Iceland is home to a world of wonder. Removed from its fellow European neighbors, this is a country that has carved out its own unique place on our planet — one that dazzles nature lovers, intrepid explorers, and curious cruisers every year. There’s so much to see and do when you visit Iceland, that it only makes sense for Azamara to dedicate entire itineraries to exploring it.
When visiting Iceland, an overnight stop in the vibrant capital city of Reykjavik is essential. The cultural hub of the country, Reykjavik is a city that is beautiful by day, but truly comes alive when the sun goes down. Reykjavik’s nightlife and night sky are legendary, and the gastronomy scene routinely pushes boundaries — resulting in some of the most creative dishes you’ll find anywhere. So this is an excellent chance to try it all and see for yourself.
In town, Reykjavik is very walkable. It’s a great place to shop, eat, drink and sightsee. The biggest and most well-known site is the Hallgrímskirkja, an immense cathedral that dominates the city skyline. Make sure you go inside as well to experience the incredible acoustics. While you’re here, ride the elevator to the tower, where you’ll get an iconic view looking back at Reykjavik. Be sure to have your camera handy, you’ll definitely want a photo to remember this view.
Reykjavik is a city bustling with activity, where there’s plenty to see and do. Nothing in Iceland is more famous than the Blue Lagoon. You’ve all seen photos of this volcanic spring with an amazing azure color and white mud that you can douse all over yourself! It’s touristy for sure, but as I always say, tourists usually go to good places!
There are two big advantages to cruising around Iceland: you don’t have to drive, and you don’t have to constantly change accommodations. Iceland is not a big country, but things here are definitely spaced out — especially along the coast. Cruising allows you to never have to move hotels, yet wake up in a different awesome place each morning. I’ve driven in Iceland several times and while it’s very adventurous, it’s also complicated and confusing. If you wanted to drive yourself you could easily hire a car and do a day trip from Reykjavik to the stunning waterfalls and national parks not far away.
Azamara’s voyage to Iceland also visit Isafjordur, Akureyri, Seydisfjordur, Heimaey, Husavik, and Skagfjordur, so you’ll get to see a lot of the coast: particularly the amazing sights and sounds of glaciers calving and the beautiful fjords. I haven’t been to any of those places, so I am excited to check them out!
Iceland has become a truly sought-after destination in the last few years. It has great wildlife, interesting Viking history, and 24 hours of daylight in the summer so you have a lot of time to do things! It’s such a great place that I hope everyone gets to experience it. Learn more about Azamara's upcoming voyage to Iceland here.