15 Hidden Gems, Unusual Places and Non-Touristy Things to See in Iceland

Hvitserkur Rock Formation in northern Iceland

photography by: Omri Westmark

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A whopping two million tourists annually make Iceland one of the world's most visited nations in comparison to its size, with visitors often outnumbering locals at a ratio of 4 to 1. Amid the ever-growing number of tourists, it is becoming increasingly challenging to come across authentic and unspoiled places. Nevertheless, as the following list confirms, there are still plenty of relatively secluded nooks to explore, where one can find tranquility, authenticity and unusualness.

The Recycled House, Reykjavik

Well-hidden in a secluded cranny of the Icelandic capital, along its scenic waterfront, the Recycled House stands out as one of the city’s quirkiest attractions. As the building and its grounds are comprised primarily of castoff materials, it might look like a makeshift landfill of a hoarder community to the untrained eye.

 

Nonetheless, this hodgepodge of oddly-looking scarecrows, wooden masks and rusty waste, just to name a few, is in fact the brainchild of local filmmaker Hrafn Gunnlaugsson, who is known for his series of eccentric Viking-style movies. Gunnlaugsson, who originally purchased the house with the aim of establishing a studio and workshop for his movies, gradually turned the place into a mosaic of every scrapped item he managed to get his hands on. While the illustrious director still lives at the premises, visitors are free to wander around and marvel at its his lifetime project.

 

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The quirky-looking façade of the Recycled House

photography by: Omri Westmark


Grímsey Island

If Iceland is our well-known protagonist, the faraway island of Grímsey is its mysterious sidekick. Lying about 40 kilometers off the mainland, the desolate island remains largely unspoiled by the ever-growing masses of tourists elsewhere in the country. With fewer than 100 permanent residents (all of whom are concentrated in Sandvik, the island’s sole settlement) and over one million seabirds, Grímsey is unshakably dominated by nature.

 

While the island’s five square kilometers of landmass easily make it a one-day attraction, it is recommended to spend here at least 4 days. Among Grímsey’s highlights are the Arctic Circle Monument, a spherical sculpture marking the supposed location of the line of latitude, swarms of cute puffins who roam its verdant grassland from mid-April to mid-August and perhaps most strikingly, an almost guaranteed glimpse of the northern lights during wintertime.

 

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A pair of Icelandic horses amid Grímsey’s verdant meadow

photography by: Anna & Michal/ Flickr


Lóndrangar

With only a handful of manmade monuments, the Snæfellsnes peninsula’s southern coast is instead peppered with a medley of natural landmarks, some of which lie on the foots of the snow-capped Snæfellsjökull Volcano. Often dubbed the “Rocky Castle” for its fortress-like shape, Lóndrangar is an igneous rock formation whose main feature is a pair of volcanic columns, strikingly nestled along the area’s scenic shoreline.

 

A vestige of a massive volcanic eruption, Lóndrangar’s iconic stacks (61 and 75 meter tall) were intricately carved by the battering breakers and strong gales over the course of thousands of years. According to the lore, this naturally-formed structure serves as a castle where the mythical elves live, and so, for centuries now, local farmers have been refraining from using its surrounding fields for growing crops. To make things even better, the awe-inspiring crag is accompanied by a couple of hiking trails, lookouts and bird colonies, making it a mesmerizing place to explore.

 

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Lóndrangar, viewed from a nearby cliff

photography by: Omri Westmark


Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck

On the 21st of November 1973, what would otherwise be a routine cargo flight by the US army went amiss when a Douglas Dakota C-117 airplane was caught in a middle of a rough storm. Despite’s the pilot’s best efforts to avoid an accident, an engine failure ultimately nullified any small chance he might have had to avoid that. Miraculously though, captain James Wicke and his six crew members survived the crash on Sólheimasandur’s black sands, along the southern coast of Iceland.

 

As the aircraft, or what was left of it, was never fully salvaged, its decrepit fuselage was left to its own devices. Over the years, the wreckage evolved into a quirky tourist attraction, pilgrimaged by thousands of visitors annually. To reach the aircraft, one might first complete a 2-hour hike across the plains of Sólheimasandur, and while initially, it might seem as a rather easy task, extreme weather conditions can make the journey excruciatingly hard.

 

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The wrecked fuselage of the Douglas Dakota C-117 that crushed in Sólheimasandur

photography by: Omri Westmark


Puffin Marina, Borgarfjörður

One of Iceland’s most beloved critters, puffins can be found all across the country’s rugged coastline. Whilst in most cases, reaching a puffin colony entails tremendous logistics, one cluster of verdant skerries in the northeastern tip of Iceland is easily and safely accessible. Tucked away in the remote outskirts of Borgarfjörður Eystri, the Puffin Marina, or Hafnarhólmi as it is officially known, is home to about 10,000 pairs of puffins, who swarm the isle during their mating season, from April to August.

