Intensifying northern lights, another luxury lagoon, and more

The looming ‘Solar Maximum’  

The solar maximum—the highest rate of solar activity during the sun's eleven–year solar cycle—is predicted to peak in the winter of 2024 - 2025. 

Why is that important for Iceland? Warmer weather? No! The solar maximum refers to the electrically charged particles the sun hurls towards Earth that cause the Northern Lights.

Icelandic celebrity astronomer Sævar Helgi Bragason told the media, the increased frequency of northern lights might last until 2029. The biggest gain, he said, is predicted to occur after – not during – the solar maximum has occurred. In other words, in the next five years, there will be strong, vivid auroras that will happen more often. Find out more about the Solar Eclipse

Eyjafjörður, the Whale-Watching Destination 

Eyjafjörður, the northern fjord, is home to Iceland’s oldest whale-watching companies but has long been secondary to the destinations of Húsavík and Reykjavík. 

Next summer, five harbors along Iceland’s longest fjord will offer daily tours searching for humpbacks and minke whales: Dalvík, Hauganes, Árskógssandur, Hjalteyri, and Akureyri. 

Akureyri, the northern capital, has three large operators: Special Tours, Elding, and Keli Seatours. 

Tours from Dalvík and the harbors surrounding Hrísey Island tend to be relatively short, typically two hours. Plus, the long fjord offers shelter from choppy seas. On the other hand, sights are limited to fewer species than in neighboring Húsavík. 

New luxury Lagoon on the Golden Circle 

Laugarás Lagoon will open in the little village of Laugarás just off the Golden Circle. This luxury spa is home to Iceland’s first cascading waterfall lagoon, nestled along the banks of the Hvítá River. Guests can enjoy a sauna, cold plunge, swim-up bar, and on-site restaurant. Opening time is set for late September, 2025.

The development is part of an industry trend: hot baths with gorgeous architecture and leisure services have become a booming part of Iceland's travel experience. And more are set to open in the next few years (in southern Iceland). Based on reports on financing and permits, the two most likely to follow are Fjallaböðin in Þjórsárdal and Reykjaböðin by Hveragerði. 

The Highland Baths will enter its first full year after opening ahead of summer 2024 as part of a major development at the Highland Base in Kerlingarfjöll. 

Inside Reykjavík’s New Volcano Experience

Volcano Express - which opened in March 2025 inside Harpa Concert Hall on Floor K2 — is one of Reykjavík's most exciting new indoor experiences. World-first dynamic motion seating takes visitors on a 15-minute cinematic journey through Iceland's volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula: tectonic shifts, rivers of lava, the heat and rumble of an eruption — all indoors.

Stuðlagil Canyon Made More Accessible 

The basalt formations at Stuðlagil Canyon will be made more accessible and safer to explore after the Tourist Sites Fund received one of the largest grants in its ten-year history. 

Suðlagil Canyon has quickly become a must-see in East Iceland, much to the surprise of farmers who own this rather remote part of the river Jökulsá á Dal. The basalt cliffs were revealed when a gigantic hydropower plant was built downstream at Kárahnjúkar, lowering the water levels. 

It is possible to access Stuðlagil from both sides of the river. The new paths will lead from the western side, labeled as the ‘main entrance’ since it requires much less walking than the alternative at Klaustursel. 

Mývatn Nature Baths Reveal the Expansion 

After three years of construction, the Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin) plan to reveal a new facility and lagoon expansion.

The project is similar to the overhaul that the Blue Lagoon underwent twice in the past—in 2007 and 2016—by elevating the design and architecture and reorganizing the bathing experience. 

The Nature Baths, often called the "Blue Lagoon of the North," first opened in 2004 in buildings that did not envision their incredible popularity. Approximately 180 thousand people visit annually. 

Hilton arrives in Akureyri and more hotel news 

The forthcoming opening of Skáld Hotel in Akureyri is newsworthy for the northern capital as the first-ever international hotel chain operating outside of Reykjavík/Keflavík, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel stands opposite the newly expanded Hótel Akureyri and will offer 70 rooms with a theme emphasizing Iceland’s history and culture.

On the other side of Eyjafjörður, the much-anticipated Höfði Lodge is expected to open in fall 2025, after years in the making. The incredible lodge is a base for outdoor activities like horseback riding and helicopter skiing. 

In other hotel news, South Iceland is seeing a wave of new 4-star openings. Glacier Lagoon Hotel has opened on a scenic, rural stretch of the southern coast, offering 120 rooms in an area where accommodation is in high demand. Further West in Ölfus, the newly opened Black Sand Hotel adds another stylish option. And later this year, the 360° Hotel near Selfoss will open its doors, rounding out a strong lineup of upscale stays in the region.

Photos: From left, the Caves of Hella, the American School Bus Café, and Friðheimar Winebar

Cool New Places to Eat 

Hótel Rangá and the Caves of Hella joined forces for a Viking feast by candlelight, set in atmospheric sandstone caves hand-carved over a thousand years ago. Guests enjoyed a gourmet meal featuring gravlax and lamb shank—dishes worthy of a Viking wedding—accompanied by live music that brought the ancient surroundings to life.

Nearby the Caves of Hella, on the southern coast, is the American School Bus Cafe. Exactly as the name suggests, it is a small coffee shop inside a yellow school bus. 

Greenhouse estate Friðheimar, renowned for its tomato-sourced menu, has opened a peculiar wine bar in a separate building on the property. The gorgeous venue is excellent for large groups and occasionally hosts concerts. 

Ylja Restaurant is opening at Laugarás Lagoon, led by chef Gísli Mattand, known for his farm‑to‑table approach, rooted in traditional preservation methods and open‑fire cooking.

Introducing 'The Volcanic Way' 

The Volcanic Way, a marketing initiative with Chris Burkard by Visit South Iceland, Visit Reykjanes, and Business Iceland, offers a curious itinerary for travelers seeking to go off the beaten track. The route highlights eight volcanoes and their surrounding regions, allowing visitors to explore black sand beaches, lava fields, craters, and geothermal areas. 

Each stage presents a different aspect of Iceland's volcanic activity, from ancient eruptions that shaped the land to active geothermal areas still influencing the environment today. Click for more.

Grindavík Reopens For Visitors

Grindavik, once home to 3,500 people, will reopen to public traffic unless volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula resumes.

The bustling fishing community is a shadow of its former self. Most residents left in November 2023 amid the first wave of seismic activity, leading to volcanic eruptions. Several houses went under lava, and other structures were damaged in the many earthquakes.

However, most lava flowing towards the town was channeled away with protective barriers. The scope of service is limited to a few restaurants.

The last eruption occurred on April 1st, 2025 but it only lasted about 7 hours. The area is very well monitored, and civil defense sirens are in place in case of an evacuation.

More on visiting Grindavik from Visit Reykjanes

The 'World in Words' Exhibition

A new exhibition in a new building celebrates old Icelandic texts.  

EDDA, the research center for Icelandic studies at the University of Iceland, will reveal to the public some of the oldest scriptures in Icelandic: medieval manuscripts of Sagas and Norse Mythology. 

The main focus of the World in Words exhibition is to open up the closed world of medieval manuscripts and display their rich and varied content, where life, death, emotion, faith, power, and honor all come onto the page.