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

Unusual
Attractions
in Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Grindavík, Iceland

Blue Lagoon

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

63.8801, -22.4494

Added by Allison

Svartifoss

Svartifoss

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

64.0210, -16.9816

Necropants

Hólmavík, Iceland

The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft

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

65.7000, -21.7000

When the tide is out one can clearly see the concrete support

Hvítserkur

Rising from the sea like a stone monster.

65.6066, -20.6357

Grjótagjá

Grjótagjá

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

65.6302, -16.8795

Added by The Minx

Gljúfrafoss, Iceland

Gljúfrafoss

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

63.6213, -19.9881

Hallgrimskirkja

Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja

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

64.1417, -21.9266

(Flickr/Surf Cologic)

Jokulsárlón

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

64.0736, -16.2048

See All 84 Things to Do in Iceland See All 84 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
from Iceland

Hverabrauð

Gastro Obscura

Hverabrauð

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

Gastro Obscura

Added by Cara Giaimo

Pylsur

Gastro Obscura

Pylsur

Icelanders make a very, very good dog.

Gastro Obscura

Added by natashafrost

Hákarl

Gastro Obscura

Hákarl

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

Gastro Obscura

Added by Anne Ewbank

Réttir

Gastro Obscura

Ritual & Medicinal

Réttir

Iceland's annual tradition of rounding up 800,000 sheep.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Kerry Wolfe

See All 5 Must-Eats in Iceland See All 5 Must-Eats

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Stories
About Iceland

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

Surtsey Island, just 16 days after the first eruption in November 1963.

This Tiny Volcanic Island Is the Ultimate Natural Laboratory

Only careful, highly trained scientists ever set foot on Iceland's Surtsey.

by Kelsey Kennedy

Customers queue up outside Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.

The Forced Relocation of the 'World's Best Hot Dog Stand'

After 80 years in one spot, runaway development has pushed a Reykjavík institution across the street.

by Natasha Frost

Eitt Sett, the first commercially-made licorice-chocolate bar, was modeled after the tradition of wrapping a licorice strip around a milk chocolate bar.

Why Is Iceland So in Love With Licorice?

Isolation, a harsh climate, and decades of candy import bans may have something to do with it.

A "sea devil" from Icones animalium (1553).

Where to Find the World's Best Hometown Monsters

Here are 25 places to see yetis, sea monsters, Sasquatch, and other cryptids.

by Molly McBride Jacobson

February 24, 2017

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