The Blonde Abroad

Popular travel and lifestyle blog featuring travel tips, fashion, food and photography from around the world. Follow Kiersten on her adventures!

10 Reasons to Go to Iceland

10 Reasons to Go to Iceland

Iceland is a magical place, and after two trips there to explore the country from end to end, I can easily say it’s one of my favorite travel destinations.

Here are 10 reasons you should visit Iceland!

dive

10. Diving the Silfra Fissure

Ever since getting PADI Open Water Diver certified, I’m always keeping my eyes peeled for epic diving experiences. Diving at the Silfra Fissure is often referred to as one of the top 10 dive experiences in the world.

Divers and snorkelers swim between the North American and Eurasian continental plates in some of the clearest water on Earth with over 100 meters of water visibility.

READ MORE: Diving the Silfra Fissure in Iceland

Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland

9. The Golden Circle

Geysers and waterfalls and volcanic craters… oh my!

The Golden Circle is perhaps one of the most epic road trips in the entire world. Drive around the island in “The Golden Circle” for a stunning display of nature’s incredible beauty.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle

horses

8. Iceland Horses

Cuz. Horses. Are. So. PRETTY!

The Blonde Abroad at the Blue Lagoon

7. The Blue Lagoon

AKA one of the most epic swimming pools in the world, the Blue Lagoon’s water temperature averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F) year round making it one of the most popular destinations in Iceland.

The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is said to have healing and rejuvenating benefits for your skin.

READ MORE: Visiting The Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Iceland Police

6. The Reykjavik Metropolitan Police

Perhaps one of the most peaceful places on the planet, Reykjavik (the capital of Iceland) is a great place to be a police officer. The Reykjavik Metropolitan Police instagram account is full of kittens, selfies, ice cream cotton candy!

I’m not kidding. Check it out.

5. The Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis

Seeing the Northern Lights is on many people’s bucket lists and Iceland is one of the best places for viewing them. When skies are extra dark (particularly in the Winter), companies like Arctic Adventures take guests on a once-in-a-lifetime Northern Lights hunt for the beautiful and elusive natural phenomenon.

READ MORE: The Beginner’s Guide to Photographing the Northern Lights

4. This Video

If this video doesn’t make you want to jump on a plane and high five the first Icelander you meet upon landing, I don’t know what will! Even Iceland’s Tourism Board is awesome!

ion

3. The Ion Hotel

I’m all about eco-friendly hotels, but give me one with a view of the Northern Lights and I may just never leave. The Ion Luxury Hotel is an award-winning design hotel set against the backdrop of lava fields.

READ MORE: A Luxurious Stay at the Ion Hotel in Iceland

Iceland Volcano

2. Volcanoes

Take an Icelandic super jeep or helicopter and tour the volcanic landscape of Iceland. There are about 130 volcanic mountains, some active and some extinct. Descend 120 meters into the Thrihnukagigur volcano or fly over an active one.

Glacier Trekking in Iceland

1. Glacier & Ice Cave Trekking

Grab your ice axe and set out to explore one of Iceland’s incredible glaciers. The Sólheimajökull glacier is made up of ancient frozen water is perfect for exploring ice formations and caves.

*Bonus: Iceland is a total foodie destination. They have some incredible dishes to try!

READ MORE: Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing in Iceland

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    1. Heiddis

      Hi, just came across your blog tonight as I am planning a weekend trip to Athens, thanks for the tips, they were really helpful!
      As a proper Icelander I had to check if you had visited my home country and I can see that you are going soon or maybe you are in Iceland at the moment. How nice!

      Anyways just wanted to say I agree with Chris and Jökulsárlón is definitely worth the visit!

      Few other tips; Fishmarket and KOL are good places for nice dinners but for lunch I recommend Gló, a healthy restaurant on the main street Laugarvegur. Recommend the raw snickers cake for dessert, its to die for! http://glo.is/glorestauranticeland
      One more thing I know its cold and its snowing in the Capital at the moment but that doesn´t stop us to go for a Ice-cream drive. There are quite a few Ice-cream shops in Reykjavík and I highly recommend you try some.

      Hope you enjoy your stay!

      October 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm · Reply
      • Kiersten Rich

        Thank you SO much for the tips! So bummed it’s my last night here, but I’m sure this will be super helpful to other readers. I’m DEFINITELY coming back and will use your tips!

        October 22, 2014 at 3:53 pm · Reply
    2. Tate Nanje

      Oh boy, now I must definitely go to Iceland. I am super pumped after reading your post. The photos look amazing and swimming at the blue lagoon is most definitely on my to-do list.

      November 20, 2014 at 12:09 am · Reply

    Instagram

    Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

    There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

    It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

    If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

    NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

    It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

    This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

    532 43
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18075675671194480
    Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance. It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it! If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special. NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit. It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary. This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

    The Okavango Delta is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype… and then somehow exceeds it. 🦒🇧🇼
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    A lush, water-filled oasis in the middle of the Kalahari, where the seasons quite literally shape the entire experience.

    Floodwaters arrive months after the rains fall in Angola, transforming the landscape into a maze of channels, islands, and wildlife-rich plains.

