Let’s Get Healthy in Iceland
Four keys to keeping you healthy are: a clean environment, healthy food, exercise, and good sleep. In Iceland you can experience all of those things and more.
Clean Environment – Icelandic water is known for being some of purest and best tasting on earth. Why not fill your water bottle in the nearest creek and get an ice-cold taste for yourself? This isn’t something you can do just anywhere in the world but in Iceland you’re surrounded by pristine natural beauty.
Healthy Food – You’ll find several restaurants across Iceland serving healthy, delicious and locally sourced foods.
Exercise – From hiking and swimming to kayaking and horseback riding, there are plenty of physical activities to keep you moving as you explore Iceland. Regardless of your hiking skill level, there’s a hiking trail that fits.
*Note for swimmers: Swimming pools abound in Iceland (about 200) with most featuring several hot tubs of varying heat, cold tubs, saunas and steam baths.
Sleep – From five star hotels to cozy guest houses, in Iceland, you can find accommodations to comfortably fit your every need.
Let’s Get Healthy: Our Plans
Hveragerði
Get healthy in Hveragerði, a lively and thriving town just 30 minutes east of Reykjavik.
Let’s get healthy in the town of Hveragerði, a lively and thriving little town just a 30 min drive east of Reykjavik.
What gives Hveragerði its special quality is that it is built in an area of intense geothermal activity, hence the name Hveragerði (hver means geyser). Few towns in the world can boast having an active geothermal area at its heart, bubbling geysers, hissing steam vents, and colorful summer flowers.
Because it is so close to sources of geothermal heat and power, greenhouse gardening has always been one of the main industries in Hveragerði earning it the title, “The Flower Town.” In addition to flowers and plants, visitors can also buy locally grown fresh vegetables at affordable prices.
In recent years, many people have stayed in Hveragerdi for relaxation and wellness since the town is well suited to that purpose, away from the hustle and bustle of the capital area, but within reach of it.
Stay in a hotel or small apartment at the health center in Hveragerði where the cuisine is a mix of ovo-lacto vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian. There are also a variety of restaurants from which to choose. To top it all off, there is also a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with hot tubs.
As for activities in the area, you will find great walking and hiking trails. If horseback riding is more your speed there are also horseback riding trails that take you into the mountains and golfers can play a round or two at the golf course surrounded by hot springs.
Hafnarfjörður
Let’s get healthy in the town of Hafnarfjorður, a hidden gem only 15 minutes from Reykjavik with a vibrant town centre and charming harbor area.
This harbor village was once just a fishing port but in recent years it has branched out, developing a diversity of businesses and services. Today Hafnarfjörður is a friendly and welcoming town that is in many ways unique. Its vibrant town center has a warm, cozy atmosphere with a charming dock area preserving the town’s fishing port roots.
Residents of Hafnarfjörður have views of the harbor and some even have the luxury of having a view of the mountains Helgafell and Ásfjall and the lakes Hvaleyrarvatn and Ástjörn. They are quite lucky to have these wonders so nearby, some even within the town limits.
Of the beautiful and varied treasures within walking distance of the town center you’ll find Hellisgerði and Víðistaðatún. Hellisgerði is a delightful garden which is said to be home to elves and nearby Víðistaðatún park is sprinkled with sculptures by local and international artists. The ducks at Hamarkotslækur pond are always welcoming to visitors and a visit to the cliffs of Hamarinn will not disappoint. And you can see them all without ever leaving town.
For the more active visitor looking for a unique experience, you can go horseback riding andþor play golf in the surrounding lava fields.
Hafnarfjörður offers fresh local cuisine, great geothermal pools, lava fields and stunning natural phenomena, a boatload of activities as well as hosting a yearly Viking festival and The Christmas market.
Visiting the town of Hafnarfjörður is a chance to experience the local lifestyle of Icelanders.
Húsavik
Let’s get healthy in the town of Húsavik, located in the northern part of the country
Húsavík and the surrounding area offers a variety of attractions, both natural and cultural including Vatnajökull National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Mývatn, whale watching, kayaking, hiking and horseback riding, just to name a few.
The town of Húsavík sits on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi (Shaky Bay) and is known as the Whale Capital of Iceland. It is also the site of the first house built in Iceland, in the year 860, by Swedish viking Garðar Svavarsson.
It’s such a charming town that it served as the setting of and inspiration for the song Husavik, in the 2020 Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Húsavík is conveniently located for day trips to most of the major attractions in Iceland as part of the Arctic Coast Way and the starting point of the Diamond Circle.
The northeast of Iceland has a lot to offer and the most beautiful sights are easily reachable from Húsavík. Some of them are well known while others can still be considered hidden gems.
If you want to get in a run while getting to know Húsavík guided running tours are available–an energizing way to learn about the history of this idyllic town. Horseback riding and kayaking are other options for those who want a slightly different perspective on the area. Golfing in the 24-hour sunlight of Icelandic summers is an unforgettable experience and in winter you can add skiing to the list of adventures.
Astonishing natural beauty can be found not far from town in Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Dettifoss, the second most powerful waterfall in Europe and Ásbyrgi canyon. The serene yet stunning volcanic lake, Mývatn is also nearby. Both locations have beautiful hiking trails but if you want to stay closer to town there are trails around Húsavík that are perfect for a short evening stroll or an entire day trip.
Those in search of more relaxing experiences will enjoy a day at Mývatn Nature Baths and should check out the GeoSea geothermal baths.
At Mývatn Nature Baths you can soak in the alkaline-rich waters of the lagoon surrounded by an extraordinarily beautiful landscape, relax in the steam bath and grab a bite to eat at the cafe.
At GeoSea, underground geothermal heat warms the seawater in the baths to a comfortable temperature while the mineral-rich water gently caresses your skin. While the seawater works its miracles, you can enjoy a view of the mountain range to the west, Skjálfandi Bay beneath the cliffs and the Arctic Circle itself on the horizon.
After a long day of diving wholeheartedly into all that Húsavík and its surroundings have to offer, why not take a moment to reflect on all that you have experienced in a yoga and meditation class at one of the yoga centers in town? One guesthouse even offers yoga and meditation classes allowing guests to combine travel, relaxation and mindfulness.
Accommodations in Húsavík range from apartments and guesthouses to luxury hotels. Local restaurants and bars offer not only great food but a taste of everyday life in this iconic town of northern Iceland.
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