Best Beaches in Iceland
Best Beaches in Iceland.Iceland’s beaches are dramatic and otherworldly. The island—comparable in length to the country of Kentucky—is encircled by an 828-mile ring street, making it viable to get right of entry to lots of Iceland’s isolated beaches, even if you’re much more likely to be there for the bracing clean air than for tanning and sunbathing.
From sweeping golden beaches to hidden coves and black-sand strips, the exceptional beaches in Iceland have one factor in commonplace: all of them provide wild seascapes.
Whether on an afternoon experience from the capital, Reykjavík, or journeying the northern fjord areas, set expectancies excessive when traveling Iceland seashores and you gained’t be upset.
Djúpalónssandur Beach
On the western tip of Iceland, this curved volcanic seashore made from sand and stones clings to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
To reach Djúpalónssandur, follow the path from the dual carriageway that cuts thru a lava field punctuated with jagged lava formations.
Before turning off for the beach, prevent through Vatnshellir Cave, an eight,000-year-vintage lava tube that turned into the result of a landscape-altering volcanic eruption. Guides provide fascinating excursions of Vatnshellir via a spiral staircase main down into the 114-foot cave.
On the seaside, witness the shell of an English trawler, Epine GY 7, which became shipwrecked here in 1948. Sadly, 14 lives have been lost.
There are some amazing coastal viewing points to prevent at near Djúpalónssandur, too, including the fishing villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, and the soaring cliffs of Lóndrangar.
Wrap up in layers while exploring sections of Iceland’s shoreline—you is probably amazed by means of a slight summer time’s day, or you would possibly encounter the wild west, with mist, wind, and rain rolling off the ocean.
Ytri-Tunga Beach
Chalk off the suitable Ytri-Tunga Beach at the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a two-hour force north of Reykjavík along Iceland’s craggy shoreline.
While most Iceland seashores possess black sand, dreamy Ytri-Tunga is a standout for its golden shoreline.
Travelers are regularly greeted with the sight of harbor and gray seals, especially in the course of summer season once they can be spotted perched on the rocky shore. Pack your camera to seize those stunning marine creatures, however do not forget to maintain a secure distance—round 165 toes is usually recommended.
Ólafsfjörður Beach, close to Akureyri
On the north coast of Iceland, Ólafsfjörður’s glorious black-sand seashore lies at the mouth of the Eyjafjörður fjord, surrounded by snowy peaks. During summer season in Iceland, winter’s snow slowly melts, growing tumbling waterfalls all round.
The beach faces Ólafsfjörður city, a fishing settlement dotted with colourful wood houses, sponsored through the trout-crammed Ólafsfjörður lake.
Enjoy a coastline hike to take in the charming scenery. This huge-open beach feels absolutely remote. Even though the small city is a quick 15-minute stroll away, you can locate you’ve got the seaside totally to yourself.
Reynisfjara Beach
This outstanding south coast seashore is worth every 2d of the 2-and-a-half of hour adventure from Reykjavik.
As some distance as black shores cross, Reynisfjara is one of the great seashores in Iceland, with pounding Atlantic waves and craggy rock formations including to the drama.
Like among the island’s seashores, Reynisfjara isn’t appropriate for swimming or bathing, however there’s still lots to do right here.
Order a coffee from Black Beach Restaurant, right through the seashore, and walk the fast distance to Hálsanefshellir Cave, at the shore. Lying at the bottom of Reynisfjall mountain on the easternmost point of Reynisfjara, Hálsanefshellir is a outstanding sea cave featuring a wall of hovering basalt columns.
On a visit to Reynisfjara, stop by way of Vik í Myrdal, a storybook village that’s the most southerly on mainland Iceland.
A pretty white church gleams from a hilltop and a number of cafés and eating places are dotted round, including a pizzeria, craft beer venue, and the upmarket Icelandic restaurant, Berg.
Dyrholaey Beach
To the west of Reynisfjara, Dyrholaey makes the listing of the high-quality seashores in Iceland as it unfolds for miles along the south’s unspoiled coastline.
Dyrhólaey, also referred to as the Endless Black Beach, features the white-cubed Dyrhólaeyjarviti lighthouse, warning passing vessels of the serrated sea stacks simply off the shore.
This volcanic seaside is thought for its excellent arch, the result of coastal erosion. It’s so massive that a pilot famously flew a small aircraft through in 1993.