 

For most of its history, Hafnarhólmi was a rocky islet. That is, until 1974, when the nearby harbor was constructed, practically turning the island into a peninsula, reachable by foot. The colony itself is traversed by a set of stairways and elevated walkways, providing a close and rare glimpse of the orange beaked auks, and occasionally, also of their pufflings. Alongside puffins, visitors can also spot here additional 12 species of seabirds, including common eiders, black-legged kittiwakes and northern fulmars.

 

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Dozens of puffins perching atop the rocky isle of Hafnarhólmi

photography by: Omri Westmark


The Waterfall of Bruarfoss

Home to over 10,000 waterfalls, Iceland is probably the country with highest number of waterfalls per capita by a large margin. At a height of merely 3 meters, Bruarfoss might not be as mind-bogglingly massive as other waterfalls across Iceland, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in its striking hue and shape. Sometimes referred to as the country’s bluest waterfall, Bruarfoss comprises of multiple small cascades that plunge simultaneously into a choppy pool of turquoise waters.

 

Further downstream lies the marvelous waterfall of Hlauptungufoss, known for its strong roars and white rapids. Both waterfalls are fed by the Brúará River, whose glacial sources are found in the Langjökull glacier. As Bruarfoss and its smaller counterpart are accessible solely by a 3.5-kilometer-long hiking trail that takes about 1-1.5 hours to complete, it is almost always free of throngs of camera-armed tourists, making it an off-beat attraction to explore.

 

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Imbued with turquoise and white hues, Bruarfoss Waterfall

photography by: Omri Westmark


Þúfa, Reykjavik

On first glance, the grassy knoll in Grandi, one of Reykjavik’s trendiest districts, might seem like an incongruous pile of earth. But make no mistake, Þúfa (Thufa) is an intricate work of art that resonates with Iceland’s centuries-old traditions. Designed by the illustrious artist Ólöf Nordal, the 8-meter-tall mound is inspired by the countless hilly formations throughout the country, creating a cultural bridge between the city and the countryside.

 

According to Nordal, the verdant hill is designated as a place where visitors can self-reflect or meditate. Constructed in 2012 using a staggering 4,500 tons of gravel and rocks, the artificial hill is topped by a small shed where the skeletal remains of dozens of fish are hanged upside down, paying a tribute to Icelandic rural lifestyle. On top of everything, literally, the mound is bestowed with a sweeping panorama of the Icelandic capital and the nearby ocean.

 

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The grassy mound of Thufa

photography by: Omri Westmark


The Town of Höfn

More often than not, Höfn is perceived as a mere stopover along the country’s coastal road. It should then come as a surprise that alongside its role as a gateway to the surrounding natural wonders, the town also boasts a couple of award-winning restaurants, quaint architecture as well as several notable monuments to marvel at. With that in mind, it is safe to say that Höfn is a worthy place to visit by its own right.

 

Despite its short existence of a little more than a century, the town has an impressively interesting center, whose glut of timber houses offers an authentic peek into traditional Nordic architecture. Interestingly, some of the wooden buildings now host renowned culinary institutions, the most famous of which is Otto Matur & Drykkur. Located in Höfn’s oldest edifice, the restaurant is widely praised for its assortment of modern dishes with a dash of Icelandic flavors.

 

Due to its proximity to some of the country’s most beautiful places, any visit to the small town is accompanied by the constant backdrop of nature at its fullest glory, whether it is a snow-capped mountain or the North Atlantic Ocean, just to name a few.

 

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Höfn’s surrounding nature as seen from the town’s main camping site

photography by: Omri Westmark


Hvitserkur

Far away from the country’s most visited sites, the Vatnsnes Peninsula in Northern Iceland is home to a medley of hidden gems that still wait to be discovered. Rising over the Húnaflói Bay, Hvitserkur is a dark-colored sea stack, beautifully carved by the battering waves over a prolonged period of time. For centuries, the weird-looking rock has inspired several myths, including a tale which claims that Hvitserkur is actually a petrified troll who was exposed to sunlight before reaching his cave.

 

Formerly a part of a larger volcanic plug, the blackish 15-meter-tall crag was slowly but steadily sculpted by the elements. As the same forces that beautifully shaped the rock also eroded it to the point of near-collapse, local villagers reinforced the natural monument with concrete foundations, saving it from its impending demise. Since then, Hvitserkur has attracted nature photographers and nesting seabirds alike.

 

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Rising over the black sand beach, Hvitserkur

photography by: Omri Westmark


The Ghost Village of Hafnarnes

Driving along Fáskrúðsfjörður, one of Iceland’s 100 or so fjords, is anything but boring. Rocky cliffs, dark blue waters and a series of picturesque villages coalesce into a breathtaking mosaic of Iceland’s rural scenery. At first, the hamlet of Hafnarnes might seem like yet another typical settlement by the inlet. A further inspection, however, will reveal its true state of abandonment.

 

Founded somewhere in the late 19th century, Hafnarnes was once home to a thriving fishing community, taking full advantage of the nearby cod-rich waters. In its heyday, the small village had 12 houses and dozens of residents. As Iceland evolved into a more urbanized society during the 20th century, the village was gradually depopulated until its last resident left around the 1970’s, ultimately descending into a state of disrepair. As of today, Hafnarnes’s sole functioning building is its iconic orange-colored lighthouse, facing the fjord’s scenic coastline.