    We stayed at @aksanctuary Sanctuary Chief’s Camp on Chief’s Island — known as the predator capital of Botswana. Because it’s one of the only areas of permanent dry land, animals naturally gather here… which means some of the most incredible game viewing you can experience.

    What makes this place so special is the contrast. Early mornings tracking predators on game drives, and afternoons drifting through quiet waterways in a mokoro, surrounded by birds, reeds, and the kind of stillness you rarely find anymore.

    And the timing completely changes the experience.
    ✨ Dry season (May–October): peak flood levels + unbelievable wildlife concentrations
    🌿 Green season (November–April): lush landscapes, baby animals, fewer crowds

    No matter when you go, it’s one of the most unique safari destinations in the world, and one that feels wild, untouched, and unforgettable.
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #OkavangoDelta #BotswanaSafari #LuxurySafari #AfricanWildlife #SafariExperience

    530 18
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18103021357746846
    The Okavango Delta is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype… and then somehow exceeds it. 🦒🇧🇼 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A lush, water-filled oasis in the middle of the Kalahari, where the seasons quite literally shape the entire experience. Floodwaters arrive months after the rains fall in Angola, transforming the landscape into a maze of channels, islands, and wildlife-rich plains. We stayed at @aksanctuary Sanctuary Chief’s Camp on Chief’s Island — known as the predator capital of Botswana. Because it’s one of the only areas of permanent dry land, animals naturally gather here… which means some of the most incredible game viewing you can experience. What makes this place so special is the contrast. Early mornings tracking predators on game drives, and afternoons drifting through quiet waterways in a mokoro, surrounded by birds, reeds, and the kind of stillness you rarely find anymore. And the timing completely changes the experience. ✨ Dry season (May–October): peak flood levels + unbelievable wildlife concentrations 🌿 Green season (November–April): lush landscapes, baby animals, fewer crowds No matter when you go, it’s one of the most unique safari destinations in the world, and one that feels wild, untouched, and unforgettable. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #OkavangoDelta #BotswanaSafari #LuxurySafari #AfricanWildlife #SafariExperience

    Flying above the Okavango on a skyfari 🚁✨
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    While staying at @aksanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana, we had the chance to see the delta from a completely different perspective with @helicopterhorizons — and it was easily one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip.

    From winding channels to herds of elephants moving below, it gives you a true sense of just how vast and wild this place really is… something you simply can’t grasp from the ground.

    If you’re coming all the way to the Okavango Delta, this is 100% worth adding on. It’s not just a scenic flight — it’s a whole new way to experience safari.
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #botswana #okavangodelta #skyfari #helicopter #bucketlist

    359 24
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17933892243210022
    Flying above the Okavango on a skyfari 🚁✨ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• While staying at @aksanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana, we had the chance to see the delta from a completely different perspective with @helicopterhorizons — and it was easily one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip. From winding channels to herds of elephants moving below, it gives you a true sense of just how vast and wild this place really is… something you simply can’t grasp from the ground. If you’re coming all the way to the Okavango Delta, this is 100% worth adding on. It’s not just a scenic flight — it’s a whole new way to experience safari. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #botswana #okavangodelta #skyfari #helicopter #bucketlist

    There are places that feel special… and then there’s the Okavango Delta 🤍
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    Our stay at @aksanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana was one of those rare travel experiences that truly exceeded every expectation.

    And then there’s the Delta itself. One of the most unique ecosystems on the planet, where floodwaters transform the desert into a lush, wildlife-rich oasis—meaning you get some of the most incredible game viewing in Africa.

    In just three nights, we experienced:
    • Big Five game drives
    • A scenic helicopter flight over the Delta (still not over this)
    • A mokoro ride quietly gliding through the waterways
    • Golden hour moments that didn’t feel real

    It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you travel in the first place.

    So deeply grateful to have experienced it 🤍
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #Botswana #OkavangoDelta #AfricanSafari #LuxurySafari #ChiefsCamp

    666 48
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17846732157694489
    There are places that feel special… and then there’s the Okavango Delta 🤍 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Our stay at @aksanctuary Chief’s Camp in Botswana was one of those rare travel experiences that truly exceeded every expectation. And then there’s the Delta itself. One of the most unique ecosystems on the planet, where floodwaters transform the desert into a lush, wildlife-rich oasis—meaning you get some of the most incredible game viewing in Africa. In just three nights, we experienced: • Big Five game drives • A scenic helicopter flight over the Delta (still not over this) • A mokoro ride quietly gliding through the waterways • Golden hour moments that didn’t feel real It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you travel in the first place. So deeply grateful to have experienced it 🤍 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #Botswana #OkavangoDelta #AfricanSafari #LuxurySafari #ChiefsCamp

    #HotelsDotComAmbassador
    If I’m planning the trip… I’m earning the rewards
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    @hotelsdotcom has this feature called Save Your Way, where you can either take the discount now or bank it as rewards for a future trip — and you already know which one I’m choosing.
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    Planner today. Trip funded tomorrow.

    251 24
    Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18103252766490335
    #HotelsDotComAmbassador If I’m planning the trip… I’m earning the rewards ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @hotelsdotcom has this feature called Save Your Way, where you can either take the discount now or bank it as rewards for a future trip — and you already know which one I’m choosing. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Planner today. Trip funded tomorrow.
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