Dyrhólaey is a nature-fanatics dream, with 12 months-spherical eider ducks and migratory Atlantic puffins nesting among May to September.
Tag on a go to to the nearby Skógafoss, a thundering Icelandic waterfall with a drop of around 2 hundred ft, a quick distance away.
Best Beaches in Iceland
Búðir Beach
Búðir Beach is a sweep of blond sand facing Faxaflói Bay on the edge of the extensive Búðahraun lava subject in west Iceland.
The lava flowed right here around 5,000 to eight,000 years ago from Búðaklettur volcanic crater, that’s important to the lava discipline.
The seashore has been a chosen nature reserve for the reason that 1977. Wander the various lovely swathes of wildflowers that grow right here throughout summer. Travelers also can visit Búðahellir, a cave that unfurls 1,253 feet into the crater.
Enjoy a windswept stroll at the beach. The black lava rocks scattered across the shore offer every other reminder of Iceland’s volatile geology.
Take in the attractive Búðakirkja, a nineteenth-century, jet-black church next to the seaside, and the nearby horsetail-fashioned Bjarnarfoss. The tumbling water may be visible from the street at the back of the seashore. If you’ve time to spare, visit the waterfall’s viewing platform for a more in-depth appearance.
Álftanes Beach, close to Reykjavik
One of the closest beaches to Iceland’s capital, Álftanes lies just 20 mins south of Reykjavik, nestled on the stirring Reykjanes peninsula.
Surrounded with the aid of rolling green fields, Álftanes lies close to Bessastaðir and Bessastaðakirkja, the reliable residence of the President of Iceland and a pristine white church, respectively.
Bessastaðir is good-looking and historical in same measure. A former farmstead of Snorri Sturluson, Iceland’s celebrated thirteenth-century student, and the King of Norway, following Sturluson’s assassination, it’s been the home of Icelandic democracy since the 1940s.
Pick up a coffee from the metropolis’s cozy Álftanes cafe, which also serves scrumptious home made soups, plump sourdough loaves, and extravagant cakes.
Álftanes Beach hits the mark for hikers, with lots of trails lacing the headland. Grapple with a hike round Gálgahraun, a large lava subject wherein excavations have revealed that executions probable befell here during Iceland’s agreement length (round 870–930).
Nautholsvik Beach, Reykjavik
Nautholsvik stands apart as one of the high-quality beaches in Iceland for its imperative place and the opportunity it offers traffic to plunge into the refreshing water.
As stunning as Iceland’s beaches are, no longer many are appropriate for swimming. Nauthólsvík is an exception way to a lagoon created by a sea wall built in 2001, with hot water pumped into the pool, growing temperatures of 15°-19°C/59°-sixty six°F at some stage in summer.
Enjoy a leisurely swim and living room on the crescent shore. There are warm tubs, steam baths, toilets with showers, and converting centers are also available.
Langisandur Beach, close to Reykjavik
This Blue Flag sandy seaside on Iceland’s west coast is round a 50-minute drive north of Reykjavik.
The adventure here is beautiful, with the highway reducing between sky-piercing mountains and limitless ocean vistas.
Pack your bathing in shape or roll up your trekking pants to paddle in the water. One of the high-quality activities on Langisandur Beach is to enroll in locals and in-the-realize travelers for a soothing hot soak at Guðlaug Baths, right at the back of the seaside.
If you’ve time to spare, go to the delightful Akranes Folk Museum. The museum strains life on this pocket of Iceland’s west coast, from the seventeenth century to the current, through audio storytelling, items, and photographs.
Best Beaches in Iceland
Solheimasandur Beach
Solheimasandur Beach on Iceland’s south coast is well-known no longer just for its inky sand, however as the region of a 1973 aircraft crash. Thankfully, all passengers aboard the US Navy DC plane survived.
The haunting wreckage may be explored up near on Solheimasandur Beach and makes for placing pics.
Sólheimasandur is a brief force from the robust Seljalandsfoss, one in all Iceland’s brilliant cascading waterfalls. Stop by means of after time spent on Solheimasandur Beach to revel in on foot at the back of the 2 hundred-foot veil of water.
Walk to Gljufrabui—every other lovely waterfall, just a quick walk from Seljalandsfoss—found inside a narrow canyon.
