When exploring Iceland, beware of throwing stones. You might hit the huldufólk, the hidden elves and fairies of Icelandic folklore. Locals believe they live under rocks, around boundless lava fields, near gushing geysers, atop dramatic waterfalls. Once you wander from its quirky capital to its lunar-like lands speckled with black-sand dunes and jagged mountains, you'll begin believing in them too.
Mood: vacation favourites
Visit Iceland: get started
Iceland tours will take you from Reykjavik to tourist attractions around the Golden Circle, a road stopping at Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Haukadalur geothermal area. Other things to see in Iceland include the Blue Lagoon, or opting for a car rental to visit glacial lakes. Plan a trip to Iceland from Canada with our vacation packages and stay at the best hotels!
Iceland travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Icelandic
What to bring back
An Icelandic wool sweater, volcanic rocks, lava salts to bring Icelandic flavour to your kitchen, sand and beauty products from geo-thermal spas and, if you’re lucky, snapshots of the Northern Lights.
What to eat
Lamb, seafood, Skyr (a mix between yogurt and cottage cheese), Icelandic rye bread, kleina (a beloved Icelandic pastry), and for the brave: fermented shark.
Fun fact
Icelandic people are very imaginative—a portion of the nation even believes in the existence of elves and fairies (the huldufólk). There is an elf school in Reykjavik to teach you all about them, as well as protests against developments planned on elf territory. There are even tiny elf shrines built across Iceland.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