 

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Hafnarnes’s orange-hued lighthouse

photography by: Omri Westmark


The Village of Arnarstapi

Serving as a gateway to the many natural sites of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Arnarstapi, or Stapi, is a small rural community, whose plethora of interesting places to explore makes it far more than just a stopover for travelers. Alongside the sweeping views of Mount Snæfellsjökull’s snowy peak, visitors can find here a decent variety of restaurants, oddly-shaped monuments and perhaps most strikingly, a series of naturally formed arches where entire colonies of seabirds thrive.

 

Perching atop a promontory, overlooking the North Atlantic, the sculpture of Bárður Snæfellsás, a legendary figure of a famous saga, is by far the village’s most conspicuous man-made thing. Created by the Icelandic sculptor Ragnar Kjartansson, the pudgy statue is made of locally sourced stones with different sizes and shapes, akin to a pile of rocks from afar.

 

For thousands of years, the area’s strong waves incessantly pummeled the village’s rugged coastline, carving a number of awe-inspiring rock formations. Towering over the ocean, the spectacular stone arch of Gatklettur can be seen from a close-by lookout, while Eystrigjá, a verdant stone bridge brimming with nesting birds is walkable, making it an unusual backdrop for Instagrammers.

 

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The stone bridge of Eystrigjá

photography by: Omri Westmark


Gljufrabui Waterfall

If it wasn’t for the fame of Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland, its lesser-known sidekick, Gljufrabui, would probably be teeming with visitors, marveling at its unique scenery. Tucked away less than a kilometer away from its well-known counterpart, Gljufrabui is a 40-meter-tall waterfall (131 feet) that dramatically plummets into a rocky chasm.

 

Sculpted by the cascading waters throughout time, the naturally formed chamber around Gljufrabui features mossy walls as well as an incessant drizzle that makes any visit an extremely wet experience. The hidden waterfall is fed by the Gljúfurá stream and accessible via a narrow fissure through the massive rock. Visitors who wish to have a closer glimpse or rather, the perfect backdrop for a photo, can cautiously climb over a small, slippery boulder that sits directly in front of the fall.

 

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Gljufrabui Waterfall and the narrow fissure through which visitors enter

photography by: Omri Westmark


Skútustaðagígar’s Fake Volcanoes

For an unsuspecting onlooker, the multiple craters along Mývatn Lake might first look like a string of dormant volcanoes, yet as it turns out, these belong to a geological family of their own. Known as Skútustaðagígar’s fake volcanoes, the dozens of hillocks across the area were created by the burst of hot water gushing its way upwards after being trapped underneath a thick layer of molten rock.

 

A 1.5-kilometer-long trail that meanders through the otherworldly landscape offers visitors a close encounter with the pseudo-volcanic cones. While the grassy hills are easily climbable, their hilltops are also accessible by a stairway. Upon reaching the top, expect a stunning panoramic view of the hilly terrain and the nearby lake. In addition to its geological significance, Skútustaðagígar also serves as a habitat for more than 100 species of birds, including arctic terns, horned grebes, mallards, whooper swans, just to name a few.

 

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One of Skútustaðagígar’s Fake Volcanoes

photography by: Omri Westmark


Illugastadir Seal Beach

In the not-so-distant past, seals were massively hunted in Iceland for their blubber, meat and fur, the latter of which was considered a luxury garment up until quite recently. Nowadays, though, these adorable aquatic mammals are treated differently as hordes of tourists huddle to catch a glimpse of their plum body.

 

Ensconced about 30 kilometers away from Iceland’s Ring Road, in the remote Vatnsnes Peninsula, the beach of Illugastaðir is home to an ample seal colony. With most seals basking on the off-shore skerries, the only way of spotting them is by a pair of binoculars or telephoto lens. To reach the main lookout, one must first go through a scenic hike along the area’s craggy shoreline and blooming meadow, an enchanting sight by its own right.

 

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Illugastadir Seal Beach’s hiking trail

photography by: Omri Westmark


Djúpalónssandur Beach

On the night of March 13th, 1948, what was supposed to be a routine sail along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula turned into a nightmarish ordeal when the Epine GY-7 British trawler caught in a heavy storm. Despite the crew’s relentless attempts to navigate away from the choppy seas, the fishing vessel succumbed to the gale, ultimately crashing into the rocks. As a result, only five out of the 19 seafarers onboard survived the accident.

 

Fast forward to today, the hidden beach of Djúpalónssandur, where the aforementioned tragedy took place decades ago, is now a quirky attraction for dark-tourism enthusiasts. With rusty pieces of metal strewn all over the black sand, the beach still bears the scars of its tragic past. As you can imagine, the rough sea is unswimmable. Instead, visitors can explore Djúpalónssandur’s smattering of rock formations, pebble towers and the 4 lifting stones of Aflraunasteinar, originally designated a strength test for local villagers.

 

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The rusting debris in Djúpalónssandur Beach

photography by: Omri Westmark