Meleyri Beach, near Seydisfjordur
Iceland beaches are generally unspoiled beaches with few (if any) amenities, together with the far off Meleyri Beach at the united states of america’s east coast.
This strip of volcanic sand borders Iceland’s ring avenue near Breiðdalsvík, this means that in spite of its remoteness, it’s pretty smooth to attain.
The pressure from Seydisfjordur takes tourists thru a segment of the breathtaking Eastfjords—a 75-mile patch within the u . S . A .’s northeast—of jagged cliffs, slender fjords, and old fashioned fishing villages.
Meleyri is best for trekking and experiencing Iceland’s nature. Look out for the place’s wild reindeer roaming freely inside the area.
If you’re a fan of craft brews, prevent by means of the tiny town of Breiðdalsvík to visit Beljandi Brewery after a profitable seashore hike and sample the neighborhood ales.
Hofsós Beach, close to Akureyri
At sixty five levels north, Hofsós is certainly one of Iceland’s most northerly seashores, lining a small phase of the silky Skagafjörður fjord near Akureyri. Hofsós Beach is small, volcanic, and backed via a rising grassy financial institution.
Walk mins from the seashore to Staðarbjörg basalt columns, following the stairs down to the shore from the road, for serene fjord perspectives.
Hofsós, that’s dotted with colourful houses, is probably a small fishing village however it has a museum, grocery save, public swimming pool, and a eating place.
Explore The Emigration Center’s exhibition, which charts the tale of Icelanders’ emigration to North America all through the 18th century.
Another important forestall whilst touring Hofsós Beach is Grafarkirkja, the oldest turf church in Iceland and the stuff of fairytales. The current church dates to the 17th century, though older churches stood right here earlier than.
Grafarkirkja isn’t open for site visitors to step interior, however you can freely wander the grounds, consisting of a circular turf wall that protects a small graveyard.
Rauðisandur Beach
Reached in under two and a half of hours from Ísafjörður in the Westfjords, Rauðisandur is one of the maximum amazing seashores in Iceland; its velvety, ochre-tinged shore incomes it the nickname of Red Sands.
Reaching Rauðisandur is an adventure. In addition to the power, site visitors will even need to tackle a short hike from the parking lot.
Rauðisandur lies at the same stretch of shoreline as Látrabjarg, the tallest fowl-watching cliffs in Europe, with watchers from round the arena traveling the place to witness the mind-boggling summer season turnout.
Gaze out to the sea and to the ashen cliffs surrounding Rauðisandur to identify passing guillemots, puffins, razorbills, and gulls.
Seals are frequently noticed inside the ocean and resting at the shore. Look carefully and you can even spot the occasional tail-slapping humpback whale or dolphins leaping through the water.
Þingeyri Beach, close to Ísafjörður
The toy metropolis of Þingeyri is framed through the rousing Westfjords Alps and scenic Dýrafjörður fjord. It’s additionally home to another of Iceland’s black-sand beaches.
Before descending onto the shore, revel in warming hot liquids at Simbahöllin, the village cafe wherein Belgian waffles are continually at the menu. For a self-guided excursion of Þingeyri and its soothing seaside, rent a motorbike from Simbahöllin (the owners also provide horseback using classes).
A must-do for water fans is a exciting sea kayak tour departing from the seashore. Row into the glossy, 20-mile-lengthy fjord, led by using a nearby guide to look seals lounging at the rocks.
Pack your camera in a water-proof case as there are limitless image opportunities to seize flora and fauna, together with seals, migratory birdlife, or even humpback whales throughout summer season.
Sandvik Beach, near Reykjavik
This awesome darkish beach—near Iceland’s Blue Lagoon geothermal spa—lies at the excellent Reykjanes peninsula, which juts into the North Atlantic Ocean.
Sandvik is a curved seashore that’s cradled many of the area’s big, volcanic landscape, with lots of opportunity for mind-clearing Icelandic hikes.
While the waves are too robust for swimming, you may enjoy a bracing ankle-deep paddle.
At low tide, appearance out for the wreckage of a ship that ran aground right here in 1981.
After, prevent with the aid of the close by Bridge Between Continents to cross the symbolic footbridge lying over a huge fissure, connecting the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Iceland’s seashores are as dramatic because the us of a’s fiery volcanoes, glassy fjords, and blue glaciers. Search Celebrity Cruises’ luxurious cruises to Iceland and find out this captivating united states of america in your next vacation.