Places to Visit in Iceland Other Than Reykjavik

Magazine Places to Visit in Iceland Other Than Reykjavik

In the last few years, Iceland has emerged as a hot tourist destination.  And, for good reason!  Iceland is a country of unparalled exotic beauty with wide open spaces and majestic landscapes.  It is also not as far away – for many travelers – as other similar exotic destinations.  That said, for a lot of people Iceland is a relatively unknown destination.  Some may know that the capital city is Reykjavik but not much else. This blog post is for those who want to break out and see more of Iceland.  So, without further ado we present: Places to visit other than Reykjavik.

Akureyri

First on the list has to be the unofficial Northern capital, Akureyri.  It’s about a 5 hour drive from Reykjavik, depending on weather conditions. You can also fly here on Iceland’s domestic airline Air Iceland.  Akureyri is small, quaint and very picturesque.  Located at the end of a fjord, it is tucked between mountains on other side providing stunning views and some of the best skiing in Iceland in the winter.  From here, you can access some amazing attractions: Myvatn Lake, Dettifoss and the tiny fishing village of Husavik.

Isafjordur and the West Fjords

The West Fjords and the small town of Isafjordur are probably the least known and least travelled places in Iceland.  But, a trip here is well worth the effort.  Some of the most stunning vistas in Iceland await the explorers that dare.  You’ll drive along majestic fjords and lands that are almost entirely unpopulated. If you are looking to get away from it all, this is your Iceland destination!   You can also fly into Isafjordur on the same airline.

Stykkisholmur

Stykkisholmur is located in West Iceland, about a two-hour drive north of Reykjavik.  Stykkisholmur is on a peninsula and is dotted with many small islands around it.  The tiny downtown is a great place to have a meal.  There is a beautiful lighthouse to visit and you can also take a boat tour from here that takes you around the various islands where you can see lots of birdlife and learn the history of the fishing village. There are also boat tour to the beautiful island of Flatey.

Vik

Vik is a small village located in South Iceland, about a 2.5 hour drive from Reykjavik. One of the best things about Vik is the ocean views, rock formations and the black sand beaches.   If you take the time, there is also a quaint restaurant called Sudur-Vik, it’s located an old and charming house on the top of a hill with amazing view to the sea and mountains.

Husavik

You want to see a quaint Icelandic fishing village?  Go to Husavik.  Located in North Iceland, about 1.5 hours from Akureyri, this tiny village is home to a picturesque coastline, homes, and other buildings.  This is also a great place to go on a whale watching tour!

Snaefellsnes

The Snaefellsness peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, period.  This peninsula is home to a couple tiny fishing villages, stunning vistas & coastal views, and the magical Snaefellsjokull glacier. This glacier is believed to have magical powers and it is also the entry point in Jules Verne’s, “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

Hofn

Last but not least is the village of Hofn (pronounced more like “Hup”), located in East Iceland. It’s about a 6 hour drive from Reykjavik but well worth the effort because not only is Hofn at picturesque village right on the ocean, but you’ll get to see some of Iceland’s best known and loved attractions along the way.  The drive from Reykjavik to Hofn takes you along the southern portion of Iceland’s Ring Road past, Vik, Jokulsarlon (the glacial lagoon), Skaftafell Park and the mighty – and mighty big – Vatnajokull glacier, Europe’s largest.

Well there you have it, places to visit other than Reykjavik; we hope you found this useful and that you enjoy exploring our beautiful country.  If you are looking for comfortable accommodations, Berjaya Hotels has hotels near or in all the locations mentioned above including: Berjaya Hotels Hamar in Borgarnes – a great base camp to Stykkisholmur  and Snaefellsness - Berjaya Hotel Vik, Berjaya Akureyri Hotel and more.  For the complete list of hotels, please visit www.icelandairhotels.com.

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