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.

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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.

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

Kerid Crater Lake

This eye-popping Icelandic crater lake is surrounded by red volcanic rock.

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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

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Pylsur

Gastro Obscura

Pylsur

Icelanders make a very, very good dog.

Gastro Obscura

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Bolludagur

Gastro Obscura

Ritual & Medicinal

Bolludagur

On this holiday, Icelandic children earn cream buns by spanking their parents.

Gastro Obscura

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Hákarl

Gastro Obscura

Hákarl

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

Gastro Obscura

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See all 16 things to eat in Iceland See all 16 things to eat in Iceland

Explore Iceland

Launch Map

Recent Iceland Activity

tfrapatski has been to Jökulsárlón

tfrapatski has been to Hallgrimskirkja

tfrapatski has been to Svartifoss

tfrapatski has been to Blue Lagoon

themeusxs wants to go to US Navy DC-3 Wreckage

Stories
About Iceland

A smattering of glacial kettles.

See Iceland's Stunning Glacial Kettles From Above

An abstract view of a changing world.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

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

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