All The Ways To Go Off The Grid In Iceland

Iceland offers many opportunities to get off the grid. In some way, anywhere you travel outside of the main capital of Reykjavik is getting ‘off the grid.’ Outside of Reykjavik, the towns in Iceland are quite small. There are many great places to really disconnect from the hustle and bustle, however, where all you can hear is the howling wind in winter or the birds in the Icelandic summertime.

Þingvellir National Park

Located under an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, Þingvellir is the perfect place to go if you don’t have much time but still want an immersive experience in the Icelandic landscape. This gorgeous park is iconic in Iceland’s cultural and environmental identity and features moss-covered lava rocks and places to camp along Þingvellir lake.

This peninsula is located on the west coast, just a few hours north of Reykjavik. As though a little capsule in which time will always move a bit slower and memories of the good old days will come to mind, this sleepy little village offers a feeling of timelessness. With not many people, no traffic, and one festival per year (a Danish festival in late August), Stykkishólmur remains on its own time.

Flatey Island

When visiting the adorable town of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfelsnes peninsula, take the ferry Baldur to the barely-inhabited Flatey Island in Breiðafjörður Bay. This serene, idyllic place is great for bird watching, hiking, and generally being at peace. For those visiting during the summer, check in to Hotel Flatey—the only one on the island—and enjoy fresh seafood. The island has no car traffic, just bicycles and birdsong.

Urriðafoss Waterfall in the Þjórsá River

Traustholtshólmi, an Island on a River

A 57-hectare island named Traustholtshólmi is home to two people. Separated from the mainland by the glacial river Þjórsá, one of the most powerful bodies of water in the country, supplying Iceland with 80% of all electricity, it still does not provide electricity to this tiny island that sits on the river. Located on the southern coast, the only structure is a wooden cabin and a few accompanying outhouses and in the summer, a traditional Mongolian yurt which is open to tourists. Keep in mind, there is no running water and only a single solar panel for this ultimate off the grid 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.

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