Bicycling
Bikes can be rented in Reykjavik and
in various places around Iceland. For further information on biking
tours please contact travel agencies or tourist
brochures.
Bird
Watching
Some places in Iceland are a paradise for birdwatchers. The Westman
Islands are known for many kinds of seabirds, and are home
to both the world's and Icelands largest puffin population. Lake Myvatn in
the north has more species of breeding ducks than any other place
in Europe. The great skua
colony on the sands in South Iceland is the largest in the world.
Seabirds such as puffins can be seen in many places, as well as
eiders, Arctic terns, waders and passerine birds.
Some tour operators organize tours for birdwatchers in early summer.
Sport Fishing
Iceland is famous for its salmon and trout fishing. The
main season for salmon fishing is from around June 20th to mid-September.
Trout fishing varies from one river/lake to the next, but the
normal season is from April/May until late
September/October. During winter, ice-fishing is quite popular.
For salmon fishing, permits must be reserved well in advance,
but trout fishing permits can be obtained at
short notice, often the same day. For further information, please
contact: THE NATIONAL ANGLING ASSOCIATION, Bolholt 6, IS-105
Reykjavik, Tel: 354-553-1510, Fax: 354-568-4363.
www.arctic.is/angling
The Icelandic Farm Holidays Service offers The
Icelandic Fishing Guide (Veidiflakkarrinn), which is a sales system for trout/salmon
fishing in Iceland. For further information on The Icelandic Fishing Guide, please
contact: Icelandic Farm Holidays, Hafnarstraeti 1, IS-101 Reykjavik,
Tel: 354-562-3640, Fax: 354-562-3644, email: ifh@centrum.is
Glacier Tours
Tours on Snaefellsjokull glacier with snowmobiles or snow-cats:
Ferðaþjonustan Snjofell
Tel: +354-435-6783/854-5150
Fax: +354-435-6795
Glacier
Tours (Jöklaferðir)
Tel: +354-478-1000
Fax: +354-478-1901
E-Mail: glaciert@eldhorn.is
Langjökull
EHF
Tel: +354-567-1205
Fax: +354-657-1707
E-Mail: jnleifson@centrum.is
Museums and Galleries:
Considering that Iceland has only 260,000 people, the number of museums and art
galleries in the country is astounding. Even in the small towns and out-of-the-way fishing
villages, you will encounter some public place dedicated to preserving the national
heritage or displaying the local artists. It may be a structure in the center of town that
the community has banded together to support, or it may be the house of a famous artist,
preserved by his ancestors.
The largest museums and galleries are, of course, in Reykjavik. Among the most visited
are the Arni Magnusson Institute, Einar Jonsson Museum, and the National Gallery. Though
these are the major culture venues, you can find a museum or gallery to quench almost any
curiousity, whether it be Icelandic coins, traditional clothing, or metal working. For a
full list of the country's museums and galleries, contact the Icelandic
Tourist Board.
Horseback
Riding
The Vikings arrived in Iceland more than a thousand years ago, bringing their
horses with them. When these settlers created the worlds oldest surviving
Parliament in the year 930, one of their first acts was to prohibit further importation
of horses. Today, more than ten centuries later, the breed remains pure. Strong
and muscular, these horses are sure-footed enough to handle the roughest Icelandic
terrain. Small and gentle, with great stamina, speed and intelligence, they are
the perfect riding companions. They are friendly, willing, docile animals that
take obvious pleasure in carrying their riders across grassy plains, up and down
rocky slopes, through rivers and over fields of rough lava, offering travelers
a unique way to enjoy the splendors and nature of Iceland. You may enjoy one
of the following tours; other tours are also available.
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Arinbjörn
Johannsson
Tel: +354-451-2938
Fax: +354-451-2998
Eldhestar - Volcano Horses
Tel: +354-483-4884
Fax: +354-486-5577
Goðheiman,
Iclandic Nature Tours
Tel: +354-464-3316/854-5316
Fax: +354-464-3338
Hestasport
Tel: +354-453-5066
Fax: +354-453-6004
Íshestar-Icelandic
Riding Tours
Tel: +354-565-3044
Fax: +354-565-2113
Polar Horses
Tel: +354-463-3179
Fax: +354-463-3144
Hiking
More than half of Iceland is over 400 m above sea level, and a large part of
the island is covered by lava, glaciers, lakes and sand. Few places in
Iceland have marked walking
paths, but hiking is a favorite pastime for Icelanders and tourists
alike. THE TOURING CLUB OF ICELAND (Fedoafelag Islands, Morkin 6, IS-108
Reykjavik, Tel: 354-568-2533, Fax:
354-568-2535) operates walking tours year-round. During winter these
are mostly day tours or weekend tours, but longer tours are organized during
summer.
UTIVIST TOURING CLUB, Hallveigarstigur 1, IS-101 Reykjavik, Tel:
354-561-4330, Fax: 354-561-4606.
Many travel agencies also organize hiking tours during winter and
summer alike.
Golf
All of Iceland's 45 golf courses are open to visitors. Green fees are moderate.
Midnight Golf
in Iceland Due
to the Midnight Sun, it is possible to golf all night during
the summer months.
The Arctic
Open:
At Akureyri
Golf Club in the north, golf can be played with the sun shining
at midnight.
At the end of June, a 36-hole open international match is held.
Tee-off is just
before midnight and playing continues until the early hours of the
morning. For further information please contact local tourist
information centers and travel agencies.
Sea Angling
Sea angling is becoming a popular sport in Iceland. The season begins late
in May and lasts until the end of August with several tournaments in different
parts of the country.
For further information please contact local tourist information
centers and travel agencies.
Reykjavik Marathon
The Reykjavik Marathon is an annual event held in August.
River Rafting
For Hvita river, south Iceland, contact:
The Boat People
Tel: +354-561-5700
Fax: +354-561-5713
Skiing
Winter skiing is available in many parts of the
country. Skiing resorts with possibilities of both cross-country
skiing and downhill skiing are found throughout Iceland. Summer skiing
is possible at Kerlingarfjoll, close to
Hofsjokull glacier in the interior. A ski-school is operated there
from the end of June until the end of August. Weekend stays can be arranged
at the school. Accommodation, food
and rental of equipment can be provided for guests who are not registered
at the school.
Swimming
Swimming is a very popular
activity all year round in Iceland. Most towns and villages have outdoor or indoor
swimming pools filled with water from natural hot springs. The mean temperature of the
water in the pools is about 29 degrees Celsius. In many places there are also saunas, a
jacuzzi, solariums and hot pots with temperatures ranging from 36 to 44 degrees Celsius. |
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