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All Iceland

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Iceland

135 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Iceland

Updated February 6, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Iceland

Grindavík, Iceland

Blue Lagoon

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

Iceland

Svartifoss

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

Hólmavík, Iceland

The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft

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

Iceland

Hvítserkur

Rising from the sea like a stone monster.

Hamragarðar, Iceland

Gljúfrabúi

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

Iceland

Kerid Crater Lake

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

Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja

One of the tallest buildings in Iceland, and perhaps, the most visually impressive.

Iceland

Jökulsárlón

Iceland's largest lagoon is home to stunning multi-colored icebergs.
See All 135 Things To Do in Iceland

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Iceland

Eskifjörður, Iceland

Randulf's Sea House

This remote eatery and museum is preserved as a time capsule of a small Icelandic fishing town.

Reykholt, Iceland

Friðheimar

Inside this Icelandic greenhouse, geothermal energy keeps tomatoes warm and growing.

Akureyri, Iceland

Giant Viking Beer Can

Akureyri is home to an oversized can of one of Iceland's favourite beers.

Bjarnarhöfn, Iceland

Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum

At this museum in Iceland, visitors can sample fermented Greenland shark.
See all 5 Places to Eat in Iceland
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Atlas Obscura Trips

Iceland in Winter: Natural Wonders & Ancient Legends

A land of folklore and myths on a backdrop of remarkable natural wonders.

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

18 Mini Golf Courses You Should Go Out of Your Way to Play

Adventures filled with oversized characters, obstacles, and castles await—all you need to join is a putter and a ball. Yes, we're talking about miniature golf, the Lilliputian game with a big imagination. Since 2012, we—Tom Loftus and Robin Schwartzman—have been documenting the world of mini golf on our website A Couple of Putts. After putting our way through more than 300 courses, we’ve stumbled into becoming experts who design, build, and consult on all things miniature golf. With our keen eye for elements that make courses distinctive and magical destinations, we’ve created this world tour to showcase some of our personal favorites, as well as a few courses on our “must play” list. In keeping with the theme, here are 18 unique courses that span the globe. This wild assortment of putting places offer unique ways to interact with the past and present. Putt when ready!

View Itinerary

Explore Iceland

Geology 34
Water 22
Nature 21
Natural Wonders 15
Volcanoes 15
Art 14
Rocks 14
Geological Oddities 13
Animals 10
Hot Springs 9
Islands 9
Birds 8

Iceland Leaderboard

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Recent Iceland Activity

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Stories About Iceland

The Holiday That Welcomes Back the Sun With Pancakes and Coffee

Around January 25, winter-bound villages in Iceland celebrate the return of the sunlight.
by Alexandra Yingst
January 24, 2023

Aurora Hunters Capture the Wonder of the Northern (and Southern) Lights

A curated collection of images shows why this natural phenomenon has fascinated and inspired humans for millennia.
by Gemma Tarlach
December 21, 2022

In Iceland, Cats Face Curfews and Bans Aimed at Curtailing Their Murderous Ways

The cat-loving island nation is redefining its relationship with the 'elegant assassins.'
by Egill Bjarnason
June 13, 2022

Podcast: The Last Big Mac in Iceland

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
May 16, 2022

How a Big Mac Became a 'Historical Artifact' in Iceland

A 12-year-old Big Mac, to be exact.
by Alexandra Yingst
January 21, 2022

The Icelandic Bakery That Buries Its Bread in Hot Springs

Laugarvatn Fontana's sweet, cakey rye gets baked by geothermal energy.
by Tiffany Eastham
January 17, 2022

Podcast: Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool Relisten

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
December 21, 2021

The Long, Hidden History of the Viking Obsession With Werewolves

A symbol both of chaos and order, the wolf came to represent many things for the Vikings.
by Sarah Durn
October 27, 2021

Lists Featuring Iceland

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.
A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet
Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

12

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville

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