AllWays Traveller Features
From tomatoes to whales: five ‘must do’ attractions in Iceland
Iceland is the land of Ice and Fire … and tomatoes, but we'll get to that later.
On a recent visit to Iceland, we wanted to show our children the main tourist attractions, and some quirky ones for extra measure.
These aren't on many itineraries, but we believe they should be on all.
Whale watching
Iceland is known as a whale-spotters dream destination, so when in Reykjavik you must book onto a tour. There are options to ride in a hair-raisingly fast RIB boat or take a larger more sedate ship.
We picked the latter. In fact, we chose a 3-3.5hr morning whale watching trip with Special Tours, located in Reykjavik harbour. Our ship, Andrea, would take us out into Faxaflói Bay, hopefully to find some humpback whales.
When you board Andrea you are shown to a cloakroom area where you are offered a brightly coloured all-weather coverall; these are optional, but if you plan to spend much time outside during the tour you will be grateful for the warmth they give.
However, they are not very flattering and over a thick jumper restrict your movements somewhat!
As the boat heads out of the harbour into Faxaflói Bay there is time to grab a warm drink and snack in the café, or you can read the posters and study artifacts to learn about the wildlife you might encounter.
Before long though, you'll be outside on deck, scanning the water for blows. And then you spot one, then another, and another, if you are lucky.
Our guide had already identified three juvenile humpback whales, who appeared as interested in us as we were of them.
They came close to the boat, playing on the surface, splashing their fins and rolling over.
And when they finally decided to dive down, we saw their tail flukes rise and fall. It was truly magical – a privilege to see such fantastic beasts up close.
Buoyed by our good luck, a very happy boat full of tourists returned back to the harbour with amazing memories and ample camera footage to download.
Caves of Hella
If you drive from Reykjavik along Route 1 towards Vik, approximately half way you will reach the small township of Hella. Here, literally on the roadside, you'll see the Caves of Hella.
The Hella caves are historically interesting in Iceland because it is believed that they were excavated and used as dwellings by peoples before the Norsemen, who arrived late in the 9th century.
It is thought that these early inhabitants were less violent than the Vikings and may well have been overwhelmed and wiped out by them.
What remains are a series of man-made caves that have had many uses over the years – dwellings, winter animal shelters, and for storage.
On a tour through some of the caves, our guide – a local historian – showed us vital evidence that indicated life there before the Vikings.
Some of the caves are still being restored, under the supervision of the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland. It is well worth factoring in a stop on your journey towards Vik.
The Icelandic Lava Show
If you want the 'full lava experience', without walking for hours to catch a distant glimpse of an erupting volcano (if there is one of course), then the Icelandic Lava Show is where you need to head.
Located in Vik, the coastal town famous for its black sand beaches, it happens to also be at the foot of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers the Katla volcano. Katla is 'overdue' an eruption, and when it does the town's residents will have very little time to evacuate before the glacial floodwater washes through.
The Lava Show is more than 'just' lava. Our expert, a resident of Vik, gave us a full explanation of what it's like to live under the constant threat of Katla erupting. His storytelling made it come alive and feel very real.
Of course, the high point was when he released a flow of real lava down through a channel that we sat around. The heat was intense, and the lava was a light and sound experience far beyond any natural history programme we've seen.
If you are interested in volcanoes this is a must-see show, where you can ask lots of questions at the end!
Fridheimar
When driving the Golden Circle you may spot some brightly-lit, large, greenhouses.
These belong to Fridheimar, and inside they are growing the most beautiful sweet tomatoes using geothermal energy for heat and light.
In fact, they grow over 350 tonnes of tomatoes every year.
If you are a foodie traveller, then a stop at Fridheimar is essential.
Not only will you enjoy a short tour of the greenhouses, where you'll learn how they have made such a success with a crop that is usually grown in warmer climes, but you'll also dine in their restaurant.
The restaurant just happens to be among the tomato vines, and the menu consists first and foremost of tomato-based meals.
The most popular choice is their homemade tomato soup, served with a smorgasbord of bread options. With fresh basil, salt and pepper on your table, and with Icelandic butter for your bread – it's a simple meal that is totally divine.
Perhaps you'd rather try some other items on their menu, like their heirloom tomatoes served with creamy burrata cheese and sprinkled in Icelandic rock salt?
Or their tomato ravioli in a pesto sauce? Or maybe something sweet for dessert, like their tomato ice-cream served in a small plant pot? Maybe wash it down with a tomato beer?!
The venue is quirky, it's lovely and warm, and the food is delicious. Their small shop stocks some of their tomato products too.
Laugarvatn Fontana Spa (Geothermal Rye Bread Tour)
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths is located not far from Fridheimar, on the Golden Circle route. Fontana is a series of pools at different temperatures, along with saunas and heat rooms – all heated geothermally.
Situated alongside a lake, the pools are more like traditional swimming pools, with steps and ladders – unlike the cloudy water and slippery base of the Blue Lagoon.
It also seems to be popular with the local community, and not as touristy as other geothermal baths.
After a lovely dip in the pools, we dried off and joined the main reason for our visit – we had signed onto a Geothermal Rye Bread tour!
Our guide took us down to the lakeside.
There was, naturally, a rather strong smell of rotten eggs as the hydrogen sulphide bubbled up through the earth.
She then invited one of the children on the tour to dig a hole, deep enough in which to sink a well-sealed cast-iron pot containing rye bread dough.
Once the pot had been lowered into the ground, and covered, a marker was added to place ownership of that mound.
This is because the whole community uses the area to cook meals in a slow-cooker fashion, so it is important to mark your own pot.
Of course, a pot had been underground since the previous day – and that was now ready to be dug up. Having located the marker, another tour member dug up the pot, and it was lowered into the cold lake to cool off.
The pot was unwrapped and unlidded to reveal a perfectly cooked steaming rye bread.
We all hastily retreated to the warmth of the main building, where the bread was sliced and served with Icelandic butter and cured salmon. It tasted SO good!
There is so much to see and do in Iceland. We only had time to skim the surface, where we mixed the main attractions with some others off the beaten track.
Yet we just have to return, to do more! Iceland is a wonderful country full of friendly people and draw-dropping scenery.
Everyone must visit Iceland, at least once in their lifetime.
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