular rye bread, with one big difference.

Gastro Obscura

Cara Giaimo

Added by Cara Giaimo

Pylsur

Gastro Obscura

Pylsur

Icelanders make a very, very good dog.

Gastro Obscura

natashafrost

Added by natashafrost

Beer Tölt

Gastro Obscura

Ritual & Medicinal

Beer Tölt

The rider who spills the least gets to drink the most.

Gastro Obscura

Kerry Wolfe

Added by Kerry Wolfe

Hákarl

Gastro Obscura

Hákarl

Iceland's fermented, dried shark smells like urine and can taste like strong cheese.

Gastro Obscura

Anne Ewbank

Added by Anne Ewbank

See all 16 things to try in Iceland See all 16 things to try in Iceland

Explore Iceland

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Stories
About Iceland

Women preparing herring for shipment across Europe.

The Busy, Briny Lives of Iceland's Herring Girls

From 1903 until 1969, women flocked to Siglufjörður to spend long hours gutting and packing fish.

Vikings arriving on the coast of Frisia, roughly 810 A.D.

The Board Game at the Heart of Viking Culture

An ancient game known as "hnefatafl" held immense symbolic and religious significance.

by Daniel Crown

Fishermen on board a British trawler fishing off the coast of Iceland.

How Iceland Beat the British in the Four Cod Wars

For decades, two island nations came to blows over fish.

by Natasha Frost

It's warm and humid inside the greenhouse.

The Greenhouse Where Tomatoes Grow in Iceland

Geothermal energy keeps the crop warm even during deep snows.

by Stephanie Harper

An abandoned cottage by an inlet in Iceland's Westfjords.

Exploring Iceland's Beautiful, Desolate Westfjords

Abandoned homes in dramatic landscapes.

by Anika Burgess

The Eldgjá canyon today.

A Volcano Helped Iceland Convert to Christianity

The 10th-century Eldgjá eruption looked a lot like the end of the world.

by Sarah Laskow

Dyed fish skins in the tannery’s shop.

An Icelandic Tannery Makes Fish Skins Fashionable

Consider the cod-leather coin purse.

by Emily Cataneo

The great auk was most comfortable in the water.

After the Last Great Auks Died, We Lost Their Remains

Before they went extinct, great auks were some of the world's most fascinating creatures.

by Sarah Laskow

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