Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
Iceland, a land of pure light and striking contrasts, is an enchanting Arctic country where steaming volcanoes, dizzying waterfalls and majestic fjords create a visual symphony. The wild spirit of the island has an incredible aura that will guide you through its landscapes, filled with excitement.
Iceland, a land of contrasts
Between sparkling glaciers and mysterious volcanic landscapes, Iceland fascinates with the strength of its contrasts. Deep fjords contrast with black sandy beaches, while gushing geysers contrast with frozen lava fields. In summer, the long days reveal lush green meadows, seabirds and roaring waterfalls in an almost unreal light. In winter, on the other hand, the island is cloaked in a white mantle of glaciers, snow-capped volcanoes and starry skies. Each season offers its own unique atmosphere, like two faces of the same wild, untamed land.
Immerse yourself in Viking culture
Iceland, with its rich heritage of sagas and stories of ancestors from centuries past, invites you on a journey through its legends. The island of Drangey, set in the Skagafjörður fjord, was the refuge of Grettir the Strong, the conquering hero of the sagas, and today offers a mineral setting imbued with mystery. To the south, in the Hvolsvöllur region, the Saga Centre offers an immersion into the Njáls Saga, the most epic of Icelandic sagas, around a reconstructed longhouse. And in Reykjavik, the Saga Museum brings this Nordic epic to life through legendary figures and captivating displays. A dive into the heart of the myth!
Humpback whale
Golden Circle: Geysir
Seyðisfjörður: the eastern fjords
Eldfell volcano
Beneath clouds of fire and ice, the soul of Iceland sings, free and indomitable.
Einar Benediktsson (poet, early 20th century)
Explore Iceland
With its healing hot springs, breathtaking waterfalls, nature-based sporting activities and mythical volcanoes, Iceland offers a range of unique experiences.
Bathing in the hot springs
Immerse yourself in a unique sensory experience at the heart of Iceland’s geothermal baths. The crystal-clear waters of the Vök baths, overlooking a peaceful lake, contrast with the lunar atmosphere of the famous Blue Lagoon. Further south, the majestic Vatnajökull glacier, the largest in Europe, is home to bluish ice caves and natural hot springs, offering a suspended moment between fire and ice.
Admiring waterfalls
Iceland is the kingdom of spectacular waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind the curtain of water and feel the power of nature. Skógafoss, immense and majestic, unfurls a white veil that sparkles in the sunlight, sometimes adorned with rainbows. Further north, the formidable Dettifoss, nicknamed “The Beast”, impresses with its roar and dizzying flow. Each waterfall tells a story of water and rock.
Kayaking and rafting
Iceland can also be explored by water, amid the splendour of glacial rivers and tranquil fjords. Kayaking allows you to glide silently between cliffs and icebergs, offering an intimate view of the breathtaking scenery. For the more adventurous, rafting on the torrents of the Hvítá river or the rapids of the northern Vestari Jökulsá river promises thrills in the heart of raw, untamed nature. Between adrenaline and contemplation, these aquatic experiences reveal a wild and authentic Iceland.
Touring the national parks
Iceland reveals its soul through three national parks with contrasting landscapes. Thingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a founding place where the earth is torn apart and where one of the oldest parliaments in the world was born. Snæfellsjökull, crowned by a mysterious glacier, inspired Jules Verne and retains the aura of legend. Finally, Vatnajökull, an immense sanctuary of ice and fire, reveals its crystalline caves, steaming volcanoes and infinite horizons. Three majestic stops to feel the island’s original strength.
Visiting the volcanoes
Iceland vibrates to the rhythm of its volcanoes. Eyjafjallajökull, whose eruption shocked the world in 2010, dominates landscapes shaped by lava and ice. Further east, the Thríhnúkagígur crater offers a spectacular descent into the bowels of the Earth. In the north, Krafla and its geothermal fields reveal an almost supernatural setting, while around Vík, basalt cliffs and black sand recall the force of the elements.
Area: 103,000 km²
Population: 387,000 people
Reykjavik
Kirkjufell, solitary mountain in Iceland
Route 1
Route 1, better known as the Circular Route, or Hringvegurinn in Icelandic, goes all the way round Iceland. It links the main towns while passing through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
Ingjaldsholskirkja church, Snæfellsnes peninsula
The right word
þetta reddast
This uniquely Icelandic expression roughly translates to “everything will work out in the end”.
The colourful houses on the streets of Reykjavik
