Iceland

– Roam the land of fire and ice
Welcome to Iceland. The drama, history, wildlife and rugged scenery makes Iceland a truly memorable destination. Thingvellir National park.
  • True Arctic expedition
    With our unmatched expertise in Arctic waters, we will show you the soul of Iceland on an expedition to the far north.
  • Like nowhere else
    The drama, history, wildlife and rugged scenery makes Iceland a truly memorable destination – with many hidden secrets.
  • Unique, beautiful terrain
    We take you close to volcanic landscape, waterfalls, glaciers and charming towns on hikes and daily activities.
  • Sustainable adventure
    Our expedition cruises are created with sustainability as a priority – protecting wildlife, supporting local communities, and the future of our planet.
Welcome to Iceland. The drama, history, wildlife and rugged scenery makes Iceland a truly memorable destination. Thingvellir National park.
Geysers exist in only a few places on Earth, so they are a fairly rare phenomenon
Beautiful lava formations near Arnarstapi
The quiet village of Husavik, Iceland

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Explore Iceland

Discover some of the possible landing sites you may visit on an expedition cruise to Iceland.

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Explore Iceland

Discover some of the possible landing sites you may visit on an expedition cruise to Iceland.

  • 1

    Reykjavik

    is the world’s northernmost capital city. Settlers named the place ‘Smoky Bay’ after the columns of steam rising from local hot springs.

  • 2

    Stykkishólmur

    Surrounded by wonderful scenery and iconic sites on Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the friendly town of Stykkishólmur features beautiful, well-preserved old houses.

  • 3

    Westfjords

    Known for stunning scenery, including spectacular fjords and charming settlements, the Westfjords offer great hiking and kayaking opportunities.

  • 4

    Akureyri

    The lively and energetic town of Akureyri is close to many of Iceland’s renowned natural treasures, like Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss waterfall.

  • 5

    Húsavík

    Húsavík is renowned for its whale watching and has several interesting museums, including, of course, a whale museum.

  • 6

    Grimsey

    Get the chance to step across the legendary Arctic Circle, which cuts across this green and grassy island.

  • 7

    Bakkagerdi

    This peaceful area is known for its natural beauty and as “the land of the elves.” Puffin colonies are everywhere in the fjord, making this a popular place for birdwatching.

  • 8

    Heimaey

    A zone of volcanic activity, Heimaey Island is full of steep ocean cliffs that provide a habitat for countless seabirds, including the charming puffin.

Your Expedition Team

Our experts are here to safeguard both explorers and the pristine environment. They serve as your invaluable hosts throughout your Iceland expedition cruise.

Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Leading and teaching

During your discovery of Iceland, your Expedition Team will lead the way on short hikes and guided landscape explorations, flora and fauna spotting, cultural site visits, community walks and small boat cruises.

“Some of my favorite experiences on expedition cruises are getting sprayed by a humpback whale and sighting polar bears from a close but safe distance.”
- Steffen, Expedition Team Leader

Read more about the Expedition Team

Explore Iceland

Mythical Iceland is the land of ice and fire, with glaciers and volcanos side by side. The nature offers stunning landscapes, geysers and impressive waterfalls. The contrasts are enhanced by long dark winters and summers lit by the midnight sun, as well as vast expanses of unspoilt nature at the doorstep of highly modern urban communities.

Discover the amazing volcanic landscape of Iceland
Discover the amazing volcanic landscape of Iceland
Photo: Burben_Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

Bridge between continents

Located in the North-Atlantic Ocean close by the Arctic Circle, Iceland is very much a bridge between continents. By plane, Reykjavik is approximately five hours from New York and three hours from London. Like Norway, Iceland is blessed with the Gulf Stream providing a temperate climate, with refreshing summers and surprisingly mild temperatures in winter.

 

Norse and cosmopolitan

The culture of this 103,000 square kilometre island has been shaped by isolation and the forces of nature. The approximately 330,000 islanders all know their saga tales, and both in culture and language they have kept close ties with their Norse ancestry. The capital of Reykjavik has a cosmopolitan air about it, remarkable for such a small city. It is a hub for creativity and design, famous for its colourful buildings, urban modernity and pulsating nightlife.

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Overview of Reykjavik from Hallgrímskirkja, the tallest church in Iceland.
Overview of Reykjavik from Hallgrímskirkja, the tallest church in Iceland.
Photo: Tim Trad
Photo: Muehlbacher Fotografie

The hidden people

With Hurtigruten you can choose from a range of expedition sailings with excursions to active volcanoes, bright green valleys, glacier-carved fjords, black sand beaches and roaring rivers. You might even meet the Hidden People, the elves that are said to govern quite a lot of Icelandic affairs.