So you’re heading to Iceland? You likely know the touristy hot spots—the blue lagoon, a northern lights tour, the golden circle, and the southern shore—all “touristy” for good reason and places you definitely don’t want to miss, but perhaps, like us, you are looking to get off the beaten path just a little more while in Iceland. If you want to get a better feel for this rugged and beautiful country, here are a few suggestions for fun things to do that will get you off the beaten path, and into the real and rugged heart of Iceland.

#5 – Stykkishólmur

If time allows (scratch that… make time for this one), make sure you take a leisurely drive up to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It’s less touristed, and every bit as rugged and wild as other more “famous” parts of Iceland. Make a stop in the charming seaside town of Stykkishólmur just 172 kms from Reykjavik—boasting a population of only 1150. The colorful fishing boats and adorable, bright houses make it really unique, not to mention picturesque. Take the time to hike up to the lighthouse and enjoy a breathtaking panorama of this quaint village and the wild seaside below. Stykkishólmur’s beauty comes not only from its scenery, but from its environmentally-friendly approach. It comes as no surprise that this town has won the European Destination of Excellence Award (EDEN) since 2011, making it a must see on your Icelandic bucket list.

#4 – Faxi Waterfall

If you are already headed on a Golden Circle tour, this is an easy add-on. This lesser known waterfall should be at the top of your bucket list. It is reminiscent of its big sister, Gullfoss, a mere 20 kms away, but is arguably the prettier of the two. It stands at approximately 23 feet high and 260 feet wide, but visitors can walk right up to the base if they so choose. An extra perk of this waterfall, besides its beauty, is the total lack of tourists. You can enjoy this waterfall from above or below without waiting in line for a good photo op, or worrying about digitally removing tourists later. Another cute gem about this waterfall is the salmon ladder to its left. There, lucky visitors can watch wild Icelandic salmon swim upriver, making this an extra special stop that shouldn’t be missed.

#3 – Black Sand Beach of Djúpalónssandur

This beach is a must! Iceland is known for its black sand beaches, such as the famous Reynisfjara with its iconic rock islands and basalt columns. Lesser-known, and arguably just as cool is the lovely Djúpalónssandur on Iceland’s Northwest Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This gorgeous beach is lined with black volcanic pebbles (back massage anyone?), and it boasts the ramparts of a rusty ship wreck—pieces of which are scattered all along the beach. This coastline is less visited, has just as much beauty as it’s more famous counterparts, and is all yours! One extra cool little tidbit about this beach is that it stands at the base of Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000 year old glacier-capped volcano.

#2 – Smokin’ Puffin

Don’t let the “Puffin” in the name deceive you, this is no tourist trap. This hidden gem is an ordinary-looking little pub in the heart of Reykjavik, but definitely one of the coolest spots in town. The pub is owned and operated by a group of bartenders and bar managers--who hop from one side of the bar to the other as soon as they clock out. If you ask me, it says a lot when the employees of an establishment hang around long after they’re being paid to do so. The bar is a cozy dive featuring local brews and live local artists each night. Extra cool points for the foosball table in the back corner. This is a great place to come and chat with locals and get a glimpse into real Reykjavik nightlife—not the glitzy, puffin-stuffed tourist traps that abound in much of the city.

#1 – Dinner with the Icelanders

This one wasn’t an easy find, but by far the coolest thing to do in Reykjavik. We connected with locals through a cool tour site called “Iceland Unwrapped.” Owner Helga, connects travelers with local families who open their doors to visiting guests who want a glimpse of actual Icelandic culture. Our hosts were Albert, a world-class chef, and his partner Bergthor, a famous Icelandic opera singer. To say they rolled out the red carpet for us was an understatement. We feasted on roasted lamb and potatoes, the best Icelandic chocolate cake money can buy, and we were treated with a private concert by Bergthor, along with a viewing of his home-woven traditional Icelandic handicrafts. We cannot recommend this enough! Come ready to eat, learn, and laugh until your sides hurt. Dinner with the Icelanders is a MUST! You can check out this and many more of Helga’s unique Iceland Unwrapped experiences by clicking here. You’re welcome in advance.

We’ve broken down the exciting first few days of our tour to Iceland. Whale watching, the blue lagoon, and the entire Snaefellsnes Peninsula to name a few. You can peruse our Day 2 and 3 itinerary here. With Day 4 comes a new Mary Poppins bag of tricks. On Day 4 we explore what is arguably one of the most iconic Iceland excursions possible, the Golden Circle.

We will depart Reykjavik in the morning for our first stop at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the tectonic plates of both Europe and North America. Those who haven’t seen an image of the tectonic plates are in for a surprise. These giant, diverging crevices are actually where Iceland emerged from. Iceland itself is divided by the mid-Atlantic rift—half of Iceland on the North American tectonic plate, and the other half on the Eurasian plate. You can literally walk between the continental divide while exploring this park. We will also visit the breathtaking Þingvallavatn lake whose volcanic origin can be seen in the lake itself.

From there we will explore the scenic lakeside village of Laugarvatn, famous for its lake heated by hot spring allowing bathers year-round. The area has beautiful panoramic views of the lake below and is an ideal spot for hikers and horseback riders.

In the afternoon we will make a stop to the famous Strokkur Geysur—the most famous hot spring in Iceland, which spouts water up to 100 feet high into the air every few minutes. The name itself literally translates to “churn”—likely due to its reliable and frequent spurts. Throughout the centuries this geyser has been blocked due to earthquakes. It wasn’t until a few decades ago that the conduits were cleared by local workers allowing Strokkur to erupt so regularly.

Next comes the beautiful waterfall Faxi. This lesser-known falls is fed by water from the glaciers and has a Salmon ladder adjacent to it.

From here we will head back into Reykjavik for some hearty Icelandic eats before heading out on our hunt for the elusive Aurora Borealis.

Prime viewing season starts in early September and runs through April, so we will be hitting it right at the start of the season. This natural phenomenon is only visible in a few select parts of the world, making Iceland a prime viewing location for locals and tourists alike. The ribbons of green that dance along the sky are one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world and I can’t wait to see this with my own eyes. They say the photos don’t do it justice, but I’ll let you be the judge.