Ever wondered what a lava-toasted marshmallow tastes like? What it’s like living without sunsets? Or finally, solve whether Dory could speak whale.

With local legend Olafür’s expert knowledge, we explored what Iceland has to offer. If there was one country alone that displayed the true potential of natural beauty it would be Iceland, from volcanoes to Fjords, beaches to glaciers, every detail of the scenery is carved with staggering views, and etched into them all is the possibility for new adventure.

After two weeks of exploring, we’ve put together a list of 5 must-go places we visited on our latest Iceland trip. So, grab your bucket list because these are stops every adventurer must visit in Iceland:

Must visit No. 1 – Reykjavik: whale watching 

We flew into Reykjavik like a bluebird in a hurricane, 40mph gales rocked the plane on our descent, but luckily the passenger tension was lifted when wheels met the tarmac and the screech of brakes gave way to a hearty applaud.

When a trip starts with an adrenaline spike, you know you are in for a tasty serving of the unknown with a side of nervous energy.

Once landed, we met with our local guide Olafür, an Icelandic patriot whose weathered face spoke volumes on his time exploring this beautiful country. We were ushered away from the airport crowds and promised a special treat for lunch at his lodge. One barren road trip later we were sat being served locally sourced Hakarl the national Icelandic dish of rotten shark. It tasted like mackerel’s ass with a texture not dissimilar to cheese, with the utmost effort we swallowed, and stomached a smile for Olafür’s onlooking family who handed us a shot of Brenniven (the black death) and cheered ‘skál’!

Fuelled with a stomach full of Icelandic delicacies we swapped Nordic land for the Atlantic Ocean in search of whales. After 2 hours of an eye-straining, belly-churning boat voyage there was not a whale to be seen, perhaps the odour of our rotten shark sea sickness had sent them fleeing. With a deflated atmosphere we agreed to head back to shore. To perk the team up Olafür asked us to impersonate a Dory-esque whale calling, there were voice cracks, the giggles, and eventually by some miracle we saw …. wh… white-beaked dolphins! Not quite the dialect we were going for, but a massive pod encircled the boat effortlessly riding in its wake with a flow and style that could put any surfer to shame.

Must visit No.2 – Blue Lagoon and Fagradalsfjall: Fire and Ice

Near Reykjavik lies the Blue Lagoon volcanic spa. Now I know geothermal volcanic plumes of water don’t usually come to mind when you think of skincare routines, but Iceland’s volcanic blue lagoon spa, boasts countless ‘bioactive’ health benefits. Did it rejuvenate our skin? Meh… Did it provide the best bath time of our lives? Most definitely. Our favourite feature of this lava-fuelled bath was an inbuilt swim-to-serve style bar providing an ice-cool drink to lower your erupting body temperature.

After this unforgettable dip, we headed to Fagradalsfjall Volcano. Although it has laid dormant for 6000 years, It recently started to wake from its slumber with loud reoccurring rumbles. There are areas where the heat from the cooling lava can be felt singing the hairs off your skin. We decided to grab some marshmallows and get roasted, although cooked to perfection there was a distinct chemical taste potentially due to the sulphur dioxide pouring out the nearest volcanic vent. Munch at your own risk.

Must visit No.3 – The Northern Lights 

The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, occur when solar particles collide with the Earth’s gasses to form a spectacular light show that is worthy of anyone’s bucket list.

Our trip in late August saw just a flicker of these dancing lights, but for the best chances book a trip sometime in between September and March. This window is when Iceland takes a break from eternal sunshine and experiences its longer nights. Keep an eye out for a cloud-free night, a dark sky, and any reported solar activities. Although spotting this natural phenomenon is a rarity you can expect to see some of the most spectacular stargazing known to man. We recommend bringing sleeping bags, a warm flask, a splash of the black death Brennivin and some good friends.

Must Visit No. 4 – Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall.

Often agreed to be the most beautiful place to go in Iceland and certainly one of the most photographed, Kirkjufell is mountain with a dramatic formation and stunning ocean backdrop. This Icelandic Mountain has had its fair share of fame appearing in the HBO series Game of Thrones, in many scenes where Jon explores ‘beyond the wall’.

Located near to the town of Grundarfjörður, there is plenty of parking for the hike but approach with caution, it is a steep trail reserved for only the most experienced mountain climbers. For those that want to experience the sights without a climb be sure to explore the foot of Kirkjufell where you will find the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls. If you are lucky enough you may catch a glimpse of the northern lights flashing over the summit, completing the dreamlike views. However, like any beautiful spot, it gets crowded so be sure to avoid the bus tours if you are seeking a peaceful ascent or that unspoiled picture.

Must Visit No.5 – Glacier Hiking and Ice Caving

Skaftafell National Park is home to Iceland’s highest mountain range and within lies Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull.

Lace up your hiking boots because this is the ultimate trek. The trail will test your footing over ice, snow, and steep mountains, but if you overcome the challenge the views at the summits are breathtaking. When the LK team braved the ascent, we noticed that you couldn’t help but feel insignificant in comparison to the grandeur of the landscape.

Top tips double up your hiking socks and use sock tape, we ended up in a soggy sock scenario which is not ideal on the 8-hour trek. In the colder months, you also need to ensure you hire or purchase some snow crampons to help you keep your footing in the Icey terrain, some of the trails are especially tricky so be sure to chat to a local guide before setting out.

On the way back down, you will have the chance to enter several crystal blue ice caves that feel like you’re surrounded by sapphires. These caves are located in the foothills of Vatnajökull so are a great place to visit with family or just if you fancy an easier trek.

Iceland is a land of stunning contrast, from a shoreline reminiscent of a frozen Hawaii with volcanoes and beaches galore to the glaciers and bitter winds enough to make even Wim Hof shiver. We live comfortable lives and go on comfortable holidays, break away from the comfort and find true adventure, both your body and mind will thank you!

Whether you were wondering where to go in Iceland, searching for specific spots near Reykjavik, or simply needed convincing that this country is far from a frozen wasteland, we hope you visit this staggering country.