Inspiring Iceland: 5 Facts About the Land of Fire & Ice

Iceland’s landscapes and traditions reveal a place shaped by powerful natural forces and centuries of storytelling.

1. Waterfalls and Hidden Wonders

From cascading waterfalls to glistening glaciers, Iceland is full of hidden wonders waiting to be discovered by the adventurous traveler. Slumbering volcanoes and labyrinths of ice caves await exploration at Vatnajokull National Park. Crater lakes, glacial lagoons, spring-fed oases and thundering falls greet the traveler at every turn. A hike into the narrow pass of Drekagil—Dragon Gully—unveils a lair of strange geological formations. Massive ice stalagmites, like a glittering hoard of crystals and gems, jut from the black lava tube of Raufarholshellir. In Hverir Geothermal Area, mud bubbles and vents steam, reminiscent of a dragon’s sulfurous breath. Iceland’s many hot springs are one of its largest draws, and visitors flock to relax in the milky, mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon.

2. Icelandic Horses

Docile and surefooted on rocky terrain, Icelandic horses are a rare breed. Brought to the island 1,100 years ago by Norwegian settlers, they are the descendants of an ancient lineage that exists only in Iceland, where the horses have survived in isolation. In 982, Iceland forbade the importation of any horses, and so the breed has remained pure for over 1,000 years.

The typical horse can walk, trot, canter and gallop. But Icelandic horses have two special traits: the tölt and the flying pace, both renowned as swift, gliding gaits. Horseback riding is a wonderful way to traverse the sandy beaches and mountains, journeying off the trodden path amidst natural wonders and grazing sheep. It is well worth a visit to an Icelandic horse farm during one’s journey through Iceland, to tour the stables and meet this unique, ancient breed. Take a gentle horseback ride on the golden sands of Hraunlandarif Beach on Nat Hab’s Wild Iceland Explorer.

3. Folklore

Much of Iceland’s culture is rooted in magic, mythology and mystical beings. Icelandic trolls are said to live deep in the wild highlands. Stories tell of those taken captive in mountain caves by trolls, who use their sorcery to cast spells and lure humans with magic potions. When daylight breaks, night-dwelling trolls turn to stone. One legend tells of two trolls who, when pierced by the sun’s rays, became the basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar on the South Coast of Iceland. Nat Hab travelers explore this southern shore, gazing at the rock formations as they walk along a stretch of black sand beach beneath Reynisfjall Mountain.

Festivities in Iceland entwine religious celebrations, Norse mythology and Icelandic folklore. Jol, the Yuletide season, celebrates traditional beliefs such as the jolasveinar, or Yule Lads, the descendants of trolls. Starting the night of December 12, these mischievous brothers arrive one by one for 13 nights to leave small gifts. Children leave a shoe on their windowsill in hopes of receiving a present from the lads, but a naughty child may wake to see a raw potato tucked into their boot! The Yule lads are tricksters, shown by their names: Sheep-Cote Clod, Gully Gawk, Stubby, Spoon-Licker, Pot-Licker, Bowl-Licker, Door-Slammer, Skyr-Gobbler, Sausage-Swiper, Window-Peeper, Doorway-Sniffer, Meat-Hook and Candle-Stealer, respectively.

New Year’s Eve is heralded by a cascade of brilliant fireworks that illuminate the dark sky. Elves are said to be most active during this time, as well as during Midsummer’s Night, and people gather around bonfires to sing songs of the invisible huldufólk, who inhabit enchanted rocks and cliffs around the island. Borgarfjordur Eystri is a fjord in East Iceland where a small village of 100 people lives. There, the ancient hill of Álfaborg, the “Elves’ Castle,” rises 100 feet from the ground, where the queen of the Icelandic elves is said to reside with her court.

4. Skyr

Iceland’s prospering farms and rolling pastures ensure its dairy products are superb. Similar to its horses, Icelandic cows have been bred in isolation, rendering a distinct breed that produces a pure, delicately flavored milk. One Icelandic specialty is skyr, a creamy, skimmed-milk curd. Low in fat and yogurt-like, skyr has gained international acclaim and is now marketed overseas. It’s often eaten with bog bilberries and crowberries, which grow in Iceland’s wild highlands, as well as stone bramble berries, strawberries and blueberries, which can be picked from July through September.

It’s no surprise, with Iceland’s pure streams and clean air, that there is a bounty of high-quality produce. Mushrooms are foraged from the forests, while herbs such as sorrel and thyme are gathered in the countryside. Because of the cool climate, many vegetables are grown in geothermally heated greenhouses, which Nat Hab travelers will have a chance to sample during dinners that feature local, seasonal Nordic fare.

5. Wild Creatures of Sky and Sea

Iceland boasts great multitudes of seabirds, which flock to nesting sites along the coast to breed. Travelers will see these birds display different behaviors in their summer home, singing breeding songs and tending to their eggs and young. Latrabjarg in the Westfjords is home to the largest bird cliff in Europe, with up to 40% the world’s population of razorbills, and Lake Myvatn is renowned for its great number of breeding duck species. Bird enthusiasts on Nat Hab’s Iceland adventure will relish the opportunity to observe Atlantic puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, common guillemots, razorbills, northern fulmars and Arctic terns perched on Hornstrandir’s high vertical cliffs.

Iceland’s marine life is another incredible draw. Over 20 species of whales roam the seas surrounding the island, in addition to white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and basking sharks. Nat Hab travelers enjoy this rich concentration of wildlife as they seek out harbor seal colonies in Lonafjordur Fjord and search for humpback and minke whales during boat cruises off the Icelandic coastline.

From thundering waterfalls and lava tunnels to seabird cliffs and centuries-old traditions, Iceland rewards travelers who look a little closer. On Nat Hab’s Iceland: Circling the Land of Fire and Ice and Wild Iceland Explorer, guests experience these natural and cultural highlights firsthand—hiking volcanic landscapes, searching for whales and puffins, and discovering the stories that shape this remarkable island. It’s a journey into one of the North Atlantic’s most dynamic and fascinating destinations.