Iceland Travel: What’s New In 2024

31.12.2023 - 23:15 / forbes.com

The recent volcanic eruption in Iceland has brought worldwide attention back to the land of fire and ice. It’s the fourth eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in just three years.

The Sundhnukagigar eruption near the evacuated town of Grindavik and the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa only lasted a few days, but experts remain cautious of declaring the event “over” because of the risk magma may be accumulating elsewhere.

Nevertheless, Iceland remains open for tourism, as it did throughout the event, except for a few hours on the morning when the eruption began. If you were hoping to visit the famous landmarks of Iceland in 2024, your travel plans should be unaffected.

Although popular sites, including the Blue Lagoon, are temporarily closed, the vast majority of travel-related businesses remain open. In addition, Iceland has several new and improved offers for tourists in 2024.

The recent eruption is sure to boost interest in volcano-related travel experiences, of which Iceland has no shortage. Visitors can see for themselves the impact caused by this and previous eruptions on a helicopter tour from Reykjavik.

Other options to learn more about Iceland’s geology include touring some of the remarkable lava tunnels left behind by previous eruptions.

For a less active but no less enthralling experience, the Lava Show is an innovative attraction that recreates a volcanic eruption using real lava in the heart of Reykjavik. The attraction has won a TripAdvisor ‘Travelers’ Choice’ award in each of the past four years.

The vast majority of international air passengers must arrive in Iceland at Keflavík Airport, the major international airport of Reykjavik. This presents a problem for those wishing to tour the rest of the country, requiring connecting flights or a pricey road trip.

The long-awaited expansion of Akureyri Airport will provide a major boost to tourism in the north of Iceland. Akureyri’s new passenger terminal will accommodate more international flights, opening up the natural attractions of Northern Iceland to many more travelers.

EasyJet offers twice-weekly flights from London, with more international routes in the pipeline.

One use for the new airport will be to welcome visitors hoping to see the northern lights while in Iceland.

As with other northern parts of the Nordic region, aurora borealis tourism in Iceland is set to increase as solar activity nears its peak, which is set to be in 2024 or 2025.

While aurora sightings in and around Reykjavik aren't unusual, Northern Iceland and the westfjords region often present ideal conditions with a great balance of northerly latitude and lack of artificial light.

Exploring the breathtaking scenery of Iceland’s highland region is something