The small Nordic country of Iceland, population 320,000, is one of the most underrated countries in Europe. Iceland may be known for the economic catastrophe it lived through in the past few years and, on a more positive note, among music fans for producing stars like Bjork and Sigur Ros. However, it’s also home to some spectacular natural sights and experiences. Stats seem to confirm this observation as Iceland hosts approximately 600,000 tourists every year.
- Mountain seen from Reykjavík, IcelandBen Harding. / Water Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
These figures include air travellers as well as tourists who stop by the island as part of a European cruise. The reality is that Iceland has a lot to offer for avid travellers. Read on for four unique sights and experiences in Iceland and near its capital of Reykjavik that you should see while on cruise.
Blue Lagoon geothermal park
While traveling in the cold climes of Iceland on a European cruise may seem like an unlikely place for a steaming-hot soak, a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal park will remove that misconception. According to the open-source travel guide Wikitravel, the lagoon’s temperature hovers around 40 degrees Celsius even in freezing conditions, and is enjoyable year-round.
The mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon are a unique, rich blue colour, and are said to be curative for people with skin conditions. Other features at the lagoon include thick silica mud, caves, a waterfall and steam baths. For maximum enjoyment (and the hottest temperatures), it is recommended that you get close to the vents that supply the hot water, which are covered by wooden boxes.
Whale watching in Faxaflói bay
One of the most popular things to do in Iceland while on a Europe cruise is whale-watching in Faxaflói Bay, also known as Faxe Bay in English. it’s located in southwest Iceland, relatively close to Reykjavik. The whales in Faxe Bay include the Minke Whale, which is the most common whale around Iceland. They grow up to 11 metres in length and weight eight to ten tons, so they are relatively smaller than whales like humpbacks which can be twice as heavy.
Watching Minke whales in Faxe Bay’s relatively shallow waters can be magnificent, but it can be difficult to capture the moment adequately on camera for posterity, after the Europe cruise is over. According to photography blog Steve’s Digicams, one of the most important things to keep in mind with whale photography is to “think like a whale”. That means to try to anticipate the whale’s movements. The blog recommends manual focusing rather than automatic, for example, to get more shots per second. Above all, the blog says whale watchers need patience to capture the best images of these majestic beasts.
Ride an Icelandic Pony
The Icelandic ‘pony’ is a breed of small horse that originates from Iceland. Riding one of these creatures is certainly one of the most memorable experiences you could try while visiting Iceland on a European cruise! The Icelandic horse can weigh up to 380 kg and stands up to 1.4 m tall. They can sport winter coats of long manes, tails and fur on the body. According to Wikipedia, Icelandic horses are known for their ability to cross rough terrain, especially Iceland’s rocky lava fields.
Tourists to Iceland have posted hundreds of rave reviews about Icelandic horse-riding experiences. According to customer reviews, the Islenski Hesturinn stable, which is the only horse rental stable in the country, provides everything that is necessary to enjoy a canter on an Icelandic horse. This includes cold-weather equestrian gear like gloves, boots and rainwear. One reviewer even gave the experience five-stars despite riding in the “freezing rain”. Certainly, it is a ringing endorsement for a unique travel experience in Iceland.
Spot the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis, a natural light display in the sky in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, is also known as the Northern Lights. Iceland is one of the best places in the world to catch a glimpse of these awesome light displays. According to The Guardian, 2013 is the last year of the lights’ most lively three-year phase in its 11-year cycle. So if you’re on a European cruise and stopping by Iceland, make sure you make the effort to see them.
The lights can be seen from August to mid-April. But the best viewing period is late September to late March, when longer hours of darkness optimises the chances of seeing the Lights at their most spectacular. The Guardian writes that travellers can see the lights in Reykjavik, but leaving the capital city can provide the best odds. It recommends a 20-minute drive into the Thingvellir national park to the Almannagjá, a small canyon that can provide an unobstructed view of the elusive lights — if they appear on the night. An intense show of the lights would be an unbeatable experience on a European cruise.
