A Fitness Lover's Guide To Iceland One Of The World's Healthiest Countries

Iceland offers some of the world’s best hiking, biking, scuba diving, kayaking, and climbing. Perhaps these and some of the other unique ways of exercising mentioned here are some of the reasons this tiny island nation has been listed as one of the world’s healthiest countries.

The fresh, crisp air and invigorating landscapes easily invite people outdoors. Both Reykjavik and the more adventurous countryside offer great places to work up a sweat and there plenty of ways in which to do it.

In Reykjavik, the shoreline path that covers nearly the whole peninsula from Harpa Concert Hall to Seltjarnarnes and Nauthólsvík offers an excellent place for biking, jogging, or walking. The path offers majestic views of the North Atlantic and Mount Esja across the bay. Öskhuhlið, a forested area covering the hill surrounding Perlan in Reykjavik, also has many winding paths great for biking, jogging, or walking.

In Reykjavik and all across the island, there are organized marathons held year round. The summer is an especially active running time in Reykjavik, with The Color Run, The Suzuki Midnight Sun Run, and The Reykjavik Marathon all occurring during the season. The Laugavegur Ultra Marathon, a 55 km (around 34.2 mile) run along one of Iceland’s most popular hiking routes in the Þörsmórk area, also occurs during the summer.

One reason Iceland may continuously remain among the world’s healthiest countries in spite of the weather and the minimal daylight in winter could be thanks to the endorphins regular exercise brings that may help combat the winter blues.

The public-geothermal swimming pools located all over Iceland are open for outdoor swimming year round. There is also the Nautholsvík Geothermal Beach and its hot spring found in the ocean that’s great for sea swimming.

Outside Reykjavik, there are natural pools not far away. In Reykjanes Peninsula, the Austurengjahver, Krýsuvík, and Skátalaug pools can all be found.

Since relaxing is an important part of fitness and general health as it minimizes toxic stress, the popular Selljavallalaug—located on the South Coast between Reykjavik and Vík—offers another great option thanks to its relaxing views of the small valley it encloses.

There are also many great places to do yoga in Reykjavik including vigorous Vinyasa-style class, a relaxing-Hatha class, Yoga Nidra, and Hot Yoga. Check out World Class Gym for aerobic classes among other fitness regimes.

There is also Kramhúsið in downtown Reykjavik, a dance studio that offers all kinds of dance classes including African, Ballroom, Beyoncé, and Zumba for an expressive-fitness experience.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.