1.Black beaches

Iceland's volcanic past (and present) means that you won't find white sand on any of its wild beaches; instead, you'll find either a thick layer of fine volcanic ash, or sea-smoothed shards of grey-black lava rock. These black beaches are certainly striking, but I wouldn't recommend swimming at many of them – the currents can be extremely dangerous!

2.Geysers

Geysers can only be seen in a few places in the world. You may have heard of the most famous ones in Yellowstone National Park in the US, or maybe in the Valley of Geysers in Russia, but Iceland has its own famous geyser field at Haukadalur.

In fact, it was here that the word “geyser” was coined. The Great Geysir was the first geyser known to Europeans, with the word “geyser” being adapted from the Icelandic “geysir,” which means “to gush” in Old Norse.

3. Waterfalls you can walk behind

Iceland is also known for its waterfalls. Waterfalls surrounded by basalt columns; waterfalls that flow out of lava fields; waterfalls that are more powerful than any others in Europe (that would be Dettifoss specifically). And waterfalls that you can walk behind.

One of the most famous waterfalls along Iceland's South Shore is Seljalandsfoss. The thin stream of water flows year-round, and visitors who don't mind getting wet can walk under a cliff overhang and hang out behind the waterfall.

4.Glaciers on top of volcanoes

Remember the whole “fire and ice” thing? Yeah, well today many of Iceland's glaciers sit atop volcanoes – and not all of them are extinct. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the volcanic eruptions in Iceland occur beneath glacial ice.

So if you go for a glacier hike in Iceland, just be aware that you're likely also hiking above a volcano.

The most notorious of Iceland's subglacial volcanoes is Katla, and she's overdue for an eruption.

5.Caves made of ice

Speaking of cool caves, during the winter months you can also go into caves made of ice!

Beneath Vatnajökull (the largest glacier in Iceland), blue ice caves form during the winter months. Again, these aren't something you should explore on your own – ice can be even more dangerous than water, and glaciers are always shifting!

But a handful of tour operators have popped up in South Iceland to offer tours to the biggest and best ice caves each season, so take advantage if you're visiting at the right time of year! 

6.Hot springs

Iceland's geothermal activity means that there are tons of natural hot pools all over the country. Some are marketed as tourist destinations (like the Mývatn Nature Baths or the Secret Lagoon in Fludir), while others are truly natural and usually just stumbled upon or found by people in-the-know.

7.Viking horses

Iceland was first settled by the Vikings sometime in the 800s AD. The horses that are now “native” to Iceland are direct descendants of the horses that the Vikings first brought over from mainland Europe.

Icelandic horses are unique in a couple of ways. First, they have a couple extra gaits (i.e. ways they walk/run). And second, they're visually recognizable because of their small stature and furry coats (especially in the winter months).

Icelandic horses are so pure-bred, though, that if they ever leave the island for breeding or horse shows, they can never return to Iceland for fear of the spread of disease.

8.Northern Lights and Midnight Sun

Because Iceland is located very close to the Arctic Circle, the country experiences long winter nights and long summer days, with almost 24 hours of darkness/twilight in December and nearly 24 hours of daylight in June. Iceland is therefore a great place to see both the Northern Lights and experience the Midnight Sun.

9.Elf houses

Crazy as it may seem to someone from America (where people seem to be skeptical of absolutely everything these days), the majority of Icelanders (more than 50%, I was told) believe in the existence of fantastical beings such as elves and trolls.

There are many amusing stories and legends about the Huldufólk, or “hidden people,” and Icelanders go so far as to suspend construction projects if it's believed that the plans may interfere with or endanger current elf habitats.