Five Ways to Get off the Beaten Track near Reykjavik, Iceland

Today we welcome local guide Dofri as he shares his favourite off the beaten track destinations to explore with visitors.

I love my job, being a tour guide in my beautiful Iceland, but my favorite days are when my guests ask me to take them somewhere off the beaten track away from the crowds. Over 90% of tourists go to the same places and Iceland has many gems, hidden from the mainstream tourism. You just have to know where to go.

Five Off the Beaten Track Places to Explore in Iceland

Explore the volcanic landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula

Climb some of the craters and see the lava fields of Reykjanes Peninsula. With the frequently erupting volcanoes in a safe distance, you can literally see how Iceland was formed. Having an expert guide explaining the geology in an easy to understand way makes the tour both beautiful for the eye and informative.

Escape to a forgotten fljord

Hvalfjörður is a fjord north of Reykjavik. In 1998 a tunnel under it opened and shortened the distance to Reykjavik by 30 miles. Since then this beautiful part of Iceland has been "forgotten". It has waterfalls, beautiful mountains, endless hiking possibilities, the wild birds at the ocean front and a charming rustic spa called Hvammsvik Natural Baths where you can unwind in the wonderful hot ocean water while enjoying breathtaking views.

Take the back road!

The back road of Reykjavik is a string of pearls if you know where to go. It can differ from day to day, depending on the weather, but a knowledgeable guide will always know where to take you. You will have endless possibilities of short scenic hikes and stops with breathtaking views, away from the bus loads.

Go for a dip in a local pool

The public swimming pools are amazing, with a variety of hot water tubs where the locals go to relax, meet one another or have a casual chat with other guests. Go early in the morning and you will find the seniors between 7 and 9 am. Ask them for their opinion on anything and they will share with you their wisdom. During lunch break you have people coming for a short swim or meeting up with some friends or having a short meeting in the hot tubs. In the afternoon, the pools fill up with families stopping by with their kids before going home to make dinner and in the evening the teenagers come in groups to mingle with one another. A truly Icelandic cultural experience.

Discover Viking history

The Viking World museum in Njarðvík (close to the KEF airport) is a hidden gem for everyone that wants to understand how the Viking era was much more than raiding and fighting. It was a revolution in the History of mankind, for the vessels they built and the knowledge they gathered, opened up the World for the explorers of the last millennium.

The museum is built around a full size Viking ship built by a local Icelandic boat builder who wanted to celebrate 1000 years of Leif Eirkisson finding America. He managed to complete his mission and sail the ship from Iceland to Greenland, from there to Nova Scotia and down along the East Coast of America to NYC in the year 2000.

Planning to explore Iceland in 2025 or beyond? You can start a conversation with local guide Dofri to come up with the perfect Reykjavik and beyond itinerary for you and your travel companions.